iRacing to redevelop GTP and Ferrari 499P tyres, hybrid system

Making the Ferrair 499P available should have been a glorious moment for iRacing.

Inking an expanded deal with the Prancing Horse, and commemorating that by being only the second simulation platform to have the two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winning car available.

Except, while it was insanely quick, and in our testing, huge fun – we couldn’t help but notice that how it used a hybrid system wasn’t only inaccurate, it wasn’t even close to being realistic.

For example, an LMH car (which the 499P is, as opposed to GTP/LMDh which the existing cars available for iRacing were) cannot use the front axle-mounted MGU until it is above 190 kph in dry conditions.

Rather noticably, in iRacing, it kicks in far below that limit. But tweaking that threshold won’t ‘fix’ this, as iRacing also omits the crucial Virtual Energy system, which combines both internal combustion power and electric power, helping with (amongst other elements) the balance of performance.

We published a full breakdown of the exhilarating, if somewhat, flawed experience earlier this month, breaking down what it should, and should not, do.

On top of that, users have reported lap times that are significantly quicker than the real world across the Ferraria and the entire GTP class following a change to the tyre model.

This is now set to change, with iRacing posting to its forums to explain how the tyres will be updated first in the next season (expected in early 2025) and the hybrid implementation further down the road.

“First and foremost, we agree that work is needed to more accurately simulate these cars, and we are investing resources with priority,” shared Vehicle Dynamics Manager, Chris Lerch.

“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.”

You can read the full statement on the aforementioned (and linked) forum post, or in our screengrab.

These are pivotal changes that the Traxion believes are necessary, and while it’s a shame not to see any mention of a virtual energy system, like in the real-world, tyre tweaks and hybrid changes should be welcome, if as described.

Now the wait commences, and when the changes do arrive, we’ll be sure to test them and provide further findings.