F1 Manager 24 Unleashed: Pioneering the Track with Create A Team

F1 Manager 24, developed by Frontier Developments, returns with its most innovative installment yet. This year’s game introduces groundbreaking features like Create A Team and mechanical faults, enriching the gameplay with unprecedented levels of depth, customization, and strategic nuance.

During a comprehensive remote preview, I dove deep into these fresh elements, particularly the Create A Team feature. After several hours, I came away impressed with the expansive possibilities it offers.

Assembling Dreams

The highlight of my session was undoubtedly Create A Team. This feature allows you to craft an entirely new team, positioning it among the existing ten competitors. Frontier Developments, known for their creative prowess with games like Planet Coaster and Jurassic World Evolution, have outdone themselves in their first foray into team creation.

Starting from scratch, you can name your team and decide on the initial resources and capabilities. While quick-start options are available for eager players, the ‘Your Story’ mode offers full customization from the ground up. Whether you envision your team as a dark horse or a resilient mid-fielder, the choices are vast and varied.

Selecting drivers and staff was a critical task; I opted for a blend reminiscent of Haas, choosing Alex Albon from Williams and Nico Hulkenberg from Haas, along with their respective race engineers. The roster extends to F2 and F3 talents, and there’s an option to choose from fictional drivers for those starting from the ground up.

Designing Victory

(Image credit: Frontier Developments)The creative process doesn’t stop at team assembly. The in-depth editors for liveries, logos, and racing suits allow for personalized designs that reflect your team’s identity. You can start with preset designs or craft your own with custom color schemes and intricate logo designs, ensuring every detail is to your liking.

Race Day Realism

Long-time fans of the F1 Manager series will appreciate that the thrilling race-day experience remains largely unchanged, preserving the series’ core strengths while enhancing other aspects to offer more dynamic and unpredictable races.

A significant addition I explored was the new mechanical faults feature. Now, each race tests not only your strategy but also your attention to mechanical detail as you manage wear and tear on car components like gearboxes and engines.

In one intense scenario, I managed the Red Bull team during the Australian Grand Prix, navigating mechanical faults with both drivers in critical conditions. The challenge added a layer of depth to the race, emphasizing the importance of strategic decisions in real-time.

Looking Ahead

F1 Manager 24 is set to redefine sports management gaming. With its advanced features and immersive gameplay, it promises to be a must-play for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The game launches on July 23 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, and I eagerly anticipate leading TRG Racing to new heights.