Verstappen Sim Racing has launched, and I have all the details in this week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also have details of iRacing coming to Apple’s Vision Pro VR headset and much more!
Overview
From Sim Racing to the Real Thing
Team Redline rebrands as Verstappen Sim Racing
Verstappen Racing has announced that Team Redline, its sim racing division, will rebrand as Verstappen Sim Racing. The change brings the team’s identity fully in line with Verstappen Racing’s ambition to build a unified racing ecosystem that spans all forms of motorsport, from GT3 racing to the virtual world.
Under the Verstappen Sim Racing name, the team will continue its full competitive program. Alongside competing at the top of sim racing, Verstappen Sim Racing will serve as a key part of Verstappen Racing’s driver development activities, providing a pathway for virtual talent to progress through the racing ladder.
Max Verstappen said: “Sim Racing is a big passion of mine outside Formula 1, and Team Redline has been a big part of that. It is where I spend a lot of my time off track, and part of what I am building with Verstappen Racing. This step to Verstappen Sim Racing feels very natural. We’re taking everything we’ve achieved and bringing it closer in line with the wider Verstappen Racing platform. I’ve always believed that sim racing can develop real talent, and we’re already seeing that with Chris Lulham. I’m really excited to keep building on the success of the team and see what the future holds.”
Is iRacing Actually Like a Real Porsche Cup Car?
In this video, Daniel Morad break down the real vs sim comparison from his perspective as a professional driver.
“We go through the biggest differences in braking, high-speed performance, and overall grip and what actually translates well between the real car and iRacing. I also share what I would change to make the sim feel more realistic and bring the lap times closer to what we see in the real Porsche Cup car. If you’re driving this car on iRacing, this will help you understand what the major differences are between the sim and real life.”
15-Year-Old Beats National Champions
In this episode of Inside the SCCA, host Brian Bielanski sits down with rising racing talent Asad Nikadambaev, who stunned the field at Buttonwillow Raceway by taking victory in Spec Racer Ford Gen3 against some of the most experienced drivers in the class.
Asad’s journey started the way many modern drivers do — karting, sim racing, and relentless practice on the sim — but his rise through the ranks has been incredibly fast.
In this interview we dive into:
• How he went from karting at 10 years old to winning national races at 15
• Why Spec Racer Ford is one of the best development platforms in motorsports
• How sim racing helped him stay calm under pressure
• The story behind the viral racing videos he makes with his sister
• His goal of reaching GT racing, IMSA, and beyond
If you want to understand how young drivers climb the motorsports ladder, this episode gives you a rare look inside the mindset, preparation, and family support behind a rising racing career
How Great Students Win in Motorsport – with Skip Barber Racing School
On this week’s edition of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast, I speak to Dan Demonte of the Skip Barber Racing School who explains the importance of being a good student if you want to flourish in motorsport.
Key topics we cover:
- Why drivers need to be good students to succeed in motorsport.
- Why everybody needs a coach.
- How you can learn to become a race car driver.
- All this plus much more!
Additional Resources Mentioned:
- Skip Barber Racing School: https://www.skipbarber.com/
- 2026 Skip Barber Race Series: https://www.skipbarber.com/2026-skip-barber-race-series/
- Skip Barber Formula iRacing Series: https://www.skipbarber.com/iracing-series/
- Skip Barber Race Team: https://www.skipbarber.com/race-team/
- The 3 Essentials for All Motorsport Professionals
- Motorsport Prospects
The episode webpage can be found here: https://motorsport-prospects-podcast-1.castos.com/episodes/how-great-students-win-in-motorsport-with-skip-barber-racing-school
You can subscribe to the podcast through all the popular podcast apps as well as on its own dedicated website here. And don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter so you can stay up to date on everything Motorsport Prospects!
The Real Difference Between Sim & Real Racing
What’s the biggest difference between sim racing and real-world racing? PRL P2 driver Kamden Hibbitt explains why the answer isn’t talent — it’s mindset.
In the sim, mistakes have a reset button. On track, every decision carries real consequences. That changes how drivers think, how they approach risk, and how they learn from every lap. But the connection between sim racing and real racing is stronger than ever — and for many drivers, the skills transfer faster than people expect.
Featuring PRL’s Kamden Hibbitt of Williams Sim Racing.
Competitive Sim Racing News
Formula 1 Launches 2026 Sim Racing World Championship at DreamHack Birmingham
Formula 1 has announced that the Formula 1 Sim Racing World Championship will return in 2026, with the season launching at global esports and gaming festival, DreamHack Birmingham, from 27-29 March. The remaining three events will take place at Formula 1’s new, multi-purpose studio facility at its world-leading Media and Technology Centre in Biggin Hill.
The championship will take centre stage as part of DreamHack’s gaming ecosystem, with a dedicated F1 Sim Racing Fanzone, featuring activations from several Formula 1 teams, allowing fans to get up close with the simulators, drivers, and the sim racing paddock.
More details can be found here.
In addition to this, Formula 1 has announced the renewal of its global licensing partnership with leading sim racing hardware company, Fanatec. The extension will introduce a new generation of officially licensed F1 products to fans and racers worldwide, including advanced steering wheels and limited‑edition products, engineered to mirror the performance, innovation, and precision that define modern Formula 1.
More Competitive Sim Racing News
- McLaren F1 Sim Racing Team Unveil New Look and Line-Up Ahead Season Opener (McLaren)
- Listen to the latest episode of the iRacing Downshift Podcast (iRacing)
- F1 Movie and the Flow State of Esports (Kwesi Hayford)
Sim Racing Tips & Techniques
All You Need to Know to be Fast in Sim Racing by a Pro
Sim Racing Tech Roundup
iRacing Comes to Apple’s Vision Pro and More
- iRacing Brings the World’s Premier Motorsport Simulation to Apple Vision Pro (iRacing)
- iRacing on Vision Pro bringing ‘immersion and fidelity never before seen in sim racing’ (9to5 Mac)
- Powerful iRacing Apple Vision Pro Changes Driving the Future of Sim Racing (Box This Lap)
- Review: Moza Racing KS Pro Steering Wheel (Box This Lap)
General Sim Racing News
Assetto Corsa Evo 0.6 Updates and More
- The top 10 racing game deals from the 2026 Steam Spring Sale (Traxion)
- Ferrari 288 GTO Leads Assetto Corsa Evo 0.6 Update (Box This Lap)
- Rennsport Announces Its Roadmap for April 2026 (Box This Lap)
- VR for Assetto Corsa Rally “among our top priorities” (Traxion)
- Lamborghini Temerario GT3 Coming to RaceRoom with DTM 2026 Pack (Box This Lap)
- MotoGP™ 26 revealed: Inside the all-new racing simulation (Red Bull)
- Texas’ Largest ‘Sim’ Racing Center To Open in Dallas This Summer (Dallas Innovates)
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.
