From Sim to Actuality racing in Belgium

The problem going through Verstappen is all too actual: snaking 7km (4.4 miles) across the hills and forests of the Ardennes, Spa is an astonishing old-school F1 circuit.

Max Verstappen is seen during filming 'From Sim to Reality in Spa, Belgium on June 23, 2022. — Strapped in and able to go

© Rob Smalley/Purple Bull Content material Pool

Max Verstappen, Thierry Neuville and Guillaume de Mevius seen in Lommel, Belgium on April 19, 2022. — Belgian rally stars Thierry Neuville and Guillaume de Mevius be part of the enjoyable

© Tom Bergman/Purple Bull Content material Pool

Max Verstappen and Wout Van Aert seen at Malmedy, Belgium on April 18, 2022. — Belgian bicycle owner Wout Van Aert races alongside Verstappen

© Tom Bergman/Purple Bull Content material Pool

From the beginning line, the drivers pitch right into a deep valley, via the well-known Eau Rouge and up into the Belgian hills in the direction of famend corners like Rivage, Pouhon and Blanchimont, earlier than descending to the Bus Cease chicane and again to the start-finish line. It is the longest circuit on the F1 calendar and a throwback to the period of Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda. The listing of a number of winners on the circuit reads like a who’s who of giants of the game: Schumacher, Senna, Raïkkönen, Hamilton and Vettel.

Belgian-born Verstappen has been profitable at Spa since earlier than he even broke into F1, victorious on all three races in his go to to the monitor in F3 in 2014. Since then, he is been on the rostrum right here 3 times, together with his victory final yr, albeit in a race that was shortened resulting from continuous, torrential rain.

Try how From Sim to Actuality was made within the behind the scenes video beneath:

11 min

From sim to actuality – the way it was made

Go behind the scenes of filming the place Max Verstappen will get sucked into another actuality on the simulator.

This yr, Verstappen is leaving nothing to probability. Earlier than he hurtles across the monitor within the RB18 that he is powered to the highest of the Drivers’ World Championship, he is taking a couple of simulated challenges that includes a few of the greatest sporting stars from the host nation.

With its hairpins, chicanes and quick complexes, Spa calls for precision management, and so Verstappen begins by placing himself to the check with a drift run via a quarry. Within the gaming world, he must keep away from dynamite detonating the rocks round him, and in the true world, he wants precision, a flip of velocity and nerves of metal.

Max Verstappen driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 27, 2021 in Spa, Belgium. — Racing across the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

© Getty Photographs/Purple Bull Content material Pool

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 29, 2021. — Max Verstappen on the way in which to victory within the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix

© Getty Photographs/Purple Bull Content material Pool

Race winner Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 29, 2021 in Spa, Belgium. — Verstappen celebrating his victory on the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix

© Getty Photographs/Purple Bull Content material Pool

Spa is all about lengthy climbs and exams the driving force’s stamina, and who has extra stamina than a Tour de France bicycle owner? Famous person Wout van Aert is readily available to place Verstappen via his paces and take part a pit cease.

He’ll even be racing within the forest, albeit not off-road, which is why he faces a bonus problem from WRC driver Thierry Neuville, whereas Dakarist Guillaume de Mevius gives the opposition in a pleasant cross-country buggy race via the bushes.

Cycling star Wout van Aert rides on the magnificent Spa-Francorchamps circuit in his native Belgium. — Rising star: Wout van Aert takes on the beautiful Spa-Francorchamps circuit

© Kristof Ramon/Purple Bull Content material Pool

Dakar Rally star Guillaume De Mevius pictured in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on August 10, 2022. — Dakar Rally ace Guillaume De Mevius

© Artwork Eugenio/Purple Bull Content material Pool

WRC driver Thierry Neuville pictured in Finland on August 3, 2022. — 5-time WRC runner-up, Thierry Neuville

© Jaanus Ree/Purple Bull Content material Pool

Strap in and benefit from the motion in From Sim to Actuality as we rev up for the return of System One and the magnificent Belgian Grand Prix with this high-speed race round Belgium.