Can simulators be a cost effective way to launch a racing career?
F1 NewsWednesday, 09 April 2025 at 09:49
Simon Holloway, Commercial Director of Dynisma - which provides advanced motion simulators to professional racing teams and OEMs - says cutting-edge full-motion simulators are transforming the traditional route to professional motorsport by helping drivers progress from karting to Formula 1 in a controlled, cost-effective and repeatable environment.
Max Verstappen is a sim racing aficionado. Considered one of the best, if not the best, drivers in the virtual world where he competes with professional eSport racing Team Redline. He is backing sim racers with potential all the way to real racing with a bespoke GT3 team for promising talent.
With that in mind we approached Holloway with the headline question with the objective of establishing if sim racing one day provides a more cost-effective for young talent to go racing than Karting, which has become exorbitantly expensive. Playgrounds of the ultra-rich kids. He had some interesting insights into the simulation world and racing.
Holloway: Simulators are essential tools for young driver development
Asked whether driving simulators could replace karting as a stepping stone in motorsport, Holloway said: “Driving simulators are engineering tools, not just driver training aids. They allow teams to fine-tune car setups, test components, and optimise performance before ever hitting the track. As real-world testing opportunities continue to decline, motion simulation has become essential for both teams and drivers.
“Sim racing and esports provide valuable experience in learning circuits and race scenarios, but a full-motion simulator like Dynisma’s DMGs plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between karting and single-seaters.
“With near-perfect correlation between the mathematical vehicle model and real-world behaviour, young drivers can safely and consistently transition from karting to junior single-seaters like F3 and F2, as well as other top-tier championships such as Formula E, GT racing, and endurance series, before ultimately reaching F1—all within a controlled, repeatable environment.
“That said, karting remains crucial for racecraft, developing wheel-to-wheel racing skills, and learning the physical and psychological pressures of real-world competition—elements that a simulator alone cannot fully replicate. The best preparation for young drivers combines both karting and motion simulation.”
On whether sim racing offers a route to motorsport success regardless of financial background, Holloway responded: “Sim racing and driving simulators are already making professional motorsport more accessible by providing affordable, repeatable training without the massive costs associated with real-world testing. However, the financial barriers to reaching F1 remain steep. It can cost millions for a young driver to progress from karting to Formula 1, with significant funding required at every stage."
Dynisma simulators: High-fidelity motion and seamless integration
Holloway continued: “That said, real-world racing is still the ultimate test, and drivers will always need seat time in physical race cars. But as sustainability drives further reductions in track testing, simulators will bridge the gap between raw talent and opportunity, ensuring that the best drivers can continue developing, regardless of financial constraints.”
Explaining what sets Dynisma’s systems apart, Holloway said: “Dynisma simulators provide the most immersive, high-fidelity driving experience available today. With ultra-low latency (3-5ms compared to 15-30ms on other commercially available alternatives), they ensure near-perfect real-world correlation, while high bandwidth enables an unmatched level of motion detail, delivering precise and responsive feedback to the driver.
“Unlike traditional simulators, our technology allows drivers to feel even the smallest changes in car balance—including the onset of oversteer—enabling them to drive at the absolute limit of grip. This critical level of precision ensures engineers can replicate and refine real-world vehicle performance.
“What also sets Dynisma apart is that our solutions are fully turnkey and software-agnostic, allowing seamless integration into any team’s existing workflow. This means that race teams and OEMs can deploy state-of-the-art motion simulation without needing to overhaul their current systems—a major advantage over alternative solutions.”
Simulation now a core part of race weekend preparation
On the role of simulation in preparing for race weekends, Holloway said: “With limited track time and fewer test days, teams must arrive at race weekends with cars already optimised. Dynisma’s motion simulators allow teams to refine setups, tyre strategies, and aerodynamics in a risk-free environment, ensuring cars are fast straight out of the pits.
“Tyre preparation is particularly critical—especially in series where tyre warmers are banned. Teams use Dynisma simulators to practice tyre management, helping drivers maximise grip from the first lap while extending tyre life over a race stint. With precise correlation between simulator data and real-world performance, teams gain a crucial competitive advantage.”
Asked about the response from teams and drivers, Holloway said: “Feedback from teams and drivers has been overwhelmingly positive. Several professional drivers have publicly praised the unmatched realism and accuracy of our simulators, noting that they can drive at the limit exactly as they would in a real car.
“F2 teams using Dynisma simulators have trained drivers who have now made their way into Formula 1 this season, demonstrating how cutting-edge simulation technology is instrumental in developing the next generation of talent."
Pushing the limits of immersion and simulation technology
“Teams also see tangible results, from faster setup optimisation to more consistent driver performance. Unlike traditional simulators, which often struggle with real-world correlation, Dynisma’s technology ensures drivers can fully trust the feedback, making testing and development more effective than ever," explained Holloway'
On how close Dynisma is to achieving true real-world immersion, Holloway concluded: “Dynisma continues to push boundaries in motion technology, integrating with ever-evolving visualisation systems such as VR/XR, LED walls, and ultra-high-resolution projection to create an ultra-realistic driving experience.
“Our high bandwidth and ultra-low latency already ensure drivers feel every fine detail of car behaviour in real time. The biggest challenge in full immersion is replicating sustained high-G forces, which require vast motion ranges. However, it’s the fine transitions in grip, weight transfer, and aero balance that matter most for driver training—and Dynisma simulators excel in these critical areas.
“A major breakthrough is our unlimited yaw capability and 5m of XY travel on the DMG-360XY, eliminating the need for recentring and enabling more natural vehicle rotation and yaw cueing. Dynisma invests heavily in R&D, ensuring we are always innovating and setting new industry standards globally. As a result, we are closing the gap between virtual and real-world driving, redefining what’s possible in motion simulation.”
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