Max Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 world champion and avid sim racer, is set to make a high-profile return to virtual racing this weekend. Verstappen will compete as a wildcard in the IMSA Esports Global Championship season finale, bringing his real-world racing prowess to the digital Daytona International Speedway road course.
Verstappen’s Sim Racing Legacy
Known for his exploits in the sim racing world, Verstappen regularly represents Team Redline, a premier esports outfit. When not dominating on the Formula 1 circuit, Verstappen frequently streams his sim racing sessions on Twitch, showcasing his dedication to the virtual side of motorsport.
In the IMSA Esports finale, Verstappen will partner with skilled sim racer Gustavo Ariel, piloting an Acura ARX-06 GTP for Verstappen.com Racing. Interestingly, Verstappen has hands-on experience with the real-world version of the Acura, having tested it during a promotional event at last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The IMSA Esports Global Championship
The season finale, a 2.4-hour endurance race, will be contested on the iconic Daytona International Speedway road course. The event mirrors the real-world IMSA SportsCar Championship, which kicks off its season with the Rolex 24 at Daytona in just two weeks.
Verstappen joins as one of two wildcard entries for the finale. The second entry, the Scuderia Ferrari HP Esports Team, will feature virtual racing specialists Lorenzo Manfredotti and Ole Steinbraten competing in the GTD category.
Team Redline, Verstappen’s regular sim racing team, enters the finale in a strong position. They lead the supporting GTD class standings and sit second in the premier GTP category, setting the stage for an intense finale.
Verstappen’s History in Esports
This isn’t Verstappen’s first foray into top-tier virtual racing. Last year, he won iRacing’s 24 Hours of Spa in the top split for Team Redline, alongside teammates Diogo C Pinto, Chris Lulham, and Florian A Lebigre. Incredibly, he participated in that endurance event during the early hours of the morning, just ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s commitment to sim racing highlights his passion for motorsport in all forms, solidifying his status as one of the most versatile drivers in the racing world.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch Verstappen and other top competitors in action live on Sunday, January 12. Coverage of the Michelin 240 race begins at 6:45 pm UTC on the IMSA and iRacing YouTube channels. The event will feature a pre-race show, Countdown to Green powered by Traxion.GG, offering insights and analysis ahead of the race.
Why It Matters
Max Verstappen’s participation in the IMSA Esports Global Championship finale underscores the growing convergence between real-world motorsport and sim racing. As esports continues to expand its influence, high-profile names like Verstappen lend credibility and excitement to virtual competitions, bridging the gap between traditional motorsport fans and the gaming community.