The Verstappen Theory: Speed vs. Realism in Sim Racing.

What if the secret to faster lap times or more immersive racing could be summed up in a single sentence? According to Max Verstappen, it can.

"I’m driving at home on a static rig because it’s faster. All these motion rigs are slower. But of course, if you want to try and replicate a little bit of what you feel in real life, then yeah, you buy a motion rig."
Max Verstappen, grandprix247.com

It’s simple, but it’s profound. Verstappen isn’t just talking about racing, he’s talking about priorities.

Speed vs. Realism

In the world of sim racing, not everyone is chasing the same goal:

• The Speed Seekers: Some sim racers are chasing the fastest lap times possible. They thrive on precision, control and consistency. They race in highly competitive online leagues and a static rig delivers exactly what they need - no motion, no interference, no unnecessary distractions.

• The Realism Enthusiasts: Others crave immersion. Often not esport competitors but sim racers nonetheless. They want as much information as you would have in the real world.. the feeling of the car moving beneath them, the pitch, yaw, roll, the surface texture, the punch in the back from a clunky sequential gear change, the subtle cues that only a motion simulator can provide. Lap times or stage times might be slightly slower, because you have so many things distracting and interfering with your inputs... but that's what happens in the real world, right? You don't sit perfectly still, you're subject to a huge array of forces, and vibrations pulling at your body in different directions. Ultimately the experience with a well set up motion rig is closer to the real thing.

Verstappen’s observation hits the nail on the head: the right simulator depends on your goals.

Tailored Solutions for Every Racer

At Sim Consultants, we know that one size doesn’t fit all and we offer a wide range of simulators to suit everyone's individual requirements. First and foremost we look at what the sim will be used for, then who it is for, what the user's hope to achieve and then finally the budget :

• Static Simulators: Optimized for speed and competitive racing, with precise controls and rigid chassis for maximum performance.

• Motion Simulators: Designed for maximum realism and immersion, bringing the thrill of real racing to your home or facility without compromise.

The Big Problem With Motion Simulators

Aside from the cost..there's no getting away from the fact that they are hugely expensive, the big problem with motion simulators is that so many of them are set up badly or simply there as an entertainment piece. As a result, operators crank every setting up to 100 thinking they're giving people an awesome experience, but in reality, the user gets violently thrown around, everything is wildly exaggerated and after 2 minutes has more than had enough..and often walks away with a dim view of motion rigs in general.

Less is more with motion. Proper calibration, hours of testing, fine tuning and an actual understanding (and experience) of what real race, rally and drift cars feel like on track are what makes motion rigs work. When they are properly set up, they are simply fantastic!

At The Sim Consultants we're authorised DBOX resellers and only use DBOX Motion systems, the only motion system approved by Motorsport's governing body, the FIA.

Pro's & Cons Of Motion Simulators Vs Static Simulators

Static Simulators:

• Pro: Less expensive
• Pro: Simpler, less to go wrong
• Pro: Probably faster for most competitive esports racers
• Con: Once you have tried a good motion rig, static rigs can feel a bit bland
• Con: You're missing out on a lot of valuable feedback from the car and the road surface

Motion Simulators:

• Pro: Unbeatable immersion, especially when combined with VR
• Pro: Additional haptics provide detailed feedback about road surfaces and what the tyres are doing.
• Pro: Greater sense of oversteer/understeer and generally what the car is doing beneath you.
• Con: Expensive!
• Con: You don't always want the fully immersive experience every single time you sit in the sim...but you can always turn it off

Fast or Real? Why Not Both

The Verstappen Theory shows that speed and realism often pull racers in different directions—but at Sim Consultants, you don’t have to choose. We deliver simulators built for your priorities, so every lap you drive is exactly the experience you want.