F1 2013: Release Date, Features and Preview

It’s a great time to be a Formula One fan.

The sport’s popularity is getting a boost worldwide because of the critically acclaimed movie directed by Ron Howard, “Rush.”

To further provide a pop-culture boost for the highest form of single-seater racing, the annual release of Codemasters’ F1 video game series is upon us.

F1 2013 is the latest version of a series that has been a part of Codemasters’ excellent track record for realistic and fun race simulations. 

In an amalgamation of the popular movie starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl and the anticipated video game, Codemasters released the video below that features the 1976 Ferrari 312 T2 that appears in the movie, as well as some of the other classic vehicles. 

Notice the stunning visuals in the video.

That’s just a preview of the marvelous imagery we've already seen in the game’s images and videos.

This trailer for the game is as intense as any scene from the movie.

Here’s the release information for F1 2013.

What’s New

F1 Classics

Nostalgic concepts are all the rage across the genre of sports video games.

This year, the F1 series from Codemasters is paying homage to its sport’s history. Not only will the game feature classic vehicles like the aforementioned Ferrari from the movie, but it will also feature F1 Classics.

Gamers will have the opportunity to race on classic grids with legendary cars and drivers from the 1980s in single-player and multi-player modes. Courses like Spain’s Circuito de Jerez, cars such as the 1986 Lotus 98T and drivers like Emerson Fittipaldi will be at your fingertips. 

If you really want to bridge the gap between yesteryear, gamers can purchase the Classic Edition and get a sweet complement of 1990s-based goodies. Drive with Nigel Mansell, or hop in the 1992 Ferrari F92A on Portugal’s Estoril.

Here’s a full list of cars, drivers and tracks arranged with edition specificity, per the game’s official website.

"

1980s Content (F1 2013 & F1 2013: CLASSIC EDITION)

Tracks

Circuit De Jerez – former host of the Spanish Grand Prix

Brands Hatch – legendary former home of the British Grand Prix

 

1980s Cars & Drivers:

 

"

"

1980 Williams FW07B

Original Driver: Alan Jones

Team Legend: Alain Prost

 

1986 Team Lotus 98T

Team Legend: Mario Andretti

Team Legend: Emerson Fittipaldi

 

1988 Ferrari F1-87/88C

Original Driver: Gerhard Berger

Team Legend: Michael Schumacher

 

1988 Team Lotus 100T

Original Driver: Satoru Nakajima

Team Legend: Mika Hakkinen

 

1988 Williams FW12

Original Driver: Nigel Mansell

Team Legend: Damon Hill

 

1990s Content (F1 2013: Classic Edition only)

 

"

"

1992 Ferrari F92 A

Original Driver: Jean Alesi

Team Legend: TBC

 

1992 Williams FW14B

Original Driver: Nigel Mansell

Team Legend: David Coulthard

 

1996 Ferrari F310

Original Driver: Michael Schumacher

Team Legend: Gerhard Berger

 

1996 Williams FW18

Original Driver: Damon Hill

Original Driver: Jacques Villeneuve

 

1999 Ferrari F399

Original Driver: Eddie Irvine

Team Legend: Jody Scheckter

 

1999 Williams FW21

Original Driver: TBC

Team Legend: Alain Prost

 

Classic Tracks Pack (F1 2013: Classic Edition only)

 

"

"

Imola– former host of the San Marino Grand Prix 

Estoril – former home of the Portuguese Grand Prix

"

There is a fictitious racing circuit created to allow drivers from all different eras to compete against one another on the sport’s most iconic courses.

Sometimes it can be fun to live in the past.

 

More Stars

Beyond the stars from 20 and 30 years ago, the game features an expansive roster of contemporary drivers. Obviously, the Sebastian Vettels and Mark Webbers of the world are included, but so, too, are the drivers who may be up-and-coming or simply favorites of the more hardcore fans of the sport.

Any takers on returning Jenson Button to championship form?

 

Graphical Improvements

One look at a few of the screenshots provided and there is no disputing the beauty of this game. From a pure graphical standpoint, these screenshots are among the best you’ll see on this generation of consoles.

The attention to detail, the lighting, texturing and shading create some of the most lifelike images of vehicles you’ll ever see in a racing—or any other—video game. The people aren’t rendered too shabbily either.

Take a look at this shot featuring the legendary Michael Schumacher. 

With visuals like this for the Xbox One and Playstation 3, it makes racing/video game fans salivate at the thought of what this series may look like on the next-generation consoles.

Without speaking from first-hand experience of the final version, the visuals in the released images are enough to make even the most skeptical or disinterested gamer take notice.

 

Scenario Mode

Modes that drop you into heated situations are usually good for intense, pick-up-and-play experiences. From the sound of Scenario mode in F1 2013, this will be similar. Gamers will have the chance to win medals in different challenges with graded targets.

 

Improved Multiplayer on RaceNet

RaceNet expands its ability to host full 22-car grids with 16 human-controlled cars and six bots.

There are also new challenges that will be given to active RaceNet gamers on a weekly basis. This concept is huge in connecting the online racing community.

The system also connects virtual drivers on F1 2012, Dirt Showdown, F1 Race Stars and Grid 2. It works to gauge your overall prowess in the company’s racing titles and is also as a way to link the community in accordance to the games they play.

 

Grand Prix Mode Returns

The opportunity to take control of your favorite driver for a single race or a full or custom-sized season has returned. In the event you don’t want to create a driver and go through a career, you can choose one of the circuit’s current stars to race with.

 

Expanded Young Drivers Test

The YDT has been upgraded in this year’s version to provide gamers with a more comprehensive toolbox of techniques to progress through the system. The video below shows some of the enhancements made to the mode.

In the past, the F1 series has done a good job making this mode function as one of the most intuitive and fun tutorials in sports video games. Having it exist in real life obviously aids the effort.

 

Looking Ahead to the Review

Over the next three days, I’ll be putting in work with F1 2013.

Stay tuned for a full review on Tuesday. It is almost time to fire up those engines.

 

Follow me for musings on sports video games, boxing, MMA, the NBA and the WWE.