Verstappen as competitive in sim racing: 'I want to win, whatever I do'

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20 December 2021 at 12:52
Last update 20 December 2021 at 14:17
  • GPblog.com

Max Verstappen proved again during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that he is an exceptionally fast driver. Yet he is not only a fast driver on the track, but is also getting better at sim racing. Verstappen admits that he still has a lot to learn, but that is what gives him motivation.

Besides Formula 1, the Dutchman is also very busy with simulation racing games. The simulators and racing games are used by the Formula 1 teams to prepare the drivers for a race weekend, but the 24-year-old driver also uses it in his spare time. He is an active sim racer with Team Redline.

He grabbed this opportunity with both hands, because he believes he can learn so much from sim racing. It is very different from driving a Formula 1 car, partly because he has to use a different technique on the simulator. The world champion can learn a lot from that different technique and the other drivers. "For me it is interesting to compare myself with them, because they are naturally fast on the sim, I am naturally fast in real life. On the simulator these guys are the benchmark and I have to push myself to that limit," he told the Interview with CarNext.com.

Extremely fanatic

Aside from the racing itself, the Red Bull Racing driver also puts a lot of time into preparation. The preparation for each event takes around 40 to 50 hours, but that's also because the driver from Limburg wants to get the best out of it. "I want to win, whatever I do. So when I'm on the simulator, I'm also going full out."