While his Formula 1 colleagues in New York sparked on the premiere ofF1: The Movie, Max Verstappen opted for a different kind of spotlight. The 27-year-old Dutchman, who already became world champion four times in Formula 1, landed late on Monday evening at a small airport in Flamierge, Belgium, just 30 kilometers from the legendary circuit the Spa-Francorchamps. On Tuesday morning he surprised fans and media by crawling behind the wheel of an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 under his alter ego “Franz Hermann”, decorated with the logo of Verstappen.com Racing. This test, carried out just after its second place in the Grand Prix of Canada on June 15, 2025, underlines Verstappen’s passion for motor sport outside of Formula 1 and his ambition to prepare for future endurance races.
Verstappen, who has never hidden his love for long -distance races such as Le Mans and the Nürburgring, used the pseudonym Franz Hermann to avoid the attention of fans and media. This tactic is not new: last month he appeared as Hermann during a test with a Ferrari 296 GT3 on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, a circuit that is known as the “green hell” because of his challenging layout. During that test, held in the run-up to the Nürburgring Langstrecken series (NLS), Verstappen reportedly broke the rounder record for GT3 cars with a time of 7:48, although official times have not been released. However, he denied that breaking records was his goal. “I was there to have fun and to get to know the circuit with the team,” he said toRacingNews365. His focus was on obtaining a Nordschleifen permit, a required license to participate in the iconic 24 hours of Nürburgring.
The test on Spa-Francorchamps, where Spa will take place in two weeks, fits in Verstappens wider plan to gain experience in GT3 racing. His team, Verstappen.com Racing, is already active in the GT World Challenge Europe, with drivers such as Thierry Vermeulen and Chris Lulham. During the Spa test, reported byGrandprixnews.com, Verstappen rode in an Aston Martin GT3, a choice that evoked speculation about a possible future collaboration with Aston Martin, although sources such asF1-Insider.comEmphasize that this is not an indication of a switch to their Formula 1 team. Verstappen emphasized that he enjoys these tests in his spare time: “It’s my passion. I want to learn more and prepare myself for the future,” he toldMotorsport.com.
Verstappens dedication to GT3 racing goes beyond pleasure. He has already driven “thousands” virtual rounds on circuits such as the Nordschleife via simulators, so that he knows the layout in detail. “When I really drove there, it was mainly about feeling the grip and the asphalt,” he explainedFormula1.com. His test on Spa was also intended to support his team and to prepare for future endurance events. Posts on X, such as from @elreyguiri, buzzing with enthusiasm about Verstappens performing, with fans who speculate whether he will again establish a lap record, as he did on the Nordschleife.
Although Verstappens Formula 1 agenda is overcrowded, he continues to make time for his passion projects. His teammate at the Nordschleife test, Simracer Chris Lulham, praised Verstappens input: “He pointed me to small details in the more than a hundred turns of the circuit,” said LulhamMotorsport.com. This collaboration underlines Verstappens role as a mentor within his team. In the meantime, the FIA has recently awarded him the highest Platinum status for sports car races, a step towards participation in events such as Le Mans, where he is aiming for the Hypercar class.
While the Formula 1-World Verstappen’s battle for a fifth title follows, especially after recent controversies such as his sentence in Spain, he remains focused on his broader motorsport ambitions. His performance as Franz Hermann on Spa proves that he is not only a Formula 1 star, but a versatile driver who is ready to conquer the endurance world. Fans are eagerly looking forward to what “Franz Hermann” has in store next.
