Max Verstappen plagues bugs at virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans

The third edition of 24 Hours of Le Mans virtual was unfortunately not spared from connection and server problems. The race was notably interrupted by a red flag on Saturday evening. Concerns attributed to security breaches according to a press release from the organizers.

Update on current proceedings.#LeMansVirtual pic.twitter.com/BS13IZlUki

— Le Mans Virtual (@LeMansVirtual) January 14, 2023

Technical problems got the better of the race of the #1 LMP of Team Redline, that of Max Verstappen. At 6:47 a.m. Sunday morning, this car was disconnected along with the No. 100 from Arnage Competition while leading the race. The lost lap was not restarted, contrary to what happened an hour earlier with n°20, n°21, n°23, n°29, n°71, n°100 ( already) and n°966. 

Verstappen “raged” out of the game 

“In the situation where four or more drivers go offline at the same exact time, but without clear evidence of server issues, race management may decide, at its discretion, to award the affected teams laps up to a maximum of three,” explains the sporting regulations. In the case of Max Verstappen, with only two cars disconnected, it was not possible to return the lost time.

When he was informed by his team manager Atze Kerhof that the missing lap would not be given to him, Max Verstappen decided to simply leave the race. A “ragequit” explained by the double champion of F1, installed in his personal simulator, on the Redline Twitch channel.

« Is it incredible bad luck or is it just incompetence, cursed Max Verstappen while discussing with his team. They can't even control their own game. This is the third time I've been kicked out of the game this race. This is the last time I will participate. »

And the Dutchman adds: “ We prepare for five months to try to win the championship, we lead the championship, we try to win the race that we have been preparing for all this time and that's how they manage it. » This abandonment actually costs the title to this car which was leading the championship before the virtual double round of the clock.

Team Redline wins despite everything

The Batavian's diatribe did not stop there since Verstappen then pointed out the two race interruptions that occurred during the event which was contested on the RFactor 2 platform.

« Honestly, it's a joke, he added. It's better to retire the car because racing for fifteenth place for six hours doesn't make sense for anyone, it's dishonorable for all the efforts made by the team. I really hope that the organizers will consider which platform to continue on because it doesn't work on this one. »

« I have a better chance of winning by going to play at the casino in Vegas, quipped Verstappen. I think I'll uninstall the game now to make some space on the computer. »

Connection problems spared Team Redline's other LMP, as it was the No. 2 sister car that won with Felipe Drugovich, Felix Rosenqvist, Luke Bennett and Chris Lulham at the wheel. The title went to Porsche Coanda.

A disconnect for @Max33Verstappen and @TeamRedlineSim from the leader of the race 😬#LeMansVirtual Powered by @TraxionGG pic.twitter.com/bCILhnI9l1

— Le Mans Virtual (@LeMansVirtual) January 15, 2023

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