Studio 397 has released the update to version 1.2.3 for Le Mans Ultimate surprisingly early. And while we usually expect minor fixes in "interim updates," this time it's a major overhaul: the physics of the hypercars have been massively reworked.
More specifically: The tyres.
We’ve gone through the patch notes and the first impressions and will tell you straight away what this means for your next stint in the simulator. Spoiler: It’s going to be tougher, but (hopefully) better.
The new rubber: Smaller window, harsher penalty
First things first: The tyres’ “comfort zone” has shrunk. Studio 397 has completely overhauled the Hypercar tyre model (a first step, as they say).
What does that mean for you at the wheel? The tyre is significantly less forgiving. The so-called “peak” behaviour is more pronounced. As long as you have grip, the car feels fantastic – especially in medium-speed corners where you can now really lean into the rubber. But the moment you exceed the limit, you’ll pay for it.
The transition from “grip” to “no grip” has become much sharper. The window for the perfect slip angle is narrower. If the rear steps out, it does so quickly and aggressively. The simple “catch it and carry on” approach is now much harder. Absolute precision on throttle and steering input is required.
Outlaps are no longer a coffee cruise
Another major change affects thermal behaviour. Remember the old days when you could push flat out after just two corners? Those are gone. The tyres now take significantly longer to reach temperature and pressure. The outlap becomes a strategic task. If you attack the first chicane too aggressively on cold slicks, you’ll spin.
The good news: Once you get the tyres into their working window, temperature spikes under high load should be less extreme. That means if you drive cleanly, you’ll get more consistent performance over a long stint than before.
Driving physics and adjustments
The handling characteristics have noticeably changed:
- Low speed: The cars feel more “pointy” at the front (more direct turn-in). That sounds good, but it increases the risk of the rear stepping out under acceleration if you apply too much steering angle.
- LMDh autoblip: Finally! The autoblip function on the LMDh cars has been improved. The annoying rear locking under braking should now be a thing of the past.
- Force feedback: The FFB has been adjusted to match the new tyre physics. You should now (hopefully) feel exactly when the narrower limit is being reached.
A small downside: The team has already admitted that the wet tyres are not yet perfectly aligned with the new model. They are reportedly extremely difficult to drive. A hotfix is expected soon. So if it gets wet: lift off the throttle!
The update is live. Launch Steam, download it and tell us: Can you feel the difference in the force feedback? Are you getting along with the new limit, or are you still spinning on the outlap?
View the changelogs
