[1] The game featured many technical advances in tire modeling, complex aerodynamics and a 15 degrees of freedom physics engine.

The isiMotor2 on which the game is based is a direct successor to the engine used in previous titles developed by ISI, most notably F1 Challenge '99–'02, released through EA Sports.

[2] The game was made without ISI's longtime publishing partner at the time of EA Sports,[3] and featured exclusively custom tracks rather than licensing real ones.

In August 2006, ISI released the full update, with many changes and new features, including the new 2006 BMW Sauber F1 and a much requested manual.

Another notable and often requested feature was driver-swapping, which allowed to change drivers during the race, enabling up to 24 hour events like Le Mans.

In an evolution from F1 Challenge, the circuits now include all layouts at a particular facility, which greatly reduces the need to duplicate track geometry.

[9] Writing on HonestGamers, Paul Josua concluded: "It's a little unfair to hold rFactor's lack of accessibility against it as it has clearly set out to be a simulation racer.