Tsunoda's assessment of Verstappen's Nordschleife incursion

Replying to a question posed by GPblog, Tsunoda revealed he was no stranger to the 'Green Hell' himself: "I've driven it already," he said at the F1 paddock in Imola.

"I drove it with the NSX GT3. But I don't think it was Max driving." Indeed, the Dutchman did not register for the test with his actual name, he used a pseudonym instead: Franz Hermann.

During his run, Verstappen managed to beat the track record in the category he was racing. What was Tsunoda's lap time when he drove there then?

"I mean, a bit of excuse. But I have a safety car in front to be safe. It was like part of the Red Bull Sunday Show run, so I had a safety car in front, so I couldn't really push at all. But it's not a track that you can drive fast immediately. So he did really well, Mr. Franz," was Tsunoda's assessment of Verstappen's run.

The Japanese is clear on something, if he were to have a proper go at the 'Green Hell', he knows what name he'd like to race under: "Something good, Japanese name. Yeah, I would be the Last Samurai. I hope it won't be the last ride in my life," concluded the Japanese driver laughing.