Former Ferrari and McLaren Driver Stefan Johansson Drives iRacing

[Paul Jeffrey]

iRacing.com, famous for their association with many professional real life drivers, have released a very interesting video of former Grand Prix driver Stefan Johansson driving the 2015 McLaren Honda MP4/30 around the laserscanned Nordsclife circuit in iRacing.

The McLaren Honda in iRacing is widely regarded to be one of the most researched and accurate versions of a Grand Prix car available in any publically available racing simulation, having been developed in close conjunction with the Woking based racing team and benefitting from the usual iRacing attention to detail lavished on cars and tracks in this sim. With former McLaren driver Johansson having an obvious association with both the team and circuit, iRacing took the opportunity to sit the 60 year old retired driver in a pretty spectacular looking CEX Simulations motion rig as he talks a little about the track and game. For anyone who doubts sim racing requires similar levels of concentration as real world driving, take a look at Johansson's face in the below video...

Stefan Johansson - McLaren MP4/30 in iRacing

Stefan Johansson has made 79 Grand Prix starts during an eleven year Formula One career, going on to secure 12 podium finishes for the likes of McLaren and Ferrari before ending his time at the pinnacle of open wheel racing during the 1991 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Despite never winning a race outright, the forceful Swedish driver was held in high regard by his fellow competitors and fans alike for his no compromise on track approach, earning a reputation as a hard man to beat in wheel to wheel situations.

Following his Grand Prix retirement, Johansson moved over to the then booming CART series in America, where the likeable driver competed in 73 race events as a prelude to a long and successful career in the United States. Wins showcase endurance events followed the close of his open wheel career, giving Johansson the silverware a driver of his obvious quality deserves before hanging up his professional helmet at the age of 56 in 2012.

Johansson during his heyday behind the wheel of his 1987 McLaren MP4/3 at the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit in Great Britain:

iRacing.com, the McLaren MP4/30 and the laserscanned Nordschleife are all available for PC now.

Check out the iRacing sub forum here at RaceDepartment to engage with your fellow iRacing fans. Leave a comment about your thoughts on the game, or download one of the many community created setups to help boost your competitive advantage!

Did you like the iRacing video of Johansson? Do you use the McLaren MP4-30 in game? How does the Nordschleife compare to other versions in different sims? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[Paul Jeffrey]

Seriously, look at those facial expressions... that's a bloke concentrating on the task in hand. Plus someone you really don't want to make angry... !

 

[norbs]

These vids are a bit over rated for mine. You wont often, if ever, see a driver get out and say "well, that was shite". Seems like all sims have a few drivers saying good things about them.

Interesting that the motion rig seems separate to the wheel. Was I seeing that right? That seems an odd thing to do.

 

[Nick Gregory]

1987 McLaren MP4/4

You mean the MP4/3 right?

 

[Paul Jeffrey]

You wont often, if ever, see a driver get out and say "well, that was shite".

LOL That genuinely made me chuckle when I read that one... ! Awesome comment of the day trophy to you sir

 

[P*Funk]

These vids are a bit over rated for mine. You wont often, if ever, see a driver get out and say "well, that was shite".

Made me think of this gem.

 

[gamer19]

Did anyone continue and watch recommend video, this:

Maybe even more interesting video.
Stefan Johansson is one of the last F1 studs. His opinion matters, to me at least.
And his helmet is among pretiest F1 helmets to me. Right behind Thierry Boutsen's one.

 

[fortyfivekev]

Is "driver drives sim" still newsworthy?

Having said that I always had a soft spot for Stefan just because he really seemed to love his racing.

 

[P*Funk]

Is "driver drives sim" still newsworthy?

About as important as recognizable female actress/singer uses new hair/facial product.

 

[Lars Hansen]

About as important as recognizable female actress/singer uses new hair/facial product.

So that would be a 'no'?