Edward Grabowski designed several strategy games while at Impressions, the developer known for reams of statistics -- and GPM2 is no exception. The game keeps track of hundreds of statistics and variables, all of which combine to convincingly simulate the workings of world-class F1 teams such as Benetton, McLaren, Williams, and -- of course -- Ferrari. As in real F1 racing, your success depends on many parties. It's not enough to put the best drivers behind the best cars: you must also find willing sponsors, train the most efficient crew, and manage the team's finances effectively. As in real life, the top F1 team can burn a few US$ million in a month. Therefore, financial savvy, negotiation skills, and management skills are just as important as technical know-how.

As an almost complete novice in this genre, I can't vouch for the realism of GPM2. But given the high regard the first game received from F1 gaming gurus and the usually high realism standard of Grabowski's past titles, I have no doubt this game is just as realistic as fans would want -- perhaps even more so, given the level of detail. Being a fan of business simulations, I found GPM2 a fun and addictive game. The financial management aspect is quite challenging, too -- especially since it's a long time between the date that you spend (mostly the sponsor's) money, and the date your team wins it back. With a plethora of options, decent graphics, and reams of statistics, GPM2 will certainly appeal not only to F1 fans, but also business sim gamers everywhere. Two thumbs up, way up!