Why is F1 champion Max Verstappen called Franz Hermann?

Max Verstappen testing on the Nurburgring Nordschleife — Photo: © IMAGO

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Why is Max Verstappen called Franz Hermann?

Max Verstappen raced under a pseudonym

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Friday 13 June 2025 19:00 Updated: 21:30

Eagle-eyed Formula 1 fans would have noticed that four-time world champion Max Verstappen was missing from the timing sheets in an official social media post from the F1 account.

Instead, Verstappen was replaced by a 'Franz Hermann', who was making his 'debut' in Imola Grand Prix practice, finishing up in seventh.

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No, Verstappen isn't another casualty of the brutal Red Bull driver carousel, it was just a nod towards a recent venture from the Dutchman from the F1 social media team.

Last week, Verstappen tested in a GT3 car at the Nordschleife track, where he participated in the test and setup sessions of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), and completed several laps in his 600-hp Ferrari 296 GT3.

However, the Dutchman competed under the pseudonym of Franz Hermann, attempting to keep his participation at the track under wraps. The reigning F1 champion even had personal security present, and external photographers were banned from the private test.

Why did Verstappen test in a GT3 car?

Verstappen's presence was reportedly part of a larger plan for the 27-year-old to obtain a Nordschleife permit later this year.

The 27-year-old has competed in virtual racing events in the NLS before, but the champion may be hoping to drive in the competition in real life, which would further showcase his supreme racing talent.

Speaking at a virtual NLS racing event last year, the champion expressed his desire to race in the category, saying: "The Nurburgring Nordschleife is one of my absolute favourite race tracks, and I hope that in a few years I can also compete here with a real GT3."

Following Verstappen's seventh-place position in FP1 in Imola, the Dutchman then could only finish fifth in FP2, in what looks set to be another difficult weekend for Verstappen and his Red Bull team.

Who is Franz Hermann?

When Verstappen was asked by media during the Imola GP weekend why he had decided to use the pseudonym Franz Hermann, he replied: "They asked me for a fake name, so I said let's make it as German as we can."

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Max is cashing in on Franz Hermann

Talk about smart marketing - the F1 champion is now cashing in on his 'new brand'.

The Dutchman's clothing brand Verstappen.com jumped at the opportunity to create Franz Hermann-inspired merchandise with Verstappen (or was it Hermann?) modelling the new line of t-shirts and sweaters.

Now, the brand have revealed in an Instagram post that demand for the Franz Hermann merchandise was in hot demand, so much so that it sold out.

Fans of Hermann and/or Verstappen shouldn't worry too much, however, with the brand also confirming that they have dropped new limited edition items on their website due to the demand for the Hermann merchandise.

F1 Max Verstappen FIA Toto Wolff Imola Grand Prix Franz Hermann