EA SPORTS F1 24 – Physics and Handling Overview

Earlier this month I attended a press preview for the latest iteration of F1 racing games from Electronic Arts, this year falling under the EA SPORTS umbrella. EA SPORTS F1 24, an official game of the FIA Formula One World Championship, is launching earlier than previous seasons on May 31 (June 1 for us in ANZ) across PC and consoles. Players will feel closer to the action with precision control, courtesy of the new EA SPORTS Dynamic Handling, and for the first time, fan-favourite Career mode allows players to compete as one of the 20 drivers from the 2024 F1 season.

I must admit, F1 23 was my first proper foray into the F1 games, and I am one of those F1 fans that knew of the sport but didn’t pay attention until Netflix’s Drive to Survive series aired in 2019. I loved how it humanised not only the drivers, of which I am a big fan of fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo, but also it gave me a deep dive into the mechanics of each team, and the staff who work for and lead them. It is a fascinating show and while it only shows the Hollywood and scripted moments, it was enough to get me intrigued and interested in each team’s performance year to year.

For EA SPORTS F1 24, EA got to work closely with current World Champion and Champions Edition cover star Max Verstappen and has set to redefine the physics and handling of this next game in the F1 series. EA SPORTS Dynamic Handling produces a realistic and predictable performance across wheel and pad. All-new suspension kinematics, upgraded tyre model, advanced aerodynamic simulation, and new engine and car setup options enhance the driving experience. Cornering, rolling resistance, brake pressure, ambient track temperature, and variable conditions enable drivers to receive immediate feedback to maximise their on-track performance.

Most of these terms go right over my head, but I recently played several races within F1 23’s Braking Point story mode, which is just like playing in episodes of Drive to Survive, with even more drama, as well as the career mode. I was stubborn and stuck with mouse and keyboard, but even still the handling in the game is fantastic, and it was such a buzz to see names above cars like Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen, especially as I passed them on a tight corner and left them for dust (yes, I played the game on easy). If EA SPORTS F1 24 feels better than this, I and many others have got to be very happy with that.

In the press preview, we were introduced to Lee Mather, Senior Creative Director, who provided a high-level overview of the physics and handling aspects of EA SPORTS F1 24. ‘At One With The Car’ is the slogan for the game this year and he elaborated on what to expect with physics and handling aiming for control and realism.

• Suspension Kinematics – All new suspension physics system. These give the car a real feel of weight transfer and load through the tyres.
• Improved Tyre Model – The contact patch with the road behaves more realistically, in tandem with the suspension changes. Tyre heat and wear is also more authentic.
• Improved Aerodynamic Simulation – Wing angles and ride height now have a greater impact on downforce and drag.
• Upgraded Power Unit – Just like real-life, the player now has more control over the mode and performance of their engine.
• More Player Agency – More car setup options give players more control of their driving style, strategy, and performance.

What does all this translate to? Casey Ringley, Senior Game Designer & Vehicle Handling Lead, went into much finer detail of each section and made mention that “many of the changes we’ve made have the goal of giving the player more control over their car than ever before. With the improved tyre models, behaviour in the wet has been modified to give more control in low grip conditions and to add cooling effects from driving through wet areas of the track. The improved aerodynamics more effectively showcases teams’ individual strengths and weaknesses at varying circuit types. An example is Williams being fast in straight line low downforce circuits in 2023).” You can watch a physics and handling gameplay preview in the following video.

Stay tuned for more upcoming articles soon as I convey what we were shown of the revamped Career mode and updates to tracks, drivers and teams in EA SPORTS F1 24. As a sneak peak, for the career mode, players can choose from an up-and-coming competitor from F2, a legendary icon, or create their own legacy. Updates to Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Lusail International Circuit, and Jeddah Corniche Circuit ensure that in-game tracks match their real-world counterparts. Actual driver audio samples taken from F1 broadcasts have also been added as they react to on-track incidents, and a new broadcast presentation package and cutscenes add to the race day immersion.

Drivers who pre-order the digital-exclusive Champions Edition of EA SPORTS F1 24 by May 1 gain immediate access to a selection of new-season F1 team liveries for use in Time Trial mode in F1 23. They also receive Hunt and Montoya as Icons, 18,000 Pitcoin, an F1 World Bumper Pack, up to three days of early access starting May 28, and one bonus VIP Podium Pass. Players pre-ordering the Standard Edition featuring cover stars Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Lando Norris will receive 5,000 Pitcoin and an F1 World Starter Pack.

This preview was made possible by EA Australia, and to keep up to date with all the latest F1 game news and information, follow the EA SPORTS F1 24 official website and social channels.

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