Imagine having to impose a curfew on a world champion.

Sounds like something parents might do with their teenagers, right? Yet that’s precisely what’s happening with Max Verstappen and his team, Red Bull.

They’ve had to step in and curtail his late-night gaming sessions, all because his recent performance didn’t quite hit the mark.

Last weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen, 26, was up until 3am, engaging in online racing games before the big race.

Unfortunately, his night of gaming didn’t translate into success on the track, where he ended up finishing in fifth place. This was his third race in a row without a win, marking his longest drought since 2021.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko made it clear that the team was not pleased. He told Speedweek, “It didn’t take long for criticism to arise this weekend.

It’s no wonder, considering he was up all night playing sim racing. We’ve agreed that he won’t be doing simulations so late anymore.”

Adding to the drama, Verstappen is facing a 10-place grid penalty for the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix due to exceeding his engine allowance.

So, what’s the deal with Verstappen’s late-night gaming? In the high-stakes world of Formula One, virtual racing isn’t just a hobby—it’s a serious pursuit.

Drivers like Verstappen participate in these online races on sophisticated setups that mimic real cars. Verstappen’s own rig, valued at over £10,000, includes a racing chair, a custom steering wheel, and multiple screens.

Virtual racing is competitive and lucrative, with top championships offering significant prize money.

Though Verstappen reinvests any prize earnings into his team, it’s clear that the virtual world is more than just a pastime.

Balancing Real and Virtual Worlds

Verstappen’s commitment to virtual racing is well-known, and he has enjoyed notable success in this realm, even winning the Spa 24-hour event in 2019.

Despite this, he believes in keeping a balance, acknowledging the importance of rest before real-world races.

Earlier this season, his combination of virtual and real-world success was a testament to his ability to juggle both.

However, the recent dip in performance has led Red Bull to step in.

Marko noted, “Max has his own sleep rhythm, but his late-night sim race happened because a teammate canceled.

We’ve agreed that this won’t happen in the future.”

Moving Forward

Will Verstappen adhere to these new guidelines? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, Red Bull seems to think that a bit more rest might be just what their star driver needs to get back on top.

For now, Verstappen’s gaming hours are getting a significant trim, and his focus will shift back to the track.

Max Verstappen has a history of bouncing back, so it’ll be interesting to see how this new routine impacts his performance in the upcoming races.

TDPel Media

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