Open Wheel Manager 2

Let meg get this straight: The core of the game is superb, it brings back the best memories of the Grand Prix World era, and more. However, the game just feels unfinished. There are things that don't matter at all, R&D is very simplistic and too easy to master. Sponsors are way too easy to obtain after the first couple of seasons. You can build even a backmaker team into a world beater in a few seasons. There is no movement between the disciplines, meaning that a team will never disappear from the grid, even if it's seconds slower than anyone else. Again, the core of the game is great, and for the first playthrough, it felt awesome to build up my own team into WDC/WCC. This could have been such an awesome game! But the developer moved on, having way too many ideas in his head to squeeze it into this game, and started working on that one. So I would suggest to skip this one, and prepare for that one.

My kind of management game. Everything is clean and precise. Looks good, and supports ultrawide. Good job devs.

What an utterly excellent game. There's a solid mod community that allows for a proper old school F1 management game experience. I appreciate the occasional rule change moments as a sort of balance of power equaliser, although they could chop down the top teams even a bit more. Also, for future editions or even updates to this one: engine suppliers withdrawing and new ones starting so that having the best engine isn't such a route to long term dominance. Also, perhaps, starting your own engine shop if you have enough money and then adding the element of engine development to the game? All told, great job all round and also what a way to find out my childhood favorite game house MicroProse is still around!

There are other games in this genre where the catering budget alone is probably bigger than the one available for OWM2, yet this is hands down the best racing management around. The new Young Driver Academy update is fantastic. Keep up the good works!

Open Wheel Manager 2 is a methodical, systems-driven motorsport management game that places long-term strategy and careful planning far above spectacle or moment-to-moment racing thrills. Developed by Paprikash Games and published by MicroProse Software, the title positions itself as a deliberate throwback to classic management sims, particularly those rooted in the late-1990s era of open-wheel racing. Rather than attempting to recreate the sensory excitement of race day, the game is firmly focused on what happens behind the scenes: budgets, contracts, development pipelines, and the slow, often unforgiving climb from midfield obscurity to championship contention. From the beginning, Open Wheel Manager 2 makes it clear that you are not a driver or tactician glued to every lap, but a team principal responsible for the entire ecosystem of a racing outfit. Nearly every meaningful decision happens off the track, from hiring drivers and engineers to choosing engine suppliers and negotiating sponsorship deals. The game excels at conveying how interconnected these choices are, as short-term financial gains can easily undermine long-term competitiveness if development or staff growth is neglected. This emphasis on cause and effect gives the simulation a grounded feel, where success is rarely immediate and setbacks are often the result of earlier compromises rather than random misfortune. Team development is the backbone of the experience. Facilities such as research centers, wind tunnels, and engineering departments can be upgraded over time, directly influencing the pace and effectiveness of car development. Drivers are more than stat sheets; young talents require patience and investment to reach their potential, while experienced veterans offer consistency at the cost of higher salaries and diminishing growth. Staff efficiency, morale, and expertise quietly shape your results, reinforcing the idea that championships are built through infrastructure and personnel as much as raw speed. Sponsorships further complicate this balance, injecting much-needed funds while often imposing performance expectations that can pressure your strategic planning across a season. Race weekends themselves are intentionally abstracted. Players can choose to watch events unfold through simplified visual representations or simulate them entirely, focusing on outcomes rather than on-track micromanagement. Strategy decisions still matter—car setup priorities, driver focus, and development milestones influence race performance—but these elements play out through the simulation rather than direct control. This design choice may feel distant to players accustomed to hands-on race management, but it strongly reinforces the game’s identity as a managerial simulation rather than a hybrid racing title. The scope of content supports long-term play, with multiple teams, drivers, engine suppliers, and tracks forming the foundation of a career that can stretch across many seasons. Starting with a struggling team and gradually building it into a competitive force is particularly satisfying, as progress is measured in small, incremental gains rather than dramatic leaps. Visual customization options, such as car liveries, add a personal touch that helps players feel ownership over their team, even if the presentation remains utilitarian overall. That utilitarian presentation is one of the game’s more divisive aspects. The interface prioritizes information density and functionality over visual flair, which suits the simulation-focused design but can feel intimidating or rough around the edges. Some systems are not immediately transparent, and players may need time to fully understand how different mechanics interact. As a result, the learning curve can be steep, particularly for newcomers to the genre. However, for players willing to engage with its depth, this complexity becomes a strength rather than a flaw. Ultimately, Open Wheel Manager 2 is a game for players who enjoy thinking in seasons rather than seconds. It rewards patience, planning, and a willingness to accept failure as part of long-term growth. While it lacks the polish and accessibility of more mainstream racing titles, it compensates with a strong sense of authenticity and strategic weight. For fans of classic motorsport management simulations who value depth over spectacle and progression over instant gratification, Open Wheel Manager 2 offers a challenging and absorbing journey into the realities of running an open-wheel racing team, where every decision echoes across the calendar and success is earned one calculated step at a time. Rating: 7/10

Cannot recommend at all in comparison to Motorsport Manager. MM has lots of QoL that make it bearable to play while OWM2 feels like half-baked, not to mention the last major update was 7 months ago, with no word from the developer. There is no way to learn how to play the game other than niche steam guides.

No idea how this has positive rating. When you choose multiple options in practice, anything else but first one will get ignored. Game freezes at the end of season, either first or 2nd. That issue was reported 7 months ago and still happening ...

Tato hra měla potenciál. Všechno, co bylo slíbeno, vypadalo zajímavě a potenciálně lépe než F1 Manager, ale vývojář byl nucen hru oficiálně vydat a tím pádem nebyl schopen dotáhnout určité věci. Není zatím jasné, zda sliby dodrží a dotáhne některé novinky a opravy. Například, v historické tabulce se nezapisují tituly (všechno ostatní funguje), ačkoliv je tento bug hlášen od září, není opraven. Takových věcí je bohužel více. Pokud autor na hře dále bude pracovat, rád svou recenzi upravím. Nyní ale osobně hru nedoporučuji. Po 5 měsících zkusím ke hře připsat pár dalších věci, které mi relativně dost vadí. 1. Je to již 5 měsíců, co je slíbený patch a stále nikde nic. Oficiální vysvětlení je, že na opravě pracuje jeden člověk a zbytek studia dělá na OWM 3. To jako fakt? 2. Nedomyšlená databáze - do hry by klidně mohl nějaký nadšenec udělat databázi od roku 1950 do současnosti, jenže to nejde. Proč? Protože opět kde by mohli lidé opisovat od hegemu v manažerských hrách (Football Manager), tam naprosto selhávají. Takže lze sice udělat databázi téměř libovolně do minulosti, ALE! Pokud chcete např. udělat takového Schumachera, je potřeba k němu založit navíc alespoň Benetton. Uděláte celou historii jenže teď nastane problém. Hra se neumí popasovat s týmem, který není přiřazen k žádné serii, takže buď tým smazat (a tím se smaže i historie u tohoto týmu pro daného jezdce) nebo tým dát do nějaké serie. Prostě DB neumí pracovat s něčím jako zaniklý tým. S jezdcem je to to samé, zmíněný Schumacher má přes 50 let, ale na začátku hry je možné jej najmout, nelze u něj nastavit že ukončil kariéru v roce 2012. 3. Pokud jste tovární stáj, není možné ovlivnit vývoj motoru. Takže sice víte, kde nemá smysl investovat vývoj ale AI tam snad záměrně investuje. 4. AI nesmyslně podepisuje volné jezdce. Tohle mě štve asi nejvíce, ale běžně se stane, že aktuální mistr světa nedostane kontrakt pro další rok a kolikrát TOP stáje podepíšou i jako jedničku podprůměrného jezdce. Celkově je AI ve hře hodně špatná vč. závodních víkendů (na tom se údajně pracuje), ale dokud nebude AI schopna pro TOP stáje podepisovat TOP jezdce, je to stejně jedno, po pár sezónách budete dominovat a AI vás fakt neohrozí, maximálně tovární motor pokud se vyvýjí špatným směrem.

This game is fun. It really is, but it is far too buggy to recommend. I have played for 5 hours, and have had at least 5 crashes. The gameplay is fun, and there is some retro enjoyment here, but the performance is a big sticking point.

Genuinely best motorsport manager in years. A spiritual Successor to Grand Prix World. If you enjoyed Grand Prix Manager and GP World you should try it.