rFactor 2 is a computer racing simulator developed by Image Space Incorporated (taken over by Studio 397 in 2016) and released for Windows in 2013.

[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Much of its source code is derived from rFactor Pro, which is also used by professional racers and most of the Formula One teams and NASCAR manufacturers.

[13][14] After the initial success of Sports Car GT (1999), Image Space Incorporated used its self-developed software engine Motor1 for several racing titles, including the Formula One simulators F1 2002 and F1 Challenge '99-'02.

Image Space Incorporated then made a racing simulator with open architecture and provided tools for the modding community to create third-party content.

[18] The public first became aware that the development of rFactor 2 was underway when Gjon Camaj of Image Space Incorporated posted WIP in-game screenshots on Twitter in early March 2009.

In October 2010, Camaj revealed in an extensive interview plans for including licensed content, a new reworked UI, inclusion of dynamic weather, new innovative dynamic racing surface technology, improvements to the AI logic, and a new force feedback system with lower input lag and much faster and more direct steering rack forces, similar to the popular third party developed RealFeel plug-in for rFactor.

[31] In May 2014 the Formula Renault 3.5 was released,[32] shortly followed by the Dallara DW12 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway race track, the first oval content for rFactor 2.

Between 2014 and 2015, ISI tasked Marcel Offermans from Dutch software company Luminis to bring rFactor to the Steam store, which was completed in March 2015.

This led to Gjon Camaj, ISI's vice president, and Offermans discussing the possibility of Luminis taking over the development of rFactor 2, which was effectively announced the following year with the creation of Studio 397.

Studio 397 managing director Marcel Offermans stated that a lot of new features would be implemented in the game, including a more web-based UI, a DirectX 11 compatible graphics engine and the VR support for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

The developers revealed that they had acquired the license of U.S. F2000 National Championship, Radical Sportscars, and NOLA Motorsports Park.

[46][47] With their first build release in December, Studio 397 made online racing free to all users, removing the previous subscription fee model.

[58] Further physics updates were released in the same month, also based on feedback from 2017 World's Fastest Gamer winner Rudy van Buren.

[64][65] The same year in February, Studio 297 finished data gathering for the first laser scanned track for rFactor 2 (Sebring), using Lidar technology.

[70] In 2019, with the addition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and their version of the Circuit de Monaco, rF2 completed the full triple crown of tracks.

[71] The new UI included a new matchmaker for online multiplayer[74][75] and established the basis for the upcoming competition system, whose beta was released in December 2020.

[76][77] In March 2021, Motorsport Games entered a deal with Luminis International for the acquisition of 100% share of Studio 397 and rFactor 2 for 16 million USD.

Also that year in February, Motorsport Games acquired Black Delta, developer of KartKraft, for an undisclosed amount.

April's Q2 release candidate gave the players better particle and sound effects, leading to enhanced sparks and better-sounding cars.

[2][7] rFactor 2 includes a new constraint system that allows for advanced physics simulation such as chassis flex, which removes the typical infinite rigidity of a virtual vehicle and incorporates unique chassis characteristics into the handling and performance of the car,[85] as well as highly accurate suspension geometry and wheel rates.

As I had the chance to prove myself (and probably to somebody reading here), when you know how to properly build your models, rFactor is producing very accurate results, at a very low cost".

If a player locks up the brakes, a flat spot will occur with force feedback vibrations alongside a car imbalance due to the lost weight of the burnt off tire.

The tire model has also had longstanding limitations and issues, like the undue advantage given by running minimum pressures,[83] the competitive advantage of excessively sliding all four tires to better rotate a car through a corner,[97] and the racing line grip levels under wet conditions, which do not take into account that the rubbered track surface is more slippery when wet.

[100] Rubber is dynamically laid on the track surface in real time during a race session by the player and the AI.

[94] The AI of rFactor 2 has spatial awareness, adjustable strength and aggression sliders, and the ability to "learn" more efficient racing lines around a track, resulting in faster lap times.

[115] rFactor 2 was used for the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual race on 14 June 2020, organized in collaboration with Motorsport Games.