Max Verstappen has once again assumed the pseudonym Franz Hermann and skipped a major event on Formula 1’s social calendar.

The Dutchman’s hidden persona emerged this month after he competed in an official Nurburgring Endurance Series test in Emil Frey Racing’s Ferrari 296 GT3 car.

Following the test, Verstappen’s secret identity was fully uncovered and Franz Hermann has since become popular with F1 fans, with the sport itself even in on the joke in Imola.

Max Verstappen snubs F1 movie screening

Speaking to media in Monaco including GPFans, Verstappen explained his reason for missing the F1 movie screening, saying: “I had let F1 know that I wouldn’t be attending.”

Regardless of his commitments elsewhere, Red Bull’s star driver did make it to the paddock on Thursday, May 22, ahead of his return to the FIA press conferences.