Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, is one of the most iconic F1 drivers of the present time. He is also a fan favourite and is extremely popular among fans on social media after he became the latest F1 sensation by winning back-to-back 4 championship titles. However, he is being called “Franz Hermann” these days, and it’s all over social media. But why is he called that? Let’s find out.
Why Is Max Verstappen Called Franz Hermann?
Max Verstappen used the pseudonym Franz Hermann during a recent GT3 test at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which is a legendary and challenging race track in Germany. The organisers chose to keep a low profile to avoid attracting excessive attention during the event. When Verstappen was asked for a pseudonym, he decided to pick something that sounded as German as possible, saying, “Let’s make it as German as we can”
This choice was not just practical but quite straightforward. By not using his real name, he avoided being listed on the official entry list, which would have drawn large crowds and media attention early in the morning, potentially causing disruptions. He acknowledged that once he was one track, people would have realised it was him anyway, but at least at the start of the day, he remained calm.
He said, “Otherwise, people would wake up at 8 am knowing that my name is on the entry list, and I knew that once I there, people would realise that is normal. But at least I wasn’t on the entry list, so 8 am-9 am was pretty calm.”
Max Verstappen To Compete In Nürburgring 24 Hours?
Max Verstappen’s use of the name “Franz Hermann” also reflects his passion for racing beyond F1. He expressed a strong interest in competing in the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race in the future. The GT3 was a part of his preparation to gain experience and obtain the necessary license and permits to race officially.
He said, “I would like to do [the 24 Hours] in the future, that is why I am doing all these things to prepare, get a bit of experience so I don’t need to do that for the future. We are discussing it with them how to do it, because my schedule is very full, and we are speaking with them because I know what is needed, but I cannot say when it would be.”
He also said the test was more about enjoying the experience and learning the track, rather than just breaking records, although he did manage to set a lap record during the session. He said, “[I did break the lap record], but I was not there to show I can break the lap record or whatever record. I was just having fun and learning the track with the team, as they had not yet been there before.”
The pseudonym “Franz Hermann” quickly became a hot topic in the F1 world and even a meme among fans.
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