In the biggest shake-up for over a decade, players will take their seats for the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship in new hybrid cars, as overhauled rules reimagine the race weekend with the inclusion of F1 Sprint races. With a more competitive and unpredictable line-up, players will test their skills across the 2022 calendar, including the International Autodrome for the inaugural Miami Grand Prix. In another first, players can step into the glamorous world of Formula 1 with F1 Life, a customisable hub to show off their collection of supercars, clothing, and accessories, earned via gameplay, Podium Pass, and the in-game brand store.

The redefined race day allows players to customise their set-up with new Immersive and Broadcast options that affect formation laps, safety car periods, and pit stops. Select Immersive, and players will face risk-reward challenges, which could be the difference between a place on the podium or finishing outside the points. Broadcast takes the pressure off, with controlled and authentic cinematics that keeps players close to the action. For the ultimate immersive F1 experience, the new PC VR functionality via Oculus Rift and HTC Vive enables players to feel the drama from right inside the cockpit.  

For new and casual fans, the new Adaptive AI keeps less experienced players competitive throughout each race, with opposing AI racers tailored to match the skill level. Accessible menus and handling also return to help players get to the action quickly without the need to understand the complexities of the sport. The refreshed Practice Programs offer more variety with new scoring systems and on-track visualisations. This helps players navigate each twist and turn to perfection before racing for those all-important championship points.

F1 22 also boasts enhancements to returning features, including My Team, allowing players to choose their starting budget based on three entry points: Newcomer, Challenger, and Front Runner. The game sees real-life track updates to Australia, Spain, and Abu Dhabi to reflect recent changes. F1 22 also features its critically acclaimed 10-year Career, complete with a two-player option, and Multiplayer is back for epic races against the global racing community. 

Codemasters and Electronic Arts released the first look at EA Sports F1 22 gameplay captured in VR ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 AWS Grand Prix Du Canada 2022.

Exclusive to the PC platform, VR is just one of the many innovations that await players when the game releases on July 1. Featuring local hero Lance Stroll in the Aston Martin AMR22, the immersive gameplay demonstrates the claustrophobic feel of sitting in the cockpit. Players will experience the thrill of racing in the pinnacle of motorsport like never before throughout the 4.361km Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal.

“VR revolutionizes F1 22 on PC and takes the race weekend to an entirely new level,” said Lee Mather, F1 Senior Creative Director at Codemasters. "From the claustrophobia of sitting in the cockpit to the intensity of lights out as 20 cars accelerate towards the first corner. This is as close to Formula 1 racing as you can get without being on the actual grid.”

Also get more details about the debut of VR on PC, as well as new features such as adaptive AI, Immersive and Broadcast options, supercars, and F1 Life – your customizable hub in this 20 minute developer deep dive.

EA Sports F1 22 is releasing worldwide for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC on July 1, 2022.