F1® 2020 HEADS TO MONACO WITH NEW HOT LAP AHEAD OF VIRTUAL GRAND PRIX

May 21st, 2020 by Jenny Marshall

We’re very happy to be able to show you the first F1® 2020 in-game hot lap on Circuit de Monaco, ahead of the iconic circuit’s appearance at this weekend’s Virtual Grand Prix. On the weekend where it was initially scheduled in the F1® calendar, the lap, recorded by the F1® 2020 development team, features Pierre Gasly’s newly re-branded AlphaTauri. The video can be viewed here.

Considered one of the most challenging circuits in the F1® calendar, navigating Monaco’s tight street circuit takes immense skill and courage with little chance to take your foot off the gas from start to finish. F1® 2020’s iteration is no different, with a full track visual uplift now complete following the updates in F1® 2019.

This Sunday, 24th May, F1® drivers including Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon George Russell, Nicholas Latifi, and Antonio Giovinazzi return for the latest Virtual Grand Prix on F1® 2019’s Circuit de Monaco. The live broadcast starts at 6pm (BST) on the official Formula 1® YouTube, Twitch, Weibo, and Facebook channels alongside several international broadcast partners.

F1® 2020 will be released on Friday 10th July 2020 for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X, Windows PC (DVD and via Steam), and Google Stadia. Players who purchase the Michael Schumacher Deluxe Edition will receive exclusive content and three days early access.

For future news and details on all the new features follow the Formula 1 game website and social channels on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

You can see our F1® 2020 screenshots right here:

ADRENALINE FUELLED ACTION AND STUNNING VISUALS IN FIRST F1® 2020 GAMEPLAY TRAILER

May 12th, 2020 by Jenny Marshall

We’re very happy to showcase the first full in-game trailer for F1® 2020, the official videogame of the 2020 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™. Against the backdrop of the rousing F1® theme music written by composer Brian Tyler, the trailer celebrates the 70th anniversary of Formula 1® with intense racing wheel-to-wheel battles on some of the season’s most demanding circuits. The trailer is available to view here:

The trailer also features Formula 2™ which makes its return following its successful debut last year. Now fully integrated into Career mode, F2™ allows players to choose from full, half-season and three-race challenge options, creating the ultimate F1® training ground. Players will have access to the 2019 F2™ season at launch with the 2020 season coming as a free update later in the year.

Alongside the stunning cars designed for the 2020 season, F1® 2020 gives players a chance to race some of the most desirable classic cars from the glorious history of F1®. The 16 classic cars are:
• 2010 Red Bull RB6
• 2010 Ferrari F10
• 2010 McLaren MP4-25
• 2009 Brawn BGP 001
• 2008 McLaren MP4 –23
• 2007 Ferrari F2007
• 2006 Renault R26
• 2004 Ferrari F2004
• 2003 Williams FW25
• 1998 McLaren MP4-13
• 1996 Williams FW18
• 1992 Williams FW14
• 1991 McLaren MP4/6
• 1990 Ferrari 641
• 1990 McLaren MP4/5B
• 1988 McLaren MP4/4

INCLUDED IN THE F1® 2020 Deluxe Schumacher Edition
• 1991: Jordan 191
• 1994: Benetton B194
• 1995: Benetton B195
• 2000: Ferrari F1-2000

“The first in-game trailer has become a key moment in the F1® game campaign and this year is no exception,” said Lee Mather, F1® Franchise Game Director at Codemasters. “Each season we raise the visual benchmark, and with more circuits and teams getting new liveries, we can’t wait for the season to start and for players to be able to race.”

F1® 2020 will be released on Friday 10th July 2020 for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X, Windows PC (DVD and via Steam), and Google Stadia. Players who purchase the Michael Schumacher Deluxe Edition will receive exclusive content and three days early access.

For future news and details on all the new features follow the Formula 1 game website and social channels on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
* Available in limited markets. Check local retailers for details

F1® 2020 SPANISH HOT LAP UNVEILED AHEAD OF LATEST VIRTUAL GRAND PRIX ON CIRCUIT DE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA

May 7th, 2020 by Jenny Marshall

Today, we’re showing off a brand new F1® 2020 in-game hot lap from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, ahead of this weekend’s Virtual Grand Prix at the same circuit. Initially scheduled for this weekend in the F1® calendar, the lap, recorded by the F1® 2020 development team, features McLaren’s Carlos Sainz on his home circuit. The video can be viewed here:

Following feedback from both drivers and players, improvements have been made by the development team to the 2020 Spanish circuit. The final sector has been modified, and now the elevation between turns 13 and 14 has changed, giving players a greater sense of realism.

On Sunday, 10th May, F1® drivers Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, Lando Norris, George Russell, Nicholas Latifi and Antonio Giovinazzi will be joined by Sergio Aguero, Thibaut Courtois and Arthur Melo for this weekend’s virtual race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Racing on F1® 2019, drivers will join the race remotely with a live broadcast from 6pm (BST). The Broadcast will be available on the official Formula 1® YouTube, Twitch, Weibo and Facebook channels alongside international broadcast partners.

F1® 2020 will be released on Friday 10th July 2020 for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X, Windows PC (DVD and via Steam), and Google Stadia. Players who purchase the Michael Schumacher Deluxe Edition will receive exclusive content and three days early access.

For future news and details on all the new features follow Formula 1 game website and social channels on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

CODEMASTERS® TAKES TO VIRTUAL CIRCUIT ZANDVOORT FOR F1® 2020 FIRST LOOK

April 30th, 2020 by Jenny Marshall

Today, we’re premiering Circuit Zandvoort to you, the first of two new races added to F1® 2020, the official videogame of the 2020 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™. This weekend was originally scheduled to be the Dutch Grand Prix, so we’ll have to wait to see Circuit Zandvoort’s return, however, instead we have a virtual lap in F1® 2020. So, it’s time for your first look, featuring the car of Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen:

Nestled amongst the coastal dunes in the province of North Holland, Circuit Zandvoort is a traditional style racetrack. In preparation for its return in 2020 the circuit has new paddock and run-off areas, with sections of the track enhanced to create exhilarating racing moments. It will become synonymous for its steeped bank curve, which is unique amongst F1® circuits. The final bank, angled at 18 degrees, will allow drivers to tuck-in behind an opponent and line-up to overtake in front of the fans on the home straight.

“The team has done an incredible job in recreating every aspect of the circuit. The banked final corner heading into the long straight is something players are going to enjoy,” said Lee Mather, F1® Franchise Game Director at Codemasters. “Circuit Zandvoort is highly technical with height variation, blind crests and unsighted braking points and corner apexes. It’s an onslaught on the senses and doesn’t give players a moment to rest.”

Not only that, but we’re also revealing our F1® 2020 cover art, with four variants alongside the Michael Schumacher Deluxe Edition and Steelbook*. Current World Champion, Lewis Hamilton and long-time rival, Sebastian Vettel go head to head for the ‘international’ version which includes UK, Germany and the US markets. The young guns of Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen represent France, Italy and Benelux, with Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez taking centre stage in Spain and Mexico. The experienced Kimi Räikkönen and Daniel Ricciardo feature in Poland and Australia.

F1® 2020 will be released on Friday 10th July 2020 for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X, Windows PC (DVD and via Steam), and Google Stadia. Players who purchase the Michael Schumacher Deluxe Edition will receive exclusive content and three days early access.

You can find the cover art for F1 2020 below, or you take a look in more detail right here.

Formula 1 drivers joined by cricket and football stars for virtual grand prix at Brazil’s Interlagos

April 30th, 2020 by Jenny Marshall

It’s time for another Virtual Grand Prix! This time, F1 drivers Alex Albon, Antonio Giovinazzi, George Russell, Nicholas Latifi and Charles Leclerc will be joined by stars from cricket and football world for this weekend’s virtual race at the Interlagos Circuit.

We’re very happy to have England cricketers Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes taking to the grid for this weekend’s Virtual Grand Prix too, alongside A.C. Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli, and they’ll be battling it out alongside Formula 1 stars in the fourth virtual race of the season, with more names being announced very soon!

Broad, who’ll be stepping up and racing for Scuderia AlphaTauri, will be looking to beat his England teammate Stokes, who’s racing in his second virtual Grand Prix for Aston Martin Red Bull Racing alongside Alex Albon.

Sunday’s Virtual GP will coincide withn the weekend which was originally scheduled for the Dutch Grand Prix, and as Circuit Zandvoort isn’t in F1 2019, the choice of circuit was left to you to vote on social media. Getting more than 50% of the 40,00 votes cast was Brazil’s Autódromo José Carlos Pace, also known as Interlagos – what a track!

Drivers will be joining the race remotely, and with a host broadcast live from the Gfinity Esports Arena from 6:00pm (BST) on Sunday May 3.

The broadcast which will be available on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch, as well as the Formula1game Facebook page. We’re expecting to be running for about an hour and a half, with a qualifying period where grid positions will be determined based on the drivers’ fastest lap time, followed by a 28-lap race.

The Virtual Grand Prix will also be broadcast live with international broadcast partners in over 100 countries including in the UK on Sky Sports, in the US on ESPN, and FOX Sports Asia across Southeast Asia.

That’s not all – right beforehand, at 5pm BST, you’ll be able to watch the F1 Esports pros race against each other in the F1 Esports Pro Exhibition race. You’ll be able to catch this T official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch, the Formula1game Facebook page, as well as selected TV broadcasters and is expected to run for 1 hour.

Julian Tan, Head of Digital Business Initiatives and Esports said: “We are delighted that so many fans are watching and engaging with the F1 Esports Virtual Grands Prix. The viewership continues to go from strength to strength, outlining the growing success of the races and the wider potential of Formula 1 in esports. Furthermore, we are thrilled to welcome more stars from outside the world of F1, to complement our strong F1 and motorsport driver grid, and use this opportunity to link up with other sports as we all stand together to give fans something to cheer about during these difficult times.”

F1® MOBILE RACING UPDATE ADDS 2020 SEASON CONTENT

April 22nd, 2020 by Jenny Marshall

Codemasters® and Eden Games today announced the arrival of the F1® 2020 season to F1® Mobile Racing, an official mobile game of the FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™. With its next update, scheduled for early May, players will get access to the current line-up of teams, cars, drivers, helmets and circuits, including the brand-new Circuit Zandvoort. Hanoi Circuit will follow in a separate update at the end of May as part of a street circuit in-game event.

F1® Mobile Racing Update 12 features all the 2020 regulation-designed cars complete with official team sponsors and official driver helmets. It allows players to compete against the greatest drivers on the planet including Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

Free to download and play, F1® Mobile Racing allows players to create their F1® car complete with colour scheme, livery and performance upgrades or use the official cars of the 2020 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™. Take to the grid and race against official F1® teams and other racers in time-limited Grand Prix™ Events for big rewards and combine scores over each event to rank on global leader boards. Players can also take on other competitors online in one-on-one Duels to move up the global Leagues and complete countless Challenges.

The year 2020 marks a celebration with Formula 1® looking back at 70 years of the FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, and F1® Mobile Racing will host an in-game 70th Anniversary Championship. Starting in May, players can participate in a one-off GP Event at five of the iconic circuits from the 1950 Championship, competing to earn special 70th Anniversary in-game prizes.

Since its launch in October 2018, F1® Mobile Racing has established itself as the must-have free-to-play mobile companion. To date, the game has launched in 155 countries and has over 18 million downloads. With a focus on fast-paced, one-lap, PvP races on full circuits, F1® Mobile Racing allows players to instantly jump into races and compete in weekend challenges and cross-play multiplayer battles.

“We know our players will be excited by the first major 2020 update of the year and there is still a lot more to come,” said Vincent Meulle, Executive Producer at Codemasters. “We are excited to launch Circuit Zandvoort, and later in the month Hanoi Circuit, but we don’t stop there and have big surprises and features coming later in the season.

Our players want the most authentic experience possible on their mobile devices and with the new 2020 season update F1® Mobile Racing continues to deliver the action and excitement they crave.”

Stay up to date with all F1® Mobile Racing news by following the Codies Blog, as well as the game’s Facebook group, Twitter and Instagram channels.

Six Formula 1 drivers to race in China Virtual Grand Prix

April 16th, 2020 by Jenny Marshall

Following the success of the second instalment of the F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix, six Formula 1 drivers will battle it out at the Virtual Chinese Grand Prix this Sunday, 19th April at 18:00 BST. After winning the last race on his debut, Charles Leclerc will be out for victory once again, as he takes on his fellow Formula 1 competitors, George Russell, Antonio Giovinazzi, Lando Norris, Alex Albon and Nicholas Latifi on Sunday’s starting grid.

Alongside a star-studded grid of Formula 1 drivers, Real Madrid and Belgium international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois makes his Virtual Grand Prix debut for Red Bull, with a host of other exciting names set to be announced over the coming days.

This weekend’s virtual Grand Prix is the third race in the new F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix series, which gives fans the chance to watch Formula 1 races virtually during the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

This weekend’s Grand Prix will take place at the Shanghai International Circuit, China on the day when the official Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2020 would have originally taken place. Drivers will join the race remotely, with a host broadcast live from the Gfinity Esports Arena from 6:00pm (BST) on Sunday April 19 – a change from previous weekends where races have started at 8:00pm.

The broadcast which will be available on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels, is expected to run for 1 hour 30 minutes, with a qualifying period where grid positions will be determined based on the drivers’ fastest lap time, followed by a 28-lap race. The Virtual Grand Prix will also be broadcast live with international broadcast partners including in the UK, Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event.

In addition to the Chinese Virtual Grand Prix, the F1 Esports Series China Championship will kick off its 2020 Season on Sunday with a Pre-season Event. The 2020 Season will retain much of the same structure with qualification, regional finals, and the Grand Final – but will see the introduction of a brand-new Pro League which was not part of the 2019 Season. The Pro League is a 22 race online championship following the same point scoring mechanic as the Formula One World Championship. The top ten racers from the Pro League driver standings will enter the Grand Final directly and compete with other racers from the regional finals for the chance to sign for an official F1 Esports team.

The Pre-season Event itself will include two online exhibition races. The first will be an All-Star race at Circuit de Monaco where top racers from the 2019 Season will put on a show, whilst the second will be a Pro League preseason race at Shanghai International Circuit where the Pro League teams will get a chance to showcase their talents in front of fans.
This weekend’s F1 Esports Pro Exhibition race will precede the virtual Grand Prix – and is set to begin at 5:00pm (BST). The broadcast will be available on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels as well as selected TV broadcasters and is expected to run for 1 hour.

Julian Tan, Head of Digital Business Initiatives and Esports said:
“From an esports perspective, the last Virtual Grand Prix was one of our most successful events we’ve ever put on, so it’s great to be back and be able to continue building something that has proven hugely popular. It’s very important to us that we can give our fans something to look forward in these uncertain times, so to see such an impressive list of returning drivers is fantastic. We hope the racing action is just as thrilling and fun as last time out!”

BE THE ELEVENTH TEAM ON THE GRID IN F1® 2020

April 15th, 2020 by Jenny Marshall

Celebrate the 70th Anniversary of F1® with New Circuits, Split-Screen, and Michael Schumacher Deluxe Edition

(more…)

FIVE FORMULA 1 DRIVERS ALREADY CONFIRMED FOR SECOND VIRTUAL GRAND PRIX

April 2nd, 2020 by Jenny Marshall

Current Formula 1 drivers Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, George Russell, Lando Norris and Nicholas Latifi have all confirmed their participation for the second instalment of the F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix this weekend.

The F1 quintet will be joined by former driver Johnny Herbert, who finished 13th in the inaugural race in Bahrain, as well as a host of other stars including England’s Cricket World Cup Winner, BBC Sports Personality of the Year and Red Bull Athlete Ben Stokes, with more names set to be announced in the coming days.

This weekend’s virtual Grand Prix is the second race in the new F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix series, which gives fans the chance to watch Formula 1 races virtually, despite the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

This weekend’s Grand Prix will take place on the Albert Park track, traditionally used for the Australian Grand Prix, on the weekend originally scheduled for Hanoi’s inaugural Street Circuit race in Vietnam. The Vietnam circuit is currently not available on the 2019 official F1 video game so drivers will show off their skills on the Albert Park circuit. Drivers will join the race remotely, with a host broadcast live from the Gfinity Esports Arena from 8:00pm (BST) on Sunday April 5.

The broadcast which will be available on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels, is expected to run for 1 hour 30 minutes, with a qualifying period where grid positions will be determined based on the drivers’ fastest lap time, followed by a 28-lap race. The Virtual Grand Prix will also be broadcast live with international broadcast partners including in the UK on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event.

Due to the wide variety of gaming skill levels amongst the drivers, game settings will be configured in such a way to encourage competitive and entertaining racing. This includes running equal car performance with fixed setups, reduced vehicle damage, and optional anti-lock brakes and traction control for those less familiar with the game.

After the virtual Vietnam Grand Prix is over, a special F1 Esports Pro Exhibition race featuring esports gamers will follow from 9:30pm (BST). The broadcast will be available on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels as well as selected TV broadcasters and is expected to run for 1 hour.

Julian Tan, Head of Digital Business Initiatives and Esports said: “Following the massive success of the F1 Esports Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix, we are thrilled to be able to come back online again this weekend to provide fans with some racing action. A star-studded grid is shaping up with our F1 stars – past, present and future – as well as huge names in sports and entertainment. We look forward to providing some light relief through esports as we all navigate through these difficult times together, where our fans can engage with our sport in a different but familiar way.”

About Formula 1®
Formula 1® racing began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, as well as the world’s most popular annual sporting series. The 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship™ runs from March to November and spans 22 races in 22 countries across five continents. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1® and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™. Formula 1® is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LSXMA, LSXMB, LSXMK, BATRA, BATRK, FWONA, FWONK) attributed to the Formula One Group tracking stock. The F1 logo, F1 FORMULA 1 logo, FORMULA 1, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX, PADDOCK CLUB and related marks are trade marks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula 1 company. All rights reserved.

LIAM PAYNE, IAN POULTER AND SIR CHRIS HOY JOIN F1 DRIVERS FOR F1 ESPORTS VIRTUAL BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX

March 22nd, 2020 by Jenny Marshall

Music artist Liam Payne, professional golfer Ian Poulter and six-time Olympic Gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy have all been confirmed on the grid for this evening’s virtual Bahrain Grand Prix.

The trio will be joined by a variety of F1 drivers past and present, including Lando Norris, Nicholas Latifi, Nico Hulkenberg, Stoffel Vandoorne, Esteban Gutierrez and Johnny Herbert.

The event will consist of a qualifying session followed by a 28-lap race around the Sakhir circuit, with all 10 Formula 1 teams represented by two drivers each.

Fans can watch all the action from 8pm GMT on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels, as well as F1.com. The Virtual Grand Prix will also be broadcast live with international broadcast partners including in the UK on Sky Sports F1, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Mix (Sky channel 145). Please find a full breakdown of the grid for the virtual Bahrain GP below: