F1 24: Suspension and tyre upgrades headline sweeping physics and handling overhaul

With just over a month until F1 24 crosses the finish line, Codemasters has provided a deep dive into the physics and handling changes we can expect in a new gameplay deep dive.

F1 22 introduced a new handling model reflecting regulation changes in the real championship. However, these changes made the cars much heavier and less enjoyable to drive.

F1 23 was a step in the right direction, but F1 24 is set to bring significant physics and handling improvements, giving players a better idea of what it feels like to push an F1 car to the limit.

New suspension system brings improved weight transfer

During a media briefing attended by RacingGames, Senior Creative Director Lee Mather revealed how Codemasters has made “significant updates” to F1 24’s handling model. Mather explained how an all-new suspension system for F1 and F2 cars will improve the feeling of weight transfer as you power through chicanes.

Senior Game Designer and Vehicle Handling Lead Casey Ringley provided further insight into how the new suspension model simulates dynamic changes in the camber angle, toe angle, and roll centers, as well as other effects such as anti-dive. More accurate steering geometry will also more realistically simulate the car’s balance as you enter and exit corner apexes.

Players can also fine-tune the suspension to suit their driving style. New setup options will let you tweak the heave and roll stiffnesses individually instead of combining them, which is more representative of the real cars. Changes applied to the car’s setup will have a “more significant impact on how the car feels,” according to Mather.

Codemasters also demonstrated how the chassis reacts to your inputs more realistically than before, whether you’re feathering the brakes to trail brake into an apex or feeling the suspension squat as the weight shifts under acceleration. These changes make the cars “feel more alive on track” and “give players more control than before.”

Improved tyre model

Further improvements have also been made to the tyre model, with more authentic temperature, wear, and contact patch simulation. As a result, the way you drive will have a more noticeable effect on your tyre’s performance and wear, giving you more control over your tyre strategy.

F1 24's wet weather driving physics has also been improved with wet track sections cooling down your tyres. This means you can use the wet line to your advantage as the track dries, preserving your intermediate or wet tyres for longer by preventing them from overheating.

Further improvements have been made to Codemasters’ aerodynamic simulation in F1 24. Ringley explained how the chassis rake has a more prominent effect on downforce and drag. As a result, adjusting the ride height will affect your car’s handling more than ever.

“You’ll certainly notice a difference where changing the ride height or the pitch of the chassis will have a significant impact,” said Mather.

Thanks to the improved aerodynamics and DRS effects, you’ll feel the differences between each team’s cars and utilise their strengths and weaknesses at different circuits. Williams and Ferrari, for example, excel on high-speed straights, while Red Bull and McLaren are better at tackling mid-speed corners.

Upgraded power unit

In addition, Codemasters has upgraded the power unit. As we learned in a recent leak, a new engine braking option has been added to car tuning. Ringley explained that tuning this option will affect how the car’s handling and energy harvesting when lifting off the throttle.

Improvements to DRS and “more realistic energy flows” will also “give players more control over energy management through throttle inputs.”

This means players can use energy harvesting more strategically for overtakes or save it up to push late in the race to try and get extra points for the fastest lap. This time, players will have access to all ERS modes in every session.

Codemasters responds to F1 24 beta handling issues

After getting an early hands-on, players have encountered issues with F1 24's handling in the recent beta test. Responding to player feedback, Mather assures that the beta’s handling “isn’t entirely representative of how it’s going to be in-game,” adding that Codemasters is “looking to rectify that as quickly as possible.”

Although F1 24’s handling is more realistic, Codemasters assures the cars will still feel intuitive to drive for novice players on a controller or wheel.

“A lot of the systems we’ve added make the car more predictable and easier to drive,” said Ringley. “It’s a misconception that the more realistic you make things, the harder they have to be. They put a lot of work into designing these cars so the drivers can feel confident and push 110% every lap. We aim to do that same kind of thing.”

F1 24’s handling changes sound like a promising step forward, but we’ll have wait until we get a hands-on to find if the changes are as significant as Codemasters claim.

Are you excited about F1 24's physics and handling changes? Let us know in the comments below.

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