Experiencing an F1 simulator in Amsterdam
You drop into a racing seat, pull on the VR headset, and suddenly you're in the middle of the track. An F1 simulator in Amsterdam is closer than you'd think: in the A'DAM Tower on the IJ. Here's what sim racing actually is, how real it feels, and why you don't need a driver's license for it.
What is an F1 simulator, really?
A racing simulator isn't a game you play with a controller on the couch. You sit in a proper racing seat, a real wheel in front of you and pedals under your feet. Everything you do, the simulator translates straight to the car on screen. Turn the wheel and the car turns with you; hit the brake and it brakes.
Sim racing versus racing games
The difference is directness. In a racing game you press a button and something happens. In sim racing you don't steer with a controller, you drive. You feel through the wheel when the car starts to slide, and you learn with your feet how much throttle a corner can take. That makes it more serious, and a lot more fun.
How real does it feel in VR?
The VR headset is what seals it. Look left and you see the car beside you; look down and there's your wheel. You're not squinting at a screen, you're in the middle of the track. Combined with the wheel and pedals in your hands and under your feet, it feels surprisingly real, even if you've never driven on a circuit.
No license needed, from age 8
You don't need experience, and definitely no driver's license. Kids from age 8 can hop in. The crew explains the controls in about a minute, and after that you're driving your own laps. A little getting used to the wheel, and a few corners later you've got the hang of it.
Racing together: up to 14 at once
It really comes alive when you race each other. Up to 14 racers can hit the track at once, live against one another, with a leaderboard tracking who's ahead. There are several circuits, so you're not stuck lapping the same one. Come with a group and you'll know exactly who gets to brag afterward.
Where you race: the A'DAM Tower
The Race Experience is in the A'DAM Tower on the IJ, in Amsterdam-Noord. From Amsterdam Central it's a five-minute ride on the free ferry. Racing on its own starts at €15 for 30 minutes, or you fold it into Level 1, 2, or 4. With 4.5 stars from over 850 Google reviews, you've got a fair idea of what to expect.