Tyre regulations permit 13 sets per race weekend, that’s across all events, so once again management is crucial. It’s imperative drivers, regularly check for wear on their vehicle after each event, and purchase new components to maintain a healthy balance in car performance. VT’s of every circuit detailing the bends, track history and information were there to see, and commentary was more hit than miss.Īnother new feature to the career mode is how you manage your car, in line with current regulations, each driver has a limit of 4 power units and gearboxes per season. The presentation felt like how a true F1 race weekend would appear on the television set. Every circuit from the official Formseason is included, and many 2017 regulations are implemented. Little room is spared on the track to overtake, and the realism is superb. Ask Betts: The more expensive/better upgrades take a longer duration of time to be fitted.ĭuring my experiences of the game on a hard difficulty setting, I found A.I drivers are very competitive. The more hard-core base will be delighted with this, as it’s vital the resource points earned (for example by honing your skills via practice mode) are needed to improve the car, which means all aspects of race weekend have more importance. There are 4 departments to improve, the chassis, aerodynamics, powertrain and finally durability. It comes with a new RPG points and skill tree in place to upgrade the car throughout your career. R&D also known as research and development has had a major overhaul this season, giving cars a huge selection from 115 upgrades.

In any case, you meet your agent and lead engineer, who go into detail about your contract, season expectations, and the changes in regulations for the 2017 season, and how you now need to manage your car and the R&D much more carefully. I always find it more rewarding starting with the likes of Sauber or McClaren, but perhaps other’s will beg to disagree. (As you progress during this mode, you will get opportunity to change teams, should change tickle your fancy).

Moving back to the career mode, you select the brand you wish to drive for, with the obvious stipulations being the better the team, the higher the expectations. Also, some of the tracks are shortened in an attempt to make these events more challenging. I failed miserably on the Suzuki pursuit scenario, not quite managing to get past that final car, needed to complete the challenge (that was after 15 attempts too… don’t judge me too harshly, I’m playing on hard settings). Let me warn you, these are very difficult. So for instance during the pursuit scenarios you have a set target of cars required to fly past. I hear you say “How are these classic wonders relevant to career mode?” throughout your 10-year duration as an F1 driver, after race events you’ll receive invites to invitationals, where challenges including pursuit, checkpoint, time attack and overtake targets are all put in front of you. “Make History” is the tagline for this years edition and it’s about comparing the cars from former glories to those of today, and to showcase how different cars are from years gone by, not just in appearance or speeds but by making your own history with these beautifully rendered 3d remakes. Focused on including classic cars, ranging from 1988 to 2010 including the Ferrari F2004 (The fastest Formula1 car until this year), to the likes of Mclarens iconic MP4/4 from 1988. How wrong I was… (Sorry Codemasters), the team based from Leamington spa have poured their hearts into career mode. So upon hearing the news of a career mode that really does push the boundary’s in R&D challenges, to strategically managing your car, from an engine to the gearbox, and then to altering your race style depending on conditions of your vehicle and car parts.

Formula 1 games in recent years (with the exception of 2015) have taken great strides forward, from 2013’s classic content and scenario modes to last years return of career mode and the tweaks made in AI and gameplay features. “F1 2017, make history? It’s made history, not only does it raise the bar, it smashes it”ĭeveloped by Codemasters this is the most in-depth, fulfilling, and complete Formula 1 experience to date, that remembers its roots, and truly respects the cars from yesteryear.

F1 2017 game review