Max Verstappen has enjoyed one unexpected benefit of ‘iconic’ Franz Hermann testing days

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Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen has shown time and again that when he’s not racing in Formula 1, he’s desperate to be racing in any available racing car.

During an official Endurance Series test in May, Max Verstappen took part under the pseudonym Franz Hermann.

It was an effort for the Red Bull driver to keep his antics under the radar away from Formula 1, but it wasn’t a secret for long.

Fans loved Verstappen’s use of the Hermann name, but it also highlights just how keen he is to explore his options beyond F1.

“They asked me for a fake name, so I said let’s make it as German as we can,” Verstappen said, via Autosport, when asked to explain why he chose Franz Hermann.

“Then you’re not on the entry list. Otherwise, people woke up at 8 am knowing that my name is on it; I knew that once I was there that people would realise.

“It’s normal. But at least I wasn’t on the entry list. So, at least at 8 or 9 am, it was pretty calm.

Many people believe Verstappen will take part in a GT3 race soon, but whether he combines this with his F1 commitments or decides to step away from the sport in the same way Fernando Alonso and Nigel Mansell did in the past is another matter.

Red Bull will be desperate for Verstappen to delay any plans to walk away from Formula 1, given how important he is to their championship ambitions.

Verstappen’s contract runs until the end of 2028, but team principal Christian Horner might need to find a compromise to keep the 27-year-old happy.

Journalist Ralf Bach was speaking about Verstappen’s latest GT3 test and the impact it’s had on Verstappen.

The four-time world champion is experiencing an unexpected benefit from the day he spent at Spa.

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Max Verstappen has ‘sold out’ Franz Hermann merchandise after latest GT3 test at Spa

Bach was talking about Verstappen’s most recent test outside of Formula 1 and the Dutchman not racing under the pseudonym Franz Hermann.

He explained: “It’s possible that he’ll use it again because it’s already become iconic.

“I mean, they’re having fun. Merchandising products were made with Franz Hermann t-shirts, and all the t-shirts were sold out.

“There are only a few left for certain people, but basically everything is sold out.

“So, it did work. I don’t think they’ll give up on the Franz Hermann name completely.

“Now, he just wanted to drive under his name and because it’s fun in Belgium, and it worked.

“Most people already know that Max Verstappen and Franz Hermann are not two people.”

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Christian Horner has already made his feelings clear on Max Verstappen racing away from F1

The ever-expanding Formula 1 calendar and increased sponsorship commitments make it more and more difficult for drivers to test their capacities in other disciplines.

However, Verstappen has managed to juggle becoming a new father with GT3 and Formula 1 interests brilliantly.

Horner spoke to Sky Sports F1 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix about Verstappen’s tests and said: “He’s so versatile and he’s so passionate about all forms of racing: sim racing, GT racing – he has his own GT team, effectively.

“He was very keen to run at the Nürburgring. It’s something we’ve known about for quite some time. He went there and did an incredible job and really enjoyed himself.

“He’s not going to miss a race, that’s for sure.

“The focus obviously has to be here on the day job. But I think it’s great that he’s so versatile.

“As Red Bull, we’ve always been slightly more relaxed than perhaps other teams in terms of the freedom that we’ve given our drivers.”