F1 Manager 2023 Review (PC)

Leclerc is preparing for a pit stop. Formula 1 cars no longer refuel during races, so it’s all about putting a new set of tires on the car as fast as possible. The crew has been training, Charles is going in from second, and has a solid time gap to third, where Alonso has been for the 30 laps of this Hungarian Gran Prix. The entire complex process goes off with no problems and the car exits in fifth, well-positioned for the rest of the race.

I tell Leclerc to set a strong pace and turn my attention to Sainz. Should he push harder and maybe gain a few places on mediums or is he better served by pushing back his own pit entry? The race basically decides for me when Piastri spins and the safety car is brought out. Many cars are soon aiming for the pit lane. I get Sainz in quickly and start thinking about what new tactical instructions for the drivers might allow Ferrari’s Leclerc to overtake Verstappen and win this race.

Unfortunately, the better Red Bull car makes that impossible. Leclerc gets second, and Sainz is sixth. I plan to invest in new sidepods and maybe a better front wing. But testing time is limited and the cost cap might also become a problem.

F1 Manager 2023 is developed and published by Frontier Developments. I played the PC version using Steam. The game is also offered on the PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series X and S, and older consoles from Microsoft and Sony. The title belongs to the sports simulation genre, focused on Formula 1 and its impressive racing.

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The premise is simple: choose one of the ten teams competing in Formula 1 and lead it to glory or at least achieve its stated objectives. Pick Red Bull to control the impressive driver and car combination that dominated last year. Try to make better decisions to lead the storied Ferrari team back to the top. Or pick someone like Haas for a challenge and use more limited resources to get them to punch above their weight.

The Career experience is deep and filled with a lot of mechanics. For players who want to focus more on race action, the game also offers Race Replay and Exclusive Scenarios. The first one gives players a chance to play all races that have already happened during the 2023 season using any team. Each also features a unique situation built around a big moment, like getting a double podium for McLaren at Silverstone.

Exclusive Scenarios delivers more exotic challenges. Some circuits feature equal-performance cars, emphasizing driver performance and well-executed strategy. Others focus on one team, asking managers to find ways to deal with big crises or execute a particular tactic flawlessly. Both modes showcase the exciting elements of F1, and the many ways players can influence the performance of their chosen team.

F1 Manager 2023 casts the player as the leader of his chosen team. This means he will not directly control the actions of his two drivers during a race. If Verstappen makes a mistake and ends up in a spin, there’s nothing gamers can do to stop that. But, in their role as team principal, they are able to tell them how aggressive to be, how to use DRS, when to try and overtake, how much they can defend, and more.

Players can simulate both practice sessions and qualifying. But I urge fans to play both, the first to get the car setup as close to optimal as possible, and the second to secure good spots on the starting grid. Sprint weekends, with their slightly different structure, add some fun wrinkles and the shorter races offer a nice change of pace.

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Team leaders have plenty to do between race weekends. Car development is the priority, with a focus on designing new parts that will offer extra performance in upcoming races. Drivers also gain experience and players have to decide which of their attributes to enhance. Carefully consider any investment in a new headquarters building and always watch out for the cost cap.

F1 Manager 2023’s mix of mechanics reflects the real-world sport and will deliver plenty of nail-biting moments for fans. The biggest issue is that cars sometimes behave weirdly and tend to overtake more than in real life. It also seems it’s easier for drivers to make mistakes, resulting in more neutralized laps and less action. DRS can act in some funny ways, as well. But the mechanics are generally solid and fun.

F1 Manager 2023 has a strong presentation that draws on the extensive arsenal of video and audio elements fans will know from television Formula 1 broadcasts. The in-car cameras will bring players right in the middle of the action and it feels kinetic, even if there are moments when cars move a little unnaturally. But, most of the time, managers will ingest the many pieces of information that the interface delivers to understand how a race is going and then try to make the best possible decisions for their team.

The immersion level is enhanced by the use of official commentators, who add a ton of flavor when they introduce a race weekend and comment on the teams, drivers, and big race events. I even like the short bursts of communication between drivers and their engineers. The roar of engines makes a traditional soundtrack unnecessary during races, but it makes for a good companion when players are making choices between Grand Prix weekends.

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