The Formula 1 world is in shock. One of the greatest racing drivers in history announces his retirement. Sebastian Vettel, four-time Formula 1 world champion, hangs up his racing helmet. Vettel’s teammate Alejandro Sanchez was also noticeably affected.
While one career is ending, that of the Madrilenian is just beginning. Sanchez has been professionally active in sim racing since 2016, and he can now live on prize money and salaries from Aston Martin and his second team Apex Racing. “It’s a great honor for me to drive in the same team as Sebastian Vettel,” emphasizes the reigning Racing Unleashed Champion.
Sanchez has been professionally active in sim racing since 2016.
But you have to work hard for it. “Track training plays a bigger role in sim racing than in real motorsport. We have to do a number of laps in the simulator, rehearse every corner perfectly and recall every lap in the race.” The conditions do change in virtual races, but adaptability is not as important as the perfect rhythm.
This weekend, the drivers of the Racer and Challenger League are driving at Silverstone.
Sanchez: “In real motorsport, adaptation plays a major role. Real races are more dynamic, there are more influencing factors. You have to react to that and always convert it into the best possible speed.”
Max Verstappen and Sanchez’s great role model Fernando Alonso are two who can do this in real racing. He says of the Alpine pilot: “Alonso has worked extremely hard for success and he has incredible talent.”
The Spaniard Sanchez has an even better eye for the performance of sim racers. He has tips ready for the stars of tomorrow. “If you want to get off to a good start professionally, you first have to have the passion for it. Otherwise you torture yourself too much to keep getting better,” says the Aston Martin eSportsman.
In the championship, Sanchez is third (41 points) behind Michal Smidl (102) and Angelo Michel (45).
