--- title: "Max Verstappen Disqualified From Sim Race After Revenge-Ramming Another Driver" description: "Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen was disqualified from a sim racing event for ramming another driver in retaliation." date: "2023-07-16" modified: "2023-07-16" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/max-verstappen-disqualified-from-sim-race-after-revenge-ramming-another-driver" categories: - "Culture" - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" - "Video Games" --- # Max Verstappen Disqualified From Sim Race After Revenge-Ramming Another Driver ![]() During his weekend off, [Formula 1]() world champion[ Max Verstappen]() decided to get behind the wheel anyway, in the iRacing Golden Toast sim racing grand prix. However, during the race, Verstappen was disqualified after ramming another driver in retaliation, knocking them both off track. The three-hour[ sim racing]() grand prix was at Spa and, coming out of the La Source corner, German driver Sven-Ole Hasse seemingly pushed Verstappen from behind, which forced him into his Team Redline teammate Diogo Pinto. That caused both Verstappen and Pinto to spin, ruining their races. Verstappen wasn't going to let that fly, though, as the Dutchman immediately sought retaliation. https://twitter.com/maxvcalloway/status/1680317518060179458?s=46&t=lfLbujRjcOutCTuWRO2d7A Prior to the hit, Verstappen was in third but he ended up in ninth afterward. A few corners later, Verstappen broke away from the pack and went down the escape route, which let him jump from ninth to third, right behind the second place Hasse. Once behind Hasse, Verstappen shunted him from behind, causing both drivers to spin into the tire wall. It seemed like a deliberate, retaliatory attack and it got Verstappen disqualified from the race. When you watch the POV clip from Verstappen's cockpit, it looks like he planned on his escape route attack almost immediately after Hasse's initial hit. Verstappen expertly broke away from the pack, gunning it down the escape route and getting right behind Hasse, as if he'd done it a million times before. "He was committed, he knew was he was doing," said the commentators of Verstappen's revenge move during the replay. https://twitter.com/maxvcalloway/status/1680320480450945026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1680320480450945026%7Ctwgr%5E848a42438201139c01c0c1de1740801a73c6aba8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwtf1.com%2Fpost%2Fverstappen-disqualified-from-sim-race-for-taking-brutal-revenge-on-a-rival%2F The comments section from a Verstappen fan Twitter account is filled with arguing over whether Verstappen was justified in intentionally shunting Hasse. It's obviously wrong to attack another driver like that, even when provoked in sim racing, which is why he was disqualified. Still, it's kind of hilarious to see the current F1 champion attack another driver in sim racing with the sort of expert precision you'd expect of an F1 champion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCUSNRkwzkk *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()