Codemasters’ racing sim franchise returns F1 24, based on the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship. Launching on May 31st for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC, the developer could have rested on its laurels following last year’s success. However, F1 24 introduces new modes, revamps its handling and tyre models, and more to deliver a compelling experience. Here are 15 things you should know before jumping in.
Driver Career Mode
Instead of another iteration of Braking Point, F1 24 introduces Driver Career Mode. This allows for playing as one of 20 real drivers from the 2024 Formula One Season, as you meet race weekend and seasonal goals, fulfill contracts and boost your reputation. Those who want a bit more historical flavor can play as legends like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher (or even have them as your teammates). You can even create a custom character and compete directly with the best in F1 or work your way up from F2. Whatever the choice, co-op once again returns, allowing two players to experience Career Mode together.
Career Mode Changes
Of course, Career Mode offers several other improvements, changes and new features like secret contract meetings (though it means big trouble if your team finds out). Building a reputation also affects Research and Development, with fewer chances for part design to fail and options for secret upgrades. Then you have Driver Accolades, which can apply to all types of racers and revolve around wins, podium placements, how many points you finished with and much more. However, they also mirror the achievements of real-world drivers. For instance, Max Verstappen’s accolades revolve around continuing his championship reign while Lewis Hamilton seeks his eighth title.
Track Updates
F1 24 offers 24 circuits from the official calendar year, with several revamped to ensure more accuracy. Silverstone has received significant updates to ensure players feel “every bump, kerb, and elevation change” (including changes to the undulation in Wellington Straight’s first section). Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps has seen some reprofiling done to Eau Rouge & Raidillon, Turn 11, and the Bus Stop, alongside updates to its run-off area.
Some off-track fairings will also now reflect the real-life version. Other circuit changes include revamped paddock buildings, curbs and safety barriers for Lusail International Circuit, while Jeddah Corniche Circuit features up-to-date infrastructure and trackside artwork to match the real world.
Driver Updates
Career Mode’s 20 drivers also benefit from improvements to eye and skin shaders and full hair rendering. They’re now a closer match to their real-life versions, but the differences from F1 23 are like night and day, further adding to the immersion and realism.
Challenge Career
Outside of Driver Career, there’s Challenge Career, which offers “shorter, bite-sized scenarios” for players to compete. Choose a driver and team, participate in events, earn points and battle for a position on the leaderboard. Once a season closes, whoever has the most points at the end of the season will win. The best part is that player voting and the real world will impact the drivers and circuits available, ensuring new scenarios throughout the year.
Broadcast Presentation Improvements
The presentation aspect of F1 is always important, and to that end, F1 24 includes audio samples from real drivers during past broadcasts which react to events on the track. There’s also a new broadcast package and cutscenes alongside more realistic-looking light and shadows on tracks thanks to Dynamic Diffuse Global Illumination. Camera angles during broadcasts, replays and showrooms feature ray-traced lighting, like last year’s title.
F1 World
F1 World returns for another season, once again challenging players to compete in a time-limited league against rivals while improving their car over time. Players can expect to complete events to obtain new personnel and parts while leveling up the Podium pass. Considering how addictive last year’s iteration was, all the changes and improvements that F1 24 brings should be interesting, including the new Fan Zones.
Fan Zones
With Fan Zones, players select their favorite teams and drivers for the season. After that, they’ll compete in different challenges (including predicting race results from the real-world season) and earn Fan Points for rewards, including player badges. Even the less popular teams have a shot due to the “balanced point systems.”
Dynamic Handling
The new EA Sports-branded Dynamic Handling provides more flexibility over your car setup, as new suspension kinematics offer a “much more realistic feeling of weight distribution and center of gravity,” per Codemasters. Revised spring and damper forces, which influence how one’s car reacts to different loads while navigating corners, are also in play, and choosing the best compromise for your suspension based on the track is more vital than ever.
Improved Tyre Model
F1 24 also improves on tyre behavior courtesy of a new temperature mode that factors in track conditions, tyre pressures, and your driving. One example is a track that begins drying up after rain, as you take advantage of remaining wet sections to cool things off (with the transition between wet and dry conditions being more realistic). Once again, however, getting too aggressive will cause tyres to deteriorate quicker, so knowing your limits is key.
Aerodynamic Modeling
Aerodynamics also play a role in the handling, with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) more accurately depicting the factors responsible for downforce. Slipstream can once be felt in straights when racing behind someone, but there’s also “dirty air” which realistically reduces your grip in corners. Furthermore, the changes to aerodynamic modeling affect the Drag Reduction System, providing more benefits when open on a car with a higher rear wing angle (even if it means lower top speeds on straights when closed).
Ray Tracing and PC VR Support
Ray Tracing is available for F1 24 on all current-gen platforms – Xbox Series X/S, PC and PS5. However, it’s still seemingly restricted to features like replays, pre-race cutscenes, and whatnot, like in F1 23. VR headsets are also supported this year for PC, though it sadly seems that PlayStation VR2 owners will be missing out.
Cross-play
After F1 22 launched without cross-platform multiplayer (receiving it several months later in an update), F1 23 would launch with the same and expand on the available options, including Ranked and Time Trial leaderboards into the mix. Thankfully, F1 24 is also confirmed to have cross-platform multiplayer at launch, alongside support for My Team Career Mode and the new Racenet Leagues.
Early Access
As is usually the case with games nowadays, F1 24 players can play the title early for a price. Pre-purchasing the Champions Edition for $89.99 grants three days of early access, alongside 18,000 PitCoin for spending in-game, the VIP Podium Pass, an F1 World Bumper Pack and even 2024 seasonal liveries, which can be used in F1 23’s Time Trial (though the offer is only valid until May 31st). Early access players can also unlock rewards in Special Events.
PC Requirements
Those who played F1 23 last year will probably notice how remarkably similar the PC requirements are for F1 24, which isn’t a bad thing. Minimum requirements include an Intel Core i3-2130 or AMD FX 4300, 8 GB of RAM and either an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB) or an AMD RX 480 (8 GB). Ray tracing requires an RTX 2060, RX 6700XT or Intel Arc A380 are necessary. Those playing in VR will need a Core i5-9600k or Ryzen 5 2600X and a GTX 1660Ti, RX 590 or Intel Arc A380 with the same RAM.
Recommended requirements include a Core i5-9600k or Ryzen 5 2600X with 16 GB RAM and an RTX 2070 or AMD RX 6600 XT. Ray tracing requires the same CPU and RAM but with an RTX 3070, RX 6800 or Arc A580. Finally, VR requires an RTX 2070, RX 6700 XT or an Arc A580 alongside the same CPU and RAM. All configurations will need 100 GB of free space, DirectX 12 support and Windows 64-bit (Version 21H1 or higher).