Chris Lulham Reveals Lessons from Max Verstappen’s Secret Nurburgring Test

Chris Lulham is stepping into the international spotlight as he competes with Verstappen.com Racing in the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe. The British driver recently grabbed attention after taking part in a secretive GT3 test at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, a session that also featured four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen.

Verstappen drove under the name “Franz Hermann” to avoid fans and media, but Lulham was also behind the wheel of the Ferrari 296 GT3, sharing driving duties throughout the day.

Lulham said the chance to drive on the Nordschleife was unique. He completed the majority of his laps in the afternoon while Verstappen focused on the early morning.

Image credit: gt-place.com

Despite extensive preparation with thousands of simulator laps and multiple sim racing wins on the legendary circuit, Lulham stressed that nothing compared to driving the real track for the first time. The day was focused on gathering data for Emil Frey Racing as it was the first opportunity for their Ferrari 296 to run at the Nordschleife.

Both Lulham and Verstappen were also working toward obtaining the much-needed permit that allows drivers to compete in powerful GT3 cars during official races at the circuit.

Lulham explained that the test session was designed for both learning and supporting the team. With over 100 corners and a reputation as one of the world’s toughest tracks, the Nordschleife offers countless lines and details to master, he shared.

Throughout the day, Verstappen and Lulham helped each other, analyzing live onboard footage and discussing the best approaches to difficult sections. The car performed strongly, and Lulham described their teamwork as productive and positive.

Image credit: news.verstappen.com

The move from sim racing to the high-pressure environment of GT3 competition has been rapid for Lulham. A former karting runner-up in 2017, he raced in Formula 4 and the Radical Cup before earning his seat with Verstappen.com Racing thanks to impressive results in top-level sim events.

Preparation started last winter, and Lulham was able to qualify on the front row for his debut, missing pole position by just two hundredths. He credits strong support from Verstappen, the team, and his teammate Thierry Vermeulen, who brings deep experience from DTM and GTWC.

Racing alongside Vermeulen, Lulham benefits from expert guidance on dealing with real-world variables such as Pirelli tire behavior, curbing, and racing lines. While sim racing gave him solid technique and mental readiness, he points out that actual competition is much more aggressive and includes many unpredictable circumstances.

The physical side, he admits, demanded extra adjustment, especially when dealing with limited practice time and immediate qualifying pressure. Still, his performance in early races has been strong.

The pair even took the Gold Cup victory at Brands Hatch, and Lulham believes a top-three result is possible in the overall standings by season’s end.

Looking ahead, Lulham hopes to qualify for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring by completing the required NLS races in slower cars and securing his permit. He is unsure if the paperwork will be ready before the flagship endurance event, but he’s optimistic.

With consistent results and experienced mentors, Lulham feels both the pressure and the motivation to push further in his first GT3 season. His main goals are to contest both the Sprint and Endurance Gold Cup titles and continue developing as a professional driver, with the long-term aim of turning his racing passion into a full-time career.

Verstappen’s involvement in this project adds to his growing prominence in motorsport beyond Formula 1, echoing his skill on tracks like Imola where his aggressive overtakes have caught widespread attention, as seen in the Verstappen Imola overtake highlights.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.