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Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Motorsport Games Releases Le Mans Ultimate Version 1.0, Featuring New Cars, Updated 2025 Content, and Additional Improvements
Motorsport Games Releases Le Mans Ultimate Version 1.0, Featuring New Cars, Updated 2025 Content, and Additional Improvements MIAMI, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Motorsport Games Inc. (NASDAQ: MSGM) ('Motorsport Games'), a racing game developer and publisher, today released Le Mans Ultimate Version 1.0. This milestone marks the completion of the title's Early Access phase and ushers in a new era of continued development and expansion for the official game of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. At the heart of the 1.0 release are two headline additions - the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR LMH and the Mercedes AMG LMGT3 now available as part of the base game at no extra cost to players. These cars, recreated with Studio 397's renowned attention to detail, enhance the grid with world-class performance and stunning visuals, offering players an opportunity to race two of the most exciting entries from the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship season. Additionally, the update includes the BMW M4 Evo LMGT3, revised and brought up to 2025 specifications. It is available for free to owners of the previous M4, available as part of 2024 Pack 3. The addition of 2025 season liveries is also a part of this release, with the new for 2025 car position boards for added immersion. Beyond new vehicles, Version 1.0 brings meaningful refinements to gameplay, simulation and user experience. The LMGT3 tyre model has been revised following player and real-world feedback to reduce the steepness of grip loss and expand the thermal operating window. This update is expected to deliver a smoother, more predictable experience across all levels of skill and driving style. Usability enhancements include a reworked car setup interface, now consolidating critical elements like tyres, virtual energy, and electronics into a single, streamlined screen. The Race Weekend calendar has also been extended to support the full 2025 season, making it easier than ever for players to find and enjoy the latest content. To simplify the purchasing experience, the game's Steam store configuration has also been updated. The BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh, McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo, and Ford Mustang LMGT3 - previously listed as free DLCs - are now part of the core game. In addition, a new 2024 WEC Bundle has been introduced, providing a convenient way for players to access all post-launch content. Existing players who own partial content will be offered a dynamic discount to complete their collection. This latest release builds on the foundations laid by the June 2025 update, which introduced transformative multiplayer features such as driver swaps, custom liveries, and team management—bringing the social and strategic elements of real-world endurance racing into the simulation space. 'Today's launch is an important milestone for Le Mans Ultimate and our team at Motorsport Games,' said Stephen Hood, CEO of Motorsport Games. 'We've worked closely with our community to deliver a simulation that balances authenticity with accessibility. With two spectacular new cars, updated physics, and key refinements, Version 1.0 represents an exciting moment for sportcar and sim racing fans.' While Version 1.0 marks the end of the Early Access phase, development of Le Mans Ultimate continues at pace. The European Le Mans Series (ELMS) is currently in production, with newly built Silverstone assets already in progress. Motorsport Games and Studio 397 will showcase a hands-on build of the European Le Mans Series experience during the Silverstone ELMS weekend in September. The team is also working on a full-featured single-player career mode, offering players the ability to progress through contracts, teams, and driver reputation, with a release planned for early 2026. 'While today's release marks the end of Early Access, it's only the beginning of a new phase for Le Mans Ultimate,' Hood added. 'We're excited to keep building with and for our players, as we continue to evolve what this platform can be. We hope to take players on a journey with this title for years to come.' About Motorsport Games: Motorsport Games is a racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series. Combining innovative and engaging video games with exciting esports competitions and content for racing fans and gamers, Motorsport Games strives to make racing games that are authentically close to reality. The Company is the officially licensed video game developer and publisher for iconic motorsport racing series including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship, with its renowned Le Mans Ultimate simulation serving sim racing and sportscar fans globally. Motorsport Games also owns the industry leading rFactor 2 and KartKraft simulation platforms. rFactor 2 also serves as an official sim racing platform of Formula E, whilst also powering F1 Arcade through a partnership with Kindred Concepts. Motorsport Games is also an award-winning esports partner of choice for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, creating the renowned Le Mans Virtual Series. Motorsport Games is building a virtual racing ecosystem where each product drives excitement, every esports event is an adventure, and every race inspires. For more information about Motorsport Games visit: Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release, the related conference call and webcast which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements or information in this press release, the related conference call and webcast that are not statements or information of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as 'continue,' 'will,' 'may,' 'could,' 'should,' 'expect,' 'expected,' 'plans,' 'intend,' 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'estimate,' 'predict,' 'potential,' and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the statements concerning ushering in a new era of continued development and expansion for Le Mans Ultimate, the Version 1.0 update delivering a smoother, more predictable experience across all levels of skill and driving style, continuing at pace the development of Le Mans Ultimate, Motorsport Games and Studio 397 showcasing a hands-on build of the European Le Mans Series experience during the Silverstone ELMS weekend in September, working on a full-featured single-player career mode with a release planned for early 2026and making racing games that are authentically close to reality and building a virtual racing ecosystem where each product drives excitement, every esports event is an adventure, and every race inspires. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Motorsport Games and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the ability to continue development of Le Mans Ultimate in key areas, the ability to add the European Le Mans Series to the game and deliver single-player career mode as planned and the ability to make racing games that are authentically close to reality and build a virtual racing ecosystem where each product drives excitement, every esports event is an adventure, and every race inspires. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC during 2025, as well as in its subsequent filings with the SEC. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. The Company assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing the Company's plans and expectations as of any subsequent date. Website and Social Media Disclosure Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using our investor relations website ( SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels, as well as social media and blogs, to communicate with our investors and the public about our company and our products. It is possible that the information we post on our websites, social media and blogs could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the websites, social media channels and blogs, including the following (which list we will update from time to time on our investor relations website): Websites Social Media Twitter: @msportgames Instagram: msportgames Facebook: Motorsport Games LinkedIn: Motorsport Games The contents of these websites and social media channels are not part of, nor will they be incorporated by reference into, this press release. Contacts: Investors: Investors@ Media: PR@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Observer
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Observer
Al Harthy finishes 10th in Brazil race
• Oman's Ahmad al Harthy back in the points in Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paolo • Team WRT racer and team-mates Rossi and van der Linde drive faultlessly • Top 10 finish achieved after generally challenging FIA WEC event in Brazil High determination and an immense amount of effort from Ahmad al Harthy, Valentino Rossi and Kelvin van der Linde resulted in a very hard-fought top 10 finish in the Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paolo on Sunday, July 13, as the second half of the FIA World Endurance Championship got underway. Contesting an uphill battle all weekend at the famous Brazilian track, the Team WRT trio and the squad itself maximised the performance available to them with the No.46 BMW M4 LMGT3 after overcoming a difficult qualifying on Saturday, July 12. Never giving in, fantastic teamwork and consistency of performance meant the squad did manage to come away from round five of the FIA WEC season inside the points-paying top 10, a result Al Harthy says was the most which could realistically be achieved this time around at Interlagos. Qualifying, normally such a strong suit for Al Harthy and the Team WRT squad, didn't work out as planned and so the team had to settle for 14th on the grid. The session was incredibly close though, with Al Harthy only missing out on the top 10 cut-off for the Hyperpole session by 0.2 seconds. Al Harthy took the start of the race but after maintaining position initially, he was elbowed down to 17th place. Battling back with strong focus, he was back inside the top 15 with less than 20 minutes of the race elapsed and close behind the sister BMW. Both WRT cars gained two spots each shortly after and Al Harthy then made his first pit-stop from 13th before the end of hour one. Van der Linde took over and when the action settled he was in 12th position, as the team's strategy began to unfold. Climbing through to fifth with one hour and 45 minutes completed, before the end of hour two OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY), and Experience Oman supported Al Harthy returned to the driving seat. Holding sixth position initially, and driving well around the 4.3-kilometre counterclockwise Interlagos track, he concluded his second run nicely inside the top eight as the differing strategies of the teams played out. Van der Linde took over later in hour three with the car in 10th place when he emerged, and the South African reeled off a series of great passes. With three hours and 45 minutes in the book van der Linde had moved up into third and at the next stop Rossi climbed into the BMW for his first miles of the race. When the race order settled once more he held sixth place and after the team's fifth pit-stop, with just under 90 minutes to go, Rossi remained behind the wheel and emerged eighth in LMGT3. Climbing into the top six as the strategies again mixed the order, van der Linde returned to the No.46 car with just half an hour remaining and ultimately finished in 10th position, the highest placed of the BMW entries and a deserved championship point. 'I think it was a very strong race for us, we managed to make up so many positions throughout the six hours and to finish with a championship point makes all of the effort worth it. We know we're not the most competitive car at the moment but hopefully things can change quickly for Austin. We executed a perfect race, I would say one of the best executed in terms of teams, so that's a very proud thing for us and we all drove perfectly as well. Now we have a bit of time to analyse all of the data and hopefully have a more competitive car when we arrive at the Circuit of the Americas for the next round of the championship.' Al Harthy said From South America, the FIA World Endurance Championship will head north next to the United States of America for round six of the season, the Lone Star Le Mans at COTA in Austin, Texas, over the weekend September 6-7. Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paolo LMGT3 Race Result: 1st Jose Maria Lopez / Clemens Schmid / Petru Umbrarescu (Akkodis ASP Team / Lexus RC F) 2nd Charlie Eastwood / Tom Van Rompuy / Rui Andrade (TF Sport / Corvette Z06) 3rd Eduardo Barrichello / Valentin Hasse Clot / Anthony McIntosh (Racing Spirit of Leman / Aston Martin Vantage AMR) 4th Michelle Gatting / Rahel Frey / Celia Martin (Iron Dames / Porsche 911 GT3 R) 5th Finn Gehrsitz / Arnold Robin / Yuichi Nakayama (Akkodis ASP Team / Lexus RC F) 10th Ahmad al Harthy / Valentino Rossi / Kelvin van der Linde (Team WRT / BMW M4) 2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Driver Standings (after Rd5): 1st Riccardo Pera / Richard Lietz / Ryan Hardwick, 89pts 2nd Alessio Rovera / Francois Heriau / Simon Mann, 76pts 3rd Ben Keating / Daniel Juncadella / Jonny Edgar, 66pts 14th Ahmad al Harthy / Valentino Rossi / Kelvin van der Linde, 22pts 2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Team Standings (after Rd5): 1st Manthey 1st Phorm (Porsche 911 GT3 R), 89pts 2nd Vista AF Corse (Ferrari 296), 76pts 3rd TF Sport (Corvette Z06), 66pts 13th Team WRT (BMW M4 LMGT3), 22pts
Times of Oman
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Times of Oman
Al Harthy's Team WRT battles to points finish in Sao Paulo
Muscat: Ahmad Al Harthy and Team WRT returned to the FIA World Endurance Championship points at Interlagos circuit in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo on Sunday, after delivering a determined and tactically sharp performance in the Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paulo – round five of the 2025 season. Driving alongside team-mates Valentino Rossi and Kelvin van der Linde, Al Harthy's Team WRT overcame a tough start to the Brazilian weekend to finish 10th in the LMGT3 class, securing a valuable championship point and finishing as the top BMW entry in the race. The Omani, proudly backed by OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and Experience Oman, said it was a result earned through sheer execution, teamwork, and perseverance. 'I think it was a very strong race for us,' said Al Harthy. 'We managed to make up so many positions throughout the six hours and to finish with a championship point makes all the effort worth it. We know we're not the most competitive car at the moment but hopefully things can change quickly for Austin.' From the outset, the iconic 4.3km Interlagos circuit posed a challenge. Qualifying didn't go to plan, with Al Harthy narrowly missing out on a top-10 Hyperpole spot by just two-tenths of a second – placing the No.46 BMW M4 LMGT3 14th on the grid. Taking the start of the race, Al Harthy was squeezed down to 17th in the opening laps. But showing typical composure and racecraft, the Muscat-born driver clawed back to 13th by the end of the first hour after a smooth stint and early pit stop. From there, South African ace van der Linde and nine-time MotoGP World Champion Rossi played vital roles in pushing the team forward, with clean overtakes and a well-executed multi-stop strategy. The car rose as high as third overall in LMGT3, before slotting into the top six during mid-race shuffles. In his second stint, Al Harthy again showed consistency and pace, climbing into the top eight. As strategies unfolded, the Omani handed the car over to Rossi, who maintained track position before van der Linde took the final stint and brought the car home in 10th. 'We executed a perfect race, one of the best in terms of team performance,' Al Harthy added. 'That's something we're very proud of – all three drivers were consistent, and the team's pit strategy was flawless. It shows that when everything clicks, we can fight among the best.' After a tough outing at Le Mans and a hard-fought return to the points in Brazil, Al Harthy and Team WRT now look ahead with optimism to round six of the championship – the Lone Star Le Mans at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on 6th–7th September. Following the race, Al Harthy remains 14th in the LMGT3 Drivers' Championship with 22 points. 'It's always an honour to represent Oman on this stage,' he said. 'We've had ups and downs, but the team is strong, and I believe we can continue building from here.' Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paolo LMGT3 race result: 1 Jose Maria Lopez / Clemens Schmid / Petru Umbrarescu(Akkodis ASP Team / Lexus RC F), 2 Charlie Eastwood / Tom Van Rompuy / Rui Andrade (TF Sport / Corvette Z06), 3 Eduardo Barrichello / Valentin Hasse Clot / Anthony McIntosh (Racing Spirit of Leman / Aston Martin Vantage AMR), 10 Ahmad Al Harthy / Valentino Rossi / Kelvin van der Linde (Team WRT / BMW M4). 2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Driver standings (after round five): 1 Riccardo Pera / Richard Lietz / Ryan Hardwick, 89pts, 2 Alessio Rovera / Francois Heriau / Simon Mann, 76pts, 3 Ben Keating / Daniel Juncadella / Jonny Edgar, 66pts, 14 Ahmad Al Harthy / Valentino Rossi / Kelvin van der Linde, 22pts.
Muscat Daily
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Muscat Daily
Oman's Al Harthy eyes podium finish in Brazil
Muscat – South America is the destination for Ahmad al Harthy later this week when the FIA World Endurance Championship resumes for round five of the season, the Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, which will take place on Sunday. Oman's Al Harthy, who has been in tremendous form throughout the 2025 campaign along with Team WRT teammates Valentino Rossi and Kelvin van der Linde, is very much hoping for a boost to the squad's fortunes in Brazil off the back off a frustrating non-finish in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Well on course to challenge for the LMGT3 class win, a podium at least, during the championship's biggest race of the year just three weeks ago, a luckless electrical issue enforced retirement of the rapid No.46 BMW M4 LMGT3 part way through the twice-round-the-clock French encounter. 'I can't wait to return to Brazil this week for my second attempt at the Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, we had a great weekend last year and the top five result from 12th on the grid was a satisfying result on my first ever visit to the track,' said Al Harthy 'We're all determined, every single member of the team, to be in a position to challenge for the podium on Sunday and that will be our focus with our preparation. 'Everyone was very disappointed that we had to retire the car at Le Mans, but the strength of the performance we showed before then – the pace, the strategy and our individual performances as well – gave us a lot to take away and be very positive about. We're aiming to put all we learned and that experience into practice and hit back as strongly as we can in Sao Paolo.' Al Harthy, supported by prestigious partners OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman, is hungrier than ever to be back on the FIA WEC podium and will be working as hard as possible to achieve that aim. During last year's visit to Interlagos, the Omani's maiden trip to the Brazilian venue, he and then teammates Rossi and Maxime Martin achieved a strong top five result from 12th on the grid, almost snatching fourth – less than a second shy at the chequered flag after six intense hours of action. As has been a hallmark of Al Harthy's endurance racing career to-date, his opening stint in last year's Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paulo was immensely impressive. Gaining no fewer than six places during the first hour of action, this set the scene for the pleasing result on his Interlagos debut. His second stint was equally strong with fantastic speed, racecraft and overtaking skills on show for all to witness. This time around, Oman's number one racing driver is hoping for more still as the team strives to begin the second half of the FIA World Endurance Championship season on the front foot, and climb back up the LMGT3 points table. Competition, as always in FIA WEC, will be fierce in Brazilwith 18 cars entered in LMGT3 alone and a combined grid of 36 entries expected including those from the Hypercar class. Going into the event Al Harthy, Rossi and van der Linde are 12th in the LMGT3 driver standings with a season-best finish of second place from round two at Imola in Italy.
Observer
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Observer
AL Harthy planning good start in Brazil race
South America is the destination for Ahmad al Harthy this week when the FIA World Endurance Championship resumes for round five of the season, the Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, which will take place this coming Sunday, 13th July. Oman's Al Harthy, who has been in tremendous form throughout the 2025 campaign along with Team WRT team-mates Valentino Rossi and Kelvin van der Linde, is very much hoping for a boost to the squad's fortunes in Brazil off the back off a frustrating non-finish in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Well on course to challenge for the LMGT3 class win, a podium at least, during the championship's biggest race of the year just three weeks ago, a luckless electrical issue forced retirement of the rapid No.46 BMW M4 LMGT3 part way through the twice-round-the-clock French encounter. Al Harthy, supported by prestigious partners OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY), and Experience Oman, is hungrier than ever to be back on the FIA WEC podium and will be working as hard as possible to achieve that aim. During last year's visit to Interlagos, the Omani's maiden trip to the Brazilian venue, he and then team-mates Rossi and Maxime Martin achieved a strong top five result from 12th on the grid, almost snatching fourth – less than a second shy at the chequered flag after six intense hours of action. As has been a hallmark of Al Harthy's endurance racing career to-date, his opening stint in last year's Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paulo was immensely impressive. Gaining no fewer than six places during the first hour of action, this set the scene for the pleasing result on his Interlagos debut. His second stint was equally strong with fantastic speed, racecraft and overtaking skills on show for all to witness. Ahmed al Harthy This time around, Oman's number one racing driver is hoping for more still as the team strives to begin the second half of the FIA World Endurance Championship season on the front foot, and climb back up the LMGT3 points table. Competition, as always in FIA WEC, will be fierce in Brazil with 18 cars entered in LMGT3 alone and a combined grid of 36 entries expected including those from the Hypercar class. Going into the event Al Harthy, Rossi and van der Linde are 12th in the LMGT3 driver standings with a season-best finish of second place from round two at Imola in Italy. 'I can't wait to be back in Brazil this week for my second attempt at the Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, we had a great weekend last year and the top five result from 12th on the grid was a satisfying result on my first ever visit to the track. We're all determined, every single member of the team, to be in a position to challenge for the podium on Sunday and that will be our focus with our preparation. 'Everyone was obviously very disappointed we had to retire the car at Le Mans, but the strength of the performance we showed before then – the pace, the strategy and our individual performances as well – gave us a lot to take away and be very positive about. We're aiming to put all we learned and that experience into practice and hit back as strongly as we can in Sao Paolo.' Al Harthy said. The first two free practice sessions at Interlagos will take place on Friday, 11th July, with the third session following on Saturday, 12th July, ahead of LMGT3 qualifying at 14.45 Sao Paolo time. The Hyperpole session is immediately after opening qualifying at 15.05 local time. On Sunday, 13th July, the Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paolo will get underway at 11.30 local time and the action can be followed through 2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Driver Standings (after Rd4): 1st Riccardo Pera / Ryan Hardwick / Richard Leitz, 81pts 2nd Alessio Rovera / Francois Heriau / Simon Mann, 76pts 3rd Ben Keating / Daniel Juncadella / Jonny Edgar, 60pts 12th Ahmad al Harthy / Valentino Rossi / Kelvin van der Linde, 21pts 2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Team Standings (after Rd4): 1st Manthey 1ST Phorm (Porsche 911), 81pts 2nd Vista AF Corse (Ferrari 296), 76pts 3rd TF Sport (Corvette Z06), 60pts 12th Team WRT (BMW M4 LMGT3), 21pts • Globe-trotting Omani Ahmad al Harthy heads to Interlagos for Rd5 • Team WRT driver focused on fighting for podium return after Le Mans DNF • World-famous Brazilian F1 venue hosts big 6hr FIA WEC race this Sunday
