Grand Pro Circuit

Upcoming

Release Date: 2026 Estimated

Racing, Formula 1, Cars, Indie Games, 80s, Singleplayer, Simracing

A racing simulation game inspired by the 1980s period of Formula 1. Grand Pro Circuit offers a career mode that recreates the 1980–1989 seasons, featuring tracks, cars, and teams from that era (without licenses). It boasts a high level of realism, including vehicle damage.

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Gameplay
Career

Since the creators of the licensed F1 series abandoned historical cars in the 2021 edition, a niche has emerged in the (semi)simulation racing game market, and many people have desired to fill it. One of the developers who has undertaken such an attempt is Marcell Baranyai, working solo (sometimes under the name Mascot Entertainment), who is working on the Grand Pro Circuit project as a hobby in his spare time.

Gameplay

The developer aimed to make the driving model as realistic as possible, although he admits that he based the physics programming solely on "intuition," and recorded gameplay footage while successfully playing on a keyboard (with assists) – thus, it is a more accessible game than a typical simulator.

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The creator of the Grand Pro Circuit aimed to ensure authenticity by reflecting many realistic features of Formula 1 cars from the 1980s - from various tire compounds appropriate for the era, through the influence of the temperature of individual components on vehicle behavior, to aerodynamic interactions. There is also a detailed damage model, taking into account random malfunctions (like fluid leaks or wheel detachments), and even the physics of the driver's body and head.

Marcell Baranyai approached simulating track conditions with equal meticulousness – the game features variable, dynamic weather, which includes precipitation dependent on cloud movement (its intensity can vary in different parts of the track), as well as the drying of the racing line. Additionally, asphalt becomes covered with dirt and rubber particles from worn tires.

The immersion is enhanced by animated judges who not only wave flags but also run with a fire extinguisher to a burning car or appear to push a stalled vehicle to the side of the road. Besides that, there is no shortage of pit-stop entries, tinkering with extensive car settings, or analyzing telemetry data.

Career

The foundation of Grand Pro Circuit is the single-player career mode, allowing us to compete in ten seasons of Formula 1 championship – from 1980 to 1989. The game does not have official licenses, but it features teams, cars, and tracks modeled after real ones – a total of 12 vehicles and 20 tracks from the 1980s.

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