Fresh off a frustrating weekend at the Miami Grand Prix, where he finished a rare fourth, Max Verstappen made a quiet return to Europe — but not to rest. Instead, the three-time Formula 1 world champion was spotted at the iconic Nürburgring circuit, where he took part in an official test session behind the wheel of a Ferrari GT3 car.
This test was conducted ahead of the third round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), a popular endurance racing series featuring GT3-spec machines. While Verstappen’s presence at such a test might have raised eyebrows, the Dutchman made every effort to keep it under wraps. He participated under the pseudonym Franz Hermann, with strict security measures in place — including personal bodyguards and a ban on photography inside the garage.
Verstappen’s interest in endurance racing is well known. He has often hinted at a potential shift to sports car racing once his Formula 1 career winds down. He already owns and manages his own GT World Challenge team and frequently competes in endurance events on iRacing with Team Redline.
This test marks one of the few public times Verstappen has driven a GT3 car outside the virtual world, reinforcing speculation about his long-term motorsport ambitions. While the test was intended to be low-key, it has drawn plenty of attention, especially given the use of a Ferrari — a brand that remains a fierce F1 rival to Red Bull.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, Verstappen’s goal was simple: enjoy a few peaceful laps around one of the world’s most legendary circuits. Whether this was just for fun or a sign of things to come, one thing’s certain — Max’s future in racing is wide open.
