Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 champion, has been dominating the sport since winning his first world championship in 2021. In addition to his success on the track, Verstappen has also been a prominent figure in the world of sim racing. He recently announced that he would be participating in the 24 hours of Nürburgring this weekend, without seeking permission from his team. This decision was made despite the fact that the Imola Grand Prix would take place just hours after the conclusion of the sim race.
Verstappen has achieved an impressive record in his ten-year F1 career, with a total of 58 wins. In his last 50 Grand Prix starts, he has won an astonishing 38 races. These statistics highlight his exceptional ability to maximize the performance of his car. Verstappen has also shown a keen interest in exploring different forms of motorsports, as evidenced by the launch of his sim racing team, Red Line Racing, in 2022.
As previously mentioned, Verstappen will be driving for his sim racing team during the Imola Grand Prix weekend. This has raised concerns about how he will manage his schedule, as both races will take place on the same day. Despite these concerns, Verstappen has made it clear that he did not ask for permission from his team and believes he is capable of managing his responsibilities as a professional racing driver.
Verstappen’s decision to prioritize his commitments has sparked speculation about the potential consequences if anything goes wrong during the main Imola race. If an unfortunate incident were to occur, the 26-year-old could face criticism from F1 experts and fans. However, Verstappen appears unfazed by the possibility of being blamed for his decision.
In anticipation of potential criticism, Verstappen has stated that he is not concerned about allegations regarding his participation in the 24-hour virtual race. Instead, he is focused on maintaining a proper sleep schedule ahead of the main race on Sunday.
Despite Verstappen’s relaxed attitude, there is cause for concern for the Red Bull team. The RB20 car did not perform well during the Imola FP1 session, indicating that they may face challenges during the race. This sets the stage for an intriguing battle between Red Bull and their fans.