P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Why is Max Verstappen called Franz Hermann?
Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion in Formula 1, did not appear on the timing sheets in an official social media post from the F1 account, being replaced by a fictional debutant named ‘Franz Hermann’ in the Imola Grand Prix practice, finishing seventh. However, this was not due to any driver changes in Red Bull Racing, but rather a nod towards Verstappen’s recent GT3 car testing at the Nurburgring Nordschleife track under a pseudonym. Verstappen competed as ‘Franz Hermann’ to keep his participation confidential, aiming to obtain a Nordschleife permit later this year, showcasing his interest in real-life GT3 racing. Despite a challenging weekend in Imola, finishing fifth in FP2, Verstappen’s aspirations of competing at the Nordschleife in the future highlight his talents beyond Formula 1. In an amusing response to using the pseudonym Franz Hermann, Verstappen humorously stated that he chose a German-sounding name when asked for a fake one during the Imola GP weekend.
