F1 22 update adds Shanghai International Circuit & Ferrari freebies

EA and Codemasters have announced an F1 22 Ferrari update, which adds the Shanghai International Circuit and some Ferrari freebies. Here is what to expect.

F1 22 got off to a mixed start, with critics pointing out its rewarding handling, VR support, platform instability and straight-line speed issues. Now we are getting the first in a line of new DLC updates.

The Ferrari-focussed update, 1.10, coincides with the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio D’Italia 2022 and includes the following time-limited Giallo Modena items: A car livery, driver uniforms, pit crew uniforms, helmet and boots.

Available from the 12^th of September 2022, players will have a month to download the F1 22 Ferrari update for free. After that, expect to open your wallet and part with any money left over from those oh-so-fun energy bills.

Shanghai International Circuit

Another part of the same update is the addition of the Shanghai International Circuit, following on from Portimão added last month. Here Michael Schumacher has held the lap record since 2004, the year it opened, with a time of 1:32.238.

The Chinese circuit was actually the first F1 race to be cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19 sweeping the world. Subsequent races were also cancelled in 2021 and 2022, but it is scheduled to be back on the calendar in 2023 until at least 2025.

F1 2022 vs F1 2021: What is new?

A Bright Start to F1

Codemasters and EA also took the time to announce a special challenge aimed at celebrating the annual Moon Festival. The event, called ‘A Bright Start to F1’, rewards players able to complete it with a customisable Kohaku Koi car livery.

What do you have to do? Steer Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu to his best-ever finishing position, by overtaking his childhood hero Fernando Alonso and teammate Valtterri Bottas in the remaining six laps.

Finish seventh of above in the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix and the car livery is yours. Providing you complete the challenge between the 12^th and 25^th of September 2022.

Speaking in the official press release, Codemasters senior franchise director said: “We are thrilled to accompany Ferrari during this special moment and bring this iconic new image they developed to F1 22.”

“Our studio prides itself on creating authentic racing experiences, and these touches reinforce how closely the game is embedded into the world of Formula 1,” he added.

I have approached the F1 22 developer and publisher to see how much the F1 Giallo Modena Italian GP livery will cost after the free month is over. The article will be updated accordingly.

Source: F1 1.10 update patch notes