🍑Bottas is BACK?

My coaching philosophy is built on a foundation of trust. I trust my driver to listen to my advice, and they trust me to come up with new and creative ways to say 'brake earlier' after they've redecorated the tire wall.

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Is Bottas Back? Cadillac has potentially made a major move ahead of its 2026 Formula 1 debut rumored to have signed F1 veteran Valtteri Bottas as its first driver. The Finn, who previously raced for Mercedes and secured 10 grand prix victories, would bring a wealth of experience to the grid's newest team. It is anticipated that Bottas will join the American outfit early to participate in testing during late 2025, while the second driver for the team is yet to be announced.

R21 and R25 hit the market: MOZA Racing is targeting the professional sim racing market with its new R25 and R21 Ultra Direct Drive Wheel Base, featuring a next-generation custom flat-wire motor. This new design delivers a powerful and sustained 25Nm of peak torque without thermal throttling, while its true zero-cogging technology ensures ultra-smooth rotation to reproduce every detail of the road. Combined with a true torque sensor for precise input sampling, the R25 is engineered to provide the sharp handling and tight control needed for high-level endurance racing.

iRacing's massive Season 4 update: It’s headlined by the long-awaited New Sim UI, a complete, multi-year modernization of the in-sim experience designed to be the foundation for future features. The content drop is equally impressive, introducing the stunning Aston Martin Vantage EVO GT3, the INDY NXT Dallara IL-15, the Ford Mustang GT4, and the high-altitude challenge of Mexico City's Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Rounding out the update is a comprehensive physics overhaul for the entire GT4 class, the completion of the massive "NASCAR Refresh" project which updated nearly 30 tracks, and a powerful new eye-tracking foveated rendering feature for VR users.

NASCAR releases the 2026 Cup Series schedule: Featuring several highly anticipated changes, including the return of Chicagoland Speedway, a new street race in San Diego, and the long-awaited move of the championship finale to the fan-favorite Homestead-Miami Speedway. However, the schedule also includes some controversial decisions, such as keeping Talladega in a critical playoff round, removing the series' only international race, and leaving the entire Northeast region without a single playoff event. The most baffling changes are the decision to strip Dover of its points race for the first time since 1969 in favor of the All-Star Race, and moving the Watkins Glen event to early May, a time of year known for volatile weather and muddy conditions in upstate New York.

^{This week we’re bringing back Marian who was excited to write another article for Grid Geeks to help teach you to go faster and how to critically think about reducing your lap time. I named this segment Coaches Corner which will replace the Spotlight on occasion when we have coaching segments.}

Hello readers, I’m Marian Barbieru and I’ve had the chance to work with drivers at every level—from newcomers who just bought their first wheel, to real life professional drivers. No matter the skill level, the truth is the same mistakes show up again and again.

Here are the most common mistakes I see as a sim racing coach, make sure to avoid them.

One of the biggest traps drivers fall into is braking too late and too hard. On the surface, it feels like the quickest way to gain lap time—arrive faster, brake later. But in reality, it’s one of the most damaging habits you can develop. Here’s why:

Another common mistake I see is that many sim racers don’t look far enough ahead. Instead of scanning the track, they fix their eyes right in front of the car. This tunnel vision makes everything feel rushed: braking becomes inconsistent, turn-ins are late, and exits are messy.

The truth is, your car naturally follows your eyes. If you only look at what’s directly in front of you, you’ll always be behind the car, reacting instead of anticipating

In coaching, I often tell students: “Drive with your eyes, not your hands.” Mastering vision doesn’t just make you faster—it makes the car feel calmer and more predictable.

One of the biggest gaps I see in sim racers is the absence of theoretical knowledge about corner types. Too many drivers treat every bend the same way, when in reality each corner demands a specific approach. A hairpin, for example, requires a focus on rotation and patience on throttle. A double apex demands rhythm and timing. A banked corner allows you to carry more speed than normal, while a crest or off-camber turn punishes even the slightest mistake in line or throttle application. Without this understanding, you end up “winging it” lap after lap—reacting instead of executing a plan.

In my Sim Racing Courses at GITGUDRacing.com, I’ve gone to great lengths to break this down. I cover all 9 major corner types—plus 6 special  ones like crests and off-camber turns—and map out exactly what you need to do in each situation.

These mistakes are common, but the good news is they’re also fixable once you know what to look for. By focusing on clean entries, proper vision, and understanding corner types, you’ll build a foundation that makes every lap smoother and faster. Stay patient, keep practicing with purpose, and you’ll be surprised how quickly progress comes.

Meet Morgan Cook, a VSPEED Producer and Commentator from Saskatchewan! Growing up around racing, Morgan channeled his passion into iRacing in 2020, eventually finding his calling in the broadcast booth for VSPEED.

He’s a talent on and off the track, with achievements like solo commentating the Majors 24, producing over 150 shows, and winning the official iRacing Daytona 500 twice. He's also a VSRL Champion with three Daytona 24 podiums. In addition to this Morgan Cook is co-commentating the Super Formula Top Split Public Broadcast Series through iRacing.

His focus is helping VSPEED become the top broadcast company on iRacing while chasing personal goals like crossing the 4k oval iRating threshold and winning the Daytona 24.

When not working, he’s an avid sports fan, cheering on the Timberwolves and Colts. Follow his work with the VSPEED team!

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