Double World Champion Max Verstappen has been heavily criticised for his outburst after deciding to quit the Le Mans 24 Hours Virtual, after his team suffered from multiple technical issues.
The biggest sim-racing event in the world did have some difficulties last weekend, with the servers having suffered a “security breach” during the race.
The race was red-flagged twice due to issues with the servers, with many having been quick to blame the platform used, rFactor 2, for the problems.
The sim-platform, which is owned by Motorsport Games, was heavily criticised by Verstappen, who later retired from the race after his team were disconnected from the server’s multiple times.
READ: Alpine outline their ‘100-race plan’ after Fernando Alonso misery
When his side finally resumed following a second disconnection, they were P17 and over a lap down, with the Dutchman then deciding to quit.
After quitting the race, he sensationally called the event a “clown show”, with his outfit having lost the lead that they’d held for seven hours.
“They can’t even control their own game,” Verstappen told his Twitch stream.
“This is the third time already that has happened to me now, being kicked off the game while doing this race.
“This is also the last time ever because what’s the point? You prepare for five months to try and win this Championship, you are leading the Championship, you try to win this race which you have prepared for two months and they handle it like this. Honestly, it is a joke. You cannot even call it an event. It’s a clown show.”
Verstappen’s rant was posted onto social media by several viewers, with commentator Ben Constanduros having then hit out at the 25-year-old for his harsh words towards the event.
Constanduros revealed how “proud” he was of the entire Le Mans Virtual team, before going on to criticise Verstappen for “feeding the community with toxicity”.
“If it’s a clown show, that makes me and my hard working dedicated friends, clowns,” tweeted Constanduros.
READ: Formula 1 to present 2026 engine regulations in January
“Usually after a 24hr race I am tired but today has been an ugly, exhausting display of the toxic side of Sim Racing and social media. I am proud of what the Le Mans Virtual Team has achieved.
“Both today and the incredible achievements from the first 2 events. (2022 ran without server issues remember. Yes it didn’t go Max’s way today, he was unlucky to be disconnected like a few other drivers. The rest carried on, one of which won GTE. That is racing.
“But calling other humans out so strongly and feeding the community with negativity when in such a influential position was not wise and only fuels the toxicity in the community which only harms the Sim Racing world as whole.”