Every F1 gamer started out life on a controller. For some of us, it was the unique but oddly intuitive Nintendo 64 controller, for others the PlayStation Dualshock.
Whatever it was it served just fine. But then at-home racing wheels became more popular and more affordable. Some players moved on to a basic Logitech and then beyond. And the games moved on too.
While the F1 series has tried to keep wheel and pad players on an even level, there is no denying that recent years have swung the games dramatically toward the wheel players. Especially at the top end of league racing.
Codemasters is trying to correct this with a new feature called Precision Drive in F1 23, but what exactly is it?
Precision Drive Technology
The clue is in the name really. This new system from Codemasters will allow players to be much more precise with their inputs when using a controller.
At the moment, it is very difficult to hold throttle at a point that isn't 0 or 100 on a controller, and the same goes for the brake. Even the very best controller players struggle compared to wheel players with mid-speed, technical sections where precise throttle balance is required for a long period of time.
While the tools to play with deadzones and saturations are there in F1 22 for controllers, getting those settings right is a highly personal dark art that requires players to be ultra-consistent just to get a baseline to then tweak from.
Now though, thanks to Precision Drive Technology, it will be easier to hold your throttle and brake at a degree, making racing alongside wheel players a bit fairer.
Or at least, that's the claim. We are yet to get hands-on with F1 23, be it on controller or wheel. We certainly hope Codemasters can deliver on the big claims of Precision Drive.
All that being said, there is no better way to experience F1 games than with a wheel. No matter your budget there is an F1 23 wheel out there for you
Handling overhaul
In the most recent F1 23 deep dive, Codemasters detailed how the handling will be getting an overhaul for the new game. While talk of tyre slip and underfloor dynamics was interesting, the most immediate thing that players will feel is likely to be the changes to traction.
Recent F1 games have always had a problem with a sudden loss of traction under acceleration, especially in low gears out of slow corners. It has made the medium traction control assist a must-have for many players who are otherwise highly skilled.
This should be greatly improved if Codemasters' claims are true. Refinement to engine torque to make it more progressive relative to your gearing. This is along with other physics changes which should make the car more predictable and improved under low-speed traction in particular.
F1 23 release date
The official F1 23 release date is set for 16 June, the earliest in a season that Codemasters has ever put the game out. Players can get their hands on the game even earlier though, as the Champions Edition comes with three days early access. That means you can get racing on 13 June.
Of course, you will have to pay a bit more for the privilege, but the Champions Edition also comes with a whole host of extras:
- Limited time Las Vegas Content (for pre-orders before 31 May)
- Max Verstappen Race Wear Pack
- Braking Point 2 Icons
- Braking Point 2 Vanity Items
- Dual Entitlement (for PlayStation & Xbox)
- Four new My Team Icons
- XP boost
- F1 World Bumper Pack
- 18,000 PitCoins