With high-profile releases like Gran Turismo 7, F1 2022, and Test Drive Solar Crown battling it out, 2022 is jam-packed with racing games.
With so many racing games releasing this year, it's easy to forget an official Formula 1 management game is coming in 2022.
UPDATE: Since publication, F1 Manager 2022 has now been announced!
Frontier developing new Formula 1 management game
Back in March 2020, Frontier Developments announced the development of a new officially-licensed F1 management game with a launch penned for 2022. It will be the first of four F1 management games. The deal gives Frontier exclusive rights to develop and publish F1 management games for the 2022-2025 seasons.
Unfortunately, little is known about Frontier’s F1 management game. At this point, the project doesn’t even have a confirmed title yet.
There are no details, screenshots, or videos available yet. But with the 2022 F1 season kicking off in March, an official announcement should happen soon.
When will Frontier’s Formula 1 management game release?
Since the initial announcement, Frontier hasn’t shared any details about its new F1 management sim. However, we now have a rough release date.
In a financial update, Frontier confirmed its first F1 management game will release during the 2022 F1 season. More specifically, it will launch in Frontier’s 2023 financial year. This means it will release in June 2022 at the earliest and go head-to-head with Codemasters’ F1 2022.
If you can’t wait until then and looking for a racing management sim to play, there’s also Playsport Games’ Motorsport Manager on Steam, Linux, Nintendo Switch, and iOS. Unlike Frontier’s game, Motorsport Manager doesn’t have the official F1 license.
Codemasters’ F1 games include a My Team mode. This mode allows you to hire drivers, secure sponsorship deals, and buy car upgrades to improve team performance. Frontier’s F1 should have even deeper team options immersing you into the world of F1 management.
“We are very well-positioned for the future,” Frontier's financial report reads. “This calendar year will see us enter the incredible world of Formula 1 – a truly global sport – with the first release for our annual F1 management game franchise.”
While this is Frontier’s first F1 game, the British developer has a lot of history with management games. Frontier's back catalogue includes Planet Coaster, Planet Coaster, and two Jurassic World Evolution games.
Formula 1 management game platforms
Frontier's F1 management simulator is coming to “PC and console platforms.” Specific platforms aren't confirmed, but it should launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. As it probably won’t be too visually demanding, it could also come to PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
"We are delighted to announce this multi-year license deal with F1,” said Frontier Chief Executive David Braben when the license was announced in 2020.
“F1 is one of the most popular global sporting franchises in the world, and we believe the combination of the F1 brand together with our extensive experience in management games will deliver fantastic game experiences to a wide and varied audience around the world.”