A month has passed again, time to ascertain on the present progress in rFactor 2 world with the newest update of the motion plan. Progress this month in Monaco, Nürburgring and UI.
Monaco e-Prix
The announcement of recent content for this month's roadmap concerns the Monaco e-Prix track, which can be available on the identical day because the Formula E race – May 11 – next week. This expansion further expands Studio 397's Formula E portfolio and provides a really perfect testing ground for the recently launched Gen 2 Formula E cars.
Please note that this will not be the F1 GP circuit that many might expect, but slightly a shortened version covering roughly half the gap. You can watch an on-board video of the first-generation Formula E automotive below.
More WIP
Speaking of the Monaco e-Prix track, it could be time to present something recent rFactor 2 session loading screen (and map rFactor 2'recent Formula E track
A brand new user interface can also be coming. Here's a sample photo of the brand new matchmaking screen.
So after all the almighty Nürburgring continues to be under construction and, most significantly, still on schedule. Check out the newest preview below.
Currently, the ultimate corrections are being made to Tatuus cars, removing the last errors.
NASCAR fans are finally free from the turbulent era Motorsport games' hold an exclusive license. On Thursday, Motorsport Games announced that it had sold the license iRacingwhich plans to develop a simulation-based console NASCAR game by 2025.
iRacing has long been touted as the perfect NASCAR racing simulator. Founded by former developers who worked on the acclaimed game NASCAR racing series at Papyrus Design Group, the subscription-based PC game has turn out to be NASCAR's top selection for esports and works with multiple disciplines, including sprint cars, open-wheel racing, sports cars, and even rallycross and short track off-road events.
Since 2010, NASCAR has overseen the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series while also sanctioning the university's iRacing College Series. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the 2020 season, real-world drivers got here together to guide the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, which has set esports television viewing records in two years.
“When we were approached with the option to license the simulator-style NASCAR console game, which was the console game and franchise we had dreamed of, it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up.” he said iRacing President Tony Gardner. “The opportunity to construct a game for the NASCAR console is a privilege that we promise to execute with the utmost care. We sit up for working diligently with NASCAR industry stakeholders to deliver a product that can deliver an incredible experience for the gaming community and NASCAR fans around the globe.
Arrival iRacing is a greater than welcome sight for fans who’ve been desperate for stability and solid console versions that many feel haven't been achieved because the beloved EA Sports game NASCAR thunder series from the early 2000s. Since EA gave up its exclusive license after 2008, NASCAR console games have struggled to achieve popularity, with the Eutechnyx series receiving mixed reviews. 704Games took over in 2016 with help from Monster Games to revive it NASCAR fever brand, one other popular series on the turn of the millennium, only as a consequence of bugs and other problems plaguing its lifespan.
Motorsport Games acquired the NASCAR license in 2018 after purchasing a stake in 704Games. Although the corporate was ambitious to expand its reach, later partnering with the NTT IndyCar Series and the British Touring Car Championship to create licensed games in addition to purchase rFactor 2 MSG platform is battling financial problems, that are moreover suffering from the platform's poor reception Warm Games.
Despite the chaos, MSG will proceed to support its current titles NASCAR race 5 AND NASCAR rivals until 2024.
“The sale of the NASCAR license is the result of a thorough, strategic review of where we believe our company should be heading in the long term,” commented Motorsport Games CEO Stephen Hood. “When considering a sale, we gave due consideration to companies we believed could make a great NASCAR game. Both NASCAR and iRacing They were open to our proposed change and worked with us to plan a positive transition after the sale, and we thank them for their support. We will now focus our efforts on delivering other intellectual properties that are already at an advanced stage of development.”
Electronic Arts Inc. celebrated the launch of EA Sports F1 23, the long-awaited game related to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Available on multiple platforms including PlayStation, Xbox and PC, this latest installment delivers an unrivaled racing experience that can delight fans all over the world.
Lee Mather, senior creative director at Codemasters, shared his enthusiasm in regards to the game: “F1 23 takes every little thing gamers love about competing for the World Championship and takes them further into the world of Formula 1. Our driving precision and feedback from real F1 drivers will make players feel on top of things, whether or not they're using the steering wheel or the pad “
One of F1 23's standout features is the much-loved Braking Point story mode, which continues the exciting saga of rising star Aidan Jackson and his rival Devon Butler. This time, they find themselves as teammates with the newly formed Konnersport Butler Racing Team, facing fierce competition from Callie Mayer, the primary woman to win the F2 World Championship. The selections they make on and off the track will impact their performance levels and popularity, unlocking exciting additional goals and rewards throughout two difficult seasons.
The game introduces a revamped “F1 World” hub, providing players with a wide range of ways to interact with the game they love. Daily, weekly and seasonal content linked to an actual calendar ensures a fresh and fascinating experience. Novices can improve their skills through challenges and races before reaching the rostrum. The addition of a security rating system promotes fair and competitive multiplayer racing by bringing together like-minded drivers.
F1 23 takes player feedback under consideration by including 35% race distance and implementing red flags, adding strategic elements to race weekends. In addition to the 23 tracks of the 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, three latest circuits – Paul Ricard, Shanghai and Portimão – offer exciting racing opportunities for each F1 and F2 events.
Experience the fun of being a world champion within the F1 23 Championship Edition with Max Verstappen because the solo cover star. This edition offers exclusive content including the Max Verstappen Race Apparel Pack, “Braking Point 2” icons, and a Cosmetic Item Pack.
Look out for a full review of the newest F1 installment on the location soon.
Aston Martin confirms its Valkyrie hypercar will race at Le Mans in 2025 70
Aston Martin has confirmed that it should finally enter a pair of its Valkyrie halo supercars within the Le Mans Hypercar category for your entire 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans itself.
The company made the announcement on the eve of the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, confirming that the brand will probably be teaming up with its American working partner, the Heart of Racing team, to campaign the Valkyrie pair in 2025. This follows the brand new category announced today a regulation requiring at the very least two cars in LMH for every manufacturer entry.
It's been a protracted time coming, and Aston Martin was considered one of the manufacturers consulted on the unique Hypercar category rules back in 2017, as share in the highest LMP1-H category dwindled.
After confirming its intention to race the Valkyrie in the primary season of 2020, Aston Martin bumped into trouble and withdrew. He pointed to the choice to permit IMSA's top category cars entry under LMDh regulations, but in addition stated that the aim was to concentrate on its upcoming participation in Formula 1, which is why the corporate was bought by Canadian clothing magnate Lawrence Stroll.
Aston Martin confirms its Valkyrie hypercar will race at Le Mans in 2025 71
This deprived the network of considered one of its most anticipated cars and considered one of the few intentional entries coming from a road automotive, as the principles were originally intended. Along with other events in 2020, the Hypercar class shrunk to a small variety of entrants – just two with road automotive aspirations – but over the previous few seasons that number has swelled again.
The 2024 race, which can happen next weekend, will feature a record 23 entries within the Hypercar category. This will include defending champion Ferrari on the 499P, deposed champion Toyota and GR010, Porsche 963, SC63 Lamborghini, BMW M Hybrid, Cadillac V-Series.R, revised Peugeot 9X8, recent A424 Alpine and the less powerful Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 LMH-C.
Aston Martin still must homologate the Valkyrie AMR-LMH before it may gain full-year participation within the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship. Time will tell how the automotive will probably be adapted to the series.
Aston Martin confirms its Valkyrie hypercar will race at Le Mans in 2025 72
The 'standard' Valkyrie uses a 6.5-litre, naturally aspirated V12 engine developed by Cosworth, which produces over 1,000bhp. This is significantly greater than the utmost 630bhp allowed by LMH regulations, so it should likely be lowered barely and should not reach the identical 11,000rpm maximum.
However, Aston Martin has confirmed that it is continuous to develop the engine for the “rigors of top-level endurance competition” and that, as with the AMR Pro, the powertrain is not going to feature the hybrid system present in the regular automotive.
The program appears to be in a reasonably advanced state, with on-track testing at Silverstone and Portimao recently accomplished, with homologation expected within the autumn. If it races as expected in 2025, it should be Aston Martin's first appearance within the premier Le Mans class since AMR-One in 2011.
In addition to its year-round participation within the WEC, The Heart of Racing will even promote the AMR-LMH within the GTP category of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, which will even likely begin in 2025.
The Red Bull's weakness for curbs and bumps has been evident within the last 4 races in Miami, Imola, Monaco and Canada, and the RB20 has inherited some flaws from its predecessors that the team has yet to deal with.
Previous races had provided a possibility for Red Bull's rivals to catch up, thanks partially to the Milton Keynes-based team's difficulties and their very own improvements. Lando Norris took his first victory in Miami and Leclerc claimed an emotional victory at home in Monaco.
However, ahead of the race at more traditional high-downforce tracks reminiscent of Barcelona, Red Bull Ring and Silverstone, Ferrari driver Leclerc believes Red Bull will once more be firing on all cylinders at tracks where the RB20 can fully stretch its legs .
“I feel that Red Bull's strength will be more visible at a track like Barcelona,” Leclerc said after withdrawing from the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
“But let's wait and see. And behind me [Red Bull] I think we'll all be pretty close.”
George Russell, who qualified on pole in Montreal and took his first podium of the season within the improved Mercedes, said Max Verstappen still managed to win at Imola and Canada despite handling problems, suggesting Red Bull may have an even bigger advantage strength over rivals, one other European stage of racing.
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, within the garage
“It's no secret that they've had some car problems in the last three races. And yet they have won two of the last three,” Russell warned.
“So I expect they are going to probably take a small step after we return to European racing on more conventional tracks.
“We'll must see how they perform in Barcelona, but the rise in pace we saw this weekend didn't surprise us as all of the numbers on the factory told us we were going. find much of the performance with these improvements.
“Barcelona will therefore be interesting for everyone, but I'm sure we can fight.”
McLaren's Lando Norris, who fought with Russell for second place in Sunday's wet and dry spectacle, admitted that Mercedes would now be the fourth driver within the lead.
“If they are faster in the next few races too and in a sense join the fight of Ferrari, Red Bull and us, it will only make our lives more exciting,” Norris said.
“It's tougher and stressful because now there’ll probably be eight cars fighting there and difficult us all. So it's exciting for us and possibly everyone watching.”
Kyle Larson took a powerful victory at Sonoma Raceway ahead of Chris Buescher and Martin Truex Jr. at the tip of the race.
Truex ran out of fuel in the ultimate turn and crossed the finish line in twenty seventh place. With the victory and Denny Hamlin's early withdrawal as a consequence of engine failure, Larson as re-strengthened himself at the highest of the championship rankings.
Larson now has a 14-point lead over his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott.
This weekend, the seventeenth round of the NASCAR Cup Series will happen at Iowa Speedway, which has never hosted a Cup race before. It will even be NBC's first Cup race of the 2024 season, which is able to take over from FOX.
Both the Xfinity and Truck Series have competed at Iowa Speedway, but no national level of the game has done so since 2019. The track was partially renovated ahead of NASCAR's return.
What is the schedule for the NASCAR races in Iowa?
(The schedule is preliminary and should change)
Friday, June 14
16:35 ET – NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice – USA NETWORK
17:35 ET – NASCAR Cup Series Practice – USA NETWORK
20:00 ET – ARCA Menards Series Race (150 laps) – FOX SPORTS 1
Saturday, June 15
12:05 ET – NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying – USA NETWORK
13:05 ET – NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – USA NETWORK
15:30 ET – NASCAR Xfinity Series Race (250 laps) – USA NETWORK
Sunday, June 16
19:00 ET – NASCAR Cup Series Race (350 laps) – USA NETWORK
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro
The weekend didn’t start well for the 38-year-old Swiss-born Frenchman after a crash on the primary lap of opening practice last Friday.
Even with no track time and after qualifying 14thvol with the weather mixed, Grosjean still felt he had enough pace to fight for something within the fifty fifth race. After avoiding early race confusion and employing a three-stop strategy – starting with softer alternative tires and switching to harder essential tires after the primary stop – he battled contained in the top ten.
Grosjean managed to pass Arrow McLaren's Pato O'Ward on the last lap to complete seventh, his second top-10 of the season and best result with JHR.
“It feels like we deserve more,” Grosjean said. “I don't know where people disappeared to because I felt like we were maintaining with O'Ward [Kyle] Kirkwood z [Alexander] Rossi, [Christian] Lundgaard, [Marcus] Ericsson.
“Obviously some guys had a bit more pace than us, however the automotive performed amazingly and I'm very happy with where we finished.
“We did such an awesome job. On Friday, after nothing, the warm-up was our first lap on dry surface and we did very well.
Watch: Round 8 – Road America Grand Prix – race highlights
The result was boosted by JHR, which last week sparked an issue involving Agustin Canapino that led to the dissolution of its strategic alliance with Arrow McLaren.
Arrow McLaren rookie Theo Pourchaire sparked the ire of Canapino fans after colliding with him throughout the Detroit Grand Prix. Pourchaire then flagged the abuse he faced on his social media channels, which led to more online hate.
Canapino, a 34-year-old Argentine driver, reacted on social media to several fan posts directed at Pourchaire, together with a press release through which he rejected claims that his supporters were threatening rivals. As a result, Canapino took a “vacation” from Road America and was replaced by full-time Indy NXT competitor Nolan Siegel, who finished twenty third.
“They were very strong,” Grosjean said of his team. “They focused on the race and the race and gave their all.
“I apologized to my engineer [Saturday] within the evening because after qualifying I used to be a bit of indignant because I knew we had greater than we had. I told him, “You know, I want more for you because I know we can do more.”
“And I believe [in the race] we showed it. The pace was very strong. Don't think the yellows helped us with our normal strategy, but we did an awesome job. I'm very happy with them.”
Christian Lundgaard, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, Romain Grosjean, Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet, accident
Photo: Art Fleischmann
A series of adverse results plagued Grosjean in early April, including several clashes with AJ Foyt Racing's Santino Ferrucci at Barber Motorsports Park and on the Indianapolis Road Course, and he was hit by Lundgaard in Detroit.
“I want some luck and [it] it was a traditional race,” Grosjean said. “We weren't lucky, but I feel like we were strong all yr. We did very well in Detroit, but we were unlucky.
“We were strong at Barber, but our strategy didn't work. Indy Road route from Santino. Honestly, I believe we did a excellent job this yr, we were very consistent and tried to not make mistakes.
“I wasn't too happy after Friday, but we bounced back nicely.”
After scoring his best result since ending second for Andretti Autosport at Barber last yr, Grosjean flew to Europe this weekend to compete within the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a Lamborghini squad run by Iron Lynx.
The pole vault shootout within the fourth round of the 2024 World Endurance Championships didn’t start at 8:00 p.m. local time as scheduled, with race control subsequently reporting 8:30 p.m. as the brand new start time.
The Hyperpole session was further moved to eight:35 p.m., as work continued to exchange the Armco barriers between Mulsanne and Indianapolis.
The first of the weekend's two competitions was red flagged with about quarter-hour remaining when Graff driver Louis Rossi crashed his No. 9 Ligier JS P320 LMP3 automotive badly.
Rossi was in a position to get out of the automotive on his own, but each his automotive and the guardrails suffered serious damage because of this of the contact.
No replays of the incident were shown and it stays unclear whether technical problems caused the crash. An accident with one other automotive can’t be ruled out either.
#83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P: Robert Kubica, Robert Shwartzman, Yifei Ye
Photo: Rainier Ehrhardt
Eight cars from each of the three classes will participate within the Hyperpole race, which can determine where they will probably be on the starting line of the 92nd edition of the French endurance racing classic.
However, only seven vehicles will actually fight for pole position in Hypercar, with Jota sitting out the session as he rebuilds his No. 12 Porsche 963 on the brand new chassis.
The British team only made it into Q2 after Kamui Kobayashi lost all his laps within the number 7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid for causing a red flag. However, afterward Wednesday, Callum Ilott suffered his own accident during night training, which resulted within the Porsche's tub being unable to be repaired.
Dries Vanthoor won the primary segment of qualifying within the No. 15 BMW M Hybrid V8, driving the No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R of Sebastien Bourdais.
Malthe Jakobsen placed the #37 Cool Racing ORECA-Gibson 07 at the highest of the LMP2 class, while the brand new LMGT3 division was led by Ben Barker within the #77 Ford Proton Mustang GT3.
As a part of the unprecedented increase in visibility of the IndyCar Series, all races within the 2025 season might be broadcast on FOX and may also be available on the FOX Sports app, and FOX Deportes will broadcast exclusive television coverage in Spanish.
In addition to being the exclusive home of North America's premier open-wheel championship, the deal includes extensive, multi-platform coverage of the 109th Indianapolis 500 on the FOX Sports family of networks.
FOX may also broadcast two days of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” qualifying on Saturday and Sunday, bringing the full variety of broadcast windows to 19, a record for the IndyCar Series.
“This means unparalleled exposure and unparalleled opportunities to grow the most competitive and entertaining motor sport in the world,” said Mark Miles, IndyCar CEO.
“FOX Sports is a fully committed partner, ready to provide engaging and technically innovative coverage to millions of fans across the country while thoroughly promoting IndyCar across all of its platforms.”
The five-hour window on FOX might be part of intensive Indy 500 race day coverage.
“Adding the iconic Indianapolis 500 and bringing the entire NTT IndyCar Series to the FOX Sports lineup is a perfect fit for our model of partnering with major sporting events and best-in-class brands,” said FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks.
“We are honored to be the new host of the broadcast of 'The Greatest Show in Racing,' an incredibly special event for everyone on FOX Sports.”
All IndyCar series practice and qualifying sessions might be broadcast on FS1 and FS2. The historic deal also includes most Indy NXT races broadcast on FS1, with FS2 providing additional coverage of additional races.
While the printed schedule might be announced at a later date, a 2025 schedule has also been revealed.
IndyCar Series racing will once more kick off the 2025 season with the Saint Petersburg Grand Prix on Sunday, March 2. It will conclude on Labor Day weekend with the Music City Grand Prix on Sunday, August 31.
A return trip to The Thermal Club is scheduled for March 23, with significant changes including a race in St. Louis on the track formerly generally known as Gateway moved to June 15.
Additional announcements, including on-air talent, might be made at a later date.
Full 2025 IndyCar Series schedule:
March 2 – Saint Petersburg Grand Prix – FOX
March 23 – Thermal Club – FOX
April 13 – The Streets of Long Beach – FOX
May 4 – Barber Motorsports Park – FOX
May 10 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway (road track) – FOX
May 25 – Indianapolis 500 – FOX
June 1 – Streets of Detroit – FOX
June 15 – World Technology Track – FOX
June 22 – Road America – FOX
July 6 – Central Ohio Sports Car Course – FOX
July 12 – Iowa Speedway Race 1 – FOX
July 13 – 2nd speedway race in Iowa – FOX
July 20 – Streets of Toronto – FOX
July 27 – WeatherTech Laguna Seca Race Track – FOX
The Hinwil-based team is the one team to not have scored points in the present campaign after its qualifying results dropped because the start of the season.
Bottas rode well in mixed conditions in Montreal before pitting “one lap too early” to modify to slicks because the track surface dried out, eventually ending thirteenth, 10 seconds behind Pierre Gasly, who was within the last point-giving position.
With five cars withdrawing from the race – three of which were regular points scorers within the cars of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Sergio Perez – Sauber missed out on a probability to get on the leaderboard, especially as rival Alpine secured two top-10 finishes .
“We still have something to work on,” Bottas said. “We must make improvements and increase the speed of the automobile. It's not rocket science, we just need more elements.”
On whether an update package for the Spanish Grand Prix is on the best way, the Finn replied: “We have small things, but a very high downforce track, it's a different track to here. I think it will be close, as we saw. The next step will be to get back to Q2, where we can fight a little better.”
Valtteri Bottas, kick of the Stake F1 Sauber C44 team
Teammate Zhou Guanyu endured a test weekend struggling behind the wheel of the C44, which saw two red flag incidents during practice.
His fortunes didn’t turn around before qualifying and, facing a back-to-back start, he joined Bottas in starting the race from the pit lane.
Ultimately ending the race because the only driver lapped by race winner Verstappen, the Chinese driver admitted: “I just struggled on different compounds. Halfway through the race I used to be a bit out of the race anyway, so I used to be a bit lonely.
“We have already planned something on the factory to examine every part and make certain that we’re starting a bit from scratch. These two weekends I feel like something just isn’t going right and this weekend all these mistakes which have never happened before.
“So we try to understand all our problems and have plans for the next race.”
Asked if it was just the rear of the automobile that was lacking confidence given the accidents it had earlier within the weekend, Zhou replied: “Honestly, this phenomenon happens everywhere, just four-wheel skidding. There's no huge limitation here, we're just lacking traction. Getting progress is quite simple, but not easy.”
