Graphic: iRacing
2021 Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 is now available on iRacing. The idea that the most successful Formula 1 team of the last decade could work with the popular racing simulation to bring its current car to users is really incredible.
First off, this isn’t a virtual vehicle with a similar level of detail you would expect in Codemasters’ officially licensed Formula 1 video game series. IRacing’s version of the W12 is an accessible simulation. The physical details of the car model are unparalleled, modeled with every inch of carbon fiber and different attachments for each of the F1 car’s aerodynamic packages.
The technical details are just as impressive. Obviously, the fixed gear ratios and the air resistance reduction system are included according to the rules of Formula 1. It goes much deeper for those who dare step into the cockpit through the halo. The steering wheel display can hardly be distinguished from its real counterpart. The settings for the variable differential and the brake preload as well as the application modes of the energy recovery system are available in the vehicle. And yes, even Brake Magic is available if you want to be like Lewis Hamilton and accidentally lock your front tires on Turn 1.
However, there is a clear setback. It is against the general terms and conditions of iRacing to change or modify the original paintwork of the Mercedes W12. Trading Paints, the primary third-party custom iRacing paint application, does not support templates for the car. I don’t know about you, but watching a virtual F1 race where 20 cars look essentially the same is confusing and disappointing. The only modifications available for the Mercedes W12 are the car number and paintwork accent color.
The raw performance of the elite Formula 1 machine is a given. It’s the fastest real open-wheel car in the service, an alien spaceship among go-karts. If commercial restrictions prevent me from personalizing my strange mishaps behind the wheel of a modern Grand Prix car, then so be it. However, this specific limitation will deter many users from putting serious miles into the F1 car. iRacing also has an agreement with the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team to bring their 2022 car into simulation in the future.
The post 2021 Mercedes F1 car debuts on iRacing with custom paint job banned first appeared on monter-une-startup.
