Developers have been working hard to bring us new content for December. Here’s an overview of the latest sim racing news of the past two weeks:
iRacing 2025 Season 1 Update
The iRacing 2025 Season 1 update launched on December 10, 2024, bringing new cars, tracks, and features:
- New Cars:
- Acura NSX GT3 EVO 22: A proven GT3 car, now available for iRacing fans.
- BMW M2 CS Racing: This versatile touring car, popular in real-world TCX races, is free for all users.
- Ferrari 499P: Ferrari’s Le Mans-winning hypercar joins the sim.
- Supercars Gen 3: The latest Camaro and Mustang models replace older versions, which are now in Legacy content.
- New Tracks:
- Huset’s Speedway: A compact dirt oval, famous in the World of Outlaws series.
- Thruxton Circuit: One of the UK’s fastest tracks, with a drivable infield runway for variety.
- Updated Features:
- Demo Drive: Test any car in solo laps with the new and improved Demo Drive feature.
- Debris Physics: Gravel, mud, and impacts feel more realistic with refreshed debris handling.
- Netcode Improvements: Better online performance, even with lagging players in a session.
- Lighting Upgrades: Enhanced lighting makes tracks and cars look more lifelike.
- Spotter Updates: Spotters now warn you if car damage is slowing you down.
- Rain Racing: Formula Vee gets rain-enabled, adding to the growing list of cars for wet-weather racing.
- AI Racing: The new cars and track layouts are now available for AI-driven races.
F1® 24 Patch 1.16
Released on December 9, 2024, the F1® 24 Patch 1.16 added new scenarios, career content, and gameplay improvements:
- New Content:
- Season 4 Scenarios: Replay famous moments like the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix and 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix, starting December 10.
- Challenge Career Episode 4: Includes races in Belgium, Italy, and Azerbaijan, available December 11.
- Visual Updates:
- Sponsor Changes: Updated logos on Williams, Haas, and McLaren cars to match real-world changes.
- Ray-Traced Cockpits: Improved reflections for PS5 Pro players.
- Las Vegas Tweaks: Updated visuals for the Las Vegas track.
- Gameplay Changes:
- AI Difficulty Boost: AI difficulty levels 101–110 are now tougher, with faster lap times.
- New Player Hub: Quickly check Podium Pass, Store, Friends List, and more in the main menu.
- UI Improvements: Cleaner menus and better navigation.
Stay tuned for new Sim Racing news.
