Verstappen tests in a Ferrari at Mugello: 'Happy to help'

You wouldn't readily expect it: Max Verstappen taking a test in a Ferrari at the Mugello circuit. However, it had nothing to do with Ferrari's F1 team- the Red Bull Racing driver was there to mentor Thierry Vermeulen.

Verstappen tests in a Ferrari at Mugello

21-year-old Thierry, son of Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen, is racing a Ferrari GT car under the Verstappen.com brand. The triple world champion's mentorship is invaluable in a world where the right guidance can make all the difference.

Verstappen completed his laps in a Ferrari 296 GT3 to provide the young driver with the necessary feedback. "Max was able to give him a few good tips after a few laps," Raymond Vermeulen is quoted by Swiss magazine Blick.

Incidentally, Thierry has no ambitions to reach the premier class. "Formula 1 is not a goal for us. I know the way up, and the air is far too rarefied for that. So we will stay away from that. There are other interesting categories in racing," Vermeulen said.

Verstappen acts as mentor for Vermeulen

Verstappen also made another move at the young Vermeulen's Emil Frey team in Safenwil, Switzerland. "I am happy to help Thierry," the Dutchman explained. "We are like a big family, and I am also a GT and sim racing fan." Helmut Marko added: "One day, Max will set up his own GT team. He is just a real racer."

Formula 1 has visited the Mugello circuit once for the 2020 Tuscany Grand Prix. The Italian circuit was included because alternatives were needed due to the coronavirus pandemic, which caused many GPs to be cancelled. Typically, the circuit is mainly used for MotoGP.