Verstappen launches full GT3 effort, promotes sim racer

©Verstappen.com

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Verstappen.com Racing, the official racing program of four-time F1 World Champion Max Verstappen, has unveiled its 2025 agenda and driver roster, marking a significant step in the team's development.

The announcement highlights a focus on integrating sim racing talent into top-tier GT3 competition.

Key to the 2025 program is the promotion of sim racer Chris Lulham from Team Redline to a full-time GT3 driver role. Lulham, selected by Verstappen, will compete alongside Thierry Vermeulen – the son of his manager Raymond Vermeulen – and Harry King in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance championship.

Team Evolution

The program's evolution began in 2022 with Verstappen's support of Thierry Vermeulen in the ADAC GT Masters. This progressed to entries in the DTM and GT World Challenge Europe.

Verstappen had previously expressed his ambition to establish a dedicated GT3 team by 2025.

©Verstappen.com

For the 2025 season, Verstappen.com Racing will enter the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance championship, including the 24 Hours of Spa, under its own banner.

The team will field an Aston Martin Vantage, bearing the number 33. While the team will operate independently, technical support will be provided by 2Seas Motorsport.

Competitive Goals

Max Verstappen emphasized the program's objective to provide opportunities for sim racing talent and enhance the credibility of sim racing within motorsport.

"It has always been my dream to support young drivers, and for a while now, I have been trying to create the possibility for a sim driver to progress to real-world racing," commented the Red Bull F1 charger.

"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.com

Verstappen also outlined the team's competitive goals.

"Of course, there is still a lot to learn to maximise our performance with the cars and drivers,” he said.

“The goal is to be competitive and fight in the top of the field."

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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.