Behind the Tech: A Day in the Life of Virtex’s CTO

When people see our simulator in action, what they notice is the motion, the immersion, and the way professional drivers treat it as seriously as they would a real car. But what’s less visible is the careful orchestration behind the scenes — the coordination of software, hardware, and human expertise that makes the whole experience possible. At the centre of it is Virtex’s Chief Technology Officer, Fabian Bräu.

Fabian’s role is part engineer, part innovator, and part team builder. “My first responsibility is making sure our F1-grade simulator is always ready to run,” he explains. “That means coordinating the many complex systems — from motion platform to visuals to the vehicle models — and ensuring they work seamlessly together.” In a setup where even a minor glitch can compromise the realism of the driver’s experience, attention to detail is everything.

But keeping things running is only half the job. Fabian also leads the development of new functionality in our custom vehicle models. These aren’t off-the-shelf packages — they’re features unique to Virtex that add tangible value for our customers, from more adaptive tyre models to AI-driven setup tools. This forward-looking work keeps Virtex ahead of the curve in a fast-moving industry.

A key part of Fabian’s focus is building and mentoring the technical team. “We’re creating expertise in-house,” he says. “From simulator operation to software development, the goal is to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.” It’s about more than just running a simulator — it’s about creating a culture of excellence where the team grows alongside the technology.

And, like any startup leader, Fabian wears more hats than his title suggests. “Sometimes I’m also the housekeeper,” he jokes. “If something needs fixing, I roll up my sleeves and make sure it works.” It’s this mix of precision, innovation, and pragmatism that allows Virtex to deliver an uncompromising simulator experience to teams and drivers.