Isack Hadjar’s journey from sim racing to an F1 podium last weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix is just one of the topics covered in this week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also have news on how Logitech G is supporting a sim racer’s real-world racing dreams, Johnny Herbert on why sim racing is so important to young drivers and much more!
From Sim Racing to the Real Thing
The story of Isack Hadjar, a French-Algerian driver who made his debut with Racing Bulls in 2025, is more than just numbers and podiums. It is proof of how simracing can shape elite talents and speed up their learning curve in Formula 1. Box This Lap explains.
“Time spent on the simulator strengthened not only his technical skills but also his mindset. Competing in virtual leagues taught him how to manage expectations, live audiences, and media scrutiny.”
Logitech G is highlighting the journey of Australian driver Ethan Grigg-Gault, who has moved from virtual racing platforms to success on the track, demonstrating the growing connection between eSports and motorsport. “Sim racing taught me everything I know before stepping into a real car.”
Thunderpick has an exclusive interview with former F1 driver Johnny Herbert on the importance of sim racing to today’s driver. “It’s an unbelievably massive tool that is very, very beneficial. And the young drivers who don’t do it, listen to me: ‘You should be doing it. If not, you will lose out!’” Read more of his thoughts in this extensive interview here.
Audi’s Formula 1 duo Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto must wait a bit longer to try out the 2026 car on the simulator, with their team deliberately holding back their first runs. “It’s still at the moment all evolving quite a lot and quickly, so they don’t want to give a false impression and false reference. That’s why I think we’re still holding back a little bit at the moment.”
With a deadline looming to finalize the 2026 tire compounds, Pirelli has revealed it is receiving wildly different estimates of aerodynamic loading for the new cars based on sim data. “When you see differences of 20 or 30% in loads, then you ask yourself which is the correct one,” Pirelli chief engineer Simone Berra told media including Autosport ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
Competitive Sim Racing News
iRacing: Indy 6 Hour 2025 Endurance Challenge (Box This Lap)
Sim Racing Tips & Techniques
Sim Racing Tech Roundup
- 6 sim racing equipment setup tips, powered by Simucube (Traxion)
- Cosworth and iRacing Unite to Redefine Data Analysis in Sim Racing (Cosworth)
- iRacing Just Gave Sim Racers a Tool That Formula 1 Teams Use (The Drive)
- The Rise of Conspit: A New Challenger in Sim Racing Hardware (Box This Lap)
- September 2025 Sim Racing PC Build (Box This Lap)
- Simagic reveals improved QR-A quick-release adapter for third-party steering wheels (Traxion)
- VR in Sim Racing: Limits and Technical Problems (Box This Lap)
- The sim racing wheel gatekeeper (Traxion)
- Collector’s Racing Sim: Ex-Jag Designer and Prodrive Unveil a Limited Run Rig With B&O Sound (duPont Registry)
General Sim Racing News
- Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.62: New Cars, New Races, New Scapes, But Still No New Tracks? (GT Planet)
- Why Gran Turismo 7’s Graphics Look So Different From Other Games (GT Planet)
- Assetto Corsa EVO Update 0.3 Now Available in “Open” Beta Test Branch (GT Planet)
- Assetto Corsa EVO: Rethinking the Multiplayer Future (Box This Lap)
- Rennsport Challenged Me, An Automatic Car Driver, With A Full Sim Racing Setup At Gamescom (The Gamer)
- Best Sim Racing Games For Beginners (Operation Sports)
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. 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.
