The highly anticipated triple-header of the 2023 Formula 1 season has been cancelled. After the devastating floods that have hit the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy, the Grand Prix that was scheduled to take place this weekend at the iconic Imola circuit has been called off by F1. While all the fans and drivers have extended their support to the people of the region, this has left the sporting world with a huge void for this weekend. However, Max Verstappen and Co. have decided to listen to the fans and ensure they get the racing action the fans deserve.
Fans and drivers faced a similar situation back when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit all of us. F1 was suspended indefinitely, and everyone was hungry for some racing action. Back in 2020, Team Redline, the E-sports team Verstappen races for announced a series of sim-races titled ‘Real Racers Never Quit’. And according to reports, backed by popular demand, the sim-racing event will make a comeback this weekend for a one-off race to replace the cancelled Emilia-Romagna GP.
🚨 Max Verstappen confirmed to join #RRNQ 🚨 pic.twitter.com/veUQJti2yX
— Team Redline (@TeamRedlineSim) May 19, 2023
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Fans were greeted by the aforementioned announcement shortly after the event was finalized. Team Redline came onto their official Twitter account to share the news that 2x champion Max Verstappen will also be taking part in the online event which is to be run on Sunday.
Fans react as Max Verstappen confirms his presence for Imola GP’s replacement race
This news comes as a welcome surprise for racing fans. Firstly, they get some racing action on the weekend, albeit virtually. Further, Verstappen will be joined by other big names of the motorsport world, too such as Formula E champion, Antonio da Costa!
As soon as this news went viral, fans rushed to the social networking site to share their reactions. One fan even commented, “Love the fact that he doesn’t have a title like all the others. Just straight up Max Verstappen nothing more.”
Let’s take a look at just a few of the fan reactions from Verstappen’s confirmation to participate in this weekend’s virtual race.
I hadn't any doubt about it, but it's cool to see it officially announced <3 https://t.co/9m0QV1smDS
— formulEMO (@fast_hearts) May 19, 2023
SIIIIMPLY SIIIIMPLY LOVELY. 💙 https://t.co/wCzCC5vw0d
— Nawaf (@NawafMV) May 19, 2023
Love the fact that he doesn’t have a title like all the others. Just straight up Max Verstappen nothing more https://t.co/ejzv6aaznS
— Jess (@SurvivinJess) May 19, 2023
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO https://t.co/mBGmptnbrS
— victoria (@vicstappen) May 19, 2023
Currently, Verstappen is the only Formula 1 driver who has been announced to take part in this virtual event. That being said, the announcement has triggered excitement amongst F1 fans who expect other drivers to also participate.
Hopefully this isn’t the last driver https://t.co/rYdxSfxne0
— sheeptp🇲🇽🚧🇺🇸 (@sheeptp) May 19, 2023
is max the last one or- 🧍♂️ https://t.co/lDbwmbEClX pic.twitter.com/2OU8B0TeSX
— jen ³³ ₈ 🇿🇦 exams era (@soy33lago) May 19, 2023
Other than all the excitement, fans also took this opportunity to troll Team Redline and Verstappen. Being a driver from within Redline’s stable of drivers, Verstappen was an obvious candidate to race.
I can speak for everyone that we didn’t see this one coming.
— Two Seconds Ted (@2secondsTed) May 19, 2023
Everyone was just waiting for the announcement 😂 https://t.co/ghSUTFbLsx
— BeingxRaul (@beingxracing19) May 19, 2023
🚨 The Sun comes out during the day 🚨 https://t.co/ntPIHd7mW4
— ☾ (@leclericle) May 19, 2023
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Watch this Story: Fernando Alonso Appreciating Teammate Lance Stroll’s Overtaking Move at Miami GP
who would’ve thought https://t.co/u55oouomz2
— Webbo (@WebboHD) May 19, 2023
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Now that the Emilia-Romagna GP has been called off, will you be watching Max Verstappen battle it out for victory on the virtual stage this weekend?