Verstappen caused a fair degree of intrigue last month when pictures began circulating of the Dutchman testing for DTM team Emil Frey in Portugal. While it is known that team regular and fellow Dutchman Thierry Vermeulen is supported by Verstappen, the fact that their connection was so close that he would spend two days testing his car caused a surprise.
It was from a fun track day, as both Verstappen and Emil Frey worked together to devise an intensive test programme with different set-ups and clearly defined goals. As team boss Lorenz Frey-Hilti explained, the objective was to use the F1 star’s experience behind the wheel and assist the development of 21-year-old Vermeulen.
"The aim of the test with Max was to support Thierry and also to improve our performance with his feedback,” Frey-Hilti told Autosport's sister title, Motorsport-Total.com. “He drove on both days. On the first day, it was about 100 laps and they took turns. We tried out a lot.
“We are honoured that he uses our services as a racing team and that we are able to work with him on the test days. That is absolutely brilliant."
The fathers of Verstappen and Vermeulen were also present at the Algarve circuit in Portimao for the test. This was no coincidence as Jos Verstappen acts as a driver coach for Thierry Vermeulen, while the latter’s father Raymond acts as Max’s manager.
Frey-Hilti was thoroughly impressed to see Max Verstappen behind the wheel, praising him for what he could achieve even in a GT3 car.
Source: Autosport