When Max Verstappen says sim racing has made him a better driver, it’s getting harder to argue otherwise. This week’s Sim Racing Roundup hears directly from Max, goes behind the scenes with the Ford Hypercar, and much more.
Overview
From Sim Racing to the Real Thing
Verstappen Reveals Greater Plan Behind his Sim Racing Team
Max Verstappen explained how sim racing has helped him become a better driver and what he hopes to achieve by investing in it.
“It definitely kept me also sharp off-track, preparing maybe in different ways that hadn’t really been done before,” Verstappen began. “But at the same time, it was also a hobby for me where I wanted to grow in, let’s say, the sim racing community, to show that there are possibilities also for sim drivers to get into the real world. So that was also a bit the project behind that, besides becoming, let’s say, one of the strongest teams in the sim racing community.”
“But for me, I think driving, adapting to different kind of cars outside of Formula 1, it always helps. So, when you drive these kinds of cars then for the first time in real life, I think it just helps a lot with how you process all the things already, just driving out of the pits and starting first few laps.”
Ford Hypercar: Behind the Scenes at the Carefully-Prepared Track Test
This was not a shot in the dark. The Ford Hypercar’s first kilometres come after months of work on the engine, simulator and honing Ford Racing team procedures. Their journey to the 95th 24 Hours of Le Mans on 9–13 June 2027 has begun.
Indeed, the team left nothing to chance. ‘Starting testing from where we did is a huge credit to the team. There have already been countless hours poured into this project, including a ton of time in the simulator, so we’ve had a massive head start. Now it’s about making sure everything comes together flawlessly, and that’s the next step for us.’
You can read more about Ford’s hypercar prep work at the WEC site here.
CONSPIT Adapts Its 290 GP Sim Racing Wheel for the Real NXT MK1 EVO Prototype
CONSPIT has detailed its collaboration with NXT on the MK1 EVO, revealing how the 290 GP platform has been adapted from sim racing hardware into the steering wheel and driver interface of a real prototype race car.
According to CONSPIT, the collaboration uses the production 290 GP as its starting point but adapts the hardware for real-world motorsport requirements. The MK1 EVO version uses a moulded carbon-fibre faceplate and high-strength aluminium rear housing, while its controls are integrated with the electronics of the actual vehicle rather than simulator software.
CONSPIT says the wheel provides direct access to functions including the fuel pump, pit limiter and selectable engine power levels, keeping essential controls within reach of the driver.
More details can be found at Box This Lap here.
Simucube Continues Relationship with Race Driver Tim Heinemann
Simucube is continuing their long-standing partnership with race driver Tim Heinemann. “Tim is one of those people whose story really shows what sim racing can mean beyond the screen. He started in low-budget karting back in 2008–2009 but had to stop because of funding. Then sim racing came into the picture — first as an alternative, but eventually as a serious path forward. Since then, he has won major sim racing competitions, including virtual DTM, and made the jump from virtual racing into real race cars.”
The Only Way to Get Behind the Ford Mustang GTD’s Wheel in Australia
Ford has ruled out right-hand drive production of the Mustang GTD, but those wanting to know what it feels like to get behind the wheel will soon have that chance. Ever since Ford launched the Mustang GTD, it has said it only plans to make the supercharged pony car in left-hand drive, ruling it out – mostly – for Australia.
However, the success of the Mustang GTD, as well as Ford’s latest performance push, has led sim racing giant Moza Racing to launch an officially licensed steering wheel, largely replicating that of the winged sports car.
Said to be inspired by the Mustang GTD’s steering wheel rather than a like-for-like replica, its central ‘horn’ pad and flat-bottomed design mimic that of the exclusive car, though its button placements are more akin to GT3 racers.
Motorsport UK Inclusion Grant Winner Champions Accessibility in Sim Racing with DRiVE 2026
A new UK conference dedicated to disability, accessibility and opportunity in sim racing will take place at Oxford Brookes University on Saturday 28th November 2026, with the support of Motorsport UK.
Delivered by Motorsport UK Inclusion Grant recipient Quatermass Motorsport, DRiVE 2026 will bring together disabled and neurodivergent people, sim racers, teams, educators, accessibility specialists, technology providers and motorsport professionals for a day of practical guidance, discussion and networking.
Quatermass Motorsport was awarded funding through the Motorsport UK Inclusion Grant to support Disability Racing in Virtual Esports (DRiVE), a project championing accessibility in motorsport through adaptive technologies.
The conference will help disabled and neurodivergent people understand the opportunities available within sim racing, from getting started and choosing suitable equipment and adaptations to finding communities, competitions and development opportunities.
Attendees will hear from disabled competitors, coaches, content creators, teams, technology providers and industry organisations, while an exhibition and networking area will provide opportunities to see accessible equipment and make useful connections.
The conference will also introduce attendees to Motorsport UK Esports Membership and the resources available through the Motorsport UK Esports Hub, providing newcomers and existing sim racers with information to help identify their next steps.
Competitive Sim Racing News
- Hyundai Motor teams up with Racing Master for esports cup in Seoul (Herald Business)
- F1 Sim Racing India Open time trials draw crowds at TXG Expo Nagaland 2026 (MT)
- This Week in iRacing | September 1st to September 7th, 2026 (iRacing)
- iRacing Weekly Tune-in | eSports & Community Events | September 3rd to September 6th, 2026 (iRacing)
Sim Racing Tips & Techniques
You’re Picking the Wrong GT3 Car in iRacing (Here’s Why)
Sim Racing Tech Roundup
- Legit MotoGP Handlebar Sim Controller Promises More Immersive Game Experience Without Totally Sucking (The Drive)
- Moza unveils its innovative MotoGP-branded motorcycle handlebar controller (Traxion)
- Gamescom 2026 Brings a New Wave of 49-Inch 240 Hz Sim Racing Monitors (Box This Lap)
- Brands keep promising sim racing ecosystems, but Nacon is one of the few starting to follow through (Games Radar)
- RAM Crisis, Zen 6 and DLSS 5: What Sim Racers Need to Know (Box This Lap)
General Sim Racing News
- GTA 6 Is Finally Getting Real Racing (Update) (Motor 1)
- iRacing Development Update: August 2026 (iRacing)
- MOZA Opens 2026 Creator Program for Sim Racers (Box This Lap)
- The Moza Creator Program 2026 (Moza)
- Peak Sim Racing to open Denver racing simulator center on South Broadway (Denver Post)
- F1 Arcade Brings Formula 1 Glam To River North Chicago (Block Club Chicago)
- New F1 racing simulator centre opens in Peterborough, UK (The Peterborough Telegraph)
- Maverick Games wants to “try and win Game of the Year” with Clutch (Traxion)
- All iRacing content will be available in career mode at ‘zero extra cost’ (Traxion)
- New McLaren W1 comes to Forza Horizon 6 (PR)
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects and the host of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast. As a lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
