Automobilista 2 | 1997 McLaren MP4/12 Heading To The Simulation

[Paul Jeffrey]

Reiza Studios have confirmed the slightly delayed new mystery car coming to the simulation will be the epic West McLaren Mercedes MP4/12, as driven by Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard during the 1997 F1 season.

• McLaren MP4/12 will be added as free DLC content.
• The car will be released alongside a new build update for the simulation.

We knew a new car was heading to the simulation as part of this final August build update, and now the cat is out of the bag - the McLaren MP4/12 that raced in the 1997 Formula One World Championship is coming to Automobilista 2 - the final McLaren of the slicks generation before Formula One moved to grooved tyres for 1998.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1296913276291420162

Those of us who can remember 1997 (was it really 23 years ago?!?!?) will recall this particular McLaren had a special trick rear brake system, something that helped the Mercedes powered team to their first victory in Grand Prix racing since the great Ayrton Senna departed the team at the conclusion of the 1993 racing season.

Having found form towards the end of '97, the MP4/12 would act as something of a springboard for the team heading into the new Adrian Newey era for 1998, with Hakkinen catapulting himself into a champion driver for the following two years, while team mate Coulthard continued to rack up occasional race victories as his support wing man at the British team.

McLaren would win three races in 1997 on their way to third and sixth in the Drivers World Championship (following the exclusion of Michael Schumacher post Jerez Villeneuve shunt), and arguably the team produced their most attractive car of recent memory with the striking shape and new Mercedes and tobacco inspired silver livery.



Automobilista 2 is available now, exclusively on PC.

Got questions? Have answers? Want to chat about AMS 2 and don't know where to go? Worry not my friend, we have just the place for you! The Automobilista 2 sub forum here at RaceDepartment welcomes you with open arms - come say hello!

 

[Rodger Davies]

again F1....

Well, if this month is ‘open wheel month’, it implies the next months may be something else

 

[SuperMonacoGP]

 

[Robertinotje]

And where is my MC Laren?

 

[F_B]

Looking forward to the update but really could care less for any more retro F1 content.
I welcome classic tracks but ive already got a dozen plus retro f1 cars ill rarely drive as is.

I'm really glad that there is a dev who doesn't penetrate us with even more modern GT3 cars. Give me all those retro race cars, there cannot be enough.

 

[G-Slev]

I always thought that Mclaren looked big and clunky, but a nice addition.

 

[JPL083]

The skin is very accurate, but without cigarette brand. Good Job Reiza!
View attachment 400220

SAP is a bit wrong and Hugo Boss is at the wrong spot and also Mercedes Benz, missing text under nr.9. Also drivers headrest looking to have wrong shape. And rear brake caliber's in wrong place a bit

 

[Marcos Santi]

SAP is a bit wrong and Hugo Boss is at the wrong spot and also Mercedes Benz, missing text under nr.9. Also drivers headrest looking to have wrong shape. And rear brake caliber's in wrong place a bit

Honestly, these details are irrelevant, and it can be easily updated. The Reiza´s McLaren MP4 / 12 was very well done and accurate. Reiza did a great job here, I can't wait to drive this machine..

 

[Kurupt CDN]

I'm really glad that there is a dev who doesn't penetrate us with even more modern GT3 cars. Give me all those retro race cars, there cannot be enough.

I am perfectly fine with retro cars, I could care less for GT3 and F1. Not my cup of tea
I wanna see touring cars, retro touring and anything that drives on dirt

 

[JPL083]

Honestly, these details are irrelevant, and it can be easily updated. The Reiza´s McLaren MP4 / 12 was very well done and accurate. Reiza did a great job here, I can't wait to drive this machine..

I didnt say anything is it good or bad.. Just pointing out things that are bit wrong. Have a great drive when you get it

 

[Marcos Santi]

I didnt say anything is it good or bad.. Just pointing out things that are bit wrong. Have a great drive when you get it

alright, thanks friend.

 

[Cote Dazur]

these details are irrelevant

They are to you, but to other they are not irrelevant, that is why we are mentioning it, because to some those details matter.
I am glad for you those lack of details are not bothering you.

 

[rmagid1010]

Remember that skin mods exist for AMS2 so any inaccuracies can be rectified (or you can have West/Mika/DC on the side if you want it). The big news is that the 2nd 'fiddle' brake pedal which this car had exists and functions within the game.

Edit: West skin mod already exists and was made within hours of the update

 

[The Walker]

Its cigarette advertising. Cigarette smoking is banned in most places, like bars and restaurants, and the advertising was banned in most sports decades ago.
It's not a cool thing anymore. People have finally cottoned on to the fact it kills people... true story

Then alcohol and gambling should be banned too. While I see the FIA has no problems with Martini, Jhonnie Walker and sportpesa.
Or alcohol and gambling are not dangerous? I reckon alcohol might kill you too, and gambling can ruin your life and the life of your loved ones.

 

[The Walker]

And I'm glad they're showing some love to F1 instead of filling the sim with dozens of GT3 cars which seems to be the trend nowadays. I know those will come, but luckily Reiza is focusing on other categories atm.
There's one more F1 race car I'd like to have, a pre-2009 V8 car, like a 2007/2008 car. If you love F1 then AMS2 is the right sim

 

[UMC 22]

Remember that skin mods exist for AMS2 so any inaccuracies can be rectified (or you can have West/Mika/DC on the side if you want it).

^^This. To add the West logo to the relevant places will likely take the average person less than half an hour of work. One of them may release their work, so those that care about details can have it and those that don't can stick with the default.

Then alcohol and gambling should be banned too. While I see the FIA has no problems with Martini, Jhonnie Walker and sportpesa.

You're right, advertising of those things should be banned under the same regs as those banning tobacco advertising. But that's the contradictory world we live in. Smoking is now generally seen as "anti-social" so you can't advertise it. Gambling and drinking are generally not seen as "anti-social" so you can. It's stupid, but there you go.

 

[Deleted member 197115]

That whole anti tobacco discussion. Things were different back in 1997, and the car model in sim should be historically accurate recreation.
Licencing of the liveries is different matter, Reiza just might not be in the position to afford one.

 

[Marcos Santi]

They are to you, but to other they are not irrelevant, that is why we are mentioning it, because to some those details matter.
I am glad for you those lack of details are not bothering you.

I agree 100% with u that´s important the game be more accurate as possible, maybe soon they update it, but the car is already very good and accurate, we cant let these minor details decrese our experience with the AMS2 (or any other game)

 

[David Wright]

That whole anti tobacco discussion. Things were different back in 1997,

Things weren't that different. There were several races where the tobacco adverts were not allowed.

 

[schlitty]

I find it weird people aren't discussing the second brake that much! It's such a weird niche thing to have in a sim that should be a fun to play around with. Kudos to Reiza for making something so odd work much less trying to do it in the first place. I can't wait to mess around with it and crash even more than normal.

 

[DC WOLF]

Remember that skin mods exist for AMS2 so any inaccuracies can be rectified (or you can have West/Mika/DC on the side if you want it). The big news is that the 2nd 'fiddle' brake pedal which this car had exists and functions within the game.

I think the mod is not so far away