Motorsports have a history of being a pay-to-play environment, where young drivers often spend large amounts of money to begin their journey in karting. Four-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen is familiar with this reality, but he also sees a potential solution through sim racing, a virtual version of car racing that closely mirrors real-world racing.
This concept may not be as far-fetched as it initially seems. The sport has evolved into a legitimate platform for showcasing talent, focusing on intricate setups and tire management without the hefty financial burden. Verstappen, an avid sim racer himself, believes that top virtual drivers deserve the opportunity to transition into real-world racing.
In his long-term plan, as revealed in The Athletic, Verstappen envisions establishing his own racing team that combines skilled sim racers with traditional racers. While sim drivers may lack experience with G-forces, Verstappen is confident that training and effective coaching can help bridge this gap. He acknowledges that his own driving has improved through sim racing, and vice versa.
“Many people assume that sim racing is just a casual game, easy and fun,” Verstappen explains, “but I would argue that the competition is just as intense, if not more so, than real-life racing when it comes to achieving victory.”
