F1 2018 review: Small improvements that make a big difference

F1 2018 PS4 review: PS4, Xbox One, PC; £44.99; Codemasters

How does Lewis Hamilton improve himself in 2018 after winning his fourth Formula One drivers’ championship? It’s a question that very much applies for the sport’s latest instalment of it’s racing sim, F1 2018, given that the task is improving something that was already a market-leader.

Codemasters have developed the series into the best racing offering on the market when global audiences are taken into account, with the markets it satisfies ranging from first-timers to esports fanatics. So perhaps somewhat sensibly, the target this year has been small improvements across the board, and on the face of it it’s worked.

Having delved into the career mode first, the most noticeable change comes in the research and development programme. The R&D tree that appeared last year returns, but it’s had a few nice touches added that grabs your interest, and as a result commits the user to the long slog that is a full Grand Prix weekend.

A number of different challenges in multiple generation cars are available (Codemasters)

With R&D points available through completing practice tasks, it makes it worth while to complete as many as possible before moving on to qualifying, but there are other ways to influence the path that you take such as a team’s actual strong points - such as the Mercedes power unit or the Red Bull aerodynamics - but there are also options that lets you influence the reliability of the new parts working or making the cost cheaper.

Then there’s the return of post-session interviews. These disappeared some years ago, and weren’t remotely missed given the mundane nature of the repeatedly basic answers, and sadly the return of them doesn’t exactly get the blood flowing at the risk of pissing off your teammate or closest rival. However, the interviews do have an impact beyond what it seems, as certain departments of R&D development will see their morale influenced by your answers, while teams and rivals also take note of the tone taken in these interviews - more individually-based answers will strengthen you contract negotiations but affect how R&D progresses.

F1 2018 includes a number of small improvements that fine tune one of the best series' on the market (Codemasters)

Now to the racing itself. There are pros and cons across the board. The inability to change career difficulty once you’ve selected it for the first time is infuriating, especially as there is no chance to test out the AI before you have to select your settings. This also means that any way of mixing up the racing mid-season - such as adding reliability failures, safety cars or damage settings - is impossible without starting a new career.

This is infuriating and, hopefully, fixed in the not-too-distant future, but for now it’s highly advised that if you secure a strong result in Melbourne, reset your career now to get the most out of your journey.

Thankfully, any frustration goes out the window once the action begins. Handling and suspension is that little bit more realistic that makes you feel every little ripple among the kerbs and bump in the tarmac. But the new generation of cars mean that drivers can accelerate early out of corners with more power than ever before - though there is still a genuine danger of too much, too early leaving the car pointing the wrong way.

The AI is as competitive as it’s ever been, too. Once you’ve found your right level of difficulty, opponents will be able to remain side-by-side for a number of corners, while if you fail to get alongside them before turning in they will have no hesitancy in shutting the door and leaving you almost destined to lose your front wing.

Media interviews have returned in this year's edition (Codemasters)

Away from career mode, the multiplayer discipline system has been given a welcome revamp as users are now judged on their racing behaviour and punished accordingly, with only certain drivers allowed to race against the very best to ensure that the rules are adhered to and the Super Licence giving you something to aim for.

The challenges mode is also welcome relief to the regularity of a career. Can’t be bothered with free practice two at Bahrain? Take Michael Schumacher’s 2004 Ferrari for a spin and try to pass 20 other cars in three laps, or Gilles Villeneuve’s 312T4 for as long as possible around Hockenheim in a throwback to yesteryear. These tasks are perfect for filling time if you don’t have the energy left for another round of testing, given that a shortest career weekend format still involves three practice sessions, a one-shot qualifying and 15-lap races.