Black Angel Team - Notizie

Le Mans Ultimate: V1.2 Update Brings New ELMS Content and Major Features

Studio 397 announces one of the biggest expansions for the official FIA WEC World Championship game

Le Mans Ultimate is set to close out 2025 in spectacular fashion with the release of the highly anticipated V1.2 update, scheduled for December 9, 2025 on PC. This massive update represents one of the most significant releases since version 1.0, bringing fresh European Le Mans Series content, substantial physics improvements, innovative online safety systems, and numerous performance optimizations.

New ELMS Content: Circuit Paul Ricard and Ginetta LMP3

The second seasonal ELMS content pack introduces the legendary Circuit Paul Ricard, the French track renowned for its long Mistral Straight and distinctive colored runoff zones. The circuit launches with the 2025 ELMS layout, while additional configurations are planned for future updates. Paul Ricard joins Silverstone in the first ELMS pack, completing the second wave of European series content.

The featured new car is the Ginetta G61-LT-P325-EVO, the second of three LMP3 prototypes planned for the Season Pass. Manufactured by British constructor Ginetta, this car debuted in the 2025 ELMS season with the DKR Engineering team, finishing ninth in the overall standings. Like all LMP3s, it features a turbocharged Toyota V6 engine, but distinguishes itself through its unique chassis, aerodynamics, and on-track behavior.

The Paul Ricard and Ginetta content is automatically included in the ELMS Season Pass and RaceControl Pro+ subscription, but can also be purchased separately at €9.99 / £8.99 / $11.99.

Online Revolution: Badge System and LiveSteward

One of the most significant innovations in the V1.2 update concerns online safety and competitiveness. Studio 397 introduces the new Driver Badge system, which takes into account each player's last 10 races and complements the existing driver and safety ratings. This system will enable more precise matchmaking, especially for beginner lobbies.

Alongside badges, LiveSteward debuts as an automated incident-detection system currently focused on identifying intentional wrecking with high confidence. In its initial phase, LiveSteward will quietly log incidents for internal review, but future updates aim to implement real-time penalties for unsafe rejoins and contact-based infractions.

To further strengthen competitive integrity, Le Mans Ultimate implements Easy Anti-Cheat, the widely used anti-tamper system employed by many competitive online titles, including iRacing. The system makes it extremely difficult for players to modify game memory and requires the service to be running to join multiplayer sessions.

Enhanced Physics: Tyres and Track Surface

The Studio 397 team has completely revised the tyre model for LMP2, LMP3, and all GT3 classes. Temperature peaks are now less aggressive, resulting in a smoother grip drop-off. This change allows better control and reduces the "on-off" behavior that many players had complained about previously.

Wheel rim heating has also been introduced, whereby brake temperatures now have a greater effect on tyre temperatures, particularly when ambient temperature is low.

The RealRoad system, which simulates track surface evolution, has been significantly improved. Rubber now deposits across a wider area of the track, better reflecting real-world racing line behavior. During rain, the system has been refined to make wet lines—away from the traditional rubbered-up racing line—more accurate.

Engineer Mode: Advanced Strategic Management

After a delay that saw the team apologize to the community, the highly anticipated Engineer Mode finally arrives. This feature allows teammates to configure race strategy during events: fuel, tyres, virtual energy, and driver swaps can be managed by a second player, lightening the workload for the on-track driver.

The functionality is compatible with large team-based multiplayer races, as well as single-driver special events and online championships. Players can invite their Steam friends who own Le Mans Ultimate to fill this strategic role.

Team Online Championships and New Features

The update introduces Team Online Championships for subscribers to the optional Race Control service, enabling multi-race competitions with comprehensive team standings management. This system will also be used for future virtual qualifying sessions for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Other significant additions include:

• Reduced time penalties that can be served during pit stops or at race end
• New telemetry system with DuckDB export capability
• Native Japanese language support
• Custom livery creation improvements
• Optimized end-of-race procedure

Graphics Optimization: Texture Streaming

Players with mid-range or older GPUs will notice significant improvements thanks to the new texture streaming system. This technology allows the game to dynamically load high-resolution textures based on distance, reducing VRAM usage without sacrificing visual quality.

Texture streaming also improves car detail transitions during driver swaps and represents the groundwork for future console versions. According to Studio 397, most players—regardless of hardware—can expect smoother frame pacing and improved overall stability.

The visual damage system has also been revised to show scratches and "trading paint" more evidently and realistically.

The Future: Career Mode and Additional Content

Studio 397 confirmed that Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and the Duqueine D09 LMP3 will complete the ELMS Season Pass in the next major update, scheduled for Q1 2026.

Regarding the long-awaited career mode, the team provided an encouraging update: "As everyone knows, we're still hard at work on a career mode. We've dedicated some of this release period to work on the simulation when your teammate is driving to make that feel dynamic and interesting—keep an eye on our Christmas holiday communications... we might have some presents for you..."

The V1.2 update will be free for all Le Mans Ultimate owners, while ELMS content (Circuit Paul Ricard and Ginetta LMP3) will be available as optional DLC or part of the Season Pass.

With this massive update, Le Mans Ultimate continues its evolution as the official FIA World Endurance Championship simulator, constantly improving the experience for both sim racing veterans and newcomers to the genre.

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