iRacing is aware of the GTP class issues

There have been some heavy critics of the behavior of the new Ferrari 499P GTP car on iRacing. The staff is aware of these issues and they seem to have taken a new approach to make it more realistic.

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As promised last week, we’d like to offer a follow-up in regards to our plans with the GTP class (BMW M Hybrid V8, Cadillac V-Series.R, Acura ARX-06, Porsche 963, Ferrari 499P), in particular the hybrid system model and the tire construction that was built for this class. However, before we get into the details we would once again like to thank you all for your feedback, passion, and support. We are fortunate that iRacers care so much about iRacing and simulation racing, and the critique and concerns you shared were justified and have been well received by the team.

First and foremost, we agree that work is needed to more accurately simulate these cars, and we are investing resources with priority. We will update the class in two stages: tires first, then the hybrid system.

While we are pleased with the driving feel improvements and advancements made with the latest tire model version, the car-specific models that debuted on the GTP class and LMP2 missed the mark with grip, resulting in higher than desired cornering speeds. Beginning with GTP, our redevelopment will involve a comprehensive reconstruction of the physical tire and its composition – as a result, expect to recalibrate expectations around how the cars drive at the limit. We are targeting releasing updated tires next season.

Once the tire re-dev picks up steam, we will begin a complete overhaul of the hybrid system, to bring it up to date with the design of the current real world cars. A hybrid system overhaul might take a bit longer than the tire work, so we do want to set expectations appropriately and you may not receive these updates until later. The GTP cars will respect the wheel power limits specified by the rules, and will replenish energy during pit stops. The 499P will follow the appropriate ruleset, and will not deploy electrically below 190 km/h.

Again, we appreciate your passion for simulation racing, and your patience as we bring the class into line with the real world counterparts. While we work on these improvements, please note that the current implementation does offer an engaging and exciting racing experience, and the competition with them in iRacing is fantastic. We hope to see you all out on the track now and in the future as these updates come online.

Regards,
Chris Lerch
Vehicle Dynamics Manager
iRacing