Codemasters and EA have announced that F1 22 will be launching on July 1 for current and previous generation consoles along with PC. The team at Codemasters could have just rested on its laurels and kept things simple by offering the newest Formula One cars, which is a huge change. However, something unprecedented is being implemented into the F1 22 and this comes in the way of official supercars from the manufacturers in the sport and a new F1 Life mode that allows players to build and upgrade their house. These new aspects are ways that Codemasters are thinking outside of the box and it may have players clamoring for a supercar simulation game.
Pirelli Hot Laps are specific events that take place either during a Career and My Team, with Supercar Tokens being unlocked miles driven in the actual game. These cars cannot be purchased in the game’s store, so the tokens will be earned with progression. The only two cars that are available separately come with the Champions Edition, and these two cars are the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Safety Car and the Aston Martin Vantage Safety Car. There are ten supercars in total: McLaren 720s, McLaren Artura, Aston Martin DB11 AMR, Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition, Mercedes-AMG GT R PRO, Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, Ferrari F8 Tributo and Ferrari Roma. It is also worth noting that this is the only game, currently, that you can experience these brand new supercars. These cars also have complete interiors when using the cockpit view.
These cars don’t just stick to the ground and easily drive, either. Having a chance to get some hands-on with the different cars and events in the upcoming game, controlling these cars can be difficult. The game will have assists, but turning off these assists will bring out the most out of each car. The biggest noticeable attribute to driving these cars is that at high speed, the cars become unstable. Using the same physics setup as the F1 cars, and since these aren’t F1 cars, the bobble and drift of these cars are real. Players also cannot drop gears instantaneously in these cars, much like the real thing.
In the specific Pirelli Hot Laps mode, there are a combination of 40 different challenges. These play out much like the Gran Turismo missions where players select a difficulty and medals are provided based on times. These challenges include Autocross, Drift, Average Speed Zone, Checkpoint Challenge, Time Attack and Rival Duel. These events take place at different tracks and in varying weather conditions. The Pirelli Hot Laps are similar to what actual Formula One drivers will do in their off time. Manufacturers will do promo events where the drivers will take new supercars on the track, so this is part of that F1 Life. Speaking of F1 Life, this new mode will have players decking out their cribs with unlocked Supercars, trophies and interior design. Players can also decide who hangs out at their house and place the characters in different rooms. F1 Life’s mainstay is it being the backdrop on the menus. Completing races and events will earn XP to unlock all sorts of interior design features to give the perfect vibe for players. It will also serve as a multiplayer lobby where players can view other player’s layouts and designs.
Adding the Pirelli Hot Laps and incorporating the F1 Life is certainly new territory for Codemasters. This will be the first time that the team has brought cars outside of F1 or F2 into the game, and it currently seems to be something new and engaging that isn’t just tacked on. With how these cars handle and the difference in tyres, these are a different breed of animals on the track that won’t require superior precision while focusing on the fun factor of driving an overpowered car on a circuit. This, along with learning how the new official F1 cars drive in the game, will offer a new learning curve for both new and returning players.
F1 22 will be available July 1 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC.
