F1 23 players will be able to take on real-world challenges including a ghost lap time trial with Max Verstappen in new modes which are being added to the game.
The new ‘Pro Challenge’ mode, which is part of game’s ‘F1 World’ pits players against times set by real F1 drivers in a ghost lap time trial. The first opponent to be announced is Max Verstappen. The reigning world champion and current points leader is an ambassador for the game’s publish EA.The Pro Challenge will be introduced to the game in in August. Success against Verstappen and his rivals will be rewarded with exclusive in-game items.
Another feature which is going live today called ‘F1 Replay’, in which players can recreate scenarios from races which took place this year. A similar feature will also be part of the officially-licensed Formula 1 management game F1 Manager 23.
The new mode in F1 23 will have four new scenarios each featuring the real-life lap times and creative inputs from a different driver. The first will feature George Russell, while Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas and Oscar Piastri are due to appear in future updates.
The ‘F1 Replay’ feature is a simulation of the 2023 season as it has already played out, with gamers “taking control of any of the 20 drivers in a replica grand prix”, say EA. The season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix is the first race to be generated for this feature, and EA plans that each week they will add simulations of other 2023 races.
“We are really excited to provide fans with new racing challenges, including the opportunity to test their skills against in-game ghost laps of real-world F1 drivers, starting with the current Championship leader,” said Codemasters’ senior creative director Lee Mather. “Our new ‘Pro Challenge’ will become a key feature in ‘F1 World’ hub awarding racers both glory and exclusive items.”
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Codemasters have also updated the driver ratings used to determine performance in F1 23 for the first time since the game’s launch. The game does not include Daniel Ricciardo, who replayed Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri last weekend:
| Driver | Original | New | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | 94 | 95 | +1 |
| Lewis Hamilton | 92 | 92 | = |
| Fernando Alonso | 92 | 92 | = |
| Charles Leclerc | 89 | 89 | = |
| Carlos Sainz Jnr | 88 | 89 | +1 |
| Lando Norris | 89 | 89 | = |
| George Russell | 88 | 88 | = |
| Sergio Perez | 89 | 88 | -1 |
| Valtteri Bottas | 87 | 87 | = |
| Esteban Ocon | 86 | 85 | -1 |
| Pierre Gasly | 85 | 85 | = |
| Alexander Albon | 83 | 85 | +2 |
| Lance Stroll | 84 | 83 | -1 |
| Yuki Tsunoda | 83 | 82 | -1 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | 80 | 81 | +1 |
| Zhou Guanyu | 78 | 80 | +2 |
| Kevin Magnussen | 81 | 80 | -1 |
| Oscar Piastri | 74 | 76 | +2 |
| Logan Sargeant | 71 | 71 | = |
| Nyck de Vries | 71 | 70 | -1 |
Pete
25th July 2023, 16:52
F1 23: Dark Souls Edition
bernasaurus (@bernasaurus)
26th July 2023, 8:18
Ha! Considering this guy was ranked 21st in the world at FIFA, you’d think an actual F1 would put him Black Dragon Kalameet level.
It’s basically going to a Checo simulator.
JackL
25th July 2023, 16:53
“Success against Verstappen and his rivals will be rewarded with exclusive in-game items”…..shouldnt it be money? That seems like a really tough challenge to only get in-game items.
Matteo (@m-bagattini)
25th July 2023, 19:37
The infamous EA loot boxes worth more than cash money
Yellow Baron
26th July 2023, 13:37
Which made me think is it really a lap by verstappen trying his best with the best set up?
I suppose it’s interesting to think how would current F1 drivers fair against their eSports counterparts. I would imagine not a huge amount greater if at all. Simply because it’s a game and it’s not a high level sim.
If they are giving that as an incentive I would imagine either his lap is needed in some way or simply his level on F1 23 just isn’t up there because he doesn’t play it.
Exediron (@exediron)
27th July 2023, 0:49
With the possible exception of Verstappen and Norris, current F1 drivers would get absolutely pasted by their eSports counterparts.
Verstappen routinely does race on iRacing, and he’s comparable to a top level sim racer. But the F1 game has oddly specific physics and tricks needed to go fast on it, and I doubt he’ll take the time to learn them and get on eSports level. I expect his time to be properly quick, but nothing F1 eSports level.
Jere (@jerejj)
25th July 2023, 18:42
Interesting, a driver-specific ghost lap challenge.
Neil (@neilosjames)
25th July 2023, 20:04
I hope it includes a running commentary about how unrealistic the game is compared to a more advanced simulator, and ends with a recommendation to throw the game in the bin.
SpaFrancorchamps (@spafrancorchamps)
26th July 2023, 7:16
It’s a game not a sim.
PlosslF1
25th July 2023, 21:27
As to how this is the official game for F1 is beyond me as it is up there with the worst sims out there, but including these jump the shark gimmicks is well in keeping with the remit… I’ll probably give it a try in a year or so when its 2 quid on Ebay… But then again, probably not..
Super Nashwan (@squeakywheel)
26th July 2023, 9:10
Shame they can’t ghost cars recovering to the track in real life!
Jazz (@jazz)
26th July 2023, 15:10
I wonder if Ghost Verstappen is accurate enough to brake test me at Jeddah, run me wide in Brazil, or park on top of my head at Monza?
FanAmp (@)
7th August 2023, 11:01
I love this game.