Verstappen Provoked and Intentionally Collides with Rival: A Controversial Incident Shakes the Virtual Racing World

In an unexpected turn of events during the Formula 1 offseason, Max Verstappen, two-time World Champion, stirred controversy in the realm of virtual racing. Accusations are rife about Verstappen’s unsportsmanlike behavior, leading to his disqualification for intentionally causing a collision with a rival. But does a driver of an official series have the right to behave in such a way? Should we distinguish between actions on real and virtual tracks? Let’s delve in.

Brace yourselves, things are about to get ugly

The virtual “Spa-Francorchamps” track was the stage for the three-hour Golden Toast GP race last weekend, featuring GT3 category cars. Despite being a relatively low-profile event in the industry, Verstappen’s participation with his team Redline, and subsequent events, drew considerable attention.

While Verstappen is known for frequently participating in such races, it was an incident halfway through the event that truly thrust this competition into the limelight. Verstappen, who started from the pole position, was running in second place and had good prospects for victory, until German eSports athlete Sven-Ole Haase entered the picture.

In the first turn of “La Source,” Haase seemed to forget about the brake pedal, clipping Verstappen’s car from behind. This incident resulted in Verstappen colliding with his Redline team-mate Diogo Pinto. Although both were able to continue the race, they lost several positions.

Haase’s move seemed deliberate and unsporting, and Verstappen could not resist retaliating in kind. At the end of the “Kemmel” straight, Verstappen cut the “Le Combe” corner, managing to take the third position right behind Haase.

“I think Max Verstappen is clearly showing his intentions,” the race commentator anticipated Verstappen’s next move, “Things are about to get ugly, just a second. Just wait. Alright, here we go.”

Indeed, in the next corner, the Red Bull racer didn’t brake, forcing Haase off the track. Both drivers ended up in the gravel and although they managed to continue the race, it was largely inconsequential. Both Verstappen and Haase had lost significant time compared to their competitors. Verstappen might have had a chance to recover, but he was promptly disqualified for intentionally colliding with a competitor.

What Will the FIA and Red Bull Say?

The question that arises from Verstappen’s actions is: how should we interpret the Dutchman’s conduct? Two contrasting views emerge. On one hand, we’re discussing a virtual race, not a high-profile one, but a routine event. The unsporting move by Haase seems to underline that the participants aren’t taking the competition too seriously.

Conversely, some argue that Verstappen sets a poor example with his crash. Will a young fan, watching the race, understand that such behavior is acceptable only in the virtual world, not on public roads? Whether he likes it or not, Verstappen is a role model, and such aggressive acts are certainly not something the International Automobile Federation would want to see from him.

Moreover, there have been instances in the past where “real” racers faced repercussions due to their actions in virtual races. The dismissal of Daniel Abt is noteworthy, who, during a Formula E virtual race, decided to have some fun and let a sim racer take his place. And who could forget the heavy criticism Simon Pagenaud received for intentionally taking out Lando Norris in the virtual Indy 500?

However, in both these cases, we’re talking about “serious” races with prominent organizers, not a competition that only gained attention due to Verstappen’s conduct. Therefore, it’s doubtful this silly crash will lead to any consequences for Max.

Nonetheless, it can be expected that Helmut Marko and Christian Horner will have a talk with their star driver. It’s unlikely that Red Bull’s sponsors are pleased with their driver causing unnecessary controversy and setting a bad example for fans.