🎭 Max Verstappen Has a Secret Identity.

I've got thousands of hours invested in virtual Nürburgring laps. Pretty sure that qualifies me for frequent flyer miles or at least a discount on actual German sausages. 😂

NEWS FLASH

Get ready for a massive showdown! A record-breaking 76 cars from 10 different manufacturers are set to tear up the track at the 2025 24 Hours of Spa. This year's race is going to be epic, featuring five classes and the return of Corvette to the grid. The Pro class alone boasts 21 cars, with defending champs Comtoyou Racing ready to defend their title. Mark your calendars: the 24 Hours of Spa is hitting the track from June 25-29. See the full entry list here. Who do you want to be on the podium this year?

Alpine's got a bit of drama swirling: After former team principal Oliver Oakes stepping down just days after his brother, William Oakes, was popped by UK police for allegedly transferring criminal property. While initial reports hinted at clashes with Flavio Briatore over driver decisions, Briatore claims it was a personal move. However, this arrest of his brother throws a wrench in that narrative, raising eyebrows about potential behind-the-scenes complications. It makes you wonder if Oakes' exit was really about avoiding the spotlight amid his brother's legal troubles.

When the ice melts and the rubber burns: Asetek, a key player in liquid cooling solutions for PCs, faces a shifting landscape as its core patent expires, potentially opening the door for competitors to innovate. While Asetek has explored partnerships for its cooling technology in data centers, its SimSports division, which produces racing simulator peripherals, has also felt the pinch. Updated financial guidance reflects these challenges, with lowered revenue expectations partially attributed to tariffs and weakened consumer confidence. This pivot raises questions about Asetek's future focus: will they double down on sim racing, redefine their cooling business, or pursue a bit of both?

SIM RACING SNIPPETS

• Next Level Racing just dropped the HF8 Pro Haptic Feedback Gaming Pad, promising to seriously amp up your sim racing and flight immersion. This thing's got more torque, more power, faster response, and even breathable mesh for those marathon sessions. Basically, it's designed to deliver pinpoint accurate feedback for everything from engine RPMs to turbulence, so you feel like you're really there.

• The FIA F4 Global Esports Championship presented by MOZA is back for another season, promising high-octane virtual racing and a $35,000 prize pool. Last year, the UK's Luke McKeown snagged the title, but drivers from all over the globe are ready to battle it out in the iRacing series. To get in on the action, hopefuls need to qualify through the FIA F4 Regional Tour series, with the championship races kicking off in late October.

• You can basically fit this in your pocket: Heusinkveld's MagShift Mini shifter is small but mighty, packing a surprisingly forceful and tactile shifting experience into a compact design. It's perfect for sim racers tight on space but unwilling to compromise on quality, delivering precise, durable performance. While it ain't cheap, the Mini's solid build and immersive feel make it a worthwhile investment for serious sim enthusiasts. https://traxion.gg/heusinkveld-magshift-mini-review-small-but-mighty/

MOTORSPORTS REPORT

• Max Verstappen, not content with F1 and sim racing only, apparently moonlights in GT3 racing under the pseudonym "Franz Hermann". He was recently spotted tearing up the Nürburgring in a Ferrari 296 GT3, setting a seriously fast lap time despite traffic apparently setting an “unofficial” track record in the GT3 class. The big question: Is he eyeing a future in endurance racing, or just having a bit of fun on his day off?

• Shane van Gisbergen is figuring out the NASCAR oval scene, balancing solid finishes with a hunger for more. Despite nabbing a 20th place tie at Kansas, Shane admits qualifying and car placement are his current issues. The limited practice time in NASCAR isn't making it any easier for the Supercars champ to adapt. Looking ahead, he’s got a shot at the All-Star Race, where a cool million bucks is on the line, and he's stoked about the fan support.

• NASCAR's shaking things up: Bringing the Championship Weekend back to Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2026 as part of a new rotating model where the final races bounce around to different “big-name” tracks, keeping things fresh for drivers and fans alike. So, get ready for some Florida sunshine and high-speed drama, as Homestead gears up to crown the champs.

THE SPOTLIGHT

The Sim Racing Starter Trap: Old Tech vs. New Reality

Getting into sim racing is exciting, but that first wheel and pedal set? It's the handshake with the virtual track. Mess it up, and you might just wave goodbye to the hobby before you start. The odd part? Many guides still point newbies towards older gear like Logitech G-series or non-Direct Drive wheels like Thrustmaster.

Why are these legacy options still the go-to recommendation when affordable Direct Drive is now a real thing? It's a mix of market muscle and old habits.

• Big Names, Big Reach: Logitech and Thrustmaster have been around forever. You see them everywhere, easy to buy, often bundled up and at most big box retailers.

• Bundle Appeal: Getting a wheel, pedals, maybe even a shifter all in one box for one price seems simple and cheap upfront. Newer DD sometimes means buying pieces separately, which feels more complicated and costly, even if the base unit is affordable.

• Reviewer Lag & Influence: Mainstream gaming sites might not have deep sim racing expertise, leaning on established relationships and, yes… affiliate programs. That’s just the sad reality of it all.

Meanwhile, Direct Drive has crashed the party at lower price points. Think Moza R3 or Fanatec CSL DD. These offer force feedback that's miles ahead – smoother, more detailed, giving you a true connection to the car. It's the difference between feeling the road and feeling the gears grind (*cough* Logitech).

The "budget" line is blurry now. While a Moza R3 bundle is hitting prices comparable to a Logitech G923, what you get in the box differs (pedals being a big one). Still, the quality of the core technology at these new DD entry points is significantly better.

Ultimately, starting with outdated tech can lead to frustration. That "clunky" feel or fading force feedback might make you think sim racing isn't for you, when really, it's just the gear holding you back. The "buy once, cry once" idea is more relevant than ever, especially with budget DD options lowering that initial "cry" amount.

Choosing your first sim racing setup is a critical move, and understanding what's actually available now, not just what's always been recommended, is key to a solid start, so send this article to a friend who might be starting out to help them wrap their head around navigating it as a first timer, or just have them join our Discord community and ask us!

MEMBER FEATURE

SRN member, Charles-Étienne Boucher from Québec, Canada, is a true testament to versatility and passion in the world of racing. Fresh off his victory as the Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge 2024 champion, Charles boasts an impressive resume both in the virtual and real world. He's is the AllTrack Challenge, Division 1 champion for 2025, and is claimed the F1200 Canadian Esports Championship which has earned him a test drive in an F1200 car IRL. Which leads us to his motorsports career so far, Charles is a four-time Quebec champion in the Briggs and Stratton Junior Category and his other real-world achievements include a vice-championship in the highly competitive Nissan Micra Cup Canada and his current role as a NASCAR Sportsman driver at Autodrome Chaudière. Despite his numerous accolades, Charles-Étienne remains grounded, stating his goal is simply to "keep on racing in whatever series I get thrown into," with a focus on his NASCAR Sportsman stock car and navigating college. Beyond the track, he's also involved in various projects and has recently picked up an interest in hockey.

Follow Charles-Étienne's journey on Twitch twitch.tv\charles_drives, Instagram (@charles.etienne.boucher89), and Facebook (@charloMotorsports).

AROUND THE WEB

During this month: In the 1959 Monaco Grand Prix, Jack Brabham snagged his first Formula One win driving a Cooper T51, marking a historic victory for both himself and the Cooper team.

That’s neat: Land Rover is gearing up to enter the 2026 Dakar Rally with its new Defender D7X-R prototype, boasting a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 and a star-studded driver lineup.

Wow: Watch cars crash for 30 minutes on Nürburgring. [ HERE ]

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