Australian modding group, MAK-Corp are preparing to release an update for their Classic / F1 series car, the 2004 Williams FW26 rFactor2 mod. Dubbed ”The Walrus” the car’s styling polarised F1 fans the world over. Like it or loath it, it certainly caused a stir twelve years ago! Yes, twelve years, in case you are doubting your memory recall! For those that may not remember, the two drivers for the 2004 F1 campaign were Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralph Schumacher. The car won a solitary race that year, the 2004 Brazilian GP with Montoya at the wheel.
The original mod car was released back in 2014 and had not been updated since. Petros Mak from MAK-Corp tells me this will be the last non-Steam mod car to be released by the company for rFactor2, from now on all new rFactor2 content will be Steam only!
Almost every aspect of the car has been scrutinised and updated for the current version of rFactor2. The biggest improvements for the Williams FW26 are aesthetic graphical updates and the latest physics engine being applied, which basically replaced all the original physics that came with the car upon its release in 2014.
Driving Old And New
Recently, I had the opportunity to drive both the original 2014 version and the soon to be released car, so comparing them back to back the new version is greatly improved. As previously mentioned, the physics are totally new and make this car much more predictable and enjoyable to drive. Taking to the Montreal GP circuit, the Force Feed Back feel is also a major step up from the original mod. Definitely livelier and with more definition, it adds a lot more depth to the steering in terms of drivability for the mod. The new mod also has a choice of three tyre compounds, super-soft, medium and hard. Grip levels are palpable when lapping consistently, softs delivering quicker times when not overheated. The hard tyres on the other hand are decidedly more understeer orientated when cold. Engine sounds are also improved upon and the screaming V10 is reproduced accurately.
With rFactor2 set to make the step to DX11, along with the imminent implementation of VR, the content that most VR players have left idle due to lack of support will get a new breath of life. VR Sim racers will be able to rediscover some of the great content and mods such as the Williams FW26 on their return to the title. The Williams FW26 mod will be released this weekend. The updated mod shall be available on the Steam Workshop and for those who have not migrated to Steam it can also be downloaded from the MAK-Corp website.
The Team Behind This Latest Classic / F1 Mod Are:
- Mod Production Manager: Petros Mak
- 3D Vehicle by: Koen Calleyl
- UV Mapping by: Lukasz Kacprzykowski
- 2D Textures by: Raul Gullon
- In-Game Specialist: Stephen Young
- rFactor 2 Physics by: Derek Nye
- Sounds by: Alvaro Perez
