F1 23 Review: The Racing Game That Finally Makes Every Lap Feel Personal
15.01.2026 - 04:16:13
You know that moment when a racing game stops feeling like racing and starts feeling like wrestling with the game itself? Rubber-banding AI that magically teleports past you. Car handling that’s either made of soap or glued to the ground. Online lobbies where one reckless driver wipes out half the grid. That's usually when you switch it off.
That's the gap F1 23 is trying to close: a Formula 1 experience that feels intense and dramatic, but also fair, readable, and deeply tweakable for how you like to drive.
Developed by Codemasters and published by Electronic Arts Inc. (ISIN: US2855121099), F1 23 steps onto the grid with one bold pitch: give you TV-broadcast realism, story-driven pressure, and enough assists and sliders to make it approachable even if you've never watched a full Grand Prix.
The Solution: What F1 23 Actually Fixes
F1 23 doesn't just add prettier cars and the 2023 teams; it addresses a few long-standing complaints fans have had about modern racing games and even previous F1 titles:
- Handling that feels predictable, not punishing: A new physics and handling model gives more traction on corner exits and curbs compared to F1 22, especially on controller. You still get punished for overdriving, but the car no longer feels like it’s waiting to spin you out at every bump.
- Braking Point story mode returns: The narrative campaign "Braking Point 2" comes back with new characters, team politics, and cutscenes, giving newcomers a guided way into F1 instead of dumping them in career menus.
- Safety Rating and driver reputation online: A new F1 World structure with safety and skill ratings is designed to reward clean racing and match you with drivers at a similar level, reducing the chaos of public lobbies.
- Red flags & more authentic race rules: For the first time in the series, red flags can suspend races, mirroring real-life F1 when conditions become unsafe or the track is blocked.
If your frustration has ever been: “Why can't someone just build a serious F1 sim that doesn’t make me feel like I need a full rig and 500 hours to enjoy it?”—F1 23 is EA's answer.
Why this specific model?
There are a lot of racing games right now: Forza Motorsport, Gran Turismo 7, ACC, iRacing. But F1 23 is laser-focused on the official Formula 1 world: every 2023 team, every driver, every circuit, plus the Formula 2 2023 season and several classic circuits available from launch or added via updates.
Here's what makes F1 23 stand out once you're actually in the cockpit:
- New handling model tuned for both pad and wheel
Codemasters has reworked traction and car behavior under braking and acceleration. On Reddit, many players say the game feels "more planted" than F1 22, especially on a controller, without losing the sensation of weight and downforce. In real terms: fewer random spins, more confidence to push lap after lap. - Braking Point 2 story mode
The cinematic campaign returns with scripted races and storyline decisions involving fictional drivers like Aiden Jackson and Devon Butler. For you, that means you don't have to be a hardcore F1 nerd to feel invested — the game gives you built-in drama, rivalries, and objectives beyond "finish P1." - F1 World progression hub
F1 World replaces the old, fragmented modes with a single progression ecosystem. You complete events, daily/weekly challenges, and multiplayer races to unlock performance upgrades and cosmetics for your car. It provides a constant sense of progression, but without forcing you into heavy grind if you just want to race. - Red flags and updated race rules
Red flags add a layer of race strategy: your pit decisions, tire choices, and timing can be completely reshuffled if the race gets suspended. It's rare but deeply memorable when it happens — the sort of "I'll be talking about this race for a week" moment racing fans love. - Cross-play multiplayer
F1 23 supports cross-platform play across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in core modes like ranked and social lobbies (subject to the platform's policies). That means more populated lobbies and a better chance of finding people at your skill level, regardless of hardware.
Combine that with the full 2023 calendar — including the Las Vegas street circuit and the return of Qatar — and you get a package that feels very specifically 2023/2024 F1, not a generic racing sandbox.
At a Glance: The Facts
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| Official 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship license | Race with all current teams, drivers, and circuits for an authentic, up-to-date F1 experience. |
| Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (EA app, Steam, Epic) | Play on almost any modern system and join a large, cross-platform player base. |
| Braking Point 2 story mode | Enjoy a narrative-driven entry point into F1, with cutscenes, voice acting, and scripted race scenarios. |
| New handling & physics model | More predictable traction and improved controller feel while retaining depth for wheel users. |
| F1 World hub with progression | Centralized single and multiplayer events with unlockable upgrades and cosmetic rewards. |
| Red flags and updated race rules | More realistic race weekends with unexpected stoppages that add tension and strategy. |
| Cross-play online multiplayer | Compete with friends and rivals across different platforms in ranked and social lobbies. |
What Users Are Saying
F1 23 has sparked a lot of conversation on Reddit and racing forums, and the consensus is nuanced but largely positive.
The praise:
- Handling > F1 22: Many pad players call it the "best the series has felt on controller" so far. The car still punishes mistakes, but no longer feels like it's constantly trying to snap on exit curbs.
- Braking Point 2 is actually engaging: Players like the mix of cutscenes, scripted drama, and on-track objectives. It's often described as "surprisingly good" and a welcome break from pure career grinding.
- Performance and visuals: On current-gen consoles and decent PCs, the game runs smoothly with detailed car models, track atmospherics, and broadcast-style camera cuts that feel “like watching Sky Sports, but you're in it.”
The criticism:
- Microtransaction concerns in F1 World: Some players dislike the presence of consumable-style upgrades and cosmetic unlocks, even if they're not strictly pay-to-win. The worry is long-term grind and live-service creep.
- AI pace quirks: A recurring complaint is that AI difficulty can be inconsistent across tracks, forcing you to constantly retune your AI level.
- Last-gen limitations: On PS4 and Xbox One, visuals and loading times are understandably weaker; some users recommend current-gen or PC to really see the game at its best.
Overall sentiment leans positive: compared to F1 22, many long-time fans consider F1 23 a meaningful improvement, especially in handling and single-player content.
Alternatives vs. F1 23
You might be wondering how F1 23 stacks up against the rest of the racing landscape.
- F1 22 vs F1 23: If you already own F1 22, the upgrade question is fair. F1 23 brings the updated 2023 grid, new tracks (like Las Vegas), red flags, F1 World, and Braking Point 2. The handling is widely regarded as more forgiving and more fun on controller. If you're playing regularly, these changes are noticeable enough to justify the step up; if you're a casual player who doesn't care about the latest season, you could wait for a sale.
- Gran Turismo 7 / Forza Motorsport: Both are broader car-collecting sims. They're fantastic if you want hundreds of road and race cars, tuning, and varied disciplines. But neither offers the fully licensed F1 season structure, real teams, or F1-style race weekends. For pure F1 immersion, F1 23 stands alone.
- Assetto Corsa Competizione / iRacing: These push harder into hardcore sim territory, focused mostly on GT racing. If you have a full wheel rig and want laser-scanned GT tracks and deep setup work, they're incredible. If you want the specific drama of modern Formula 1 — the personalities, liveries, and rule set — F1 23 is the obvious choice.
In short: if your heart is set on Formula 1, F1 23 is the most complete and current package you can buy right now.
Final Verdict
F1 23 is what happens when a long-running series actually listens to its community. The handling is more rewarding, not more punishing. The content doesn't just chase esports pros — it makes space for newcomers with Braking Point 2 and smart assists. Online racing gets a little less wild thanks to safety ratings and cross-play. And the addition of red flags gives those unforgettable "what just happened?" race moments that define modern F1.
Is it perfect? No. The presence of microtransaction-adjacent systems in F1 World will put some players off, and AI quirks still need tuning. On last-gen hardware, you feel the age of the consoles. But if you've been waiting for an F1 game that feels both authentic and approachable, this is the one to get.
If you're a die-hard Formula 1 fan, F1 23 is almost a no-brainer. If you're F1-curious and want to understand why millions tune in every weekend, this is one of the most fun, accessible ways to finally strap in, hear the lights go out, and find out how brave you really are on the brakes.
