WATCH: Max Verstappen brings the shutter down on sim-racing ‘conspiracy theories’ following Budapest backlash

Max Verstappen is well-known in the paddock for his fascination with sim-racing.

WATCH: Max Verstappen brings the shutter down on sim-racing ‘conspiracy theories’ following Budapest backlash

Max Verstappen (Via: Imago, X/Nini, screenshot)

Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, has been having a roller coaster ride at the pinnacle of motor racing. His on-track exploits have not proved extremely fruitful since the last few races. Amidst this, he was at the center of immense backlash during the Budapest weekend because of his late-night sim-racing antics.

Ahead of the main Hungarian GP, Max Verstappen was involved in sim-racing, and during the 70-lap Budapest event, he had a collision with Lewis Hamilton. Following this, several people in the paddock blamed him for sim-racing and a lot was made of the whole fiasco.

YouTube video

However, during the ongoing Belgian GP weekend, Verstappen has put to bed all the controversies surrounding his sim-racing, including the Red Bull sim-racing ban!

FS Video
Interviewer: So what's true about that story you can't sim-race until late at night anymore? 
Verstappen: Nothing. 
Interviewer: So where did that come from then? 
Verstappen: I don't know. No idea. Loads of people make up certain conspiracy theories or something. I don't know. Too much, too much time on their phones. I think I know very well what I can or cannot do.
Max Verstappen said in the Belgian GP F1 paddock

Looking at the strong reaction of the 26-year-old, it is quite clear that he does not have any kind of sim-racing ban on him. In his opinion, all the rumors surrounding his sim-racing antics are just noise and nothing more than that.

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Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen pleased with Red Bulls ‘strong’ Spa-qualifying

While Verstappen put his sim-racing rumors to bed, he produced a sensational performance during yesterday’s qualifying. The Dutchman was mighty in all three sessions and his final Q3 time was over six-tenths quicker than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who ended up in second.

Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Sergio Perez managed a time good enough for third place.

Lovely job team. This was a strong qualifying from our side! Let’s see what the race has in store. Thank you all for your support and see you on race day.
Max Verstappen via X

Max Verstappen is slated to start the 44-lap Belgian GP from P11 on the grid behind Williams’s Alex Albon. This is because of the 10-place grid penalty Verstappen took for using an additional engine at Spa-Francorchamps.

However, considering how strong the RB20 has so far looked in the hands of both the Red Bull drivers, Verstappen could be seen sparkling his magic during the race. There are several overtaking opportunities around the 7.004 km track and this will help Verstappen immensely in quickly making up ground to the front runners.

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