F1 bosses and managers get in the spotlight all the time, especially for major teams such as Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull. But now, players will soon know what it's like to be a F1 manager themselves. Formula 1 has unveiled a "multi-title" partnership with game developer Frontier Developments to create the long-awaited official F1 Manager 2022 game.The "brand new official management game of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship" launches in the summer of 2022 on PC (Steam), PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One and Epic Store. It will be the first officially licensed game of its kind since EA Sport's F1 Manager in 2000.
A Video Game By Frontier Developments
Frontier Developments is a video game developer based in Cambridge, England and founded by David Braben in 1994. F1 Manager 2022 is the Frontier studio's first-ever foray into the sporting world, although it developed the hugely successful managerial titles Elite Dangerous, Planet Zoo, Planet Coaster, and Jurassic World Evolution. Other titles it developed includes Dog's Life, Rollercoaster Tycoon 3, and Thrillville.
'F1 Manager 2022:' What We Know So Far
Much like the unaffiliated-with-F1 Motorsport Manager title, Frontier's version allows you to take the reins of your chosen team, and lead your drivers and team personnel through the Formula 1 Drivers' and Constructors' Championships in the all-new 2022 cars.
The player is responsible for all short-term and long-term decisions on sponsorship, regulatory changes, headquarters infrastructure, driver lineups, finances, staff, and race strategy in a "hyper-realistic" simulation.
However, unlike other popular motor racing management style games, F1 Manager 2022 does not look to include the option of creating your own additional team and team name. Instead you can "take control of a top outfit and instantly compete for race wins, or manage a team further down the field".
Alongside the option of hiring existing F1 drivers from other teams, the implementation of the official Formula 2 and Formula 3 line-ups, to hire rookie drivers from to your selected F1 team, will bolster the driver signing process. Players will also be able to scout and hire engineers from other teams.
Sky Sports F1's David Croft and Karun Chandhok have both confirmed their involvement in the development of the game via Twitter.
The Game Is Set To Launch This Summer
Formula 1's Managing Director of Motorsports Ross Brawn is supremely confident in Frontier's ability to do the growing sport's management side justice.
“It’s great to see F1 Manager 2022 take shape and for people to see this exciting title come to life," stated Brawn.
"I know from personal experience that leading a team can be challenging, but it’s certainly rewarding. The F1 Manager franchise is a great opportunity for fans to put themselves in the shoes of a team principal and experience some of that for themselves.
"I am confident that with their own successful track record in management gaming, Frontier will deliver an enjoyable and engaging experience for fans.”
Braben, the Founder and CEO of Frontier Developments is similarly “delighted” in the partnership, which was originally signed back in 2020.
"We’ve been working closely with them to deliver a truly authentic experience, and they have provided us with extensive access to all aspects of the sport to enable us to do this," says Braben.
"We feel this is the start of something special – we’re looking forward to bringing F1 Manager 2022 to players in summer 2022.”
Frontier's Game Director Andy Fletcher added: “There’s never been a better time to be a Formula 1 fan, and we’re excited to deliver our take on the world of turbocharged management games with the biggest racing brand in the world.
"F1 Manager 2022 will deliver an experience for both new and long-term fans that is as authentic as it is exciting. Our commitment to the ever-changing world of F1 will build a strong foundation for a long and special series that will evolve over time.”
Formula 1 is set to continue its agreement with recently-EA-acquired Codemasters to develop the official F1 racing video game, with F1 2022 expected release this summer in a similar timescale to that of F1 Manager 2022.