Verstappen beats NASCAR driver Zilisch in Miami sim racing challenge at the F1 weekend

Max Verstappen posted the fastest lap in a NASCAR sim racing challenge at Miami, beating Trackhouse Racing’s Connor Zilisch by 0.76 seconds while Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar failed to set a time after a series of wall collisions.

The premise was straightforward: all three drivers would attempt a lap of the Miami International Autodrome in a virtual NASCAR stock car, with the quickest time taking the win. Zilisch, who competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, went first and set the benchmark at 2m01.87s — though his run was interrupted by a 360-degree spin caused by cold tyres and a lack of grip.

Hadjar was next into the sim rig and found the experience immediately unforgiving. “It’s a weird position,” the 21-year-old said as he settled in, before making multiple contacts with the race wall. “It’s so difficult. This is going to be fun,” he told Verstappen, who was waiting his turn. Hadjar ultimately could not string together a clean lap.

Verstappen took an unconventional approach before his run, removing his shoes entirely. “I cannot drive with shoes, though, so I need to take them off,” the four-time world champion explained. Despite clipping the wall on a couple of occasions, he adapted quickly to the unfamiliar machinery and crossed the line in 2m01.11s to claim the win.

After his run, Hadjar admitted the challenge was “a lot” harder than he had anticipated and asked Zilisch whether the sim was an accurate representation of the real car. The NASCAR driver’s answer offered little comfort: “Honestly, it’s less grip in real life.”

The final standings placed Verstappen first with 2m01.11s, Zilisch second with 2m01.87s, and Hadjar without a recorded time.