iRacing reveals multiple new legendary circuits to be added to the sim in 2021
Photo credit: iRacing
iRacing has announced via Twitter that one of the new features of the upcoming first season of 2021 will be the arrival of the Long Beach Street Circuit in California. The announcement included a video, which gives a scenic perspective on how the circuit will look in-game.
The long-awaited street course is finally complete! Long Beach arrives with the new season! pic.twitter.com/TdnihlKbe0
— iRacing.com (@iRacing) December 3, 2020
The track itself is one with a great deal of history behind it. It was a part of the Formula 1 calendar from 1976 to 1983, during which time it saw many legendary names such as Niki Lauda, Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost race through its streets. It’s the very same circuit that John Watson won at having started from as far back as twenty-second on the grid, a Formula 1 record. More recently, the circuit has played host to IndyCar, being a regular part of that championship. The latest victor at the track is Alexander Rossi, who emerged victorious in both 2018 and 2019.
This is a circuit, therefore, which will appeal to fans both of classic Formula 1 and of modern-day IndyCar. The exact configuration of the track is more likely to be that of the most recent IndyCar events than the slightly different original version used by the F1 machinery.
European Expansion
However, the Long Beach Street Circuit will be only the first in a series of new tracks set to join the iRacing ranks in 2021. It has also been revealed that four more road courses, all of which are located in Europe, are also on the way. Three F1-grade circuits in the forms of the Hockenheimring, the Hungaroring and the Red Bull Ring are under development, as is Knockhill Racing Circuit in Scotland.
According to the iRacing website, these additions are to be part of a “significant increase in European-based content coming to the service in the future.” The new addition will add to the list of legendary European venues present in the game, such as Silverstone, Imola and the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Yet another part of the intended increase of European content has also been revealed, as the Rallycross circuit at Barcelona-Catalunya will be available to race at in 2021 season 2. This track may well make up part of the 2021 , making it the second European leg of the calendar alongside Norway’s Hell Lankebanen.
Which new track do you find most exciting? Tell us on Twitter at @overtake_gg!
