F1 2017: what’s new in career mode?

We really enjoyed F1 2016 (review), building on the solid but barebones F1 2015 to deliver one of the better approximations of the motorsport in years. It’s almost time for F1 2017 to launch, and we already know that there’ll be a dozen classic cars. But what about the all-important career mode?

Fortunately, Codemasters has recently shed light on this mode, starting with invitational events throughout your career. The studio notes that throughout a season, you’ll be invited to one-off events involving the aforementioned classic cars. These events include “overtake challenges, pursuit events, checkpoint, and time attack challenges”.

Career mode won’t be the only way to race these iconic cars though…

“The classic cars are also playable in all other areas of the game, and can be raced as both single and multi-class — C1 and C2 — races.”

Codemasters has also expanded the car upgrade system seen in F1 2016, claiming it has four and a half times as many upgrades as last year’s title.

Reliability is another factor that will come into play in F1 2017, the studio explains.

“You’ll also need to manage the six key components which each make up a modern F1 power unit, as well as work to develop team skills such as pit stop times, Research and Development speed and new part reliability.”

Arguably the most innovative feature in F1 2016 was the practice programme, giving you three minigames in free practice (conserving tyres, qualifying simulations and track acclimatisation). Codemasters has confirmed that the new game will expand on this, delivering fuel saving and race strategy (a combo of fuel saving and tyre conservation) minigames.

Otherwise, F1 2017 is also packing four short versions of existing tracks (Silverstone, Suzuka, Circuit of the Americas, Bahrain) and a night-time version of the Monaco Grand Prix.

The latest F1 entry is set to launch on 25 August on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.