Max Verstappen had engineers in awe of his pace as he swapped his seat for a different kind of race car.
The Dutchman's exploits in motorsport stretch beyond his three F1 championships. In 2022, he joined forces with his employers to create Verstappen.com Racing.
He helps oversee several projects both in the virtual and real world, including sponsoring his friend Thierry Vermeulen in GT and DTM. 's support isn't just financial, either.
When his schedule allows, he joins Vermeulen in testing. He did just that last year at Mugello and ended up getting behind the wheel of his 296 DTM car to try and prove its maximum potential.
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
The moment was captured in Viaplay's documentary Off the Beaten Track, now available to watch in the UK. Verstappen was seen putting in green sector after green sector, with one engineer asking: "How do you think he's so good?" An on-watching Vermeulen answered: "Because it's Max. He is insane."
"This guy is from another planet," the engineer exclaimed. Vermeulen also commented: "To see him go directly up to speed... Everyone at one point can put in quite a quick lap, but for him it just comes so quick. Even if it's a new car, he can just drive around the problems and use his talent and his experience to directly be on the pace."
Emil Frey Racing's head of track engineering, Graziano Michelacci, was equally stunned by what he was seeing. "I know what to expect from this kind of guy. In this case, it was something really unexpected," he admitted.
"He was improving the lap time at a level which normally doesn't exist in real life. So you are surprised, even if you expect it. Then you remember it's something to say to your friends when in the future you're in a bar."
Verstappen felt it was mission accomplished as he boosted the morale of the team ahead of their race in Italy. They'd go on to finish the season seventh out of 14 teams, with Vermeulen 16th out of 29 in the drivers' standings.
"When we did the lap time they were like, 'Wow, this car is quick, we made it quick'. So again, it's like a whole boost to the team at the end of the day. They all went to the next race, I think full of confidence that 'yes, now we have a car that we can fight up front with'," Verstappen reflected.
Viaplay UK is available via Prime Video Channels. More info:
You may also like
Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, British Airways and TUI new flight routes from UK airports
India Rejects Trudeau's Allegations, Denies Links to Criminal Gangs in Canada
Moment man tells police three sinister words as he's arrested for trying to murder wife
Sharad Purnima 2024 Date: Is it on October 16 or 17? Check Puja Vidhi, rituals, and more
Who is Christopher Rufo? Anti-plagiariser who made Havard dean resign, and is now going after Kamala Harris
Your Ultimate Guide to the Autumn Internationals - On sale now!
Novak Djokovic confirms career switch plans as Serb makes Sinner and Alcaraz admission
Ex-Tory MP Steve Baker says political return off the table as he says 'people hate my guts'
Al Pacino's ex Noor Alfallah says 'I wish' as she shares one regret after giving birth
Cameron Norrie makes heartfelt injury confession as he gears up for return
Delicious Chinese takeaway secret recipe for perfect chicken chow mein dish
Chelsea chiefs explain why they wanted to replace Mauricio Pochettino with Enzo Maresca
Hezbollah deputy chief tells Israelis the only solution to the current war is ceasefire
Which Married At First Sight UK couples are still together after whirlwind relationships?
Bhopal Power Cut Plan October 15: Power To Remain Disrupted In Amrawad Khurd, Girnar Colony, Tilak Nagar & More; Check Full List Here
Foreo launches new 2-in-1 scalp massager for stronger, thicker hair - and it's on sale
Women Inter-Department Nationals: SAI, UBI, RSPB win on day two
Air India flight from Delhi to Chicago diverted to Canada following bomb threat
England adopt unusual slip position with Joe Root to tackle dead Multan pitch
RG Kar: SC gives three weeks time to NTF to give recommendations on doctors' safety