F1 22: new era, new features
7th June 2022The Formula 1 game, F1 22, developed by Codemasters, is due to be released on July 1 as both the sport and the brand enter a new era.
Expected to drop on the same weekend of the British Grand Prix, on July 1, the video game will see a significant amount of changes compared to its previous instalments.
In a similar way to how the real life sport has changed, F1 22 will see a new-and-improved adaptive AI, improved practice programs and a completely new handling model.
Lee Mather, F1 Senior Creative Director at Codemasters, said:
“F1 22 allows players to live their Formula 1 fantasies both on and off the track, Players are excited to enter the new era of Formula 1 with the introduction of new cars, regulations, and more control of race day moments.
“F1 22 enables players to be more social with their friends away from the circuit. The personalised space within F1
Life allows players to show off their collection of must-have cars and accessories and be the envy of friends and rivals.”
Watch the F1 22 feature trailer below:
So, what should players expect in the latest instalment of the game?
F1 Life & Supercars
F1 Life is the newest addition to the Formula 1 game. It is set to be a social hub for players to showcase their collection of trophies, supercars and fashion accessories. These accessories can be gathered through in-game challenges, ‘brand shop,’ the in-game store or the Podium Pass.
When you enter the game, players will start in their ‘personal hub’ which as a multiplayer lobby and allows access to your friends’ avatars and collections.
In previous versions of the F1 game, the safety car was an indestructible entity which led the pack of F1 cars around a circuit. Although people have managed to successfully ruin Bernd Maylander’s virtual day by flipping or stopping the safety car.
However, now you can drive the safety car – both the Mercedes and Aston Martin versions, as part of the F1 22 Champions Edition. You’re also able to collect a variety of other supercars, rather than just the official F1 safety cars, which include Ferrari’s, McLaren’s, Mercedes’ and Aston Martin’s.
Circuit changes
As we saw in the real life 2021 season, some of the circuits on the official calendar saw a new configuration introduced.
Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya introduced a new turn 10, formerly a sharp left-hand turn. The new corner profile was reconfigured to the MotoGP layout; a swooping left hander which eased into turns 11 and 12. On the other hand, the season finale’s Abu Dhabi Yas Marina circuit saw a selection of changes, the majority of which occurred in the final sector.
However, these changes were never implemented into F1 2021. Fortunately, players will be able to experience these new layouts in the next instalment of the F1 game.
In line with the current F1 calendar, the players will be able to experience racing at the Miami International Autodrome which made its debut earlier this year, at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix.
Sprint races and improved practice sessions
Following its introduction last season, to spice up – and add further jeopardy – to qualifying for Grand Prix Sunday’s, sprint races will also be making their first appearance in the virtual realm.
It is unclear if there will be a cap of three races available, per season, for sprint races (similar to the real life sport), or if you can select all six venues, who have held a sprint race in 2021 and 2022.
However, free practice sessions have seen an overhaul which will see players being guided to use the correct amount of fuel or energy. In a bid to help players climatise themselves to the circuit better and improve their lap times, fuel consumption or energy usage ahead of the main event.
Immersive & broadcast modes
Brand new for 22 is the new broadcast and immersive modes which are available for both casual and experienced players.
Immersive allows regular, or more experienced racers, the ability to line up in their grid slot any way they like after the formation lap. This provides the pre-race sequence with a more important role, rather than a procession.
They can nose dive straight in, to maximise straight line speed and grip to ensure they stay ahead of their competition, or they can angle their cars to quickly block off advances from those behind.
In addition, pit stops will also see an update to improve its immersions. As the player approaches their respective pit box, a correctly timed event could see edge out their closest rivals while an poorly timed stop could see them lose time in the pits.
The broadcast option, available for the formation lap, pit stops and safety car events, allows more game time for players.
A brief, pre-race, overview will be given on formation laps while safety car stints will be quickly passed through highlights. This will allow more casual players the ability to jump straight back into the action rather than gruelling through three or four laps, behind the safety car.
That’s it for the article: F1 22: A new era, new features! What are you looking forward to in the next instalment of the F1 game? Let us know in the comments!
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
