Why a simulator is critical to an F1 team for 2026 is one of the topics covered in this week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also have a peek at Pierre Gasly’s sim rig setup, some racecraft advice and much more!
From Sim Racing to the Real Thing
Simulators are going to play a key role in preparing drivers for the energy-management demands of the 2026 F1 engines, and Haas doesn’t have one yet. Fortuitously, Haas and Toyota announced a partnership last year in which they would “Share Knowledge and Resources for Mutual Benefit”.
“It soon became clear that one of the new partnership’s priorities was to develop a new driver-in-loop simulator, a critical piece of infrastructure Haas currently lacks. Not only do these enable competitors to arrive at a baseline mechanical setup before arriving at a track, they can also be used to evaluate alternatives while a race weekend is in progress. And as F1 gears up to a new ruleset in 2026 featuring active aerodynamics, narrower cars and greater electrical power deployment from the powertrain, the simulator will become an essential driver coaching tool.”
Larry Velasquez explains how sim racing brands are accelerating real-world motorsport careers and how this applies to you. Read more in his Motorsport Prospects article Sim to Sponsor: How Sim Racing Brands Are Accelerating Real-World Careers.
Competitive Sim Racing News
- Le Mans Virtual Series 2026 Returns Strong (Box This Lap)
- UK FF1600 Esports Cup Returns (Revolution)
- Guild Esports announces closure following insolvency listing (Esports Insider)
- 2025 IMSA Esports Global Championship on iRacing Schedule Revealed (IMSA)
Sim Racing Tips & Techniques
- Avoid Common Mistakes When Starting Sim Racing (Box This Lap)
- How to Avoid Lower Back Pain in Your Simracing Setup (Box This Lap)
- Easiest Tracks in Gran Turismo 7 (Operation Sports)
Sim Racing Tech Roundup
- I thought the Thrustmaster T598 was the best entry-level direct drive bundle, but the new Nacon Revosim wheel just made me question everything (TechRadar)
- Best Fanatec Wheel Choice: Porsche GT or Formula V2.5 X (Box This Lap)
- Is 8 Nm Enough? How to Size Your Direct Drive Wheel Base (SimStaff)
- Moza launches all-new R21 and R25 range-topping sim racing wheel bases (Traxion)
- Nacon Announces Xbox Compatibility for Its Revosim Sim Racing Accessories (GamesPress)
- Moza unveils new Porsche sim racing wheel inspired by the 911 GT3 RS (Traxion)
- The Stig’s Verdict: Ultrace 2025 Recap (Novus)
- Think You’re Fast? These Sim Racing Wheels Will Expose the Truth (Road & Track)
- Next Level Racing introduces first-ever reclining sim seat with integrated active cooling system (Traxion)
- Asetek Simsports: Initium, the new product line available (Box This Lap)
- The Asetek Initium might be my new sim racing starting point (Stuff)
- Asetek Racing shows Xbox wheel prototype, clarifies Initium compatibility (Traxion)
General Sim Racing News
- Gran Turismo 7 August Update Confirmed with Corvette Concepts (GT Planet)
- Why Project Motor Racing’s dynamics aren’t, and can’t be, related to Project CARS (Traxion)
- What’s Coming in AC EVO 0.3 (Assetto Corsa)
- Assetto Corsa EVO’s multiplayer options detailed ahead of imminent launch (Traxion)
- Assetto Corsa EVO Update 0.3 Will Introduce Multiplayer, Improved Physics, New Cars, Tracks, & More (GT Planet)
- New immersive racing experience F1 Box to open in London (Formula 1)
- Motorsport Games now finally owns Le Mans Ultimate creator Studio 397 (Traxion)
- Opel and Vauxhall Return to Gran Turismo With Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo (GT Planet)
- iRacing Studios To Produce Standalone INDYCAR Video Game in 2026 (iRacing Studios)
- iRacing Arcade Coming to Steam This Fall, Hitting Consoles in 2026 (GT Planet)
- Rennsport Game Versions Announced: Arrives Q4 2025, No Longer Free to Play (GT Planet)
- iRacing Development Update: August 2025 (iRacing)
- iRacing Season 4 2025 build set to add three new cars, revised GT4 physics and new UI (Traxion)
- 2025’s most promising Xbox Series X|S racing game launches in November (True Achievements)
- Rennsport: Business Model Changes in Depth (Box This Lap)
- Honda Racing eMS Returns for a Third Season in Gran Turismo 7 (GT Planet)
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.
