In mid-2024, I took a casual look at Formula 1 and got absolutely hooked. I’ve always been a “car guy,” but professional racing never really clicked for me until then. Like most newcomers, I didn’t know the grid, so I naturally gravitated toward the man winning everything: Max Verstappen. To catch up, I binged Drive to Survive on Netflix to put faces to the helmets. But the real drama started off the track. At the end of 2024, the “Silly Season” went nuclear when Ferrari dropped Carlos Sainz—not for lack of talent, but because they had the rare chance to sign 7-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
Finding My Favorite Driver
Watching the 2025 season unfold was wild. While Lewis struggled to find his footing with the Scuderia, Carlos fought through the growing pains of a new team, eventually finding his rhythm to bag points and podiums. There’s something about the underdog story that resonates; Carlos became my favorite driver right then and there (“Vamos!”).
Bringing the Track Home
The obsession eventually bled into the living room. My son and I picked up a PS5 to play F1 25, and we’re still tearing up the virtual tracks today. I just finished watching the Chinese Grand Prix—what a race! Between the constant overtakes and Kimi Antonelli making history as the second-youngest race winner ever (trailing only Max), I was on the edge of my seat.
That adrenaline rush convinced me: It’s time to build a sim rig.
I just picked up a second PS5 so my son and I can race properly. I’m currently deep in the rabbit hole of reviews, trying to navigate the endless options for cockpits and peripherals.
The Current Game Plan:
- The Essentials: A solid racing seat and a high-quality wheel/pedal combo (looking at Direct Drive options!).
- The Future: Looking into VR or high-end headsets down the road for total immersion.