Verstappen Expands GT3 Presence with Esports Proteges
Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion, has announced an expanded presence in the GT3 racing arena, a significant move that underscores his commitment to nurturing young talent. The Verstappen.com Racing Team Redline esports squad will continue to support Thierry Vermeulen, the son of Max’s manager Raymond, and will also provide Briton Chris Lulham with a full program in the GT World Challenge Europe (GTWCE). This initiative marks a pivotal step in Verstappen’s vision to bridge the gap between sim racing and real-world motorsport.
A Dream Come True
The Verstappen.com Racing Team Redline will field an Emil Frey Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 for the short-format Sprint Cup races and an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 for 2 Seas Motorsport in the Endurance Cup. Lulham and Vermeulen will be teammates in both the Endurance Cup and Sprint Cup, with the addition of Porsche Supercup frontrunner Harry King in the endurance races. Lulham, a 21-year-old with a promising background in sim racing, is set to undertake only his second full season of car racing in 2025. His journey from sim racing to real-world competition is a testament to the growing importance of virtual racing in the development of young drivers.
A Promising Journey
Lulham’s path to professional motorsport is both unique and inspiring. In 2019, he competed in one weekend of the British Formula 4 Championship with Fortec. However, it was his return to the tracks last year in the Radical Cup that truly set the stage for his current opportunity. Lulham dominated the SR3 Pro division and quickly became a key member of the Verstappen/Redline esports squad. His success, including a victory in the iRacing Nürburgring 24 Hours, has not gone unnoticed. Verstappen’s announcement stated that Lulham had been "handpicked" to make a "significant step" in his career.
Max Verstappen’s Vision
Max Verstappen has always been passionate about supporting young drivers, and this initiative is a realization of that dream. "It has always been my dream to support young drivers and for a while now, I have been trying to create the possibility of a sim driver to progress to real world racing," Verstappen said. "With Chris Lulham, now being promoted from Team Redline sim racing to our GT3 Sprint and Endurance racing, teaming up with Thierry Vermeulen, who has been competing for Verstappen.com Racing for a few years now, we take it to the next step." Verstappen’s involvement in GT3 racing is seen as a precursor to potentially becoming a team owner in the GT ranks, an ambition he outlined last summer.
Chris Lulham’s Perspective
For Chris Lulham, the opportunity to race alongside Vermeulen and King is both thrilling and daunting. "It is a really exciting prospect and I can’t wait to get started," Lulham said. "We already had a very thorough and busy off-season preparing for what is coming. It is an unbelievable chance and I can’t wait to make the most out of this opportunity." Lulham’s dedication and preparation are evident in his words, highlighting the seriousness with which he approaches this new chapter in his career.
Looking Ahead
Vermeulen will continue his journey in the DTM with the Emil Frey team for a third season, further solidifying his presence in the competitive world of motorsport. Verstappen’s increased involvement in GT3 racing for this year is a clear indication of his ambition to create a sustainable and successful platform for young drivers. The testing of the 2 Seas Aston at Paul Ricard over the winter is a testament to the meticulous preparation and planning that has gone into this initiative. As Verstappen and his team set their sights on the upcoming season, the future looks bright for both the drivers and the Verstappen.com Racing Team Redline.
