F1 2022 vs F1 2021: What is new?

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In this F1 2022 vs F1 2021 explainer, I give you the lowdown on what to expect from this year’s official game including official VR support, the release date and that controversial fake marina circuit.

F1 2022 is here. Yet another annual update for the official series. Except this time, based on the preview event I was invited to play by EA, this is a more substantial update than usual.

And it has to be. Upon seeing the season finale in the Codemasters presentation, it is clear many of us are still frustrated by that fateful rule change in Abu Dhabi. Something the governing body admitted was “human error” and cost Sir Lewis Hamilton the championship.

Anyway, now is not the time to cry over spilt milk. Nor should we dwell on F1 2022’s Miami after-race cringe-fest. Let’s see how F1 2022 compares with F1 2021. Subscribe and like for more racing game content.

When is the F1 2022 release date?

The F1 2022 release date seems like a good place to start. It is the 28^th of June 2022 for the Deluxe Edition and the 1^st of July for cheaper versions. It will be available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC via the Steam, Origin and Epic game stores.

What is new in F1 2022?

Seeing as the F1 2022 season features those new, bigger, heavier and sleeker F1 cars, so does the game. Good news for closer racing, bad news for overtakes on tighter procession-prone circuits such as Monaco and Miami.

Sprint races are also now a permanent fixture, having been trialled in the F1 2021 season. These take place at Imola, Austria and Brazil, mirroring real life, however in the game you can also choose to do them at every circuit.

And, of course, those who still follow F1 after the football helmet podium will know about the new tyre changes. The move is from 13-inch to 18-inch tyres, which are also meant to last longer and be less prone to overheating.

This means Codemasters has changed the handling substantially. It claims there have been, “significant aerodynamics and suspension simulator developments,” as well as, “extensive tyre model updates”.

In other words, you should be able to feel the change from over-body to underside aero as well as different levels of grip and general handling characteristics such as reduced pace at very low speeds. Based on the pre-launch preview version of F1 2022, the differences are noticeable.

Talking points

Tweaks have been made to the race commentary too. David Croft is back, but you can now swap to Alex Jacques if you prefer. Secondary commentator Anthony Davidson can also be swapped to Natalie Pinkham in certain races.

As for race engineer Jeff, voiced by Adam Rhys Dee since 2010, it is now the job of former McLaren race engineer Marc Priestly, with all lines recorded using a real Formula One headset for added authenticity.

F1 2022 goes further than F1 2021 with more realistic presentation, as well, helping immerse you in what wants to be as close to the real thing as possible.

This attention to detail extends to the Formation Lap and pit stops. The former now allows you to line up the car offensively or defensively at the start. Or you can watch an abridged broadcast version so you can enjoy the spectacle without partaking.

The latter now showcases pitstops with the bigger tyres and – for those who want that hardcore sim experience – there is a timed pit box entry mechanic that can penalise you for turning in at the wrong point and a part can get stuck while being changed.

There is even a new optional safety car broadcast to enhance that TV-esque look, while the practice programmes used for maximising pace now feature an augmented reality heatmap projected onto the track and revised on-screen elements to provide extra info.

Codemasters appears to be catering for newer players and accessibility. The new adaptive AI option helps ensure close racing no matter your driving ability, with the ‘normal’ version doing the job less aggressively than ‘full’.

What about My Team & Career?

Yet more changes in F1 2022 vs F1 2021 when it comes to the My Team & Career mode. Unlike before where you started off as a small fish in a big marina, you can now choose from three entry points: ‘Newcomer’, ‘midfield challenger’ and ‘title contender’.

Newcomer is more of the same, midfield challenger gives you better facilities and hiring chances and title contender gives you access to whatever you want. Except Michael Masi.

There are also more events that can happen along the way such as accepting an interview or not or fixing an issue with the wind tunnel, with each decision said to affect the outcome of the season in some way. Sooner or later.

As for those who love a bit of custom paint, My Team customisation includes new finishes such as matte and satin. It is also possible to copy and paste colour schemes so you can easily make your car livery match the race suit.

What about Miami and the fake marina?

I think given all the memes, the addition of Miami – sans Will Smith – and its fake marina is a big talking point. Probably more so after what was only an eventful race because of a late supercar. Thankfully, it is interesting in the game even without Spiderman webs.

Codemasters has upgraded circuits to reflect real life, too, such as the smoothing out of Australia and improvements to Spain and Abu Dhabi in terms of cornering speed and overall flow.

Based on the F1 2022 preview I am playing in this video, Miami, Imola, Austria, Silverstone and Texas are all exciting and fun to drive at. The new cars really do require gentle inputs and careful acceleration unless you like facing backwards.

F1 2022 has virtual reality support?

Yes, it was possible to play F1 2021 in virtual reality using third-party software. However for the first time in the F1 series, but not in a Codemasters game, we are getting native VR support on PC. Sadly, no mention of PSVR2.

What that means is those with a suitable VR headset such as the HP Reverb G2 seen here will be able to take F1 2022 to new levels of realism. Peering round the Halo device, checking mirrors, looking through corners – it really is epic.

Providing, of course, your PC can cope with a high frame-rate to avoid motion sickness and ensure a pleasant experience. Graphics settings typically take a dive to accommodate VR and I would expect F1 2022 to be the same.

I will make a separate video about how to get the best from F1 2022 VR. What I will say now is that those who race in VR will not be segmented away from non-VR players.

F1 Life: What is it?

Yet another F1 2022 new addition, F1 Life is similar to the Basement feature in Hot Wheels Unleashed. Here you can showcase your unlocked cars, items and trophies. Hopefully your cabinet will be less empty than Tottenham Hotspur’s. Or less tainted than Red Bull’s. Too soon?

This extends to character customisation – not to the same extent as Forza Horizon 5 and the chicken suits, but your casual wear can be chosen by you and is visible to anyone who visits your F1 Life area.

Wait, F1 2022 has supercars?

Yes, Formula One supercars is a thing. This new addition to F1 2022 lets you drive supercars in between the races as part of Pirelli Hot Lap Events. Four modes are available during the career: Autocross, Drift, Average Speed Zone and Rival Duel. Supercars can also be used in time trials.

You can even, get this, drive the two safety cars. No jokes about whether the Aston Martin is as fast as the Mercedes AMG Black Series. You will, however, need the Deluxe Edition.

What if I pre-order F1 2022?

You can pre-order F1 2022 for a number of extras, including the aforementioned three days earlier release date, a free upgrade to the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions, new My Teams icons, F1 Life starter pack, F1 22 New Era content pack and 18,000 pitcoins. Not Bitcoins, sadly.

This includes some Miami-themed light blue and pink styling. Codemasters must have seen my PC. The caveat is that this stuff is on a timer – you have to order by the 16^th of May 2022. Fear of loss sales psychology going on there.

On the subject of the PS5, you can also expect improved rumble support. Unfortunately I have still not got a PS5 – maybe it is time to pay above the RRP given that Gran Turismo 7 is a thing.

So do I like F1 2022? Yes, the handling and new content all seems like it will keep you hooked for longer than before despite not much change in the visual department. Unless, of course, you count that yummy VR stuff.

And that is it for this F1 2022 vs F1 2021 article / video. I hope you enjoyed it. I can try answer questions in the comments. A like, subscribe and a gentle nudge of the notification button would be a big help.