Max Verstappen beaten by Mercedes following mistake

Max Verstappen competed in the recent round of the virtual Le Mans series.

With the Formula 1 winter break in full flow, the majority of the drivers have been seen enjoying some downtime, unlike Max Verstappen who it seems can’t get enough of being behind the wheel.

Given how intense the 2022 Formula 1 season was, it’s no surprise that it hasn’t taken the drivers long to get far away from the sport.

Lewis Hamilton has been spotted at fashion events and also in Japan driving a Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, whilst his former team-mate Valtteri Bottas has been sharing his adventures in Australia on social media.

Verstappen, on the other hand, has been driving in the sim world rather than laying back on a holiday somewhere.

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The double World Champion is well-known to be just as fast in the virtual world as he is in the real world, with the 25-year-old having taken part in several big sim races over the years.

For several years now, Verstappen has competed for Team Redline, whom he was in action for again on Saturday in the penultimate round of the virtual Le Mans series.

The penultimate round of the championship took place at Sebring, where the race consisted of 500 miles.

With that in mind, the race consisted of 134 laps, with Verstappen having driven the final stint of the race for Team Redline.

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After starting the race in second, the #1 Team Redline car competing in the LMP class fell to third immediately, after dropping a place at the opening corner of the race.

When Verstappen took control of the car, he was quickly hunted down by none other than the Mercedes Esports team, who had GT driver James Baldwin at the controls.

After a good duel, Verstappen lost third to Baldwin following a mistake at the first corner of the circuit, after running wide and clipping the gravel.

Verstappen running wide saw Baldwin slip up the inside of the Red Bull star, due to the British driver carrying more speed than the imperious Dutchman.

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In the end, the 25-year-old had no choice but to settle for fourth, seemingly the best that himself, Max Benecke, and Jeffrey Rietveld could manage.

The final round of the virtual Le Mans series is in fact the Le Mans 24 Hours, which Verstappen has competed in multiple times in the past.

It is scheduled to take place on the 14th-15th January next year, with double points up for grabs.