The APXGP F1 have announced their latest signing for the Formula 1 season. Franz Hermann is set to join, the team revealed on social media after his successful GT test.
At the Nordschleife ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was present to complete testing for Verstappen.com Racing in a GT3 car. Reportedly, the Dutchman also set the track record.
However, he drove under a German pseudonym at the 'Green Hell', Franz Hermann. Answering GPblog's question ahead of the Imola GP, he explained: "They asked me for a fake name, so I said let's make it as German as we can."
As a result, Verstappen's 'fake name' took the internet by storm once it was found out. Moreover, the Dutchman's former teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, also did a video, where he acted as Franz's brother, Frank.
'Franz Hermann makes switch to Formula 1'
The remarkable lap times set by 'Franz Hermann' at the Nordschleife have not gone unnoticed. The fictional Formula 1 team of APXGP, a team on the grid in the movie called 'F1', posted a meme announcing they have signed the German to their squad.
Could Hermann be a replacement for Sonny Hayes as a result?
See the post from the APXGP Formula 1 team below.
This article was written in collaboration with Mitchell van der Hoef
Popular on GPBlog
Norris beats Piastri with mega lap, as Tsunoda outpaces a suffering Verstappen
Max Verstappen drama unfolds in Hungary: Stewards reach verdict!
Verstappen appears to be heading for disaster weekend with 'uncontrollable' Red Bull
