Verstappen appears at the Nürburgring: Why he changed his name to Franz Herman.

Franz Herman retires

According to The Sun: The Dutch racing driver Max Verstappen, who previously raced under the name Franz Herman, will end his appearance on the track this weekend as he returns to compete on one of the most dangerous circuits in the world.

In May of this year, motorsport fans were surprised when an unknown driver named Herman set a record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

It turned out that this was none other than four-time World Champion Verstappen testing the Ferrari 296 GT3. He chose to remain anonymous to avoid fan attention and picked a name that should sound 'very German'.

Unfortunately, Herman has to retire this weekend as Verstappen is required to compete under his real name to obtain a Class A license for the Nordschleife.

The driver will participate in a race at the Nürburgring as part of the German long-distance series, between races in Monza and Baku.

The Nürburgring is a challenging 13-mile track with dangerous turns and descents. It is considered one of the most dangerous circuits in the world, despite being a true feast for drivers, with about 70 celebrities having lost their lives there.

This event will be the first time Verstappen participates in official races at the Nürburgring. Before he can compete in the GT3 Ferrari, he must complete a mandatory course and participate in a race with a less powerful car.

Verstappen's prospects and plans

It is known that he plans to start with the Porsche Cayman GT4 for the Lionspeed GP team to acquire his license. Verstappen told SunSport in June that testing in other motorsport disciplines helps him maintain his passion for Formula 1.

He also looks after his family: girlfriend Kelly, daughter of former F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet, their daughter Lily, and stepdaughter Penelope, who live in Monaco.

If everything goes according to plan, Verstappen will return on September 27 with the Swiss team Emil Frey Racing for full participation in NLS in the Ferrari 296 GT3. This will be his first official GT3 race on the 12.9-mile track.

Last week, Verstappen impressed everyone by setting the fastest lap in F1 history during qualifying in Monza and subsequently winning the fastest race in sports history.

Verstappen's return to the Nürburgring is an important step in his career as it offers him an opportunity to enhance his skills and gain valuable experience on one of the most famous circuits in the world. Everyone is waiting for his appearances, as this could mark the beginning of a new chapter in his sporting life.