Engineering Precision: How We Fine-Tune the Virtex Simulator

For simulator engineer Unai Imatz, fine-tuning is where engineering skill meets attention to detail. Every team and driver arrives at Virtex with their own car, setup, and style — and it’s Unai’s job to make sure our Driver-in-the-Loop simulator behaves like the real thing from the first lap.

The process starts with data. “We study whatever the customer can provide — real car telemetry, homologation sheets, vehicle models — anything helps,” Unai explains. To make that information compatible with Virtex’s systems, he’s developed custom routines that process data from any recording software and integrate it into our simulation environment.

From there, the team develops a “digital twin” of the real car, replicating its physics, handling, and performance characteristics. Once the model is ready, Unai takes the wheel for validation drives, checking every aspect before the customer arrives. “It’s about making sure all the features are there and working as they should,” he says.

One recent example is the brake pedal system. “The feel of the brake pedal is one of the most important sensations for a driver,” Unai explains. “We have to match stiffness and travel to the real car, and our customers come from a wide range of categories.” To make this process faster, Unai carried out a full study of the system’s capabilities, documenting every possible combination and its characteristics. “Now, when we get feedback from the driver, I can adjust the pedal feel to match their car in minutes.”

It’s this combination of deep technical work and quick adaptability that makes the difference in a simulator session. By the time the driver arrives, the goal is simple: the car they feel in the sim should feel like home — so they can focus entirely on improving performance.