More Than Just a Game: Virtual Racing by Real People

Virtual Racing By Real People

By Jakub Olcen

 

More than just a... Game!

Sim racing isn’t just a game - it’s a revolution in motorsport. What started as a virtual hobby has evolved into a legitimate training tool used by professional drivers and a stepping stone for sim racers to enter real-world racing. The line between simulation and reality has never been thinner. Whether it’s F1 champions like Max Verstappen sharpening their skills in the virtual world or esports drivers like Cem Bölükbaşı making the leap to Formula 2 races, sim racing is redefining motorsport.

How is it Possible?

Many people assume that all racing games are the same, but there’s a major difference between arcade-style games and true sim racing titles.

Arcade vs. Simulation: The Key Differences

• Arcade Racing Games (e.g., Need for Speed, Forza Horizon): prioritize fun over realism, often featuring exaggerated physics, simplified controls, and unrealistic car handling.
  
  
• Simulation Racing Games (e.g., iRacing, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2): aim for maximum realism with detailed physics engines, force feedback steering, and laser-scanned tracks. In sim racing, cars behave like their real-world counterparts, requiring precise braking, throttle control, and racecraft to be competitive. 

Unlike arcade racing, sim racing demands real driving skills, making it an effective training ground for motorsport.

 

Why Sim Racing Works as a Training Tool?

• Realistic Car Physics: Simulations use laser-scanned tracks and advanced physics models to replicate real-world handling.
  
  Credits: Real world to in-game – this is how we build our cars, iRacing
  
  
• Mental Pressure: Competitive online racing forces drivers to handle stress, just like in real races.
  
  
• Unlimited Practice: Unlike real cars, you can drive thousands of laps without worrying about the costs of fuel, tire wear and logistics
  
  
• Data Analysis: Simulators provide detailed telemetry, just like professional racing teams use.
  
  

Don’t Let It Fool You!

While sim racing is an incredible tool, how you approach it makes all the difference. Some drivers waste hours simply running laps, overdriving the car, crashing, and resetting over and over again. This approach teaches bad habits rather than real racecraft.

Finding the Limit, Not Just Lap Times

To truly improve, sim racers must focus on understanding the handling of the car rather than just chasing lap times. The key is learning how to bring the car to its "limit" - the fine balance between grip and loss of control - without exceeding it. By gradually building up speed and learning car dynamics step by step, sim racers develop skills that translate directly to real-world racing.

Chasing Realism, Not Just Speed

Success in sim racing comes from respecting the fundamentals: steering, proper braking techniques, and learning to feel weight transfer. Every lap should be an opportunity to refine skills, not just go faster at all costs. The best sim racers aren’t the ones who push to the edge recklessly but those who master consistency and precision, just like in real motorsport.

 

The Thrill of Competition: Real Rivals, Real Battles

Sim racing isn’t just about setting fast laps it’s about going wheel-to-wheel with real competitors in high-stakes battles. The best example? The epic showdown between Max Verstappen and James Baldwin in an iRacing LMP2 race at Sebring.

These rivalries aren’t just for entertainment, they demonstrate how sim racing fosters the same competitive spirit, race strategy, and split-second decision-making as real-world racing. When you line up on the grid in a high-stakes sim race, you’re going head-to-head with real talent from around the world.

Credits: Le Mans Virtual Series 2022, James Baldwin, Sebring

 

Final Thoughts: The Future of Motorsport is Hybrid

"The cars are made up, but the racing is real." That’s the thing we like to say. Sim racing has evolved from a niche hobby into an essential part of modern motorsport. It’s not just for gamers - it’s for racers. Whether you’re an F1 champion staying sharp, an aspiring driver using it as a stepping stone, or a coach like Suelio Almeida bridging the gap, sim racing is here to stay.

The next generation of racing stars might not come from karting - they might come from their sim rigs. So if you’re wondering whether sim racing is "just a game," think again. It’s motorsport - just in a different format.

If You're a simracer and You are interested in finding a competitive environment, check out our team, DRIVEN | Performance eSports, at: https://drivensm.com/esports
and join our discord server!