When Max Verstappen isn’t battling for a Formula 1 world title, he prefers to immerse himself in sim racing. Behind the wheel of his simulator, the 27-year-old driver also dominates the virtual circuits. This past weekend, he attended a final event in Madrid. While eighteen talented racers competed for the title, Verstappen shared his passion for this unique sport.
This weekend, the GAMERGY gaming festival took place in Madrid, a significant event on the esports and sim racing calendar. The highlight was the Heineken Player 0.0 Global Final, a competition between eighteen of the world’s best sim racers. Jernej Dovžan, an 18-year-old driver from Slovenia, emerged as the winner and can now call himself the Player 0.0 Global Champion. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen, a major ambassador for Heineken 0.0, was also present.
The Dutchman himself is an avid sim racer and has often participated in major online tournaments with his own Team Redline. “It’s incredible to see the passion and dedication of these racers,” he commented to the media in Madrid. “Player 0.0 continues to highlight the importance of skill, focus, and making the right choices – not just in racing, but also in life.
Sim Racing and Formula 1
This year, Max Verstappen faced criticism a few times for wanting to combine sim racing with his responsibilities in Formula 1. For instance, he was online until three in the morning before the Hungarian Grand Prix. When he finished ‘only’ fifth in the race on Sunday, many pointed to his late-night activities in the simulator, suggesting a lack of dedication from the Dutch top athlete.
In the run-up to the subsequent Belgian Grand Prix, he defended himself firmly. “I did race until three in the morning, but that’s nothing new for me,” Verstappen said. “It’s a very important part of my life. If you lose a race, you always blame it on the fact that you stayed up until three in the morning or that you’re a kilo overweight. There are always things you can come up with. But I’ve been doing this since 2015, so nothing has changed in my preparation. I’ve even won three titles, so I know quite well what I can and cannot do. I’m always very strict with myself about what is and isn’t allowed, so with all the experience I have, I know very well what’s possible.”
