Published by: The Los Santos Tribune Patch Size: ~2.5 GB (Console) / ~1.8 GB (PC) Release Date: August 11, 2020
The patch introduced , six new casual contact missions , and the long-awaited Open Wheel Race Series —Formula 1 style racing that redefined high-speed physics in the game. It also brought back the Business Battles with a naval twist, forcing players to fight on the open water. Key Features of the Los Santos Summer Special (v1.53) 1. The Open Wheel Racing Series (The Crown Jewel) The most significant mechanical addition in Update 1.53 was the Open Wheel Races . For the first time in GTA Online history, players could drive high-downforce, single-seat Formula 1 cars (the Benefactor BR8 and the Progen PR4 ). These vehicles dynamically altered gameplay with two new mechanics: KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) to boost speed and DRS (Drag Reduction System) to reduce air resistance on straights. GTA V Update v1.53
A: No. Franklin Clinton did not become a major contact until The Contract update (v1.58). v1.53 is pre-Franklin DLC. Published by: The Los Santos Tribune Patch Size: ~2
In this deep dive, we will break down everything included in Update 1.53: from the explosive new "Open Wheel Races" to the QoL (Quality of Life) changes that rewired the game’s economy. Before the era of the Los Santos Tuners and the Drug Wars DLC, Rockstar Games released a "mid-cycle" update designed to bridge the gap between the massive Diamond Casino Heist (v1.50) and the next-gen console leap. Update 1.53 was unique because it focused less on a single major property (like a Yacht or Facility) and more on expanding how players engage with the existing map. The Open Wheel Racing Series (The Crown Jewel)
While the world of Grand Theft Auto Online has since moved on to the expansive "The Contract" and "San Andreas Mercenaries" updates, veteran players know that remains a pivotal chapter in the game’s history. Officially titled the "Los Santos Summer Special," this patch arrived during a sweltering summer that saw a global surge in player counts. For many, v1.53 was the moment the game transitioned from a chaotic heist-fest into a streamlined, solo-friendly business empire.