After being discussed in recent financial performance results, Frontier’s F1 Manager 2022 is officially being released in the summer of this year.
It’s worth stressing that rather than this being a driving game such as F1 2021, you take the role of Team Principal, overseeing the team and drivers without taking full control of a vehicle on track.
Once that’s clear, you will be able to manage any one of the 10 current Formula 1 teams on the real-world grid and utilise licenced circuits.
This will span across multiple seasons and involves the hiring of drivers and engineers – or poaching them from rivals – plus the ability to build your team’s headquarters.
The main game mode is ‘Career’, where you’ll be in control of long-term and short-term strategies, balancing rivalries, sponsor relations and juggling regulation changes.
During races, tyre choices, driver callouts and pit strategy are all at your behest, with weather changes and safety cars also a factor. This is all said to be “presented in true-to-life broadcast quality”, although no footage of in-game action has yet been released.
The title will include F1, F2 and F3 drivers for you to scout, and interestingly, you can start from the bottom and make it to the top with a team like Haas, or take control of a leading team such as Mercedes-AMG Petronas or Red Bull Racing.
The creators also promise a fastidious level of detail, with a heavy emphasis on individual part development, affecting on-track performance.
Developer Frontier has an established reputation in the sim-management game genre, creating Planet Coaster and Elite Dangerous amongst others. Systems such as money management, team morale and upgrading facilities are all natural carry-overs to the world of F1.
“F1 Manager 2022 will deliver an experience for both new and long-term fans that is as authentic as it is exciting. Our commitment to the ever-changing world of Formula 1 will build a strong foundation for a long and special series that will evolve over time,” said Game Director, Andy Fletcher.
F1 Manager 2022 will be released for PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S later this year, with further details and gameplay footage expected closer to launch.
