How Realistic is Le Mans Ultimate's First GT3 Car?

Summary

James Baldwin evaluates Le Mans Ultimate’s early-access McLaren 720S GT3 Evo at Spa, drawing on his real-world GT3 experience. He finds the car’s handling convincing and natural overall, though he identifies several areas for improvement.

Driving Experience

• Sound: The startup sound is convincing, and the external replay audio sounds good. In the cockpit, however, the sound feels too weak and whiny compared with the real McLaren’s deeper, more aggressive tone.
• Cold tires: GT3 cars have no tire warmers, so drivers need to build tire temperature gradually rather than push immediately. Baldwin warns that the first laps can be sketchy.
• Handling and feedback: The car feels alive and connected to the road, with more useful feedback than Baldwin experienced in iRacing. He also likes the sense of coasting and the natural response when he releases the brakes.
• Braking and ABS: ABS has a noticeable effect through the force feedback, producing a slight vibration or jitter under braking. Pedal haptics could make the experience more immersive. Baldwin notes that simulators’ percentage-based braking differs from the pressure-based braking used in real cars.
• Setup and driving tips: To address understeer, Baldwin stiffens the rear spring and increases the rear anti-roll bar. He uses a high force-feedback smoothing setting to reduce the strong response over curbs, though the effect remains pronounced.
• Weight and curbs: The car does not feel as heavy as Baldwin expects, and it reacts too strongly to curbs. He suggests making it feel heavier and glide over curbs more smoothly.

Pace and Conditions

Baldwin records a lap of roughly 2:11.9 at Spa. He initially criticizes the car’s straight-line speed, then clarifies that he was using the wrong comparison: WEC’s LMGT3 cars have less torque and power, and different aerodynamics, than GT World Challenge GT3 cars. Taking those differences and the track conditions into account, he says the game’s pace is in the right range.

He considers Le Mans Ultimate’s wet-weather behavior and rubbered-line effects behind iRacing’s, despite the game’s visually convincing rain.

Overall Verdict

The McLaren is not perfect, but Baldwin calls it a strong, natural-feeling foundation—and the best version of the car he has driven in a simulator so far. He encourages players to use settings suited to their equipment.

People and Sources Featured

• James Baldwin
• Motorsport Games, including its early-access development and feedback
• Baldwin’s real-world McLaren 720S GT3 experience and onboard recordings
• Sim comparisons: iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC), Rennsport, and rFactor 2