Update 1.06 bought some huge fixes for the Formula 1 game, but it has also provided an F1 22 handling update!
Codemasters has made some changes to a few different areas of the new cars, which could well necessitate some driving style changes and even setup tweaks!
F1 22 handling update
The new 2022 regulations have been tough for Codemasters to get right, and they've done a great job of creating new and challenging cars to drive.
However, post-release adjustments were always likely to come in as they got more data from races and more laps on the game!
That change has arrived, and it's a biggy.
Handling Group Lead David Greco has taken the time to go through these changes for players. Here are the key points!
Engine torque
The torque curve of the F1 22 engines have been tweaked slightly to create a progressively increasing torque from 6,000-10,000 rpm. Previously it was almost flat.
This means the engine has less torque at lower rpms, and the power will increase gradually.
This is combined with a change in gear ratios to make them longer. Together this should help with traction, and make the cars easier to handle in lower gears and potentially with traction control turned off too.
Tyre temperatures
This is the biggest one when it comes to setups.
Greco says that Codemasters noticed overheating tyres were not negatively impacting grip enough.
From today, thanks to update 1.06, running very high tyre pressure, which will increase temperature, will have a negative effect on grip (and thus lap times) after a few laps.
A lot of our setups use maximum pressure on the rear tyres, and we will be going back and testing and updating any setups as needed. So be sure to check them out!
Force feedback
F1 22's force feedback was not great on launch, especially when compared to games like Assetto Corsa Competizione and using more high-end wheels.
Codemasters has now enhanced its force feedback for F1 22.
They have done this by adding the self-aligning torque of the tyres to the overall calculation.
What does that mean? Well, Greco explains. The self-aligning torque always occurs before peak slip angle, which means that feedback will be crisper near the centre of the steering wheel position, but also that the loss of that torque will mean drivers can feel impending over/understeer better and sooner!
These improvements are great, and will help bring F1 22's gameplay forward.
Update 1.06 also corrected a huge number of bugs and glitches with the game. While some things still persist, like AI speed out of slow corners, it may well be that these handling changes go some distance to helping players make up the gap.
After all, the AI speed comes from slow corner exit, and the engine torque and gearing changes should improve traction for players.
We can't wait to jump behind the wheel and try these changes out!