Building on the exciting new partnership with Max Verstappen, who now boasts EA Sports branding on the chin of his helmet, the back-to-back World Champion is confirmed as the cover star for the digital-exclusive F1 23 Champions Edition.

Braking Point returns for a bold new chapter following the careers of young upstart Aiden Jackson, and protagonist, Devon Butler, now teammates for Konnersport Racing Team, a fledgling organization hoping to succeed against the current real-world F1 teams and drivers. Adding a host of new characters, fresh rivalries, and racing challenges, both aim to take their careers to the next level, but there will be twists, turns, and pitfalls along the way.

F1 23’s handling has been upgraded from last season, allowing for more predictable behavior, and new vehicle physics gives the cars better traction when braking, accelerating, and cornering. By incorporating actual F1 team feedback, a greater balance between aerodynamics and tyre grip results in a more realistic feel. Engine torque and inertia improvements also mean throttle control is more authentic and offers a greater level of connection to the car. Alongside these improvements, Precision Drive controller technology will give pad players better control and confidence in those crucial race moments.

Electronic Arts confirmed the first EA Sports F1 23 real-world challenges and free items available via ‘F1 World’, the new in-game hub that connects drivers with more ways to engage with the sport they love through daily, weekly, and seasonal content. Over the course of the season, F1 23 will deliver fresh content from studio-curated scenarios, Multiplayer races, Community Grands Prix, and Hot Laps challenges for players to compete in. Players can earn exclusive rewards tied to the 2023 season, such as special edition liveries, driver helmets, race suits, and more. As a bonus, all players who log in during the Austria Grand Prix weekend will receive Max Verstappen’s special edition Miami Grand Prix race helmet.*

“We’re always looking for more ways to partner closely with Formula 1 and the F1 teams, and F1 World unlocks that potential and enables us to create real-world challenges and reward players with free exclusive one-off items for use throughout the season,” said Lee Mather, Senior Creative Director at Codemasters. “F1 Replays is another huge step forward allowing our players to jump into the previous Grand Prix and re-write history by competing with an identical grid.”

Each month, ‘F1 World’ will be the home to a series of gameplay challenges that will test even the most seasoned veteran. To launch the regular content updates and celebrate this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, players can compete in a hot lap challenge at the Red Bull Ring and instantly receive the iconic Oracle Red Bull Racing’s Miami Grand Prix car livery for use across ‘F1 World’ and My Team modes. Other ‘F1 World’ items can be earned with bronze, silver and gold challenge rewards depending on lap time.   

Available later in July, all-new ‘F1 Replays’ allows armchair F1 drivers to show they have what it takes by reliving the previous race and taking control of any of the 20 drivers in a replica Grand Prix. With the grid positions identical to those set for race day, players can now showcase their driving ability and see if they can match or improve on any of the driver’s performances. ‘F1 Replays’ will appear in ‘F1 World’ following a race weekend.

‘F1 World’ is just one of the exciting game modes that await players when they take to the grid in F1 23, an official game of the FIA Formula One World Championship™ across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, via EA App, Epic Games Store, and Steam. Alongside competing on every circuit for the 2023 season with all teams and drivers, players can live the drama of Formula 1 in ‘Braking Point 2’, experience racing intensity thanks to improved handling for wheel players through real F1 driver feedback and the all-new Precision Drive™ controller technology, and socially connect and race with l drivers of matching ability thanks to the new safety rating system fostering an environment of fair, competitive racing.

*Item will be delivered w/c July 3 2023    

Following community feedback, 35% race distance makes its debut, providing the perfect sweet spot between the previous short and long race options. Additionally, red flags add a new strategic element to F1 23, and the ability to react quickly could change the outcome of a race, both for better and worse. Alongside the full 2023 season calendar, which expands to include Las Vegas and Lusail, the game also boasts three legacy circuits, with Paul Ricard (France), Shanghai (China), and Portimão (Portugal) all confirmed for launch.

The introduction of the F1 World hub delivers a fresh experience with content inspired by the real-world calendar. Helping introduce players to the complex world of Formula 1, F1 World brings together multiple game modes, including Time Trial and Grand Prix, offering an exciting new way to play the game. A new progression system allows players to level up by completing challenges to unlock car upgrades, new liveries, race suits, and helmets. A new safety rating system links online and offline play, encouraging drivers to race cleanly. This system also helps pair like-minded drivers more efficiently for improved online racing.

The digital-exclusive F1 23 Champions Edition comes with time-limited Las Vegas content*, Max Verstappen Race Wear Pack, Braking Point 2 Icons and Vanity Item Pack, Dual Entitlement**, four new My Team Icons, an XP Boost, F1 World Bumper Pack, 18,000 PitCoin and three days early access starting on June 13. A physical and digital Standard Edition featuring EA Sports ambassador Charles Leclerc alongside Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris will be available from June 16 with F1 World Starter Pack and 5000 PitCoin for those who pre-order.

F1 23 is available for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC (EA App/Epic Games Store/Steam).