Max Verstappen has confirmed that he is committed to providing the support young sim racers need to move from virtual racing to racing in the real world of motorsport. Admitting that it’s a “dream” of his to transform a sim racer into a real-world success story, the Red Bull driver has made this one of his goals.
Speaking to The Athletic, Verstappen shares an update on this mission.
“I’m just very happy that it’s all possible,” he said. “Financially, it’s basically making it all happen. And at the same time, also giving young drivers a chance.
“My dream is of having a sim driver move into the real world and making it a success story, and seeing him progress, and seeing him evolve, hopefully in the long term, make him basically a professional driver.
“That he can make his living off it. That is the goal, and that’s something that slowly we’re making ways in.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
The driver, currently sitting third in the drivers’ standings, has long had a passion for sim racing, with him often taking part in online streaming sessions alongside other members of his Team Redline sim racing outfit. He believes that this style of experience can circumvent that of a traditional karting route.
“Everyone always thinks that it’s just a game and it’s fun, easy-going,” he told the same outlet. “But I would say the competition is just as hard, or even harder, to nail – to win – than in real life.”
He continued: “I never really had time to spend a lot of time on the simulator because combining school (and) karting, it was not possible. From 2009 until like 2015, I did a bit but just for fun, to go on with my friends and have a good time.”
The Dutchman believes this to be a legitimate pathway into racing, and has therefore set up a system that allows such talents to be nurtured. Established in 2022 and supported by Red Bull, his Verstappen.com Racing team competes in GT3 racing, rally and sim racing. It’s allowed racer Chris Lulham to move from sim racing to GT3 sprint and endurance racing, racing alongside Thierry Vermeulen.
“We go racing all together, partnering with professional support teams in challenging championships,” Verstappen said. “Of course, there is still a lot to learn to maximise our performance with the cars and drivers. The goal is to be competitive and fight in the top of the field.
“It is great that we now make it happen for a sim racer to take it up against established racing drivers. I am very excited for the year ahead!”
Lulham follows in the footsteps of Jann Mardenborough. Now competing in the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with HRT Ford Performance, he started his career on the modest circuits of the Gran Turismo video game. But after winning the GT Academy – a competition for sim racers – he was awarded a racing contract with Nissan.
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