Motorsports have traditionally been domains where participation often requires substantial financial investment, with aspiring young drivers spending significant amounts merely to get started in karting. Max Verstappen, a four-time Formula One champion, is well aware of these challenges. He identifies sim racing, a virtual format that closely mirrors real-world racing, as a potential means to address these financial barriers.
The concept of sim racing as a serious platform for developing talent may seem unconventional, but it has evolved significantly. It now includes intricate setups and tire management while eliminating the considerable financial obstacles present in traditional motorsports. Verstappen, who is an enthusiastic sim racer himself, is of the opinion that top performers in virtual racing merit opportunities in actual cars.
Verstappen’s ultimate ambition, as shared with The Athletic, is to establish a racing team that facilitates the transition of exceptional sim racers into real-world racing, thus sidestepping the usual financial hurdles. He acknowledges that while sim racers typically lack firsthand experience with G-forces, proper training and coaching can bridge this gap. Verstappen notes that sim racing has enhanced his driving skills, and vice versa.
He explains, “Everyone always thinks that it’s just a game and it’s fun, easy going, but I would say the competition is just as hard, or even harder, to nail — to win — than in real life.”
