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Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has announced his own team will race in the renowned GT World Challenge Europe series this year.
Chris Lulham will make a major step into real-world motor racing, having been part of Team Redline, who Verstappen races for in sim racing.
Lulham will co-drive the #33 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, run by 2 Seas Motorsport in the series' Gold Cup, with Thierry Vermeulen and Porsche Cup star Harry King at five Endurance Cup rounds.
At the five sprint cup races, Vermeulen and Lulham will share the #69 Ferrari 296 GT3, which is run by Emil Frey Racing.
There will be a total of 15 races throughout the 10 circuit venues, such as two one-hour races at each Sprint Cup round and three-hour races at Monza, Nurburgring and Barcelona with the historic 24 Hours of Spa being the most demanding affair.
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Verstappen said: 'It has always been my dream to support young drivers and for a while now, I have been trying to create the possibility of a sim driver to progress to real world racing.
'With Chris Lulham, now being promoted from Team Redline sim racing to our GT3 Sprint and Endurance Racing, teaming up with Thierry Vermeulen, who has been competing for Verstappen.com Racing for a few years now, we take it to the next step.'
'It is a really exciting prospect and I can’t wait to get started,' added Fullham.
'We already had a very thorough and busy off-season preparing for what is coming.
'It is an unbelievable chance and I can’t wait to make the most out of this opportunity.'
Lulham compared sim-racing to the real-world having worked a comprehensive off-season programme with the four-time F1 champion and Vermeulen himself boasting two full seasons of Sprint Cup experience.
'Max has been working side-by-side with Thierry and myself, developing and setting up the car,' Lulham said.
'Both are very friendly with me and very cooperative and supportive.
'I couldn’t have asked for anyone better.
'I am really thankful for the opportunities via Verstappen.com Racing.'
'The experience is very different with so many people at a racetrack working to support you.
'In a simulator, you are by yourself, focusing on your own performance.
'It feels fantastic to have such a big team supporting you.
'Driving a real car is physical, not super comparable in terms of the experience, but the technique is very similar.
'The main difference is, of course, the G-forces.
'The things I have learned with Team Redline over the past four years, we apply the same at the real racetrack.
'That for me has made the step very smooth. I would say it’s come very naturally.'
The #33 Aston Martin's Endurance Cup campaign will begin with the 6 Hours of Paul Ricard on 11-13 April, followed by Monza on 30 May–1 June and the 77th edition of the Spa 24 Hours on 26-29 June, concluded by the Nurburgring (29–31 August) and Barcelona (10–12 October) races.
Meanwhile, the #69 Ferrari's Sprint Cup will kick off at Brands Hatch on 3-4 May and continue towards Zandvoort (16-18 May), Misano (18-20 July), Magny-Cours (1-3 August) and Valencia (19-21 September).
The Prologue pre-season test will see the GTWC Europe paddock testing together on 10-11 March.