Expanded driver roster, off-track AI enhancements, showcased for F1 Manager 2024

• F1 Manager 2024 driver affiliate programme opens up available drivers
• AI-powered rivals will poach drivers, sign affiliates
• Mechanical failure system previewed

With F1 Manager 2024 nearing its release, developers on the game have answered questions about its driver market and rival team processes – both of which are purportedly enhanced this time around.

Difficulty options, much like being able to switch teams with the same game save, were added to F1 Manager 2023 post-release. Naturally, they carry across to this year’s release too with some refinements, allowing you to tweak guidance levels and then the level of challenge for car development and the races.

“The AI, in terms of team management, there has been a lot of work done on it,” said Carlos Lopes, Senior Data Designer on the title during a recent Frontier Unlocked stream.

“Decisions like which driver to hire, which teams invest in facilities and so on are controlled by the difficulty levels as well. [For example] the easier the level the player chooses, then  the more leeway they will have to surpass other teams who perhaps don’t invest as much.”

Computer-controlled rivals will try to poach your drivers during the season, but a counteroffer from yourself will be possible. The new mentality system is said to factor in here. Higher ratings will mean your drivers, in theory, will be less likely to accept offers from elsewhere.

Once again, the difficulty levels should affect the aggressiveness of offers, and the AI will enact poaching among other teams, not just yours.

Increased driver roster

The prior F1 Manager titles had Formula 2 and Formula 3 drivers in their roster, alongside Formula 1 reserves. This year, this is expanded even further.

In an example of the new affiliate system – each team has 10 slots, and while it costs money, you can keep an eye on young talent and watch them develop – Abbi Pulling (racing in F1 Academy and F4 British Championship this season) and Kean Nakamura-Berta (competing in Euro 4 and Italian Formula 4 for Prema in 2024) were both on the list.

Affiliate drivers, either by you or the AI, can be used in F1 free practice to accelerate their progress.

Mechanical failures

This is a much-requested feature, that has been revealed recently. Unlike in its predecessors, mechanical failures are possible, leading to retirements. This will apply to the engine, ERS or gearbox, with component wear, temperature and kerb usage are the main factors. There’s an in-race ‘risk’ factor to monitor.

A variety of additional tweaks are said to be in F1 Manager 2024, such as on-track behaviour now including being squeezed off the circuit, enhanced trackside detail, being able to simulate race sessions and a pitlane grid order based on the proceeding season’s team.

The lynchpin this time is a fresh Create A Team mode, allowing players to create a fictional 11th squad, with customised livery designs.

F1 Manager 2024 releases 23rd July 2024 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.