Automobilista 2 | The Ultimate Formula 1 Season Guide (Updated)

Automobilista 2 F1 Ultimate Season Guide.png
When it comes to retro content in sim racing, it is hard to ignore Automobilista 2 – the selection is overwhelming, especially for Formula 1 fans. The sim currently offers no less than 15 Formula 1 seasons, spanning six decades – but which exact years are represented is only undoubtedly made clear in very few cases. To give you a better overview of the historic F1 content, we have assembled a guide to the different classes for you and also refreshed things to reflect the state as of late February 2024.

Last updated: November 30, 2023

No less than 51 cars from six decades – the amount of choice is a sight to behold and cannot be found anywhere else, except with mods. The best part: Most of the F1 cars in Automobilista 2 are free and already in the sim, all classes except both F-HiTech generations can be enjoyed without additional DLC.

Thanks to the incredible work of the RaceDepartment community, all generations of F1 cars in Automobilista 2 now feature a livery pack for at least one season they roughly represent.

Accurate Tracks & Locations​

After the update to the first version of this guide in May 2023, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been added to AMS2, expanding the potential calendars of several seasons.
Additionally, we have also added an "Accurate Locations" section to most seasons, meaning you will be able to see tracks that have hosted an F1 event that year, but used a different layout.

The differences to what would have been run back in the day have also been added to the guide - a nice bonus for everyone who is interested in how circuits have changed over the years or wants to know why they are not listed in the "Accurate Tracks" section.

How to Install Skin Packs​

For increased immersion, we recommend skin packs to match the respective seasons. They usually come with AI files, so you will be able to compete against virtual versions of real drivers in singleplayer modes.

If available, the skin packs are linked on the respective season's page. Need a hand with installing them? Check out our handy guide on how to add mods to Automobilista 2 to get up and running!

What would you like to see?​

What other F1 seasons would you want to see represented in Automobilista 2? What are your favorites that are already in the sim? Let us know on Twitter at @RaceDepartment or in the comments below. Please also post about what elements you would like to see added to this guide in the future. Happy racing!

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About author
Yannik Haustein
Yannik Haustein
Lifelong motorsport enthusiast and sim racing aficionado, walking racing history encyclopedia.

Sim racing editor, streamer and one half of the SimRacing Buddies podcast (warning, German!).

Heel & Toe Gang 4 life :D

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Comments

Cristian Luis
Mazdaspeed said:
The problem with the VB mod is that it's like the AliExpress marketplace, you might get something good but most is pretty bad. Kudos to the maker, can't imagine the amount of hours spent on the mod and he keeps updating it. But let's be real, most is pretty awful and F1 Carrer Challenge is way past it's expiration date, what good is having the "real" car models when even GPL looks better nowadays.

Not many people have modding skills to "fix" what is wrong and AMS2 is so simple to install skin sets and now with the CM even mods. So, yeah I don't think the VB mod is very good, although I do respect the guy who made it.
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That's why I'm currently modding to fix all 1950-202X along with a team of +30 people (in a different project, not VB, but both teams help together), while enjoying the process of fixing and practicing with stuff (it helps me to become more proficient in my job!)

Someday we'll finish it all, and everything will be for free. Until then I enjoy what is finished in private, while I continue modifying, creating or fixing content. I can't find any simulator that satisfies me, they all contain a specific handful of cars and circuits. That just doesn't work for me, but I understand it is their only way because of the licenses. I cannot ask for a brand new official F1 1979 season game title to a company, for example (even GPL couldn't cover all teams officially on 1998), but at least modding exists. That leaves me on doing on my own somewhere, luckily with other people who have a similar viewpoint

I use F1C because it's saving grace is that modding there is done extremely quickly. It also influences that I grew up with the NES and modern games do not attract my attention :D
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B
Formula Classic Gen 4 mentions Silverstone 1988 when it should be Silverstone 1991 (the former does not exist in the game).
 
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John B. Ellis
Premium
hongkonggp said:
Its very cool. Does AMS2 going to make realistic physics after all? Mclaren F1 road car feels like pig on the ice
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As much as I really enjoy many cars in AMS2, I do have to agree that their road tires are very poorly implemented. Some of the modded street cars (notably their track-day variants) have a better tire feel, quite honestly, than the stock street content. Also, why does Reiza opt for all-season radials? At least give us the option of summer-only road compounds. Who really drives their million-dollar hypercar in the snow anyway? Hopefully, the V1.5+ updates will finally start to rectify these shortcomings.
 
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Metla
Premium
hongkonggp said:
Its very cool. Does AMS2 going to make realistic physics after all? Mclaren F1 road car feels like pig on the ice
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That car is at the top of my list of cars to avoid in AMS2.

No idea how that got through QA.
 
H3llR4iser
In all fairness, while I know Reiza did the whole Gen3/Gen4 to fit the MP4/5b in, the way the Formula Classic Gen3 set is currently structured fits much better season 1989 than 1990 as most cars are still sporting the low profile, no/low airscope design common until 1988. Even Ferrari started the 1989 season with their 639 still sporting a low profile, exposed rollbar hoop and naca intakes, only to update it to a full airscope version during the season.

By 1990, following the lead of McLaren and Williams, all F1 cars had adopted the "modern" shape still in use today with the huge engine cover and tall airscope above the driver's head.
 
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John B. Ellis
Premium
H3llR4iser said:
In all fairness, while I know Reiza did the whole Gen3/Gen4 to fit the MP4/5b in, the way the Formula Classic Gen3 set is currently structured fits much better season 1989 than 1990 as most cars are still sporting the low profile, no/low airscope design common until 1988. Even Ferrari started the 1989 season with their 639 still sporting a low profile, exposed rollbar hoop and naca intakes, only to update it to a full airscope version during the season.

By 1990, following the lead of McLaren and Williams, all F1 cars had adopted the "modern" shape still in use today with the huge engine cover and tall airscope above the driver's head.
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You’re right, Ferrari ditched the attractive “no air scoop” design midway through the 1989 season in a futile attempt to play catch up with McLaren. I agree with your point, and wish we could more easily mix and match the Gen 2 - Gen 3 F-Classic models to more accurately represent the various car shapes of the period. And the V12 Gen 3 needs a sequential gearbox! But no Trophy no. 2 for Senna in 1989 might seem like an unlikely subject for a Reiza commemoration.

Personally, a further tribute to Senna’s inspiring legacy (beyond his own championship-winning cars) would be to include several of Prost’s greatest F1 cars in AMS2. It was crystal clear to everyone that Senna sorely missed Prost’s presence in 1994, and he was well on his way to mending fences. Graciously celebrating the achievements of his greatest rival would elevate the legacy of both drivers.
 
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R.Man
Wanted to give a go. Open wheel car at daytona. At race start when green lights are out the cars (me and AI) slide down by themselves because of the track inclination. This very old issue is still here. Why a serious sim would do that...My mind was bugged couldn't continue the race....
 
Yannik Haustein
Staff
Premium
John B. Ellis said:
You’re right, Ferrari ditched the attractive “no air scoop” design midway through the 1989 season in a futile attempt to play catch up with McLaren. I agree with your point, and wish we could more easily mix and match the Gen 2 - Gen 3 F-Classic models to more accurately represent the various car shapes of the period. And the V12 Gen 3 needs a sequential gearbox! But no Trophy no. 2 for Senna in 1989 might seem like an unlikely subject for a Reiza commemoration.
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Both of you raise a fair point - but four of the five cars in the F-Classic Gen 3 class feature airboxes. Granted, some of their engine covers are relatively flat, but because of that and two cars being easily identifiable as 1990 vehicles (namely the McLaren and the Model 3, which is that year's Williams or at least heavily inspired by it), 1990 seems more reasonable.

Unfortunately, neither season has a skin pack available as of right now, but everyone should enjoy these cars as they see fit :)
 
P
R.Man said:
Wanted to give a go. Open wheel car at daytona. At race start when green lights are out the cars (me and AI) slide down by themselves because of the track inclination. This very old issue is still here. Why a serious sim would do that...My mind was bugged couldn't continue the race....
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Why would you do a standing start at Daytona? It will happen with every car (RWD at least) on every sim. And if it does not happen in a sim, something with its physics is wrong.
 
L
Here's a comprehensive list of tracks (covering F1 car gen/year) that are currently in game but don't have 100% accurate historical (I'm only counting 1967-2001) versions:

Nurburgring (1927-68 layout with/without chicane) 1967
Nurburgring (1995-97 layout) 1995/1997
Nurburgring (1998-2001 layout) 2001
Spa (1995-2000 layout) 1995/1997
Spa (2001 layout) 2001
Monaco (1955-71 layout) 1967/1969
Monaco (1973-75 layout) 1974
Monaco (1976-85 layout) 1978/1983
Monaco (1986-96 layout) 1986/1988/1990/1991/1995
Monaco (1997-2002 layout) 1997/2001
Imola (1981-84 layout) 1983
Watkins Glen (1956-70 layout) 1967/1969
Watkins Glen (1971-83 layout with chicane/without) 1974/1978
Long Beach (1975-81 layout) 1978
Long Beach (1983 layout) 1983
Montreal (1978 layout) 1978
Montreal (1979-86 layout) 1983/1986
Montreal (1991-93 layout) 1991
Montreal (1994-95 layout) 1995
Montreal (1996-2001 layout) 1997/2001
Monza (1974-75 layout) 1974
Monza (1976-78 layout) 1978
Monza (1995-99 layout) 1995
Monza (2000-09 layout) 2001
Brands Hatch (1960-75 layout) 1969
Brands Hatch (1976-87 layout) 1978/1983/1986
Jerez (1994-03 layout) 1997
Estoril (1994-99 layout) 1995
Suzuka (1987-90 layout) 1988/1990
Suzuka (1991-99 layout) 1991/1995/1997
Suzuka (2001-02 layout) 2001
Silverstone (1987-90 layout) 1988/1990
Silverstone (1994-95 layout) 1995
Spielberg (1996-2004 layout) 1997/2001
Interlagos (1990-91 layout) 1990/1991
Interlagos (1992-95 layout) 1995
Interlagos (1996-98 layout) 1997
Interlagos (1999-2010 layout) 2001
Buenos Aires (No. 15 layout) 1974/1978
Buenos Aires (No. 6 layout) 1995/1997
Barcelona (1991-93 layout) 1991
Barcelona (1995-03 layout) 1995/1997/2001
Indianapolis Road Course (2000-2007 layout) 2001
 
L
And here's a comprehensive list of tracks (covering F1 car gen/year) that are currently not in game (I'm only counting 1967-2001) that we need for completion:

Zandvoort (1967/1969/1974/1978/1983)
Mosport (1967/1974)
Mexico City (1967/1969/1986/1988/1990/1991)
Montjuic (1969)
Clermont-Ferrand (1969)
Paul Ricard (1978/1983/1986/1988/1990)
Detroit (1983/1986/1988)
Hungaroring (1986/1988/1990/1991/1995/1997/2001)
Phoenix (1990/1991)
Magny Cours (1991/1995/1997/2001)
Melbourne (1997/2001)
Le Mans Bugatti (1967)
Jarama (1974, 1978)
Nivelles-Baulers (1974)
Dijon Prenois (1974)
Anderstorp (1974, 1978)
Zolder (1978)
Aida (1995)
Sepang (2001)
 
BillyBobSenna
Premium
I would love to have the 1982 Ferrari. A sad car since this is the car Gilles died while driving. Still, I would love race this on the circuits from back in the day. Especially Detroit and Vegas.
 

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Table of contents

Overview 1966/1967 - Formula Vintage Gen 1 1969/1970 - Formula Vintage Gen 2 1974 - Formula Retro Gen 1 1978 – Formula Retro Gen 2 1983 – Formula Retro Gen 3 1986 – Formula Classic Gen 1 1988 – Formula Classic Gen 2 1990 - F-Classic Gen 3 1991 – Formula Classic Gen 4 1992 - Formula HiTech Gen 1 1993 - Formula HiTech Gen 2 1995 – Formula V12 1997 – Formula V10 Gen 1 2000/2001 – Formula V10 Gen 2 2011/2012 – Formula Reiza 2019 – Formula Ultimate 2019 2022/2023/2024 – Formula Ultimate Gen 2 View full article

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Yannik Haustein
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