Having not been in F1 22, there are a lot of gamers that will be wondering what happened in Braking Point 1 in F1 2021.
Braking Point is back for F1 23, and we're here to recap what happened in F1 2021. F1 2021 has been delisted from online stores, so you'd have to pick up a physical copy if you've never purchased the game before.
Here are the highlights of everything that happened in Braking Point 1 in F1 2021 and what it could mean for Braking Point 2 in F1 23!
What happened in Braking Point 1?
Braking Point 1 was a groundbreaking new feature in F1 2021. This single-player mode is where Drive to Survive meets the official Formula 1 game and it was a huge hit with players.
This was the first out-and-out story mode in the F1 game, expanding on previous efforts like F1 2019's Formula 2 intro.
Braking Point 1 saw you start in Formula 2 and go through two seasons within Formula 1. The dynamics between yourself, your rival, teammate, team principal and the press were fascinating throughout.
Braking Point 1 added so much value to the F1 2021 and we know it will do the same for F1 23 with Braking Point 2.
Small beginnings
F1 2021's Braking Point began in the final round of the 2019 Formula 2 season. You play as Aiden Jackson, who needs to win the race to win the F2 title. That's what you manage to do, as you usurp Devon Butler to become champion.
Your Formula 1 journey begins with either Williams, Haas, Racing Point, AlphaTauri or Alfa Romeo in 2020. Your rival Butler is driving for one of the teams that you didn't choose.
Jackson is quick on debut in Australia, but makes contact with his teammate Casper Akkerman after being pressured by Butler. Akkerman retires, blaming Jackson, who finishes the race despite his damaged front wing.
Akkerman gets revenge in China, aggressively passing Jackson and avoiding a confrontation after the race. Jackson would later show his quality in both France and Britain, overcoming poor qualifying and punctures for solid points finishes.
Jackson v Akkerman
In Italy, Jackson gets preferential treatment from his team by getting a new-spec engine instead of Akkerman.
The new power unit sees Jackson finish ahead of Akkerman, despite the Dutchman starting 14 places higher on the grid.
Later in the season in Mexico, Jackson attempts to overtake Akkerman, going against team orders. Akkerman defends his position, though, with the pair colliding again and retiring from the race.
Brian Doyle, the liaison between the drivers and the team principal says that the pair of them should be sacked for what they'd done.
New season, new character
The 2021 season begins with the player's perspective shifting from Jackson to Akkerman. In Australia, Akkerman is frustrated at his Q2 elimination, as he perceives Jackson's running order as one that benefitted his teammate.
Things go from bad to worse for Akkerman in the race, as he loses seventh gear. However, the Dutchman soldiers on to finish the race. Akkerman would have another disappointing result in Bahrain, where he decides to retire come the end of the season.
Akkerman produces one of his greatest-ever performances at his home race in Zandvoort, to finish on the podium in a midfield car. In Montreal, Jackson is right on the tail of Akkerman and the team orders Casper to let Aiden through.
Akkerman refused to do so, and post-race, Jackson attacks Akkerman in the paddock. The incident is filmed and goes viral online, as Akkerman's retirement is unintentionally made public.
The run-in
In Austria, Jackson retires from the race, which causes a Safety Car. Akkerman produces another scintillating drive to go from the back to the points on new tyres.
Jackson is distraught after the race, believing that his actions have caused Akkerman to retire from F1. Akkerman reassures his teammate that isn't why he's leaving the sport, as the pair reconcile their differences.
Akkerman would later publicly endorse Jackson to join a top team next year. The duo also pledged to work together for the good of the team from now on with the aim of getting fourth place in the constructor's championship.
Around the Circuit of the Americas, Akkerman and Jackson work together to beat Butler, something they repeat at the final round in Abu Dhabi. Akkerman passed Butler in the closing stages, with the Brit attempting to take the veteran out of the race.
Karma struck Butler, as he retired from the race, with Jackson sensationally finishing on the podium for the first time. Akkerman and Jackson celebrate together on the podium in what's a happy ending for Braking Point 1. It is heavily implied that Mercedes has been watching Jackson with a keen eye and that his result in Abu Dhabi is enough to give him a seat with the Silver Arrows.
This mimics George Russell's journey nicely, but it clearly hasn't all gone to plan, as Braking Point 2 is sure to show!