Formula 1 is back for another year, but while the pundits struggle in vain to analyze the pre-season test reports ahead of the Bahrain GP, let’s take a look at what Codemasters have come up with for this year’s inevitable F1 23. anus.
In 2021, amid the continuing darkness of a global pandemic, Codemasters introduced a full story mode called Braking Point for the first time in its long-running Formula 1 series. Weaving the original story through real sports, Braking Point told the story of a fictional rookie’s rise through a series of elite racing challenges.
F1 2023 review
This fresh-faced conductor was Aiden Jackson, a talented Brit with no experience on the big stage. Jackson initially feuded with veteran Dutch teammate Casper Akkerman, but (spoiler alert) they eventually patched up their rocky relationship and joined forces to overthrow their Machiavellian rival Devon Butler, Braking Point’s signal ball.
One particularly interesting aspect of Braking Point was that it did not include a custom team for Jackson and Akkerman. The drivers actually raced for one of five actual teams based on the player’s choice: Williams, Haas, Alfa Romeo, Alpha Tauri, and Racing Point. Butler chose another driver from one of the four remaining teams. The storytelling didn’t really push the boat, but overall it was a solid effort, and it was great that the actual teams were convinced to sideline one of their actual drivers for story purposes.
It was neat that real teams had been convinced to sideline either one (or both) of their actual drivers for the purposes of the story.
The work required for the additional story mode reportedly put it on a two-year development schedule. This means that while the next chapter of Braking Point missed out on last year’s game, it should arrive as part of this year’s F1 23.
Forget the overall result, which was something of an anticlimax, and I’m not talking about the rain-shortened Japanese GP. It decided the championship in such elegant conditions that Max Verstappen himself didn’t know he had closed it. Rather, I’m referring to what has been called the most extensive rule change. With the same car-driver combination winning it all again in 2021. He yawns. Yes, I know RB18 is not the same as RB16B, but you know what I mean. And of course, F1 is not a special series and F1 fans are used to seeing the fastest cars dominate. I don’t think they can blame those who expected a drastic technical overhaul.
A field full of new cars would produce a different result. Or at least some more interesting results. That is, instead of the same car winning more races in a single season than any other in the championship’s history. Let’s face it: 2022 wasn’t exactly a swinging competition for the age groups. Hell, there were 10 drivers on the podium in 2021 outside of the big three teams. Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes. There was one in 2022. A sole podium finish outside the top three teams, Lando Norris took a cheeky third place.
