Max Verstappen Crashes from the Lead in Virtual 24 Hours of Daytona, Finishes P4 After Setback
Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion, experienced a dramatic setback during the virtual 24 Hours of Daytona when he crashed out from the lead, ultimately finishing in P4. The incident, which occurred while Verstappen was leading the race, involved contact with lapped traffic in wet conditions. This unfortunate event resulted in the Team Redline driver losing several laps and dropping out of the top three.
The Crash that Cost Verstappen the Lead
Verstappen and his Team Redline teammates, Chris Lulham and Diogo Pinto, had been performing strongly throughout the iRacing event, leading the race with just over six hours remaining. However, as the rain intensified, Verstappen appeared to aquaplane while attempting to overtake a slower GTD car at the International Horseshoe. The loss of grip caused him to slide into the tyre barrier after making contact with the car on his outside.
Despite the crash, Verstappen managed to reverse the car and limp back to the pit lane. Unfortunately, the damage sustained dropped the team several laps behind the leaders, and they lost their lead in the process.
A Strong Start and Disappointing Turnaround
The Team Redline crew, including Verstappen, had been running well after qualifying third in the top GTP class. They quickly made their way to the front, with Lulham taking the lead early in the race. The team exchanged positions with Williams Esports during the early stages before Verstappen gained an advantage as the race progressed overnight.
However, two separate 40-second penalties for entering the pit lane unsafely added to the frustrations, causing tensions among the drivers. Despite the setbacks, the team had managed to reclaim the lead, only for Verstappen’s crash to put them in a tough spot.
Recovery and the Final Results
Following the crash, Verstappen and his teammates worked hard to recover but found themselves trailing the leaders by a significant margin. After repairs and additional setbacks, they lost eight laps to the new leaders. Ultimately, the Ferrari Esports team triumphed in the GTP class, while Verstappen, Lulham, and Pinto fought back to finish in fourth place, seven laps behind the winner.
Success in the GTD Class
While Team Redline’s efforts in the GTP class were marred by setbacks, they found success in the GTD category. The #171 car from the team crossed the finish line as the class winner, marking a bright spot in an otherwise challenging race for Verstappen and his teammates.
Verstappen’s Thoughts on Sim Racing vs. Real-Life Racing
During a Q&A session at the event, Verstappen discussed the similarities and differences between sim racing and real-life racing. He acknowledged that while the two share many aspects—such as setup work, strategy, and tire choices—the physical sensations are notably absent in sim racing.
“The biggest difference is, of course, the G-forces. Everything like accelerating, braking, and cornering; that’s something that you don’t feel in sim racing. Especially at home, on a static rig. All these kinds of motion rigs are slower,” Verstappen explained.
He added that sim racing does come with its own challenges, and in many ways, it mimics real-world racing. “It’s exactly the same as in real life. You’re working off a radar, and you have to make the right call to be on the right tires.”
What’s Next for Verstappen?
The real-life 24 Hours of Daytona is just around the corner, and Verstappen will likely be focusing on his Formula 1 commitments. Meanwhile, former Haas driver Kevin Magnussen will be participating in the upcoming race in his new role as a factory driver for BMW, adding an extra layer of excitement to the prestigious event.
Despite the crash in the virtual race, Verstappen’s resilience and performance in both the iRacing and real-life worlds continue to highlight his exceptional skill as a driver, both on and off the track.
