On May 9, 2025, the champion of Formula 1 Max Verstappen surprised the world of motor racing by participating in a clandestine GT3 test in the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which controls a Ferrari 296 GT3 under the pseudonym “Franz Hermann”. The four -time world champion, known for his domain in the F1, wanted to keep the test secret, but his identity was quickly discovered due to his name in his helmet and racing suit. However, what really fascinated fans and the media were the five words that, according to the reports, after leaving the car: “This is where I belong.” These words, shared through messages in X, LED generalized an amazement and speculations about the future of Verstappen beyond F1.
The test, part of the preparations for the third round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken (NLS) series, saw Verstappen a Ferrari 296 GT3 governments for Emil Frey Racing, decorated in his statement of Verstappen.com races. According to Auto Motor Und Sport, the Verstappen team has taken extensive measures to maintain confidentiality, prohibit photographers from the garage and use the “Franz Hermann” in the car next to a Dutch flag. Despite these efforts, journalists with Eagle Eyes saw their characteristic helmet and social networks full of images and videos, including a Verstappen clip that carried out a perfect raid, shared by the user @Maxvcalloway in X.
The appearance of Verstappen in a Ferrari GT3 car lifted his eyebrows, especially because his team of races Verstappen.com generally contains a Aston Martin Vantage GT3 with 2 Sea Motorsport. His participation with Emil Frey Racing, who supports Ferrari of his team in the DTM series, underlines his growing dedication to GT3 races. Verstappen has long pronounced a passion for resistance races and tells Road & Track in 2024 that he dreams of competing in the 24 hours of Le Mans and Nürburgring. The expansion of his team in GT World Challenge Europe and DTM, who supported directors such as Thierry Vermeulen, son of his manager Raymond Vermeulen, reflects this ambition. The Nürburgring test, as reported by Sportskeeda, was also a step in the direction of obtaining a Nordschleife permit, possibly for 2025 24 hours of Nürburgring, planned for June 21, F1 outside the week.
The five words that Verstappen spoke resonated deeply and indicates a future in which GT3 races can play a more important role. The messages in X, including one of @Racingballf1, emphasized their nature as “career addict” and pointed out that the test arrived only one week after the birth of their son. Fans wondered about their versatility, with @Scuderiafemboy called the undercover period “Crazy”. However, the explanation also fed speculation about its trajectory F1. Verstappen, hired as Red Bull until 2028, has faced a challenging 2025 season, with an accumulation of Oscar Piastri by McLaren with 32 points after a P4 ending in Miami. Red Bull’s struggles, in combination with an important game such as Adrian Newey, have intensified rumors about a possible movement, in which some, such as Ralf Schumacher in Gpblog, suggest a future with Ferrari’s F1 team.
For now, the Verstappen approach in F1, with the Gran Prize of Emilia Romagna. However, its Nürburgring output indicates a broader vision. The proof was not just about personal pleasure; It was a strategic step to optimize the GT3 configuration of his team, as BVM Sports pointed out. His practical participation, from driver training to Livrei design, shows the obligation to build Verstappen.com in a power. The premature end of the test, informed by GPBlog, was a small setback, but Verstappen’s ability in the Ferrari, reaching speeds of 170 mph, under any doubt about its adaptability.
The secret proof of Verstappen and cryptic words has redoled its history. In addition to the F1 Care Center, it uses a path in resistance races, combining passion with the objective. While the world of Motorsport’s expectations, those five words, “this is where I belong”, they echo as a bold explanation of a champion without discipline, ready to conquer New Horizons.
