On Thursday, Max Verstappen unveiled new plans for Verstappen.com Racing, the four-time world champion’s own racing team. The team will undergo significant expansion in 2025 and will participate in several new racing disciplines. Notably, a brand-new contract for British Chris Lulham was announced, who will be leaving his sim racing role at Team Redline to compete in real GT3 races.
Verstappen.com Racing was established in 2022. Supported by Red Bull, the team participates in GT3 events and rallies and makes waves on virtual circuits with a group of experienced sim racers. In an official press release, Max Verstappen shares his passion for racing and supporting emerging drivers. “It has always been my dream to help young drivers, and I have been trying for some time to get sim racers to make the leap to real racing. With Chris Lulham, who is moving up from Team Redline to our GT3 Sprint and Endurance activities, we are taking on that new challenge.”
A Sim Racer Versus the Established Order
Lulham will be the teammate of 22-year-old Thierry Vermeulen, son of Max’s manager Raymond. “We are all going to race and work together with professional teams that can support us in these challenging championships,” says Max. “Of course, we still have a lot to learn, but it’s great that we are already making it possible for a sim racer to compete against established drivers.” Chris Lulham, who until recently was exclusively active in the simulator, is also excited. “It’s a very exciting prospect, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Vermeulen and Lulham will start this year’s GTWC Sprint Championship. The duo will share the Ferrari 296 GT3 during five races on historic European circuits, such as Brands Hatch and Circuit Zandvoort. “I look forward to working with Chris (Lulham) next season and welcoming him to this family,” Vermeulen responded. In addition to the GT3 championship, Verstappen’s racing team will venture into long-distance races for the first time this year. Vermeulen and Lulham will compete in the GTWC Endurance Championship in an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, along with British Harry King. Finally, Vermeulen will once again represent Verstappen.com Racing in the DTM season.
“Max plays a huge role within our team,” Vermeulen explained. “Not only as a personal friend but also as a coach and mentor for the entire project. By passing on his knowledge, he has helped me enormously. I am super excited to go racing again!”
Verstappen Racing Team’s Involvement in Rallying
Aside from the GT3, Verstappen’s racing team is also active in rallying. None other than Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, has made a name for himself in the rally sport over the past few years. This year, the former Formula 1 driver, along with Belgian navigator Renaud Jamoul, will participate in the Belgian and European championships. “I’m very happy to have discovered rally racing,” Verstappen senior shared. “I love doing it, not just the driving, but also the communication with my co-driver. This year, we have about twenty rally events planned. We have an incredibly exciting program.”
Expansion of the Esports Division
Of course, Verstappen’s racing team continues to play a significant role in online racing. The Formula 1 driver has been collaborating with Team Redline, led by Atze Kerkhof, for many years. The team clinched several prestigious awards in 2024, solidifying its status as one of the leading sim racing teams worldwide. “Max takes the entire Team Redline under his wing,” Kerkhof responded. “That’s what I find so special about him. He’s always willing to explain something to someone else, to go through the set-up, to push or motivate.”
In 2025, the esports division is launching an entirely new branch: Verstappen.com Racing Pro Simulation, a professional training facility for drivers. Equipped with two state-of-the-art simulators – one for formula cars and one for GT racing – it provides a professional training environment. Such programs underscore the racing team’s commitment to developing talent and achieving success in multiple disciplines, Verstappen confirmed. “We’re looking forward to an exciting season and the moment our drivers will compete at the highest level.”
