Verstappen and Norris team up with BMW for Bathurst 12 Hours!

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Red Bull's Max Verstappen and McLaren's Lando Norris will be sharing a BMW Z4 GT3 at Bathurst this weekend, at least in the virtual world.

The two F1 drivers are teaming up with BMW factory driver Nicky Catsburg and Supercars ace Shane van Gisbergen to form Team Redline's all-star line-up for the iRacing Australian event.

For Catsburg, it will be the BMW motorsport's second run around Mount Panorama in a week, as the Dutchman took part in last weekend's real world 12-hour event.

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"We all like sim racing. It's off-season and we've been on the sim a lot this winter", Catsburg told Motorsport.com.

"[Redline boss] Atze Kerkhof has been in the epicentre of all this. With that team we have trained a lot together in the winter. And that has led to this.

"We share a BMW Z4, just like you would in real life. So Max virtually gets out of the car and I get in, then I drive a couple of stints and then the rotation continues.

"I'm really looking forward to it, also because my participation in the real Bathurst 12 Hour only lasted an hour due to a problem with the oil pump!"

Fans interested in watching the virtual event online will be able to tune in to iRacing mid-day on Saturday Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.