Was the IP address of the recent Virtual 24h of Le Mans, plagued by a multitude of controversies, leaked?
Fans on social media seem to suggest that the IP address of the prestigious sim racing event was leaked and that’s apparently the cause for the security breaches and technical errors during the event. A picture circulation on social media shows that the event’s confidential IP address was visible through the server browser. The event was marred by security threats, red flags and cyber attacks. The race was affected by technical problems right from the start including the two servers being used for the event being the target of a security breach. Some of the players were disconnected from the race mid-way because of server issues while the race had to be red-flagged twice due to potential cyber-attacks.
The Virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans is an e-sports automobile endurance, which is played online by several well-known professional racers. The latest edition of this event has been in the news after it was red-flagged due to a server issue. It is a coveted event in the simulation racing world and multiple top names including Max Verstappen were aiming to win his first title here. However, things didn’t go according to plan for most of them due to technical issues on the organisers’ end.
Verstappen has absolutely vented out his frustration on discord after being disconnected mid-way through his stint during the Virtual 24h of Le Mans sim race. When the race began, Verstappen was quick to get a lead at the start but then dropped to second spot before the race had to be red-flagged due to a server error. The organisers confirmed that the technical issue occurred due to a security breach. In their official statement on social media, they wrote: “Unfortunately the two servers that have been used for the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual have had a suspected security breach. We are now taking the actions necessary to increase security and will aim to restart the race as soon as possible.” Even though the race resumed later, the players who dropped out like Verstappen, couldn’t re-join and continue.
An utterly gutted Verstappen wrote on discord: “I’m going to write this once, it might get deleted but who cares. After five months of prep to fight for a title, around two months of prep for Le Mans, this is what we get.” He further added: “This was a disgrace to the sim racing community and to all big brands and drivers involved. Big stutters all race, red flags due to (cyber) attacks you say, but then again people disconnecting some get their laps back, some don’t because of the stupid four car rule.” Verstappen and his team Redline Sim have failed to win the event for two consecutive years now.
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