F1 2019 Review: A Decade of Dominance, Virtually Reimagined
As the real-world spectacle of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes continues its relentless dominance in Formula 1, many fans might find themselves yearning for an escape to the virtual realm – a place where the narrative of the 2019 season can be rewritten, where underdogs rise, and unexpected champions emerge. This desire is perfectly met by the timely arrival of Codemasters’ officially licensed F1 game, F1 2019, launching earlier in the season than ever before. This release marks a significant milestone, celebrating a full decade since the British developers first ventured into the world of official F1 titles with F1 2009 on the Nintendo Wii and PSP.
The F1 game series has undergone a remarkable transformation since its early days on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. While dedicated simulation enthusiasts might occasionally crave a more hardcore approach, Codemasters has consistently delivered a racing game experience that is accessible to newcomers, yet deep enough to satisfy seasoned veterans, and, most importantly, incredibly fun. It’s a series that genuinely earns its right to carry the prestigious Formula 1 license, blending the thrill of high-speed racing with strategic depth.
But the question remains: does this year’s installment, with its array of radical changes to core modes, inject a much-needed jolt of excitement into the franchise? Or will it prove as forgettable as some of the more uneventful races of the season? Let’s dive deep into what F1 2019 brings to the virtual grid.
A Refreshed Visual and User Experience
The moment you launch F1 2019, the most immediate improvement you’ll notice is the completely overhauled front end. A welcome new main menu system has been implemented, streamlining navigation and making it quicker and more intuitive than ever to jump into your preferred game mode. This seemingly minor enhancement significantly improves the overall user experience, ensuring less time spent navigating menus and more time on the track.
A long-awaited and highly appreciated addition is the full incorporation of Formula 1’s authentic brand identity. The revised Formula 1 font, iconic colors, and genuine world feed graphics package now feature prominently in the game’s heads-up display and cinematic sequences. This commitment to authenticity, while a small detail in the grand scheme of things, profoundly enhances the immersive feeling of being part of the official Formula 1 circus. It’s these subtle touches that demonstrate Codemasters’ dedication to delivering a truly authentic F1 experience.
When it comes to the on-track action, the core driving experience remains familiar to veterans of the series. The fundamental aspects of handling, from the delicate balance required for race starts to the precision needed during pit stops, feel largely consistent with previous installments. The methods and controls used to operate these incredibly fast machines are intuitive, allowing players to quickly get up to speed. However, observant players will note subtle refinements. There’s a perceptible tightening of AI opponents, making wheel-to-wheel combat feel more realistic and less erratic. While they still retain their penchant for inconveniently obstructing your final qualifying lap, their overall racecraft feels more intelligent and predictable.
Hardcore simulation fans might pick up on even finer nuances, such as the increased impact of sausage kerbs at Monza’s chicanes, which now demand greater respect from drivers. But for anyone familiar with Codemasters’ current-generation F1 titles, adapting to F1 2019’s driving physics will be seamless, ensuring an immediate and enjoyable transition.
Visually, F1 2019 raises the bar once again. The game has never looked more stunning. Colors are more vibrant under the glare of a summer sun, while new lighting enhancements introduce a subtle, atmospheric haze to night races, beautifully replicating the effect of artificial light on track. Wet races, too, have been significantly enhanced, becoming more daunting and realistic. The spray generated by cars ahead now genuinely envelops the cockpit, drastically reducing visibility and demanding even greater concentration and skill from the driver. These graphical improvements collectively contribute to a truly breathtaking and immersive racing environment.
Fantasy Formula 1: The F2 Experience and Dynamic Careers
When it comes to game modes, the marquee addition for F1 2019 is undoubtedly the inclusion of Formula 2. This has been one of the most consistently requested features by fans over the years, and Codemasters has answered with a comprehensive and fully realized F2 experience. The implementation is nothing short of exceptional, boasting full licensing for all 2018 teams and drivers, with the promise of 2019 season content to be added post-launch. Complementing this is full online integration and dedicated, authentic commentary from Alex Jacques and Davide Valsecchi, ensuring Formula 2’s franchise debut is a resounding success. Whether you opt for a casual quick race or embark on a full F2 season, the game delivers a truthful and engaging F2 experience.
The spec nature of Formula 1’s official feeder series makes it perfectly suited for short, intense bursts of action, offering a refreshing change of pace from the longer, more management-heavy F1 races. While the F2 car naturally lacks the sheer power and downforce of its more illustrious F1 counterparts, it’s still immensely rewarding to push the Dallara chassis to its limits across all of the game’s 21 circuits and their four shortened variants. This provides a distinct driving challenge and expands the gameplay variety significantly.
Beyond being a standalone mode, Formula 2 forms a crucial part of this year’s revamped career mode, which, for the very first time, incorporates a new story element. As discussed in our initial impressions of F1 2019, players who choose to participate in the F2 prologue will find themselves entwined with two new fictional driver characters, Lukas Weber and Devon Butler. These rivals will graduate to the premier category alongside the player, their own career narratives running in parallel, adding a layer of personal rivalry and storytelling previously unseen in the series.
While some players might initially question how this narrative element impacts the “realism” of their career, it undeniably offers an intriguing new twist to a mode that is otherwise functionally familiar. Players still retain the freedom to select their initial team, diligently work to develop their car through points earned in practice programs, and strategically sign contracts to enhance their standing within a team or even make a high-profile move to a rival outfit.
However, this season, you won’t be the only one making headlines in the driver market. In arguably the most significant single change to career mode in the history of Codemasters’ F1 series, AI drivers now possess the freedom to transfer between different teams. This is far from a minor adjustment; it opens up a world of dynamic, reality-bending opportunities and introduces a much-needed element of variety and intrigue to the career mode experience. Imagine the possibilities: will Max Verstappen remain steadfastly loyal to Red Bull throughout your career, or could he make a seismic, blockbuster move to Ferrari or even Mercedes at the end of a season? Could the promising Lando Norris and his teammate Nico Hulkenberg orchestrate McLaren’s return to the pinnacle of the sport? Theoretically, with the new driver market, anything is possible.
While the core teams and circuits will naturally remain consistent from season to season, the active driver market is a small yet incredibly powerful change. It effectively breaks up the potential monotony that could seep into the previously static 10-year-long career mode. Coupled with dynamic team performance shifts, the shake-ups brought by regulation changes, and the potential for even more F2 drivers being promoted into the top tier, players can expect to witness some truly mixed-up grids and unpredictable narratives throughout their F1 2019 career. This new level of unpredictability ensures that each playthrough feels distinct and fresh, keeping players invested for the long haul.
Taking on the World: Enhanced Multiplayer and Esports Integration
With Liberty Media’s significant emphasis on Esports since acquiring ownership of Formula 1, it comes as no surprise that the multiplayer component of the official F1 game series has experienced substantial growth with each new entry. F1 2019 proudly presents the richest and most comprehensive multiplayer offering the series has ever seen, catering to both casual racers and aspiring Esports champions.
At the heart of this season’s multiplayer experience is a brand new, entirely original standard car designed exclusively for online competitive play. Instead of attempting to equalize the performance of existing F1 team cars, this unique model, crafted to comply with the real 2019 regulations, ensures a level playing field. All users will drive this identical car during meaningful online competitions, shifting the focus entirely to driver skill and strategy rather than car performance differences.
The true genius of a dedicated multiplayer car lies in the extensive customization it offers. Players can now personalize the look of their online challenger in unprecedented detail, from the livery design and color scheme down to their avatar’s racing suit, gloves, and helmet design. While players are restricted to preset livery designs and sponsor placements, they enjoy full freedom to customize the colors of their car to their heart’s content. Coupled with a diverse selection of racing suits, gloves, and an expanded range of helmet designs, there’s ample variety to make your personal multiplayer car truly reflective of your unique identity and style.
These cosmetic designs are unlocked using Competition Points, which are earned exclusively through success in online modes. Additionally, a handful of ‘premium’ designs are available for those willing to invest a little extra cash. While the standard multiplayer car is mandatory for the game’s main competitive online modes, including the new events, players still have the option to use existing F1 team cars for public unranked races and private league sessions, providing flexibility for different types of online engagement.
The “Events” system has been completely overhauled for F1 2019 and is poised to deliver all the excitement and tension of competitive league racing without demanding the full-time commitment. Each week, a new circuit is selected for the upcoming weekend’s featured event. From Monday to Friday, players can participate in practice sessions, earning valuable Competition Points for customization items by successfully completing practice programs. Crucially, each practice session offers only one attempt, and flashbacks are disabled, adding a layer of intensity and realism.
Following practice, players can attempt to set a competitive qualifying time, which is then used for matchmaking in the weekend’s race. Finally, during the weekend, players can take part in one of the regularly scheduled but limited event races. Performance in these races earns points based on finishing position, driving discipline, and overall completion. This accumulated performance then determines a player’s global leaderboard position, with Competition Points and trophies awarded based on a tiered system, akin to the online rally events in Codemasters’ DIRT series.
This system is simple yet remarkably effective in revitalizing online racing. It provides a meaningful weekly race to anticipate and, crucially, one that can be seamlessly integrated into busy schedules. This is perfect for players who enjoy competitive online racing but might not have the opportunity or time to commit to a lengthy, structured league schedule, offering a flexible and rewarding alternative.
For those who prefer a more dedicated league experience, the functions for private leagues have also been expanded this year. League organizers now have the ability to schedule races to specific dates that will appear on the in-game calendar. Furthermore, they can customize a unique icon and medal for their league, which champions can then proudly display on their online Super Licence, adding an extra layer of prestige and community engagement.
Worthy of Senna and Prost? Classic Content and Minor Enhancements
Regrettably, not all of F1 2019’s new modes manage to hit their intended mark. The ‘Senna and Prost’ mode, positioned as the main selling point of the game’s more expensive ‘Legends Edition’, will likely prove to be a significant disappointment for many fans of Formula 1 history. This iconic rivalry, arguably the most legendary in the sport’s past, is not presented through engaging scenario challenges that vividly recreate their most dramatic clashes, nor through compelling historical context or video introductions.
Instead, the Senna and Prost mode regrettably boils down to a mere handful of time attack, overtake, and pursuit challenges, repurposed from the invitational events found in the career mode. Players utilize Senna’s McLaren MP4/5B and Prost’s Ferrari F1-90 on 2019-spec circuits against AI opponents. That, disappointingly, is the extent of it. There are no videos or introductions to add crucial context, failing to explain which specific moment in their epic rivalry these challenges are supposed to represent. Players simply choose one of the two legends to drive as and complete a brief challenge event. There are six challenges in total, but you only need to successfully finish three of them to unlock the two legendary cars for use across the rest of the game’s modes. This particular mode stands out as the only area where F1 2019 clearly fails to live up to its immense potential, leaving a strong sense of missed opportunity.
Aside from this one notable let-down, the classic content from previous games happily returns in full, with all models included in last year’s game present in F1 2019. Two new additions grace the roster, appropriately enough: the McLaren MP4-25 and the Ferrari F10, both from the 2010 season. This year holds special significance, as 2010 marked the debut of Codemasters’ official F1 series on HD consoles and PC, making these cars a fitting tribute to the franchise’s own evolution.
Beyond the primary game modes, F1 2019 introduces several welcome minor improvements. After a decade of being unable to save in-game replays from offline or online races, players can now export a highlights clip of any race to their hard drive. While these short, automated highlights are restricted to TV cameras and you can only save up to five at a time, they effectively capture the major moments of your races, allowing you to re-watch them and immortalize them using the integrated photo mode. This has been a long-requested feature and its inclusion significantly enhances the post-race experience.
Another delightful small touch is the addition of the showroom. Clearly drawing inspiration from the encyclopedic Gran Turismo series, the showroom allows players to meticulously view and learn more about every single car featured in the game. This includes all the 2019 F1 cars, all ten Formula 2 teams available at launch, and the full complement of 22 classic cars. Not only does it provide an opportunity to admire the gorgeously detailed models Codemasters has produced for all these machines and capture stunning screenshots, but it also offers specs and historical context for each car and team. This feature is invaluable for casual fans and even complete newcomers to the sport, granting them the ability to delve deeper into the rich history and engineering marvels that make each classic car so special.
Post-Race Debrief: Final Verdict and Future Outlook
Despite boasting more content and game modes than literally any other official Formula 1 game ever produced, it remains a nuanced challenge to provide a blanket recommendation for F1 2019, particularly for long-time players of the series. However, one undeniable truth emerges: this is comfortably the finest F1 game Codemasters has crafted to date, and arguably the most compelling virtual representation the sport has ever enjoyed. If you’ve never had the pleasure of getting behind the wheel of a virtual F1 car, are a relatively new fan of the sport, or simply appreciate well-executed sports or racing games in general, it has never been easier to wholeheartedly recommend a purchase than with F1 2019.
At its core, the actual racing gameplay hasn’t undergone a revolutionary transformation over the last three entries in the series. But to hold this against F1 2019 would be to overlook just how exceptionally good the racing mechanics of this game truly are, especially when compared to the formative years of the franchise. Not only does the game present stunning visuals and offer handling that is both accessible and challenging, but the damage system on ‘simulation’ settings remains perhaps the most punishing and realistic we’ve encountered in an F1 game. Racing against AI opponents over longer distances is a genuine test of concentration and skill, delivering the palpable sensation of being in a real race, not merely a time trial against predictable robots. Furthermore, the career mode is deeper and more engaging than ever, featuring a complex and rewarding R&D system that empowers dedicated and talented players to guide any of the sport’s ten teams to championship glory.
Yet, despite all these commendable advancements, there are still minor details that might nag at experienced players, subtly detracting from that elusive ‘new game’ feel. The practice programs in career mode, for instance, remain identical to last year’s iteration. While functional, undertaking them repeatedly to maximize development points can feel somewhat repetitive over time. Similarly, as perfectly practical and informative as Jeff the engineer is in delivering crucial race information, it might have been a refreshing change to hear a fresh voice over the radio, or perhaps even have Jeff integrated into the narrative to give him more distinct characterization.
And as polished and detailed as the pre and post-race presentations are, and as exquisitely rendered as the circuits appear, one can’t help but feel a touch of disappointment witnessing the same sequences and animations played out repeatedly, having seen them hundreds of times across the last three games. David Croft’s iconic line about a circuit “eating rear tyres for breakfast,” remarkably, still persists in the game even after all these years, a testament to both its enduring presence and, perhaps, the lack of newer dialogue.
While we encountered no obvious glitches or significant errors during our extensive time with the game, the inherent complexity of F1 2019’s underlying systems means that Codemasters will likely continue refining the gameplay experience over the coming months through post-launch patches. Therefore, it’s prudent not to expect the launch day game to be perfectly reflective of the final, polished experience a few months down the line.
It’s hard not to ponder whether we are approaching the practical limits of what can be reasonably achieved on current console hardware. With Sony and Microsoft having already initiated the countdown to the next generation of gaming consoles, one might speculate that the future of F1 games could lie in harnessing the massive potential of virtual reality and cutting-edge cloud technologies, promising even greater immersion and fidelity.
Regardless of what the future holds for the series, the undeniable bottom line is that F1 2019 stands as an incredibly fun and content-rich Formula 1 game. It meticulously improves upon virtually every key aspect of both offline and online gameplay, setting a new benchmark for the franchise. A decade into their officially licensed F1 series, Codemasters has delivered their strongest F1 game yet. And truly, what more could we, as passionate fans and players, possibly ask of them?
F1 2019 by Codemasters: Purchase Information
Buy F1 2019 – Legends Edition
Buy F1 2019 – Anniversary Edition
Author: Codemasters
Publisher: Koch Media
Published: 2019
Price: £64.99 (Legends Edition, PS4 and Xbox One), £54.99 (Legends Edition, PC), £45.99 (Anniversary Edition, PS4 and Xbox One), £39.99 (Anniversary Edition, PC)
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