How Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is keeping his racing reflexes sharp
The racer took to Instagram to share pictures of him sim racing.
By Shannon Tellis, ET Bureau |
Getty Images
With the 2020 F1 season delayed, the FIA has brought forward the summer shutdown where all teams must cease all race- and car-related activity.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic with races being postponed and countries going into battle mode, the start date of the 2020 F1 season is still up in the air. But one driver is not letting that stop him from keeping his racing reflexes razor-sharp.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is turning to esports and using a simulator to ensure he’s in fighting shape when the 2020 F1 season commences once again. “Hope we can get back to racing soon but until then we’ll have to settle for sim racing,” he posted recently on Instagram.
According to the Dutchman, simulator racing keeps him sharp and focused. “Over the winter I did it (simulator racing) a lot and I try to practice my skills and make it even better,” he said.
The Dutchman took on fellow F1 driver Lando Norris and other top virtual drivers of iRacing (a simulated racing game) on Tuesday evening. “What else can you do at this moment, you have to stay inside. And it’s fun, I really enjoy sim racing anyway. To host an event like this with professional drivers and the professional sim drivers is great. It’s good for everyone to stay sharp and trying to beat each other. ”
But the Dutchman is quite particular about the type of simulated races he will participate in. Like on the track, Verstappen “always races to win” and would rather not participate in a virtual race than drive somewhere at the back in a game he’s not familiar with.
Delayed, But Not Gone
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the first race of the season - the Australian Grand Prix - was canceled days before the event and the subsequent races have either been canceled or postponed. Formula 1’s annual summer shutdown period (traditionally in August) was also moved to March and April and extended for an additional seven days.
The Dutchman now has to wait until at least until June to challenge six-time world champion and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton for the World Drivers’ Championship title.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic with races being postponed and countries going into battle mode, the start date of the 2020 F1 season is still up in the air. But one driver is not letting that stop him from keeping his racing reflexes razor-sharp.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is turning to esports and using a simulator to ensure he’s in fighting shape when the 2020 F1 season commences once again. “Hope we can get back to racing soon but until then we’ll have to settle for sim racing,” he posted recently on Instagram.
According to the Dutchman, simulator racing keeps him sharp and focused. “Over the winter I did it (simulator racing) a lot and I try to practice my skills and make it even better,” he said.
The Dutchman took on fellow F1 driver Lando Norris and other top virtual drivers of iRacing (a simulated racing game) on Tuesday evening. “What else can you do at this moment, you have to stay inside. And it’s fun, I really enjoy sim racing anyway. To host an event like this with professional drivers and the professional sim drivers is great. It’s good for everyone to stay sharp and trying to beat each other. ”
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But the Dutchman is quite particular about the type of simulated races he will participate in. Like on the track, Verstappen “always races to win” and would rather not participate in a virtual race than drive somewhere at the back in a game he’s not familiar with.
Delayed, But Not Gone
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the first race of the season - the Australian Grand Prix - was canceled days before the event and the subsequent races have either been canceled or postponed. Formula 1’s annual summer shutdown period (traditionally in August) was also moved to March and April and extended for an additional seven days.
The Dutchman now has to wait until at least until June to challenge six-time world champion and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton for the World Drivers’ Championship title.
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After spending more than a decade in the sport, Button is still considered to be one of the racers who enjoyed his life in the fast lane off as well as on the track. During his early days, he was often thought of as spending more time holidaying on yachts and hanging out with models than focusing on racing. And Formula 1’s one time playboy doesn’t plan on slowing down, enjoying the luxe lifestyle with his new girlfriend and Playboy model Brittny Ward in his opulent mansion in Monaco and £5 million sprawling five-bedroom pad in Los Angeles.
(Image: Instagram/jensonbutton_22)
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