Luke Browning knows Max Verstappen well and believes he is making a difference as a champion. The recent Formula 2 Feature Race winner talked to GPblog about what he learns from and gains from his relationship with Verstappen.
"Actually, it's something Max probably started."- Luke Browning
Luke Browning is part of Team Redline, Max Verstappen's sim racing team. Together with Gabriel Bortoleto and the Red Bull Racing driver, he regularly jumps in the sim or plays other video games.
Speaking to GPblog, the F2-driver explained how playing online games fits into his race weekend preparation.
"It plays a big part in my life, as I think it's probably been shown, but it's part of sort of the Redline friend group for a few years now. The preparation helps massively."
Browning saw Verstappen bring a change to world of racing.
"I spend a lot of time in the simulator at home as I've done for years, and I think it's sort of part of the new generation now. That was something Max probably started.
"I think, Gabi, Max, and I, spend a lot of time in the sim or playing stupid games like COD (Call of Duty, ed.) at home and yes, it was live streamed for the viewers, which is always fun, as a little bit of an insight of what we get up to when we're not busy."
According to the F2 driver, there is a lot of overlap between sim racing and real life.
"The correlation between sim driving and real driving is really there. If you look at the GT side now, you've got the Verstappen.com car, you've got Chris Lulham behind the wheel.
"Obviously, Chris was a world champion in sim racing and was exceptional.
"Max has given him the opportunity to take the step into GT cars and he's absolutely smashing it.
"So I think that just shows that the correlation between sim racing and real racing is massive and I think that's one thing I'd love to do when I hopefully make it: to give the opportunity to not only them but the opportunity to people to be able to get into the sport."
Browning benefits from friendship with Verstappen
Browning often spends time online with his friend group from Team Redline.
Besides the similarities between sim and real racing, he can also consult Verstappen and Bortoleto on other matters.
"Yeah, I think that's the main thing you saw Max [doing] in his early career, right? He's driving to the best of his ability, getting the most out of the car. I love that fight he has. And Gabriel has that as well.
"I think it's just general guidance. If I get to a certain point in my career, it's good to have a more mature eye look at it and go, 'what actually is the best way to go about it?' But the main thing I get from Max is just the ability to drive together on the simulator", the F2-driver concluded.
Browning still in contention for the F2 title
Browning, partly thanks to his win in Monza, is still in contention for the Formula 2 title.
He is currently second in the championship with 153 points, 21 points behind Leonardo Fornaroli, with three weekends remaining.
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Verstappen serves as mentor for young drivers
Verstappen is seen as a mentor by several young drivers. In addition to Browning, he also has a good relationship with Bortoleto, and with other rookies such as Isack Hadjar and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Verstappen also serves this role for Red Bull talent Arvid Lindblad. The F2 driver is often seen as the new Max Verstappen, but the Dutchman emphasized that the young British-Swede driver must primarily be himself.
The four-time F1 world champion recently also stood up for Antonelli, saying that what the F1 rookie is currently going through in his debut campaign is completely 'normal.'
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