F1 2017

At first, although it is somewhat obvious, we can already anticipate that we are not facing a revolution in the saga, far from it. It is something that happens regularly with annual deliveries and the Codemasters saga is no stranger to this. Of course, the company has introduced several new features, among which the inclusion of classic cars, as well as changes in the main mode of the game, the Professional Career mode.

The career of a Formula 1 driver can span many years . The youngest rider in a Grand Prix race did so at the age of 17, and the oldest at 55. Even a few weeks ago, we even saw a 79-year-old woman on board the 2012 Renault E20 at an exhibition. They are extreme, although, in general, a driver can spend more than 20 years of career in the elite, starting (generally, with exceptions such as Lewis Hamilton), with a team from the lower part of the grid, until achieving, in its own right, a seat in one of the leading teams on the grid.

The Professional Career mode tries to recreate this career, although reduced to "only" 10 years, something not excessively important, but skipping something much more important, and that is that we can start in any team on the grid and select our partner. It is an error that has been repeated delivery after delivery and that is difficult to understand, especially when the final objective, which is to achieve the world championship, is the objective of the leading teams, which do not usually bet on a novice pilot (although they have our name and avatar with similar features). Without a doubt, we recommend starting with one of the teams from the bottom of the table ... yes, like Alonso's McLaren Honda. At least now we can select Fernando Alonso as a partner as soon as he lands in the competition and that it is somewhat realistic. Does it serve as comfort?

Having overcome the initial disappointment of the lack of evolution in terms of initial teams, it is time to get in the car and, here, we see that yes, we are facing a Formula 1 game. Thus, we landed in Australia and it is time to participate in our first Grand Prix. We can select the duration of the training sessions (free and classification), as well as the classification, being even possible to run a Grand Prix with the actual duration , something only for the most patient.

The format of the weekend is similar to that seen in other installments and is repeated throughout the 20 circuits that we find in F1 2017 , those corresponding to the current season. Free practice is used to familiarize yourself with the circuit, to compare the early stages with the rivals before qualifying and to adjust the car with the complete set-up options available. In addition , the mini-games are repeated in these trainings , such as going through certain points of the circuit at a minimum speed or taking maximum care of the tires for 3 consecutive laps. These minigames, already present in previous installments, are now more important than ever, since they report Resource Points, the great novelty of the Professional Career mode.

The races are not only won on the track , since the engineering work behind a Formula 1 is, perhaps, more important than that of the track (the results of recent years or the position of Fernando Alonso in the current championship so endorse it) and that is something that F1 2017 has wanted to recreate as well. No, we are not going to have to do complicated mathematical formulas. The improvements are divided into 4 large branches and we unlock them with the Resource Points obtained in free training, when participating in the different sessions or when completing certain ones. These points are difficult to achieve, so their management is very important throughout the season, since the other teams will also evolve the car. When choosing an upgrade for the car, we must also take into account the durability of the component, something that can make the season long. Remember that this year only 4 engines and 4 gearboxes are allowed for the entire season and each extra piece will carry a penalty.

Undoubtedly , resource management is the most innovative point in the Professional Career mode of this F1 2017 . The rest of the points are more than known. Attempts have been made to recreate the entire atmosphere of the Formula 1 “circus” with recreation of the Paddock and even the team truck. We have the data we need on our laptop (classifications, data, evolution of the car ... etc.) and thanks to the mobile phone the team informs us of the team's objectives, and we had better have them happy, because if our performance falls too low we can meet on the street (and we can withdraw ... or accept the offer of another team). But beyond this facade, the innovations are practically nil, even the “rivals” system is repeated , a pilot with whom to compete directly and, in case of being our teammate, become the main pilot of the team. Well, there is a very important point that we have already commented in general, but that is also present in the Professional Career mode: the classics.