New Sport Mode and FIA Changes for GT Sport

Last updated on April 22nd, 2020 at 05:38 pm

Normally updates for GT Sport are announced by developers Polyphony Digital shortly before they’re released. But perhaps in response to recent complaints, some new Sport Mode and FIA changes for GT Sport have been announced as a preview.

There are some pretty big changes on the way, including reducing the effect of slipstreaming. The aerodynamic advantage of being in the tow of a car in front has meant that no driver wants to take the lead in qualifying, so this will now be reduced.

Another ongoing issue has been the evolution of the penalty system, which gets tweaked and changed with every update. And the next release will be no different.

There’s no expected date for the next update, but it will need to be before Saturday, April 25th, 2020. This is due to the preview also including the news that you’ll be able to change the selected manufacturer contract at the start of the new series on that date, along with Star Player status appearing on that day for top-ranking drivers from Stage 1.

The full Sport Mode Update Preview is as follows:

Slipstream
・The effect of the slipstream will be reduced.

Fuel Consumption & Tyre Wear Rate for Qualifying & Final
・It will be possible to set ‘Fuel Consumption’ and ‘Tyre Wear’ rates separately in the Qualifying Time Trials and Finals of the FIA Gran Turismo Championships.

BoP (Balance of Performance)
・Tyre wear adjustments for Gr.4 FF cars (Front-engine/ Front-wheel-drive;)
・Handling adjustments for all Gr.2, Gr.3, and Gr.4 cars;
・Fuel consumption rate adjustments for all Gr.2, Gr.3, and Gr.4 cars;

As a result, the difference in fuel efficiency will be reduced among these vehicle types.

Penalties
・Adjustments implemented to improve the penalty judgement algorithm.

Manufacturer Affiliation Contracts
・It will be possible to change the selected manufacturer affiliation contract at the start of the new Series, beginning on Saturday, 25 April.

‘Star Player’ Status
・In addition to those drivers who were awarded the status on 16 March, top-ranking drivers from Stage 1 (which is currently being held as an Exhibition Series) will also receive the Star Player status for the new Series beginning on Saturday, 25 April.

So that should make for a fairly sizeable change to GT Sport gameplay, particularly in qualifying.

If you need to pick up a copy of Gran Turismo Sport, then physical editions are available from Game or Amazon. You can also take a look at the latest GT Sport news and esports coverage here, the full Gran Turismo Sport car list, or the Gran Turismo Sport track list to catch up with everything to do with the game.