EA Sports’F1 23is the latest edition in the racing game series, which seeks to simulate the high-octane action of Grand Prix racing while also providingan accessible experience for gamers of all abilities. The games allow players to race as their favorite teams, as well as create their own story in the various Career Modes. The franchise has also built up a competitive online community who will be looking forward to racing in the latest installment.
While the game certainly has improvements upon its predecessors, many fans may be left frustrated at the all-too-familiar interface and overall experience of the game. Nonetheless, these are the key new features that EA has advertised as the selling points of the title.
635% Race Distance
One feature the developers were keen to point out in anticipationF1 23’s launch was the inclusion of a new 35% race distance. While it may not look like much on the surface, this mode will strike a good balance between short races that aren’t time-consuming, and races which are still long enough for strategy such as pit stops and tire degradation to play a role. When compared with 25% or 50% race distances (which are both still available) this middle-ground can help players progressthrough campaign and multiplayer modeswith relative ease.
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Previously, this race distance was only seen in competitive F1 eSports. But with the mode now available to everyone, it should mean that these different options are capable of meeting the demands of an even wider player base.
5Red Flags
It seems strange that red flags were omitted from previous titles, given that they can occur as part of the rule set in real races. However, with red flags becoming increasingly common in real-life Grand Prix races, seeing them inF1 23should provide an extra degree of immersion for players during a race weekend.
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Red flags will cause a temporary suspension of a race, bringing all cars into the pit lane and forcing players to reformulate their strategy on the fly. However, this will only occurin the event of a big accident, or in the event of too much heavy rain causing cars to lose control. Red flags can dramatically alter the course and the final outcome of a race, so this new external dynamic adds a degree of tension and unpredictability to every race.
4Braking Point Part 2
F1 23also sees the return of the story mode “Braking Point” as featured inF1 21. This time, Aiden Jackson, no longer a rookie as he was in the first “chapter” of the story, is seeking to compete in a brand new fictional F1 team named Konnersport. With this new team, expectations are higher than ever before. The heated rivalry with teammate Devon Bulter also continues from the previous installment.
A new addition to the story is the inclusion of a new female character voiced by Jamie Chadwick, a real world W-Series Champion, who threatens to take one of the two seats from Konnersport and should provide extra incentive for players to perform well. A lot of effort has gone into Braking Point, whether fans wanted it or not. It has to be said that this season does look to be a big step up in terms of narrative.
3Controller Optimization
For many casual players who do not having racing wheels and full driving setups at home, playingF1on a controller is their primary experience of the game. This could be incredibly challenging in the past, particularly without any assists or setting adjustments. But this year,EA has sought to directly addressthese issues by improving controller optimization and sensitivity. This new technology has been labelled “Precision Drive” and is an all new feature inF1 23.
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Precision Drive is intended to provide greater accuracy for steering input. This should enable players to drive faster through difficult corners, in addition to having longer wheel-to-wheel battles without the fear of losing control and crashing.
2Handling And Physics Improvements
In addition to Precision Drive,EA has announceda range of other handling and physics improvements, making cars feel much more realistic to drive. In addition, AI cars should behave more realistically due to the new weight and handling physics affecting their own cars.
This update also provided a noticeable difference between the handling of F1 and F2 cars, giving players an even greater sense of progression if they choose to start their careers from the lower ranks. These physics changes should also affect the way debris falls from cars on impacts, adding more realism to crashes and accidents, as well as the way in which damage effects the performance of cars later in the race.
1Las Vegas Street Circuit
Perhaps the most glamorous and exciting new addition both to the real F1 calendar and theF1 23game, isthe inclusion of an all-new street circuitin Las Vegas. This circuit, which is due to be raced as a night race, will see the cars hurtling down the Las Vegas strip surrounded by iconic landmarks, casinos and some of the most complex lighting yet seen in anF1game. The team at EA used “World Atlas Aerial Imagery” in order to perfectly simulate the environment for inclusion in the title.
Since the real-life race is not scheduled to take place until November 2023, players will have the chance to explore the track and this brand-new setting before the drivers themselves will have a chance to race it in real life.
F1 23is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms starting July 03, 2025. EA Play and EA PlayPro members gain limited early access from June 13.
