Team Redline; Max Verstappen‘s sim-racing cohort is set to be rebranded as Verstappen Sim Racing, the Dutchman has announced ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.
The four-time F1 World Champion is a fierce competitor, both on track and on the virtual roads.
Sim racing has played a major role in the Red Bull driver’s career at the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport, with Verstappen known to be up late on the simulator even before Grands Prix.
In fact, Verstappen has credited his on-track exploits, in part, to his extensive sim racing routine that has translated skills into the real world for him and helped him stay in trim.
Most of the virtual racing that the Dutchman has done has been with Team Redline, founded in 2000 by Dom Duhan.
Now, as Verstappen takes a step forward with Verstappen Racing; his non-F1 racing-related team, Redline is also set to undergo a major revamp.
In the build up to the Japanese GP, Verstappen announced that Team Redline will be rebranded into ‘Verstappen Sim Racing’.
“Sim racing is a big passion of mine outside Formula 1, and Team Redline has been a big part of that,” he said.
“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.”
Verstappen Sim Racing vows to be a ‘breeding ground’ for aspiring racing drivers
Verstappen isn’t interested in sim racing to only hone his own skills. Rather, the 28-year-old sees the discipline as a legitimate stepping stone for aspiring racing drivers to take the big plunge into the real world of motorsport.
Lulham is the prime example of this philosophy. After joining Team Redline in 2021, he made a step up into an actual GT3 car alongside Verstappen, eventually winning the event.
Chief Executive of Verstappen Sim Racing, Atze Kerkhof added, “Building on the legacy of Team Redline, Verstappen Sim Racing represents the next step in an era where sim racing is a true breeding ground for real world talent.”
“I’m excited about the future and look forward to continuing to grow and push this team forward.”
With Verstappen Sim Racing, the Dutchman would be aiming to strengthen the squad and mark it as a pioneer of mentoring a crop of inclusive, top-class racing talent.
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