EA SPORTS F1 24’s next update changes gamepad handling, resets leaderboards

EA SPORTS F1 24 will receive yet more handling tweaks when its next update launches.

Specifically, work has been undertaken, according to Electronic Arts, for drivers to be more consistent when using a gamepad.

As a result of the recent changes to handling, kerb behaviour and now controller tweaks, online leaderboards will be reset too.

Elsewhere, the Aston Martin safety car will be updated to the latest 2024-spec model – in the real world, the British sportscar manufacturer facelifted the model, which in turn has been used to control the field during Formula 1 races this season.

Other models being updated include team principals Laurent Mekies, Ayao Komatsu and Bruno Famin – these are used during cut scenes and moments in the career modes.

Elsewhere, the slipstream effect and drag reduction system behaviour will be modified to prevent your AI rivals from driving in a ‘train’, being overtaken in Challenge Career removes points from your score and, you’ve all been asking for it, Puma and Alpha Industries clothing will be added.

The update is set to be rounded out by a spate of crash prevention changes and stability enhancements.

The update will arrive for PC, PlayStation and Xbox on 22nd July 2024.

Season 2 events

The patch will also ready the game for a second season of ever-evolving events, starting on 24th July.

The next Challenge Career is set to be focused around Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas – which, if this year is anything to go by, will need a Herculean effort…

There will also be a race replay scenario based on Zhou Guanyu’s Chinese Grand Prix debut and a Pro Challenge where you attempt to beat his time to unlock the crash helmet design used at that race.

Finally, a series of Red Bull Racing events will replace some of Max Verstappen’s race victories.

EA SPORTS F1 24 version 1.7 changelog

HIGHLIGHTS

• Updated gamepad settings to make handling more consistent and predictable
• Adjustments have been to Slipstream and DRS values to help overtaking and reduce AI trains
• All F1 leaderboards have been reset after recent handling changes have made it difficult to be competitive with older times
• Fixed an issue where the game could crash when loading a mid-session save when certain specialist goals were selected
• Fixed an issue which could sometimes cause the game to crash after quickly backing out of the Quick Practice menu

GRAPHICS/VISUALS

• Updated the Aston Martin Vantage Safety Car to the 2024 model
• Updated character models for Team Principals Laurent Mekies, Ayao Komatsu, and Bruno Famin
• Fixed an issue where texture quality could appear lower during a replay after exiting out of Photo Mode
• Fixed an issue with Ray Traced DDGI quality on race introductions

GAME STABILITY

• Fixed a very rare crash which could occur when changing from Windowed to Fullscreen and changing resolution
• Fixed an issue which could cause My Team Career to become stuck after renewing your Teammate’s contract

MULTIPLAYER

• Fixed an issue in Multiplayer lobbies where a Custom grid setting would reset to Realistic after every race

TRACKS

• Fixed a rare issue which could cause an AI to get stuck on-track at Japan when using Fast Forward in a Practice or Qualifying session
• The telemetry map for the Track Acclimatisation Practice Programme at Abu Dhabi now shows all corners in the correct location
• Tidied away some misplaced objects in the pit lane at China
• Corrected some sponsor boards at Singapore

AUDIO

• If the last race weekend of a custom season includes a Sprint Race, the commentators will no longer refer to the Sprint Race as the last race of the season
• When broadcasters discuss the Championship winner, points from future Sprint Races will now be taken into consideration
• Increased the variety of the commentators’ broadcast introductions to Race sessions

CAREER

• Challenge Career scores will correctly reset to zero when the next Challenge Career begins
• Being overtaken by another car in Challenge Career will now remove points from your score
• Fixed an issue in My Team Career where you could be informed you can’t afford the selected Engine and Driver, when in fact you can

MISCELLANEOUS

• When using ‘Find Me’ on Time Trial leaderboards, the scroll bar will now move to the expected location
• F2 cars in a wet race at Monza will now start on the correct tyres
• Added Puma and Alpha Industries casual wear items
• Various UI improvements in many areas of the game have been made
• General Stability Improvements
• Various Minor Fixes