Max Verstappen, the 27-year-old four-time Formula 1 world champion, continues to surprise the motorsport world, this time under his infamous alter ego Franz Hermann. After his second place in the Grand Prix of Canada on 15 June 2025, Verstappen flew to Belgium on Monday evening, where he entered the Spa-Francorchamps circuit on Tuesday morning. In an Aston Martin Vantage GT3, decorated with the logo of Verstappen.com Racing, he delivered a stunning test performance that fans and experts left with open mouth. Videos of his laps, shared on X and motor sport platforms such asMotorsport.com, Verstappens show unparalleled precision on the iconic circuit, while further shaping his ambitions in GT3 racing.
Verstappen’s visit to Spa was not a spontaneous action. It is part of his project Verstappen.com Racing, with which he strives for his passion for Autosport outside of Formula 1. To avoid a rush of fans, he drove under the pseudonym Franz Hermann, a pseudonym that he previously used during a test on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in May 2025. Then he drove a Ferrari 296 GT3 in preparation for the Nürburgring-Langstecken-series to be used. This license would give him access to the 24 hours of Nürburgring, a race that is high on his wish list. “The Nordschleife is a dream circuit,” Verstappen said at the timeRacingNews365. “I want to seriously tackle endurance racing.”
On Spa, where Spa will take place in two weeks, Verstappen tested in collaboration with his team, which is already active in the GT World Challenge Europe. According toGrandprixnews.comHe clocked times that were close to the fastest GT3 rounds of the season, although official records were not registered. “His feedback was incredibly detailed,” teammate Thierry Vermeulen toldMotorsport.com. “Max sees things on the circuit that we only notice after ten laps.” The videos of his test, which went on X viral, show Verstappen that effortlessly navigates through turns such as Eau Rouge and Raidillon, proof of his versatility as a driver.
Verstappens love for endurance racing is no secret. He has years of experience in simulators, where he has studied circuits such as Spa and the Nordschleife in detail. “I drove thousands of virtual rounds,” he said toFormula1.com. “The real circuit is about feeling the grip and the car.” His spa test was not only focused on personal development, but also on supporting Verstappen.com Racing. The team, with drivers such as Vermeulen and Simracer Chris Lulham, benefits from Verstappen’s expertise. Lulham, who previously tested with him on the Nordschleife, praised his mentorship: “Max pointed me to subtle lines that save seconds,” he toldAutosport.nl.
The motorsport community responded enthusiastically. On X praised fans Verstappens dedication, with posts such as those of @f1fanaticNL: “Franz Hermann strikes again! Max is a legend on every circuit.” Experts speculate about his future in endurance racing.F1-Insider.comReported that Verstappen received a FIA Platinum status, which qualifies him for top classes such as hypercars in Le Mans. Although his Formula 1 contract with Red Bull runs until 2028, he does not exclude a switch to endurance racing afterwards. “Le Mans is on my list,” he confirmedMotorsport.com.
Verstappen’s choice toF1: The Movie-Première in New York to skip for this test underlines its priorities. While the Formula 1 world follows him in his struggle for a fifth title, in the midst of recent controversies such as his sentence in Spain, Verstappen continues to focus on his broader ambitions. His spa performance as Franz Hermann strengthens his reputation as a driver who not only dominates in Formula 1, but also wants to conquer motorsport in all its facets. With the 24 hours of Spa and the Nürburgring in the sights, fans are eagerly looking forward to the next stunt of “Franz Hermann”. Whether he is in an RB21 or a GT3 car, Verstappen continues to set the standard in racing.
