F1 2019 Launches Ahead of Schedule

25th June 2019 - Players will be able to create their own rivalries with the launch of F1 2019. Releasing two months earlier than previous iterations, players who purchased the F1 2019 Legends Edition, can now enjoy three days of early access on PlayStation 4, the Xbox One and Steam.

With the longest development cycle of any Codemasters F1 game, F1 2019 features of series of firsts including the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship where players can compete alongside F1 rookies, Lando Norris, George Russell and Alexander Albon. The game also launches with the F2 Feeder Series, a scenario-based introduction which alters the outcome of the game based on the player’s success, actions and responses. The F2 2019 season will be added via a free digital download later in the year.

Another first is driver transfers which appear in Career Mode and mostly occur at the end of each season. Established stars including current F1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton and arch-nemesis, Sebastian Vettel can form an unlikely partnership or continue their rivalry in the racing colours of completely new teams. All new contracts are based on performance, so talent will have the opportunity to sign for a title contender with a series of strong results or be relegated to a team whose goals are much less ambitious.

F1 2019 features 18 classic cars celebrating every decade from the 1970s through to 2010s. Players can re-live great moments from the past in the best performing cars of their generation including the 1972 Lotus 72D, 1988 McLaren MP4/4, 1996 Williams FW18 through to the 2010 Red Bull RB6. In addition, the F1 2019 Legends Edition features Alain Prost’s McLaren MP4/5B and Ayrton Senna’s Ferrari F1-90 from 1990 alongside the McLaren MP4-25 and the Ferrari F10, part of the F1 2019 Anniversary Edition which launches on Friday 28th June. Players can also customise a 2019 regulation car, created in collaboration with Ross Brawn and Pat Symonds, with a series of liveries and compete online in Multiplayer mode.

“We are absolutely delighted with the inclusion of F2, Senna and Prost, and Career Mode Driver Transfers, as major, new additions to the F1 Franchise, as well as integrating league racing and F1 Esports for fans who want to race competitively,” said Paul Jeal, F1 Franchise Director at Codemasters. “Driver Transfers, in particular, are something that we know our players have craved for several years, and it’s fantastic to now have that functionality integrated into our 10-year Career mode and build upon the seasonal rule changes we introduced in F1 2018 to create unique player storylines from season to season.”

“The extra development time has enabled the team to both improve and add several new features,” said Lee Mather, F1 2019 Game Director at Codemasters.