Verstappen hits back at sim racing critics: 'To hell with them'

Max Verstappen has hit back at his sim racing critics after setting the fastest lap during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. 

The reigning world champion was criticised by some for competing in a sim race until 3am just hours before the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he spoke aggressively to his team and was involved in an incident with Lewis Hamilton. 

Whilst Verstappen has raced in sim events during F1 weekends throughout his career – he won a sim race the same weekend he won at Imola earlier this year – Red Bull has sought to put a stop to it. 

One week on from Hungary, Verstappen excelled in the wet conditions and set the fastest time in Q3 by almost six-tenths of a second.

"It felt good for me and of course that gives confidence," Verstappen told Viaplay. "Also drove a lot in the rain on the sim last week, so that sim racing is not so wrong after all. 

"Many people are bitching about that, but to hell with them all! It was just a great day, nothing to complain about. I just also know that we can't take this to Sunday. 

"We also drove with a bit more wing than McLaren, so it's automatically trickier for them in the rain."

Verstappen rear wing

As noted by Verstappen, Red Bull ran more wing than McLaren, who will start fourth and fifth but looked exceptional in the dry on Friday. 

Verstappen will start from 11th due to his 10-place grid penalty for taking a new internal combustion engine outside of his allowed allocation.

The Dutchman ran a bigger rear wing in qualifying with a view to look after his tyres during in the race. DRS is already very strong in Spa, whilst tyre degradation has been unexpectedly poor. 

Looking after his tyres is Verstappen's main task, as he recognises that strong management wear will support overtaking. 

"I felt a bit more confident and comfortable on the FP1 wing," Verstappen told media including RacingNews365. "So I hope that that is also going to be the case. 

"The race is a bit warmer as well, so naturally probably a bit more sliding. I just hope that it's better for me. But when you look at the McLaren, for example, they run a very skinny wing. 

"It seems to work for them, but it didn't really work for me on Friday. A bit of a different strategy also there. And I guess we'll find out in the race how it will work out, I have to pass cars. 

"The DRS effect is quite big around here, but at the end of the day, I think it's more important just to be good on tyres around here. Because if you're good on tyres, you can pass people."