Max Verstappen can be recognized exterior of Formula 1 as a one hundred pc racing driver. Example: The Dutchman practiced his expertise, particularly throughout the winter break, for sim racing. The two-time world champion won’t be stopped by connection issues and a “clown present” on the 24 Hours of Le Mans digital race. Instead: a conversion job for much more racing motion and a working handbook for Daniel Ricciardo.
Marco: The Clown Show would not take away from Verstappen’s pleasure in sim racing
In mid-January, Max Verstappen took half in a digital Le Mans race together with his Redline staff. Unlike Formula 1, nonetheless, there was a gap as an alternative of a title. Reason: The race ended prematurely for the 25-year-old athlete after communication issues. “Shame on the hassle we put in as a staff,” he mentioned. However, that did not dampen his love for sim racing.
“On the opposite,” says the physician. Helmut Marko advised ‘Sport1’ that Verstappen may quit sim racing. Despite his anger, the 25-year-old remains to be a digital and actual racing driver. “He’s even modified his personal jet to have the ability to fly a flight simulator sooner or later.”
This means the Red Bull driver will have the ability to bask in one in every of his favourite hobbies throughout the 2023 Formula 1 season whereas touring in his Dassault Falcon 900EX personal jet. The physician believes that Verstappen’s Formula 1 profession shouldn’t be in peril of being uncared for. “That’s good as a result of Max wants that distraction.” Addendum: “It did him no hurt in his two titles.”
Verstappen doesn’t want Ricciardo’s providers at Red Bull
“It helps me keep centered,” mentioned Max Verstappen in an interview with Speedweek journal. “I’m having a number of enjoyable with sim racing anyway.” Max Verstappen sits within the racing simulator not solely personally, but additionally professionally for a few month a yr. “The days are lengthy, however I’m certain the work is value it,” says the Red Bull driver.
Typically, alternative drivers do many of the simulator work for Formula 1 groups. That can be the duty of Red Bull take a look at driver Daniel Ricciardo, who returned to his outdated house after years at Renault and McLaren. Like most drivers, Max Verstappen prefers to take issues into his personal arms.
“I do not need the take a look at driver to do the identical work within the simulator as in different racing groups,” says the Dutchman. “I favor to do it myself as a result of everybody has their very own driving fashion. Speaking of driving fashion: Max Verstappen intentionally drives a number of Formula 1 races on the grid. As a consequence, he has to adapt his driving fashion to new conditions, like when he went karting with Jos Verstappen. Meanwhile, Verstappen is honing his expertise within the Red Bull cockpit.
Red Bull, the world simulator champion
In the final two years, a number of laborious work has paid off, having received the title of world champion twice. “I believe our simulator is likely one of the finest within the business,” mentioned Verstappen. Of course, his private sims in Monaco and at 10,000 meters could not sustain. But: “Of course, the correspondence between simulation and actuality shouldn’t be good.”
For that you just want the actual world. Formula 1 testing will happen between February 23 and 25 earlier than the primary race in Bahrain on March 5. Verstappen will then have the chance to check the brand new RB19 in actual life. Also: It’s unclear how secure the web connection is on Verstappen’s personal jet.