Update 1.6.2: Fuel Loads, Adaptability & New Tracks

Race Manager Update 1.6.2

We are thrilled to present the massive 1.6.2 update! We have added deep tactical elements such as fuel management and wind dynamics, expanded the track roster, and introduced new ways for leagues and teams to interact.

[NEW] New Features & Content

• Fuel Selection: You can now choose your starting fuel load for the race, adding a crucial new layer of strategy.
• Engine Limits: A new rule in leagues introduces a limit on the number of engines a team can use per season.
• Adaptability: Added a new driver skill: Adaptability.
• Wind Dynamics: Races now feature wind direction and speed simulation, affecting both aerodynamics and fuel consumption.
• Sandstorm: A new challenging weather type has been added, significantly reducing visibility and altering track conditions.
• Fuel R&D: Added new research branches focused on improving fuel efficiency.
• New Tracks: Four legendary circuits join the calendar: Singapore (Marina Bay Street Circuit), Indianapolis (Indianapolis Motor Speedway), Sebring (Sebring International Raceway), and Nürburgring Nordschleife.
• Wind Tunnel Hours: Teams now earn wind tunnel hours based on their final race position, which can be spent on extra car upgrades.
• Driver Buyouts: Drivers from teams that have been inactive for more than 30 days can now be bought out for double their market value.
• Suggestions Hub: Added a new "Suggestions" section where you can comment and vote on community ideas.
• Team Nationality: You can now select a home country for your team to receive home-race bonuses. The season calendar is now generated without repeating countries.
• Achievements: Added new achievements: "Iceman", "Mr. Consistency", and "Financial Genius".
• Cancel R&D: Added the ability to cancel an active research project.

[UPDATE] Gameplay & Balance

• Race XP: Updated the driver experience formula: participants in online races now receive a fixed 30 XP plus additional points based on their finishing position.
• Aging & Retirement: Driver and staff aging now occurs twice a month. Drivers over 35, as well as engineers and managers over 60, now have a 10% chance to announce early retirement.
• Test Drivers: Research points earned by test drivers during a race now scale with your Simulator building level.
• Simultaneous R&D: You can now conduct research across different branches at the same time.
• News Sources: News articles now include a direct link to their source.
• Post-Race Charts: Updated post-race telemetry charts: added gaps, lap numbers, and a feature to easily share chart images.
• Chat: The chat system has been revamped, splitting into Global and League channels.
• Quick Pit Stop: Refined the quick pit stop window to include lap selection and tire wear calculations based on your practice results.
• Keyboard Controls: Added split keyboard controls for managing two drivers simultaneously, along with full support for the Russian keyboard layout.
• Dynamic Rain Intensity: Rain intensity generation is now dynamic. For Light Rain, the peak intensity (cap) is randomly selected from 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 60%. For Heavy Rain, it ranges from 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100%. The Weather Station can now forecast this intensity based on its upgrade level.
• Transfer Market: System buyouts for staff have been removed to make the firing mechanic more relevant. Contract termination penalties have been reduced by 50%.
• Synergy Penalty: Driver-Engineer synergy now drops by 1 point whenever a driver's engineer is changed.

[FIX] Bug Fixes & Optimization

• Sponsor Negotiations: Fixed UI display issues during sponsor negotiations.
• Safety Car Behavior: Corrected car behavior logic during Safety Car (SC) phases.
• Track Animations: Improved car movement animations for a smoother visual experience on the track.