What an F1 Sim Development Driver Does

What an F1 sim development driver does is just one of the things discussed in this week’s Sim Racing Roundup. I also have details on how Max Verstappen guides young sim drivers, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s opinion on iRacing and racecraft tips from Daniel Morad.

From Sim Racing to the Real Thing

Autosport Explains What an F1 Sim Development Driver Does

Formula 1’s 2026 cars present a very different challenge to the drivers. Racing this year will not only rely on natural aptitude and reflex, but on mental acuity and bandwidth to get the most out of the new generation of machines. What does it take to be successful, and where are the limits with the new-for-2026 cars?

Autosport visited the Williams F1 team at its Grove HQ to speak to Harrison Scott, the team’s simulator driver. Keen to offer his insight into the new cars, Harrison spoke to us about the new driving experience versus the old cars, and the additional challenges that drivers and engineers will have to work through across the season as they adapt to the new powertrains. He also explained how his role in the simulator will help Williams’ race team gather data and test their options before they reach the circuit.

Watch the interview here.

Max Verstappen Mentors Young Drivers from Sim Racing to F1

Max Verstappen has taken it upon himself to mentor young drivers from sim racing to F1. “He knew the grind all too well—starting young, facing skepticism, and battling through the ranks. That’s why he made it his mission to mentor emerging talents, often in unexpected ways, like through his sim racing powerhouse, Team Redline.”

Before The Lights Go Out

The start of a single-seater season always feels decisive. New cars, new line-ups, new expectations. When the lights go out at the opening round, it appears as though everything begins in that moment.

In reality, the foundations of a season are laid much earlier.

With limited testing mileage, restricted track time and evolving winter packages, preparation must happen in controlled conditions. For modern single-seater programmes, simulation is no longer optional. It is structural.

Read the full article from Virtex here.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Responds to Theory Suggesting iRacing Gives Carson HocevarBbad NASCAR Habits

Carson Hocevar’s aggressive driving style has become one of the most talked-about storylines this NASCAR season. Some fans and analysts have even wondered whether Hocevar’s background in sim racing could be contributing to some of the quick-trigger reactions he shows on track.

However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t buying the idea that iRacing is creating bad habits. Speaking on the latest episode of The Dale Jr. Download, Earnhardt Jr. responded to a theory from his co-host suggesting that Hocevar’s tendency to immediately respond to on-track contact might stem from racing online, where drivers often retaliate instantly without real consequences.

“Specifically, especially for superspeedway racing like Daytona and Talladega and road courses,” he explained. “It’s extremely valuable as a tool to run road courses on iRacing at home when you can’t be in the sim.”

Read the full article at On3 here.

Racing Simulator vs Reality

From Sim Racing to the Real Track

Daniel Morad of Moradness is racing in the Porsche Endurance Challenge in a Porsche GT3 Cup car #260. And he is bring along sim racers with him. “For the past couple years I have been running a sim racing team called M Squad. What started as a small group of drivers in iRacing slowly became a real community. We built our own liveries, made team gear, and the guys made their way through some of the toughest competition online. And now, I am proud to showcase our sim racing livery on the real race car. Seeing the M Squad design come to life is honestly surreal. Even cooler, the names of the racers from the squad made it on the car too.