F1 23 arrives as the latest entry in the annual sports car racing series, and it lands on Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PC, PS5 with a familiar promise: faster cars, sharper visuals, and a season of racing built around the real sport. The game asks players to master the grid, manage their careers, and chase championships across a full calendar of tracks. It mostly delivers on that promise, though some rough edges keep it from greatness.
Trailer, via EA SPORTS F1.
The Career Mode
Career mode remains the heart of F1 23. Players build a driver from scratch, pick a team, and work through a season of Grand Prix races. The pacing is steady, with each race week offering practice sessions, qualifying, and the main event. The season carries weight, with championship standings shifting match to match, and the sense of progression feels genuine over a long campaign.
The mode also adds new depth this year. Player development tracks now influence performance stats, so choosing the right training focus can change how a driver handles a car. Team management options grow too, letting players make decisions about staff, strategy, and partnerships. These additions give career mode a longer shelf life than previous entries, even if the core loop stays largely unchanged. The result is a campaign that feels more involved from start to finish, rewarding players who dig into the extra layers rather than simply racing from weekend to weekend.
The Racing
The driving model is where F1 23 shows its strength. Cars handle with precision, and the physics engine rewards patience. Braking late into corners, managing tire wear, and finding the perfect line through fast sections all matter. The game pushes players to think tactically, not just react quickly.
Online multiplayer holds up well. Races run smoothly, and the matchmaking system finds opponents with similar skill levels without too much delay. There is a noticeable difference between playing online and offline, but the gap is smaller than in past games. The AI drivers remain competent, though they sometimes lack the unpredictable flair that human racers bring to the table. That contrast between human and computer opponents is a reminder of why multiplayer remains one of the strongest draws for this genre.
The Tracks and Presentation
The presentation is strong across the board. Tracks look sharp, with detailed renderings of the circuits and the surrounding scenery. Weather effects add variety, and the lighting shifts depending on the time of day. The sound design is excellent, with engines roaring and crowds cheering during live broadcasts.
The broadcast sequences have been improved. Commentary is more engaging, and the camera work during replays is smoother. The game does a better job of making the spectacle feel connected to the action on track, which helps sell the drama of each race. These improvements mean that watching a race unfold feels more like being there, whether you’re actually behind the wheel or simply following along from the couch.
The Rough Edges
Not everything runs perfectly. Some menus feel cluttered, and the interface could use streamlining. Loading times vary between platforms, with PC often coming out ahead while console versions show occasional slowdown. These are small issues, but they can frustrate players who want a seamless experience.
The AI is competent but predictable in single-player content. It rarely surprises, and that can make long solo campaigns feel repetitive after dozens of hours. The game also lacks a deep enough range of difficulty settings to truly challenge veteran players, which limits its replay value for those looking for a real test. These weaknesses don’t sink the game, but they keep it from reaching the level of greatness it aims for.
The Platforms
F1 23 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PC, PS5, giving players multiple ways to jump into the season. Performance varies by platform. PC offers the most control, with adjustable settings for frame rate and resolution. Console versions are solid but show more visible loading times.
Cross-platform play is supported, which means players on different systems can compete against each other online. That flexibility is a welcome addition, though it requires a bit of setup through the game’s matchmaking system. For fans who want to race against friends no matter what platform they own, this feature removes a major barrier.
The Numbers
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PC, PS5
- Mode: Career, Grand Prix, Time Trial, Multiplayer
- Score: 8.8/10
The Final Word
F1 23 succeeds because it respects the craft of racing. The driving model is precise, the career mode is deep, and the presentation is polished. It falls short when menus get tangled and the AI becomes predictable, but those flaws are minor compared to what the game gets right.
For fans of the sport, this is a strong entry. For players looking for a complete package, it comes close but doesn’t quite hit the mark. The score reflects that balance: 8.8 out of 10.
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