Alright, so I got my hands on Formula One Championship Edition, yeah? Had this itch to get back into some proper racing, and this one, well, it’s a bit of a classic from the PS3 days. Thought I’d give it a proper go, you know, see if I could actually win a championship for once instead of just mucking about.
Getting Started
First things first, popped the disc in. Took a bit for the old PS3 to whirr to life, but we got there. The menus, man, they take you back. No fancy stuff, just straight to the point. I decided to dive straight into the Career mode. Seemed like the best way to really get into it.
Picked a midfield team to start. Didn’t want it too easy with Ferrari or McLaren right off the bat, and definitely didn’t fancy being dead last every race with a backmarker. So, something in the middle. Had to create my driver, usual stuff – name, nationality. Kept it simple.
The First Few Races – A Bit Shaky
Let me tell you, those first few races were rough. I was all over the place. Spinning out, locking up brakes, getting penalties for cutting corners I didn’t even mean to cut. The handling, it’s not like these new arcadey racers. You actually have to be a bit careful with the throttle and the steering. Took me a while to get the hang of it again.
- Practice sessions became my best friend. Just lap after lap, trying to learn the tracks.
- Qualifying? A nightmare at first. Usually ended up somewhere near the back.
- The AI, they’re not messing about. They’ll pounce on any mistake.
I remember one race, Monaco, I think. Absolute disaster. I think I pitted like five times for new wings. Finished dead last, a lap down. Pretty humbling, that was.
Finding My Groove
But I stuck with it. Slowly, bit by bit, I started to get a feel for the car. Started to understand how much speed I could carry into corners. Started to actually finish races without looking like a total amateur. It’s funny how you just kind of… absorb it after a while.
I began fiddling with the car setups a tiny bit. Nothing too crazy, just adjusting the wings for more downforce or less drag depending on the track. It actually made a difference! Who knew, eh?
My qualifying improved. Started getting into the top 10. Then the races became more about strategy – when to pit, what tyres to use. It actually felt like proper racing. Managed to snag a few points here and there. The team wasn’t exactly throwing a party, but they weren’t complaining either, which was a start.
Championship Ups and Downs
The season was a long grind. Some tracks I was decent at, others I just couldn’t get right no matter how hard I tried. There were races where everything just clicked. Perfect start, good pit strategy, held off a faster car for the last few laps. Those felt amazing. Pure adrenaline.
Then there were the other ones. Engine blowing up when I was in a good position. Getting taken out on the first lap by some overly ambitious AI. Weather changing mid-race and catching me out on the wrong tyres. Frustrating as hell, but that’s racing, I guess. Makes the good results feel even better.
I actually had a rival develop with one of the AI drivers. We seemed to be battling it out in every other race. Good, clean fights mostly, but sometimes a bit of wheel-banging. Added a nice bit of spice to the championship.
The Final Push
Towards the end of the season, I was surprisingly in with a shout for a decent championship position. Not winning it, not in that first year with that team, but a respectable finish was on the cards. Every point counted. The pressure was on. I focused hard, tried to minimize mistakes.
The last few races were intense. I remember driving super conservatively in the final race, just wanting to bring it home and secure those points. Crossed the line, and it was a huge relief. Checked the standings, and yeah, I’d done alright. Better than I expected when I first started spinning out all over the place.
So, yeah, that was my little journey with Formula One Championship Edition. A good bit of fun, a proper challenge. It’s got that old-school charm, and it really makes you work for your results. Might even give it another go with a top team next time, see if I can actually win the whole thing. We’ll see.
