F1 2019
F1 2019 Review
Codemasters is back again with F1 2019, and this time a few months earlier than their previous efforts. Yes, it has now been a full decade of delivering the F1 experience to the masses for Codemasters, and while they have really hit their stride over the last few years, I came in wondering if there was enough left to deliver a new and exciting experience on the current generation of consoles and PC.
For the last few years, Codemasters has delivered arguably one of the deepest racing experiences available to date, now we find out if 2019 continues that trend.
What I Like
Handling
I feel like I say this with every new F1 entry from Codemasters, but the handling in-game is impeccable. Rarely does a racing game give such instantaneous feedback on whether one’s approach to a specific track is correct or needs tweaking, but the F1 series consistently does just that. Whether a controller or a wheel is your choice of peripheral, the organic attachment I feel between machine and road in F1 is unparalleled, and it helps users understand what is working and what is not.
Once you hit the track in F1, you will be inundated with information that helps you understand how the car is setup, what your approach to a specific track should be, and what your opponents are accomplishing all around you. Absorbing that information can be a bit overwhelming, but with such tight and responsive controls, nailing that S-curve, hitting the apex, or finding the perfect opportunity to pass is a bit easier.
Career Mode
If you played F1 2018, then you will feel right at home with the newest iteration of F1’s career mode as not a lot has changed. The one prominent addition, of course, is that of the F2 series now being implemented into career mode. In F1 2019, you will start out in the F2 series and be asked to “prove” yourself against teammates and opponents striving for the exact same goal as you — to impress an F1 team enough that they are willing to give you one shot.
Once you actually accomplish the goal of stepping up from the F2, the game will give the option of which team you will sign with. Of course, the one caveat to this system is that the more successful the team you sign with is, the loftier the goals and requirements are, so choose wisely.
Once you include all of the research and development goals, press requirements, track appearances and optional side challenges, the F1 2019 career mode remains as deep as they come in the genre, and will consume a large majority my time with the title.
Options/Modes
One of the hardest things to accomplish for a developer is to deliver a licensed yearly sports title based on a real-life sanctioned series. Codemasters has been delivering the F1 experience to their fans now for a decade, and the pressure to deliver a fresh experience over the course of 10 years can be somewhat difficult, but thankfully Codemasters does just that to a large degree.
In F1 2019, users can race a full career mode both in F1 and F2, race historic cars and drivers, go online and race in full leagues, or simply race against other users in ranked or unranked challenges. The game has also included the ability to fully participate in F1 esport events and includes the ability to qualify, race and even view races that don’t involve you.
If that isn’t enough, in addition to adding F2 to career mode and standalone championship, Codemasters has promised to deliver the full 2019 F2 season later this year. We often speak about the depth and longevity that video game titles should deliver for the price of entry that AAA titles ask of us, and that is exactly what Codemasters has done here. F1 2019 is full of options that cater to almost all needs and wants from their community, and delivers a game overflowing with options and modes to suit most of its fans.
Graphics
As we approach the end of this generation of consoles, developers are really refining their ability to take advantage of the current hardware, and Codemasters is no different. F1 2019 is stunning to look at, in part because Codemasters has improved the lighting system quite drastically.
As you hit the track for the first time, the improvements are noticeable both on the cars themselves and environments. At times, especially during the replays of the game, the title can look photo-realistic, and it is hard to discern between what is in-game and what is real life.
The little details and graphical changes implemented do so much to create an immersive experience, and thankfully Codemasters has also delivered a beautiful game full of stunningly realistic environments and venues for us to race in.
What I Don’t Like
Pit Stops
There are very few things in F1 2019 that simply do not work. One issue I still have is the lack of dynamically interactive pit stops. The foundation of the game is built and being improved upon, and now it’s time to focus on the minutia of the sport and adding user input into the pit stop would be an exciting addition.
Final Thoughts
Consistent is the word that best describes F1 2019, and that is perfectly acceptable. For those looking for a whole new approach to the sport of F1, they should keep on looking. But for those who have enjoyed the series over the years, and are looking for additional content and refinement, you should be extremely pleased with the current F1 offering from Codemasters.
When what you deliver works on multiple levels, you do not go looking to reinvent the wheel, but rather improve on what is there and branch off into different areas, which is exactly what Codemasters has done. F1 2019 will instantly be one of the top racers in your rotation of racing games, and the depth and options the game provides make F1 an absolute must-buy for all fans of the genre.

Did you review this on PS4 only, or also on PC and XOne? I'm split between playing downstairs on the big TV and audio system on my comfy furniture, so sitting at my PC (be using a controller either way for F1). The biggest factor is if the PC game looks that much better than it would on my OneX. Mainly the replays because the racing itself will look pretty much the same across all three?
EDIT post release: One X replays work 90% fine, very occasional judder but they'll fix that like they did last year. Otherwise AMAZING on One X!
The inability to choose your teammate in career mode though is very disappointing. Hopefully it gets patched in, I think it was last year too IIRC?
Did you review this on PS4 only, or also on PC and XOne? I'm split between playing downstairs on the big TV and audio system on my comfy furniture, so sitting at my PC (be using a controller either way for F1). The biggest factor is if the PC game looks that much better than it would on my OneX. Mainly the replays because the racing itself will look pretty much the same across all three?
PS4 Pro only - but just got the PC version today.
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LOL, thanks Bob...I caved and preordered on OneX last night because I'd rather do the Career in comfort :)
If I really love it, I can always get on PC on a Steam sale like I did with F1 2018!
BTW, is anyone using voice commands with a headset? Im trying to but its not working properly.
LOL Why am I always the bad guy?
I started a career and played thru the F2 part, joined Mclaren and did the weekend/race in Australia. I had so much fun!
How does it look better than last year on my console?? Incredible...and I have Bahrain's night race up next!
My only gripe so far is I would have liked MORE of what they did with F2, other than just bits of three races. This is something to build on, because I really enjoyed the off and on track stuff with Devon. I'm glad he carried on into F1 at least.
I also love the Highlights mode and that you can save them. Nice little replay option!
I started a career and played thru the F2 part, joined Mclaren and did the weekend/race in Australia. I had so much fun!
How does it look better than last year on my console?? Incredible...and I have Bahrain's night race up next!
My only gripe so far is I would have liked MORE of what they did with F2, other than just bits of three races. This is something to build on, because I really enjoyed the off and on track stuff with Devon. I'm glad he carried on into F1 at least.
I also love the Highlights mode and that you can save them. Nice little replay option!
I'm about ready to buy this for my XBox One X and Thrustmaster TX Leather racing wheel and T3PA 3-pedal set. I haven't read any reports yet of how well it's working with this wheel and I'm holding off until I do. It worked reasonably well with F1-2018, but I always felt it could be a lot better.
I've got 2018 on my PC as well, and a TMX wheel w/T3PA pedals too. It was kinda cool but I'm just better at F1 with a pad and driving from the camera pod view. I just can't keep up with the turns from the cockpit in F1 and Indy cars lol.
I'm a liability on the track with pad. I used to be 'competent' with a pad in racing games, but when I hit about 48, that changed. I can now hold a line well and not be a nemesis on the track with a wheel in F1 games, but even then I'm also using the camera pod view.
I guess when it comes to f1 specifically I just do better with the pad. I do iRacing and now can only really drive NASCAR class stuff w/wheel+pedals, but those low slung quick and nimble F1 cars in Codies games I just do better with the pad. I only race against AI though in F1.
I've never claimed to be very good, either LOL
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offline i have no problems ofcourse....
My issue is that I don't want to spend time struggling to get through the F2 phase of the career mode to get to F1. Is going through F2 optional? Can I race an entire season in F1 without using career mode?
Thanks.
My issue is that I don't want to spend time struggling to get through the F2 phase of the career mode to get to F1. Is going through F2 optional? Can I race an entire season in F1 without using career mode?
Thanks.
Yes, you can run an entire season of F1 outside of career mode.
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My issue is that I don't want to spend time struggling to get through the F2 phase of the career mode to get to F1. Is going through F2 optional? Can I race an entire season in F1 without using career mode?
Thanks.
Yes you can run a full season with any of the drivers in the game that you like. You can go into championship modes, or just choose Grand Prix and set up your own custom season.
It affects qualifying, as well.
The game is great. I love all the nuances and edits you are able to make. Practice runs are a lot of fun with the various challenges, and they provide real results with how you can get a grip on your fuel and tire maintenance. The cars drive really smooth too, and I love the feedback from your crew chief.
The only negatives so far for me are:
Graphics - The graphics are a bit underwhelming for a game near the end of this console generation. They are not bad, but they feel a bit last gen.
Headset - So...I didn't know this when I bought the game for xbox one. I only play offline, and so I was hoping to be able to communicate with my crew chief while the race is going (because hitting LB and scrolling through a dozen communication options while you're running 200km/h is not easy). This is a feature available on PS4 and PC, but on Xbox it requires a Kinect. This is actual a game killer for me on the xbox. I will be trading it in and looking to replace it with either a ps4 or PC copy.
Graphics - The graphics are a bit underwhelming for a game near the end of this console generation. They are not bad, but they feel a bit last gen..
I liked your post, and welcome to F1...check out some real races on TV and get to know the personalities. It's a circus/soap opera that can be a real hoot :cheers444
Having said that, I gotta say I'm surprised you're down on the graphics. I think this series has looked phenomenal in recent years, graphically.
The game is great. I love all the nuances and edits you are able to make. Practice runs are a lot of fun with the various challenges, and they provide real results with how you can get a grip on your fuel and tire maintenance. The cars drive really smooth too, and I love the feedback from your crew chief.
The only negatives so far for me are:
Graphics - The graphics are a bit underwhelming for a game near the end of this console generation. They are not bad, but they feel a bit last gen.
Headset - So...I didn't know this when I bought the game for xbox one. I only play offline, and so I was hoping to be able to communicate with my crew chief while the race is going (because hitting LB and scrolling through a dozen communication options while you're running 200km/h is not easy). This is a feature available on PS4 and PC, but on Xbox it requires a Kinect. This is actual a game killer for me on the xbox. I will be trading it in and looking to replace it with either a ps4 or PC copy.
To get to know F1... watch a race or two on TV, it's fantastic coverage compared to the clowns that broadcast Nascar (on Fox anyways, hopefully that changes with DW gone now though). Another idea... watch Formula 1: Driven to Survive on Netflix. It will give you some really cool sights, sounds and behind the scenes stuff on last season, and stuff that lead into this season.
I'm also surprised you're down on the visuals. It's been a key highlight of this series in it's existence. It's downright beautiful to look at IMO, by far better than last year and last year was outstanding as well. I'm curious what your issues are with it? My only gripe is the day races, in sunshine the colors look a bit too bright to me. I think the colors/lighting though is spot on in night races, and rain races too. I had a heavy rain race in my last career event, I started P11. What a nightmare, couldn't see a damn thing. The rain/mist/spray is well done IMO. Blades of grass on the tires, rubber/marbles build-up on the track surface and the tires... or gravel/sand if you get into it, cracks in the pavement, the environments etc. etc. It's just all well done IMO.
Either way, welcome to the series. Like you, I was more of a Nascar fan originally. I paid attention to F1, but never in great detail. Once I played the first game in this series I got more and more hooked. Now, I rarely miss a race on tv and this game is constantly being played. I can't get enough of it. I wish we had a Nascar game that was even in the same atmosphere as the F1 series is, sadly though, there isnt.
In my career mode... I started with Williams. Moved to Racing Point as #1 driver partnered with Stroll. My move basically just swapped my driver and Perez. Fair enough. Next contract review rolls around. I stay put (my plan is to try and replace Bottas or Vettel at the end of season 1). I get an email from the wonderful Emma to tell me that Perez is my team mate again. He's moving BACK to Racing Point, this time replacing Stroll who goes back to... Williams. Yup, that same Williams that just parted with Stroll.
I like the idea. I dont think it should happen mid-season to be honest, and I think it needs a major addition of logic. It seems random at this point and kind of kills the career mode IMO.
In other news I have quite the attraction to Claire...but I believe her camera man to be her father so I don't think I'll be giving her an "exclusive" anytime soon
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In other news I have quite the attraction to Claire...but I believe her camera man to be her father so I don't think I'll be giving her an "exclusive" anytime soon
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I am personally all in on Emma, she is definitely my "personal" assistant....
SportPesa is a gambling website. Having their actual logo on the car would likely change the age rating of the game. So they modify the sponsor name to get around it. Kind of like with the alcohol sponsors in Nascar games.
If you played F1 2018 with the wheel, how does the feel if 2019 compare? I find that 2018 feels okay with my Thrustmaster TX, but it's lacking subtle handling effects like I feel when I'm playing Forza 7 or Project CARS on my PC. Forza 7's handling on the XBox One X with this wheel has a more nuanced feel with my Thrustmaster TX than F1 2018, but again, it's "playable" with the TX, but want something that rises above playable... hope that makes sense?
Ahh. I see.
I started a career and played thru the F2 part, joined Mclaren and did the weekend/race in Australia. I had so much fun!
How does it look better than last year on my console?? Incredible...and I have Bahrain's night race up next!
I watched the Digital Foundry comparison feature of the console versions of F1 2019. Does the XBox One X version actually maintain 60 FPS at 4K, with little to no screen tearing!? I could see the difference in the X and the PS4 Pro versions in the side by sides, but I'd have to see them side by side to spot the difference, I'd imagine. I'm just giddy about the 60 FPS performance mark being maintained, and to do it at anything above 1080p is icing on the cake!
Feels pretty much the same as 2018 as far as driving, imo.
Thanks, I could live with that, but I'm surprised at the gap in force feedback feel between Forza 7 and F1 2018. I will say that this gap wasn't that substantial until one of the more recent Forza 7 updates in which the force feedback was addressed. I'm going to explore the opinions on force feedback for the PC version of F1 2019 to see if it's enough warrant going with the PC version this time around, although my gaming PC wouldn't be as up to handling 4k at 60 FPS as my X.
Are they planning on fixing the photo mode any time? Everything goes dark when making camera changes.
Yeah that was mentioned as well. The dev team made a post in the codemasters forums giving the specifics of everything they’re doing.
https://youtu.be/-WWjjFxyRCM
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Most definitely Manual. Then you choose when to save, and when to use power. Overtake mode is great. Combine overtake with DRS and you'll give yourself great chances to pass cars. Learn when to save, and when to use.
Like Brandon said, it's best to use Manual.
However, I tried that last year and it was a little too much to concentrate on so I'm back to auto, lol.
To me though, the key with ERS if you really want to manage it right the way the game has it set up to function is to always be changing it. F1 drivers don't do it this way, but the way the game set it up you dont have much choice.
In a perfect world though for the game during regular laps when on the brakes, or coasting off the gas through long turns you should have it at 0. It'll recharge quickly in those circumstances. When you need power crank it up to high. When you need to pass use overtake. Often after a long straight with my ERS on high, i'll quickly drop it to 0 right before the braking point to let it build up again. That's essentially how you can really maximize it. keeping that in mind, think about each track and when you can use it, and when you have sectors that you can use it to recharge.
If all these control movements are too much typically what I do is leave it on low, or medium only changing it when I need to recharge it, or when I need the extra energy. This becomes easier in Career mode the more you develop your engine and durability as you'll get longer battery life.
It's all about finding what makes it easier for you to manage. Personally I don't change it in and out of every corner. Too much for a controller. I set it to low/medium, and keep an eye on it. I usually find it leaves me with enough charge to flip up to overtake if I need to and occassionally drop to 0 just to recharge for a lap.
Keep in mind your point in the race too. If you have a comfortable lead over the car behind you and need to recharge, obviously do it. If you need to gain on the car ahead and have a charge, use it to try and close the gap. I push the car harder when I'm at 0 to recharge because you'll be loosing speed/power, so I try to make up that gap.
I don't know how the game manages it on auto, but I just feel that having the ability to give yourself that extra power when you need it is so satisfying. The second method I've outlined here is good for you "auto" guys. Leave it on low or medium, whatever can get you through some laps depending on your car development, and you'll still have the ability to crank it up if/when you need it, but you dont have to fiddle with it every lap.
I started my career out with Williams, so I’m expecting to struggle for a bit, but I have tuned to AI level to appropriate levels.
First race was a DNF where I crashed on the same corner in FP3, Q1, and the race.
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I was going to wait till the start of the F1 season next year but 30% with half the year to go is not too shabby. :drink:
To me though, the key with ERS if you really want to manage it right the way the game has it set up to function is to always be changing it. F1 drivers don't do it this way, but the way the game set it up you dont have much choice.
In a perfect world though for the game during regular laps when on the brakes, or coasting off the gas through long turns you should have it at 0. It'll recharge quickly in those circumstances. When you need power crank it up to high. When you need to pass use overtake. Often after a long straight with my ERS on high, i'll quickly drop it to 0 right before the braking point to let it build up again. That's essentially how you can really maximize it. keeping that in mind, think about each track and when you can use it, and when you have sectors that you can use it to recharge.
If all these control movements are too much typically what I do is leave it on low, or medium only changing it when I need to recharge it, or when I need the extra energy. This becomes easier in Career mode the more you develop your engine and durability as you'll get longer battery life.
It's all about finding what makes it easier for you to manage. Personally I don't change it in and out of every corner. Too much for a controller. I set it to low/medium, and keep an eye on it. I usually find it leaves me with enough charge to flip up to overtake if I need to and occassionally drop to 0 just to recharge for a lap.
Keep in mind your point in the race too. If you have a comfortable lead over the car behind you and need to recharge, obviously do it. If you need to gain on the car ahead and have a charge, use it to try and close the gap. I push the car harder when I'm at 0 to recharge because you'll be loosing speed/power, so I try to make up that gap.
I don't know how the game manages it on auto, but I just feel that having the ability to give yourself that extra power when you need it is so satisfying. The second method I've outlined here is good for you "auto" guys. Leave it on low or medium, whatever can get you through some laps depending on your car development, and you'll still have the ability to crank it up if/when you need it, but you dont have to fiddle with it every lap.
I sure wish I was coordinated enough to manually manage ERS, and I’m on a wheel.
I've typically played with medium TC, and ABS on due to the limitations of the controller. With medium TC being so much more forgiving this year im finding the need to turn it off completely, but the triggers are so touchy on the default settings and the gap so wide IMO between medium TC and no TC that I can barely get out of most slow turns. No matter how much I feather the throttle I end up in a 180. I seem to be able to handle the brakes ok, it's just the throttle that's killing me, seems to jump from 0 to 100 so quickly even with the trigger only halfway down.
Been playing with the linearity, deadzone settings etc. I bumped them up but it seems it's actually made it worse for me it feels like.
Anyone have any success finding ways to minimize how quick the throttle jumps?
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I know this original reply is really old, but this is why I use this :grin:
ERS is the bottom right rotary knob, while fuel mixture is the bottom left. The top two thumb knobs can be set to other values (like Brake Bias), and when you combine it with the Podium Advanced Shifter Module:
I can have DRS on the upper right, Pit Limiter on the Upper Left, Gear Change on the middle paddles, and clutch on the bottom paddles like a real F1 car.
I think the bottom line is, if you want immersion...there's stuff out there for it. The actual simracing gear is getting so much better nowadays, practically from month to month!