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Max Verstappen on Sim Racing, F1 Pressure, and the Road to His Fifth Title: “I would say Sim Racing’s like 90-95% there”

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
February 2, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 6 mins read
0
Villeneuve hails Hamilton’s Ferrari move, takes a swipe at Verstappen: “Nobody would care if Max left F1”

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JUNE 23: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Third placed Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes celebrate in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 23, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202406230229 // Usage for editorial use only //

As the 2025 Formula 1 season looms, four-time world champion Max Verstappen remains as dialed in as ever, both on and off the track. In a candid Q&A session with his Redline sim racing team, the Red Bull ace opened up about his love for sim racing, the pressures of competing at the highest level, and the lessons he’s learned throughout his career.

With 12 seasons of F1 experience under his belt and a fifth title in his sights, Verstappen’s insights offer a fascinating look into the mindset of one of motorsport’s most dominant figures.


Sim Racing: A 95% Realistic F1 Training Tool

Verstappen has long been known for his passion for sim racing, often competing in high-level iRacing events when he’s not behind the wheel of his real-life Red Bull RB. But while some may dismiss sim racing as a simple game, the Dutchman believes it’s an incredibly effective training tool.

“It’s 90-95% there,” Verstappen explained. “The biggest difference is the G-forces. In real life, you feel everything—acceleration, braking, cornering. That’s something you don’t experience in sim racing, especially when I’m on a static rig at home.”

Despite the lack of physical feedback, Verstappen insists that the strategic elements of sim racing mirror real F1 races.

“In terms of working on setups, strategies, and making the right tire calls in changing conditions, sim racing is exactly the same as real life.”

Even as technology advances, Verstappen remains skeptical of motion rigs, believing that the extra realism isn’t worth the trade-off in reaction speed.

“Motion rigs are slower. If you want to feel the forces more, they’re fine. But for speed? I prefer static rigs.”


How Max Verstappen Got Hooked on Racing

Unlike many young fans who fell in love with F1 watching races on TV, Verstappen’s journey into motorsport was far more immersive—he was born into it.

“I don’t think watching F1 made me want to race,” he admitted. “When I was growing up, my dad [Jos Verstappen] was still in F1, and I got to be there for test days and some races. Those memories stick with you.”

It wasn’t just F1 exposure that shaped his path. Karting was the real spark.

“My dad had a karting team at the time, and I saw a lot of racing. I just wanted to start go-karting myself. At that point, I wasn’t thinking about F1—I just wanted to drive and have fun.”

That fun quickly turned into something more serious.

“Once karting became competitive, we started looking at what the highest level was. That’s when, at around eight years old, we set the goal for F1.”

And the rest, as they say, is history.


Handling Pressure: From Karting Battles to F1 World Titles

For someone who has been fighting for wins since childhood, Verstappen has developed a unique perspective on pressure.

“Experience helps a lot. Even in karting, when you’re defending on the last lap, the pressure feels the same. The difference is, in F1, you have to trust in your ability and know what to do.”

Through years of racing alongside his father, teammates, and rivals, Verstappen learned to stay cool under fire.

“I practiced these situations a lot as a kid. Whether it’s defending on old tires or going wheel-to-wheel with someone on fresher rubber, you need to be confident in your racecraft.”

And if you’re wondering if Max still feels the nerves? Not anymore.

“It’s just another race. I’ve been in these moments since I was a kid.”


No Regrets: Why Verstappen Wouldn’t Give Advice to His Younger Self

When asked what advice he would give to a young Max Verstappen, his answer was pure Verstappen—he wouldn’t change a thing.

“You have to make mistakes. You have to learn the hard way.”

He believes experience is the best teacher, and being told what to do is not the same as figuring it out yourself.

“If you knew everything in advance, that would be boring. People can tell you ‘don’t do this, don’t do that,’ but until you make the mistake yourself, you won’t truly learn.”

For Verstappen, the lessons he learned the hard way made him the driver he is today.

“That’s exactly what I would say—let them live it.”


2025: The Road to a Fifth World Championship

With four world titles under his belt, Verstappen is gearing up for another intense season. He knows the competition will be fierce, with McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes all expected to close the gap to Red Bull.

But if there’s one thing that’s clear from his words, it’s that Max Verstappen thrives under pressure. Whether it’s in sim racing or Formula 1, he remains laser-focused on one goal—winning.

The 2025 season kicks off in Australia, where Verstappen will take his first steps toward title number five. Given his mindset, experience, and raw talent, it’s hard to bet against him. 🚀🏆

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