F1 Manager 2023 Review – Racing to Perfection, Step by Step

The F1 Manager series from developer Frontier Developments returns with F1 Manager 2023, the second installment seeking to build on the strong foundations of the inaugural release. As a long-time fan of motorsports management games, I’ve eagerly anticipated this latest Formula 1 simulation experience. F1 Manager 2022 showed the potential for an immersive, authentic recreation of life in the Formula 1 paddock, and F1 Manager 2023 aims to take things to the next level.

This year’s version introduces a variety of new features and improvements, most notably the Race Replay mode which allows you to recreate and rewrite famous moments from recent F1 history. There’s also deeper tyre and race strategy simulation, a new visor cam perspective, and the addition of the Las Vegas circuit. On top of refined graphics and presentation, these changes suggest Frontier is committed to incrementally evolving the F1 Manager franchise year-on-year.

But does F1 Manager 2023 succeed as an engaging management sim worthy of the prestigious Formula 1 license? In my time with the game so far, I’ve been impressed by the new scenarios but at times frustrated by lingering AI issues. The expanded career mode offers rewarding depth paired with accessible race weekends. Ultimately, F1 Manager 2023 takes Steps forward, though still has room to improve on its way to greatness.

Gameplay Modes

One of the most touted new features in F1 Manager 2023 is the addition of Race Replay mode. This allows players to relive classic moments from recent Formula 1 history by recreating famous scenarios or full race weekends with the teams and drivers from that season. For example, you could take control of Mercedes from the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and try to rewrite the controversial ending by defending Lewis Hamilton’s lead over Max Verstappen.

The scenarios in Race Replay mode range from exciting late battles for victory to rescued points finishes from the jaws of defeat. I found it thrilling to jump into intense situations at classic tracks like Silverstone and Monaco, where split-second strategy decisions can make or break your chances. The ability to take control of any team also allows you to approach these challenges from different perspectives. Will Red Bull be able to drive through the field from the back of the grid at your favorite track? You have the freedom to find out.

Beyond set-piece scenarios, the full race replay option is a great way to experience complete Grands Prix from recent seasons. The authentic starting grids, weather conditions, and evolving race situations make for an enjoyable simulation of iconic moments in F1. I had fun trying to replicate Lewis Hamilton’s masterful wet weather drive at the 2021 Russian Grand Prix. Race Replay is also a great way for newcomers to experience F1 Manager’s strategic racing without the involved career mode. The quick, exciting vignettes act as tutorials for race strategy.

That deep career mode also returns, allowing you to take control of any real F1 team and guide them through multiple seasons. You’re in charge of all aspects of running the team, from car development and facility upgrades to contract negotiations and race day operations. I opted to lead the struggling Haas team from the back of the grid up the constructor’s championship, requiring strategic investments and precise driving instructions to maximize points.

Moving up and down the grid is a constant battle as you try to out-develop rival teams and make the most of your car’s performance at each track. Off weekends will test your resolve and commitment to a long-term plan. Meanwhile, surprise victories and championship charges bring intense highs. Your decisions matter as you balance immediate success versus seasons-long goals.

The day-to-day team management between race weekends is also engaging. You’ll constantly juggle new parts development, scouting new drivers, and facility improvements within the strict cost cap limitations. Emails from your engineers and board keep you informed on progress and expectations. I enjoyed this behind-the-scenes glimpse at the persistent work required to sustain an F1 team.

For those looking to jump right into race action, F1 Manager 2023 also includes sprint races and a range of options for simulating sessions. The shortened sprint event format tested my ability to get the most out of a single practice and qualifying before a 100km dash. Quick sim options also allow you to focus only on the key sessions you prefer to manage in detail. Veterans may automate full weekends while novices take time to learn through each session.

In the end, F1 Manager 2023 provides varied gameplay for both long-term team management enthusiasts and quick race scenario fans. While juggling team priorities across multiple seasons offers engrossing depth, the Race Replay mode is perfect for fast-paced F1 action. I would have liked to see online multiplayer make its debut, but the variety of single-player modes maintains excitement season after season.

Master Team Strategy Across Full Race Weekends

At the heart of F1 Manager 2023 is the deeply strategic core gameplay loop that spans every race weekend. Your first task as team principal is managing the car development process between Grand Prix events. Here you decide which components to improve, assigning engineers and budgets to design upgraded wings, chassis, gearboxes and more. Every part impacts factors like fuel economy, power, grip, and reliability. You’ll constantly weigh short-term gains versus long-term development, especially within the strict cost cap limitations.

Next you must manage your driver training regimes and pit crew practices. Driver training focuses on areas like tire management, wet racing lines, and defensive maneuvers. Meanwhile, your pit crew can rehearse tire changes and pit releases. Specializing in key areas reduces mistakes, but risks fatigue and injury – forcing you to take a balanced approach. These decisions set your team’s form leading into each race weekend.

Once at a Grand Prix, your strategy skills are put to the test across practice, qualifying, and race sessions. In practice, you balance car setup experiments with tire conservation and learning the circuit. Qualifying is about maximizing single lap pace with an ideal slipstream and tire preparation. Here, your decisions on when to queue and what compound to start the race on factor into race strategy.

In the race itself, you juggle real-time instructions, tire life, fuel loads, ERS deployment and more. Calling for faster pace risks wear and crashes. You decide when to pit and switch compounds while monitoring gaps and rivals. Safety cars prompt gutsy calls to pit or stay out. All while balancing driver confidence and avoiding race-losing mistakes.

These decisions often require split-second judgment calls. Do you undercut a rival by pitting early? How long can you extend a tire stint? Should you defend aggressively and risk a collision or concede the position? Finding the right balance of risk versus reward is key. You learn to recognize situations – like warm tires or high driver confidence – where you can strategically push the limits.

Through practice runs and real race scenarios, you gain experience making judgment calls in dynamic race conditions. Qualifying mishaps force you to climb the field from the back on race day. First lap incidents test your ability to recover points. After multiple seasons, you develop instincts for strategic racing tuned to your drivers’ strengths.

While you can automate sessions and simulate full weekends, making active choices during sessions provides the full thrill of an authentic Formula 1 team principal experience. The evolving decisions across every practice lap, qualifying run, and heart-pounding race present a premier strategic racing challenge. Your choices write the story of every F1 Manager 2023 weekend.

Slick Presentation with Room for Polish

F1 Manager 2023 delivers a slick broadcast-style presentation that immerses you in the team principal perspective. The graphics capture details from the paddock to the track itself. Car models showcase sponsor logos and wear from scrappy wheel-to-wheel battles. Sun glinting off visors in the pre-race driver parade adds atmosphere. You feel a part of the F1 world from the gauges of your team’s garage to aerial views of legendary circuits.

The race graphics also impress, with minor touches like debris and skid marks accumulating throughout Grands Prix. However, some odd crashes and wonky barrier collision physics detract from the realism. The uncanny driver models also clash with the realistic vibe, though their expressive radio dialogue makes up for stiff animations.

Fortunately, the UI clearly presents the information you need. Tire compound, fuel and ERS levels, lap times – every strategic detail is tracked. I especially found the expandable data tabs useful for analyzing gaps and monitoring sector times. The broad track map also quickly communicates race situations, although it can obscure other on-screen data. Overall, you have the key data to make informed strategic choices lap after lap.

While less important than strategic information, I appreciate the ability to customize helmets, overalls and liveries for that personal team identity. Seeing your car design racing on track reminds you that this is your team vision being realized. The graphics pop nicely in replays and victory scenes. Some odd visual quirks aside, F1 Manager 2023’s presentation captures the vibe of leading a high-tech F1 operation.

There is still room for deeper polish and atmosphere in areas like the podium ceremonies and pit stops. However, Frontier nails the smooth broadcast visuals and critical data presentation that makes you feel embedded in the heart of a team’s operational hive. The solid graphics and UI provide the platform for engaging management, even if the wow-factor is not fully there yet. Overall, F1 Manager 2023 takes strides toward a visually slick F1 world.

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AI Quirks and Room for Feature Growth

While F1 Manager 2023 excels in many areas, some AI quirks and feature limitations still stand out. In qualifying, drivers seem to struggle prepping tires for hot laps and choose bizarre times to start flying runs. Their racing lines also perplex at times, leading to collisions when entering or exiting the pits. The AI clearly still has room for improvement when racing in close quarters.

Overlapping animations also detract from the immersion at times. In pit stops, tire changer movements do not quite align smoothly. Crashes as well appear disjointed, with cars clipping through barriers in odd ways. These visual glitches disrupt the broadcast-quality presentation at key moments.

I also wish there was more depth to driver relationships and rivalries. Your drivers feel disconnected from each other as you can’t create team orders based on who has better race pace that day. Deeper team dynamics would make your job as principal feel more realistic and nuanced. Other minor gripes like cluttered car part inventories still persist too.

While none of these issues ruin the core experience, they do hold F1 Manager 2023 back from being an utterly smooth end-to-end management recreation. The AI and presentation polish is not 100% there, while team dynamics and other areas have room for welcomed growth in future installments. However, Frontier has laid a strong foundation that I hope to see refined over time.

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Building on Solid Foundations

F1 Manager 2023 does not reinvent the wheel, but rather refines and expands the already stellar management experience. The marquee addition is clearly the Race Replay scenario mode, which provides exciting one-off challenges. The simulations of Las Vegas and upgraded tyre physics also stand out as impactful improvements.

The expanded tyre strategy factors in carcass and surface temps for more realism. You really feel the loss of grip with cold tires, adding strategy around preparation and warmup. The cost cap limitation also increases the challenge of balancing short and long-term development. Part reliability and wear now force you to be judicious in pushing components to the limit.

Other welcome enhancements include the new visor cam that puts you right in the helmet during wheel-to-wheel battles. Revamped practice programs, fuel options, and quali rules also better recreate real F1 weekends. All around, the race simulations feel more nuanced and authentic.

While not revolutionary, the array of thoughtful improvements combine to create a markedly smoother, richer experience. F1 Manager 2023 retains the deep team management simulation that made its predecessor so engrossing while also enhancing realism across the board. The changes are targeted and impactful – clearly the work of Frontier listening to community feedback.

The foundations laid last year still shine through as F1 Manager rises toward its full potential. I applaud Frontier’s iterative design approach that builds nicely upon a solid base. F1 Manager 2023 shows this franchise trending upward with each installment, and I eagerly await what the future holds.

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Multiplayer Pit Stops Still to Come

The most glaring omission in F1 Manager 2023 is the lack of any multiplayer functionality. While understandable given the complexities of an asynchronous management simulator, multiplayer would elevate the experience to new heights.fortunately, other sports management franchises have already paved the way for innovative approaches to multiplayer that Frontier can draw from.

Games like Football Manager have implemented cooperative and competitive leagues, allowing friends to race one another asynchronously across multi-season careers. Trading players, challenging rivals, and tracking stats could all translate nicely to rival Formula 1 constructors. Co-op with a friend as driver and principal roles also offers enticing possibilities.

Real-time multiplayer would pose larger challenges, but could capture the frantic energy of actual race weekends. Qualifying scenarios where you and friends concurrently complete flying laps could lead right into races allowing live pit strategy and car instructions. Opposing principals battling in real-time to undercut each other or time safety car periods optimally sounds tremendously exciting.

The flexibility of speeding up or slowing races could aid feasible real-time multiplayer. Allowing players to pause and issue orders before resuming at matched rates could work. Background processing to enable smooth fast-forwarding with others would be ideal. There are undoubtedly complex solutions to examine.

While likely no small endeavor, building multiplayer functionality into future F1 Manager titles would fulfill a glaring omission. The ability to compete directly against friends would keep the intense rivalries flowing long after real seasons conclude. For now, I can only dream of the satisfaction of out-strategizing my mate to capture a dramatic virtual Monaco Grand Prix victory. Someday, multiplayer.

An Authentic Step Forward

At the end of the day, F1 Manager 2023 delivers a thoroughly authentic and rewarding Formula 1 management experience. The new features add welcome variety and depth, while refining the already stellar simulation. Some AI quirks and missing features like multiplayer show room for improvement as the series continues evolving.

However, F1 Manager 2023 undeniably succeeds in making you feel embedded in the pressure-packed world of a team principal. I continue to be impressed by Frontier’s iterative approach to building a premier motorsports management franchise. Overall, I wholly recommend F1 Manager 2023 to any aspiring strategists or F1 fanatics hungry for more. The future looks bright.

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