The latest addition to the Formula One franchise is releasing 16 June, and has plenty of new features. Here is what we now know about F1 23, including release date, red flags, and much more.
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Codemasters and EA have confirmed that the F1 23 release date will be 16 June on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC via the EA App, Steam and the Epic Game Store. The headline feature is a follow-up to F1 2021‘s Braking Point, as well as the inclusion of the new-to-2023 Las Vegas, the returning Qatar circuit, and former venues Paul Ricard, Portimão and Shanghai.
There are many other features confirmed to be new for F1 23, all of which we will discuss right here!
F1 23 Red Flags, 35% Races, Handling Overhaul
Red flags are a feature that have been absent from the F1 games for a few years now but that make their return for F1 23. There are also new 35% distance races. These were utilised in F1 Esports in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, aiming to strike a balance between 25% races and 50% races, which felt too long.
The next big feature may be music to many an F1 gamer’s ears; there have been amendments to the handling model. Creative director Lee Mather was quoted:
Our close relationship with the teams has allowed us to refine our handling model, adding greater realism to pad-play, and implementing a new colour encoding system used in film and TV creates a more true-to-life experience.
The handling is claimed to be more predictable, with the new physics meaning the cars have better traction on acceleration, braking and cornering. There’s also a new feature called Precision Drive, which is claimed to give controller users better control.
F1 23 Braking Point
From the reveal on Friday, the Braking Point storymode makes its return. This time around, characters Aiden Jackson and Devon Butler will not only be rivals but also teammates as part of the fictional Konnersport Racing Team.
Rather interestingly though, it’s specified that the infamous Devon Butler – who has served as the pantomime villain in all the games he appeared in – will be the protagonist. With the player driving as Devon Butler this time, will that provide a chance for this new instalment of Braking Point to provide more depth for the character?
F1 World
The last major inclusion is F1 World, considered a major evolution of F1 Life from last year’s game. Details haven’t been revealed just yet, but what we do know is that it’s a new hub for the main menu. It brings together multiple gamemodes including Grand Prix and Time Trial.
New for F1 23 though is an online safety rating system, which will encourage drivers to behave cleanly in both single player and multiplayer races. Depending on a player’s safety rating, they’ll get placed in lobbies with drivers of a similar safety rating. There’s also a new progression system that allows players to level up by completing challenges. They can subsequently unlock car upgrades, new liveries, race suits, and helmets.
F1 23 Pre-Order Bonuses
If a player pre-orders the F1 23 Champions Edition, there will be some limited-time Las Vegas-themed content only available if the game is pre-ordered by 31 May. There are also the Braking Point Icons which could point to being able to sign the likes of Aiden Jackson and Devon Butler in the My Team career mode or using their avatars for the player model.
Speaking of My Team, there will certainly be the Icons carried over from previous games to hire in My Team, most likely including Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and more. Also included are an XP Boost, a Vanity Item Pack, F1 World Bumper Pack, 18,000 PitCoin and accessing it three days early on 13 June. This is a digital-only release, no physical disc if you want all of this.
The standard edition – which is available both digitally and physically – will still grant the player 5,000 PitCoin if pre-ordered. This version will release 16 June.
What feature in F1 23 are you most looking forward to? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
