We sat down with 21-year-old Chris to delve into his experiences, challenges, and triumphs in both sim-racing and real-world racing.
In the dynamic world of eSports and sim-racing, few stories are as compelling as Chris’. Transitioning from karting to Formula 4, and then into the burgeoning realm of sim-racing, and this year competing full time in the 2024 Radical Cup UK season, his journey is a testament to the dedication, passion, and evolving landscape of motorsport. We sat down with 21-year-old Chris to delve into his experiences, challenges, and triumphs in both sim-racing and real-world racing.
Written by: Megan Keech
Pictures by: Andrew Coles and Team Redline
Megan: How did you get into sim-racing?
Chris: I started as soon as I stopped racing in real life, in 2019. I did a bit of Formula 4 in 2019 when I was just out of karting, and then when that stopped, the only way I could continue motorsports was through sim-racing. It was the only affordable option for me at the time. I was only doing it for fun to begin with, in between GCSEs and A-Levels; it was hard to find the time to think about taking it further. As my interest and passion for sim-racing grew, I gradually started to take it more seriously. In 2021 I was scouted by Max Verstappen’s Team Redline, which I am still a part of today.
M: How did you get scouted by Team Redline?
C: I won the iRacing Daytona 24-Hour in January 2021, beating Team Redline in the GT category. That victory got me noticed. Once I was a part of the team, I had to prove myself during a trial year. They put me in various pressure situations with different cars, mainly LMP2 and GT. By performing well, I earned a full-time contract. As of last year, it has been financially viable for me to do sim-racing full-time.
M: How did you come across Radical?
C: A Radical Motorsport display at the 2023 Goodwood Members’ Meeting caught my eye — it was a purple SR10 XXR. At this time I wanted to get back into a high-performance car and go racing again. My dad and I asked about the various models available in the UK, and I looked at what cars were for sale online. I purchased a used SR3 RS (2011 chassis), and by driving this I found out I was competitive. That led me to buy an SR3 XXR, which showed to me the massive progress that has been made in development over the years; it really is a lot of fun to drive.
M: Did you race in Radicals in sim-racing before buying one?
C: I’d been exposed a little to the SR8 and SR10 on iRacing. I had never had the opportunity to compete at a high level in one, but I had driven them both for fun. This was another reason which eventually led me to buy an SR3. It was the closest car to what I’d been racing on the sim; racing a Radical is like racing a baby prototype.
M: Have you tried the SR3 on the sim?
C: I’m currently driving an SR3 XXR (in Assetto Corsa) on the sim, which is the car I drive in the championship. This helps me prepare for the races as it is a very valid way of practicing and improving on lap times. As an example, I can try using a different gear on the sim. If it improves my lap time, I can apply it in real-life racing. Normally to be able to achieve something like that, you have to be a part of a proper professional environment, but it’s now achievable at home with the level of software that is out there. I used it to prepare for the Championship rounds this year and I think it’s pretty accurate.
M: How does racing a Radical in real life compare to driving one on the sim?
C: You can never take away from the raw experience of driving the real thing. The aero performance feels amazing, quite a sensation to get used to. It’s something you can never feel properly in a sim, yet, the driving techniques and inputs required are very similar to that of driving a lightweight prototype on the sim.
M: What was it like to go from driving on the sim to driving a Radical? Was the transition hard?
C: The main hurdle for me to overcome was gaining the confidence to have the car sliding around underneath me, especially at high speeds. It’s not something you can learn on the sim or in karting. However, this only took a handful of days in the car, and the lap times were looking good quickly. The driving technique came very naturally to me transitioning from the sim; nothing was vastly different.
M: Explain how it feels to drive a Radical SR3 XXR for people who’ve never had the opportunity to be in one.
C: It’s not comparable to any kind of road-going supercar or anything of this nature. The low weight combined with an aggressive aero platform makes it capable of almost 3G at high speeds, which is a fantastic feeling. I’ve been able to take some people out for passenger laps in the SR3 XXR, and the main comment I always hear is about the braking performance and G-forces that follow — it’s quite a sensation to get used to.
M: What do you like most about Radicals?
C: The driving experience is phenomenal. To be more specific, the aero performance combined with a tyre compound that allows you to push and be quite aggressive for a prolonged period without them suffering is incredible. The car (and tyres) are quite forgiving if you do overstep the limits, which gives a great level of confidence to the driver once you do get the car on the limit.
M: What’s your top sim-racing moment?
C: Winning the Le Mans Virtual in January 2023 was a highlight. It was held out of the real season so more real-world professional drivers could take part. Competing against and with drivers such as Max Verstappen, Felipe Drugovich, Felix Rosenqvist and many more in such a prestigious event was incredible. The level of the eSports drivers is so hard to reach for a professional driver, as we obviously do this full time.
M: Does sim-racing have a community feel?
C: Yes, the daily communication and collaborative preparation for races builds a strong community. You spend so much time with your team; you do all the prep with your teammates, and then you race with them, so it’s important you all get along.
M: Do you feel you are creating more awareness about sim-racing?
C: Sim-racing is definitely becoming a viable career. Software and hardware advancements make it easier to enter. It’s more feasible than real-life racing, and a great way to pursue a passion for motorsport. If you put in the time and effort, and get on the right platform, it’ll enable you to race against the right people and, in time, improve.
M: What advice would you give someone trying to get into sim-racing professionally?
C: The level of sim-racing almost prepares you for real-world racing. The standards we operate on are similar to some F1 teams. The procedures are the same, and the perception of sim-racing should be changing. For example, we have some of the same personnel working in sim-racing as we do in the real world; Max Verstappen is a good example of that.
M: Would you recommend a Radical for others like you who want to get into racing?
C: I think specifically for a sim racer, they’re a great point of entry. The performance can be daunting, but the technique of driving is natural and the feeling from the car is awesome. I know of other professional sim racers who have had the opportunity to drive a SR3 recently, and they were able to push the car immediately and really enjoyed the experience. It’s the fastest thing you can get into at this budget.
M: How has your experience been so far in the 2024 Radical Cup UK Championship?
C: Off track it’s been a nice and relaxed environment, and I’ve really enjoyed the weekends. The racing itself has been tough but fair, and racing and winning in front of so many spectators at each event has felt cool. I’d say the paddock is definitely more friendly here than the world of professional sim-racing! And thanks to Radical and the experience I have had I am fully prepared for whatever comes next.
Chris’s journey from the virtual tracks to real-world races is a fascinating one, showcasing the potential of sim-racing as a pathway to professional motorsports. His story is an inspiration to aspiring racers, and highlights the evolving dynamics of the motorsports industry.
