Automobilista 2’s F1 car licensing debacle drags on
Add us as your preferred news source on Google Add Traxion to your "Preferred Sources" on Google to make sure you get your sim racing news always from a trusted source ← Automobilista 2 • News 10 September 2026 — 3…
Add Traxion to your "Preferred Sources" on Google to make sure you get your sim racing news always from a trusted source
← Automobilista 2 • News10 September 2026 — 3 minute read
By Thomas Harrison-Lord
This includes classic Formula 1 cars from the real-world, licensed, and a roster of fictional single-seaters to bulk out grids and eras.
Of the official F1 vehicles, Lotus, Brabham and Renault are accounted for, with the latter having three models represented for the sim racing title as recently as June this year for free.
That wasn’t the original plan, with these models originally meant to be paid DLC. Discussions with McLaren, it transpired, forced the free release and then threw the future existence of other official F1 cars into doubt.
AMS2 already features some McLaren F1 vehicles, such as the McLaren Honda MP4/4, but has recently teased more modern machines such as the MP4-20.
“These negotiations ultimately reached an impasse as recent commercial developments involving McLaren prevent the company from licensing or re-licensing its F1 cars to games that also feature officially licensed F1 content from other manufacturers, be them [sic] current or from other eras,” stated Studio Head and Project Manager Renato Simioni at the time.
“The practical consequence for AMS2 is that we will likely be required to make a difficult choice as to which officially licensed F1 cars remain in the game for new purchases; either the McLarens or the Brabham, Lotus, and Renault F1 cars will remain official content.”
September 2026 licensing update
Now, as of 10th September 2026, Simioni has provided an update, stating that the development studio has committed to a new agreement, but is yet to hear back and thus is continuing with the Brabham, Lotus, and Renault F1 cars as they are for now, while also not able to provide an update on when, or if, the McLaren vehicles will be released:
“In our previous dev update back in June, we covered the ongoing issue of officially licensed F1 cars in AMS2, and the rising new conflict presented to us during our attempt to extend our license agreement with McLaren Racing; right after the publishing of that article, we agreed to the requirement of retaining a single official F1 manufacturer in AMS2, and a new agreement conforming to such terms was presented to us which we readily commited to; there has been no progress since however, on that being signed into effect by the other party,” he posted to the Reiza forum.
“From the little we have heard from them since, this might have been down to an unfortunately timed personnel shuffle, regardless of the circumstances, until the matter is resolved in some direction we are not able to take any action with regards to these formula cars, which thus continue as they currently are for another game update.
“If we manage some resolution on the matter within a short enough time from the upcoming release, the might be another update to reflect this development; if things continue without a clear resolution however our focus will shift to the development of the major V1.7 update, which is currently targeted for later on the year, and any changes around this content will only take place with then.”
Licensing in sim racing is an increasingly complex matter, with some car companies more open than ever, and others raising barriers to entry. Perhaps of note, both McLaren road cars and McLaren Racing have recently undergone significant structural, management and ownership changes.
Gran Turismo 7 • News Every car in Gran Turismo 7’s Spec IV update 1 week ago Mario Kart World • News Mario Kart World adds 10 classic courses in free update 2 days ago Assetto Corsa Rally • News Assetto Corsa Rally’s V0.6 update to introduce photo mode, private lobbies and custom liveries 3 days ago Assetto Corsa Rally • News Assetto Corsa Rally trailer showcases Audi Quattro, Peugeot 206 WRC and VW Polo R5 1 week ago Equipment • News Moza Racing’s debut PS5 wheel set for TGS unveil next week 11 hours ago