Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar took on a NASCAR challenge—they competed virtually against Connor Zilisch
Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar swapped their Formula 1 cockpits for a sim-racing seat to take on a real NASCAR challenge alongside Red Bull athlete Connor Zilisch. The task was simple: race the virtual NASCAR car around the Miami International Autodrome and see who could set the fastest lap time on the virtual track.
Zilisch, who regularly drives the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse in the NASCAR Cup Series, was the first to take the virtual wheel. The 19-year-old is considered an exceptional talent in the stock car championship. “That must be absolutely terrible in this car through the chicane,” Verstappen commented as he watched the onboard footage.
The lack of grip and cold tires ultimately proved to be the American’s undoing when he spun 360 degrees. After the spin, Zilisch aborted his first attempt but still managed to set a lap time of 2:01.87 minutes in the end.
Hadjar Hits the Wall
Next up was Hadjar, who quickly realized that taming a NASCAR stock car is anything but a walk in the park. “That’s a strange seating position,” he noted as he took his seat in the cockpit.
The 21-year-old hit the wall several times. “It’s so damn difficult. This is going to be fun,” Hadjar called out to Verstappen, who was next in line.
When Verstappen finally stepped up to the sim rig, the Dutchman took a somewhat unconventional approach: he drove in socks. “I just can’t drive with shoes on; I have to take them off,” explained the four-time Formula 1 world champion before starting his flying lap.
Verstappen wins by a narrow margin
In the end, Verstappen beat Zilisch’s best time and secured the victory with a time of 2:01.11 minutes. Zilisch followed in second place with a time of 2:01.87 minutes, while Hadjar ultimately failed to set a valid lap time.
Hadjar admitted that it was “quite a bit” harder than expected and asked Zilisch how realistic the simulation was. The NASCAR pro’s response: “To be honest, we have even less grip in real life.”
It came as little surprise that Verstappen adapted extremely quickly to the new virtual car, despite a few brushings with the wall.
