F1 2017 Special Edition

F1 2017 Special Edition is a PC circuit-racing simulation from Codemasters, built around official Formula One competition, historic cars, and a long-form driver career. The Special Edition is not a separate rebrand: current Steam metadata identifies the game as F1™ 2017, while the Special Edition name refers to the package that includes the 1988 McLaren MP4/4. The game appears to be delisted from normal Steam purchasing, but existing owners retain the Steam app and its associated features. ([formula1.com](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/f1-2017-game-release-date-features-classic-codemasters.3HBlDv4z6gWOkIyqiG2iSg?utm_source=openai))

That distinction matters for PC players comparing old Formula One releases. You are looking at the same core F1 2017 game, not a later remaster or renamed definitive edition.

Career racing with real engineering decisions

The main attraction is a substantial ten-season Career mode in which you create a driver, join a team, and work through complete Formula One campaigns. Practice, qualifying, race strategy, contract negotiations, and car development are connected rather than presented as isolated events. ([feralinteractive.com](https://www.feralinteractive.com/en/manuals/f12017/1.0.5/steam/?access=sptpkxywbb&utm_source=openai))

Career progression is shaped by an extensive Research and Development tree. Performance improvements are divided across areas such as aerodynamics, chassis, power unit, durability, and other vehicle systems, giving each season a management layer beyond simply selecting a faster car. The official description identifies 115 potential upgrades, making development a central part of the loop. ([formula1.com](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/out-now-the-official-f1-2017-game.170jkEfMNs4AGgasS6mE4Q?utm_source=openai))

Practice programmes help you learn a circuit while also supporting team objectives. Strong results can improve your standing with the team and create opportunities to receive offers from rival constructors, so a career is about reputation and long-term positioning as much as race wins.

Players can adjust the weekend structure to suit their preferred level of commitment. Full practice and qualifying create a methodical simulation experience, while shorter formats let you concentrate on the race itself.

Modern F1 and classic machinery

F1 2017 combines the official 2017 Formula One grid with 12 classic cars from earlier eras. The historic selection includes recognizable machines such as the Williams FW14B, Ferrari F2002, Red Bull RB6, and the Special Edition’s McLaren MP4/4. Eleven of the classic cars are included across the standard game, while the MP4/4 was tied to the Special Edition entitlement. ([formula1.com](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/f1-2017-game-release-date-features-classic-codemasters.3HBlDv4z6gWOkIyqiG2iSg?utm_source=openai))

Classic cars are not locked into a museum-style menu. They can be used in time trials, multiplayer, and special invitational events that appear during Career mode. This creates a useful contrast between contemporary aerodynamic grip and older machinery with different handling characteristics.

The game also includes alternative circuit layouts, including Monaco at night and shorter versions of selected venues. These layouts change the rhythm of a weekend and provide more variety than repeating the same full-length Grand Prix configuration.

Vehicle behavior was tuned around the wider and heavier 2017 cars, with attention given to the balance between aerodynamic performance and tyre grip. That makes throttle control, braking points, kerbs, and tyre management important even when assists are enabled. ([formula1.com](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/new-f1-2017-trailer-showcases-current-and-historic-cars.JSbIJVt5yEiSs6EcKUewG.JSbIJVt5yEiSs6EcKUewG?utm_source=openai))

Championships, time trials, and competitive formats

Outside Career mode, Championships provides structured rule sets that change how a season works. The available formats include a modern Formula One championship, a Classic Championship Season, Sprint Championship, Classic All-Weather Championship, Double-Header Tour, and Classic Hot Lap Series. ([feralinteractive.com](https://www.feralinteractive.com/en/manuals/f12017/1.0.5/steam/?access=sptpkxywbb&utm_source=openai))

These are not simple cosmetic variations. Some championships use randomized grids, reverse-order starts, reduced points for sprint races, or severe weather conditions. The result is a collection of racing formats that reward consistency in different ways.

Grand Prix mode lets you run an individual race weekend or assemble a custom series. Time Trial strips the experience down to lap-time improvement and online leaderboard comparison, making it the clearest option for players focused on braking precision and repeatable setups. ([feralinteractive.com](https://www.feralinteractive.com/en/manuals/f12017/1.0.5/steam/?access=sptpkxywbb&utm_source=openai))

Special Edition ownership also affects the McLaren MP4/4 in multiplayer. An official PC update enabled the car for multiplayer selection for players who owned the Special Edition entitlement. ([store.steampowered.com](https://store.steampowered.com/news/posts/?appids=515220&enddate=1507644090&utm_source=openai))

Who F1 2017 suits on PC

This is a strong fit for players who want a career-management racing game rather than a quick arcade racer. The combination of practice goals, contract movement, technical upgrades, race preparation, and season progression gives each campaign a clear structure.

It also suits historic Formula One fans who want classic cars integrated into the main experience. The invitational events provide a reason to drive older machinery without abandoning the modern championship.

Players looking for a story-heavy presentation should set expectations carefully. Career mode is built around sporting progression and team management, not a cinematic narrative campaign with scripted rival characters.

Likewise, this is not an open-world driving game. Circuits, race weekends, regulations, setup decisions, and lap consistency are the focus. For broader road-racing variety, arcade-leaning circuit racing like GRID Legends offers a more aggressive and event-driven alternative.

PC controls, Steam features, and localization

On PC, the game supports keyboard and mouse, gamepads, and steering wheels. The official manual notes that most standard USB wheels work, while the control scheme can be customized through the game options. ([feralinteractive.com](https://www.feralinteractive.com/en/manuals/f12017/1.0.5/steam/?access=sptpkxywbb&utm_source=openai))

Steam metadata lists full controller support, Steam Achievements, Steam Workshop, Steam Cloud, Steam Leaderboards, Family Sharing, and Remote Play on TV. Those features make the PC version more flexible for players who alternate between a wheel rig, gamepad, and living-room setup. ([steamdb.info](https://steamdb.info/app/515220/info/?utm_source=openai))

The game is designed for a Steam-based installation and does not require an internet connection for its single-player experience according to the recorded Steam compatibility data. Online multiplayer and leaderboard functions are separate from the offline Career, Grand Prix, and Time Trial loops. ([steamdb.info](https://steamdb.info/app/515220/info/?utm_source=openai))

Localization covers English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian, and Simplified Chinese. Full audio is not available for every listed language, so players should distinguish interface and subtitle support from voice coverage. ([steamdb.info](https://steamdb.info/app/515220/depots/?utm_source=openai))

Voice commands are supported in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Russian, and Brazilian Portuguese according to the PC manual. This is a niche feature, but it can be useful when managing radio communication without reaching for the keyboard. ([cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com](https://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/515220/manuals/F1_2017_DigMan_PC_USA_v2.pdf?t=1647013419&utm_source=openai))

Content model and Special Edition details

The Special Edition’s defining addition is the 1988 McLaren MP4/4. It should not be confused with a separate expansion campaign or a larger remastered package. The underlying game remains F1 2017, with the Special Edition entitlement adding access to that specific classic car.

The standard classic-car roster contains 12 historic machines in total when the Special Edition car is counted. The other 11 classic cars are available in all editions, while the MP4/4 was initially associated with pre-order and Day-One Special Edition access and was later offered separately. ([formula1.com](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/classic-machinery-returns-for-the-official-f1-2017-game.7lKg8JQynCCw4a6sgSiCeM.7lKg8JQynCCw4a6sgSiCeM.7lKg8JQynCCw4a6sgSiCeM.7lKg8JQynCCw4a6sgSiCeM?utm_source=openai))

Steam’s current DLC listing shows no active DLC results for the app, so players should not assume that the Special Edition represents a season pass or a modern live-service content model. Availability of the original product and entitlement can depend on whether the game is already attached to a Steam account. ([store.steampowered.com](https://store.steampowered.com/dlc/515220/F1_2017/?l=english&utm_source=openai))

Similar PC racing games

For another Codemasters racing game with a balance between simulation handling and accessible driving, the mixed-discipline circuit racing of GRID 2019 is a natural comparison, though its event structure is less focused on Formula One procedure and engineering management.

Players more interested in Codemasters’ off-road physics should consider rally competition and car control in DiRT 4. It shares the emphasis on precision and vehicle behavior, but replaces circuit strategy with changing surfaces, stage pace, and rally-style driving.

F1 2017 Special Edition FAQ

Is F1 2017 Special Edition a different game from F1 2017?

No. F1 2017 Special Edition refers to the edition entitlement for the 1988 McLaren MP4/4. The current Steam app name is F1™ 2017, and no verified rebrand into a newer edition was found. ([steamdb.info](https://steamdb.info/app/515220/info/?utm_source=openai))

What does the Special Edition include?

Its key addition is access to the 1988 McLaren MP4/4. The remaining classic cars, modern Formula One content, Career mode, Championships, Grand Prix, Time Trial, and multiplayer systems belong to the core F1 2017 package.

Does F1 2017 have a long Career mode?

Yes. Career mode supports up to ten seasons, with practice programmes, team contracts, car development, race weekends, and classic-car invitational events. ([feralinteractive.com](https://www.feralinteractive.com/en/manuals/f12017/1.0.5/steam/?access=sptpkxywbb&utm_source=openai))

Can you race classic cars online?

Yes. Classic cars can be used in online multiplayer, and the Special Edition McLaren MP4/4 was specifically enabled for multiplayer selection through an official update. ([formula1.com](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/classic-machinery-returns-for-the-official-f1-2017-game.7lKg8JQynCCw4a6sgSiCeM.7lKg8JQynCCw4a6sgSiCeM.7lKg8JQynCCw4a6sgSiCeM.7lKg8JQynCCw4a6sgSiCeM?utm_source=openai))

Does the PC version support a steering wheel?

Yes. The PC version supports steering wheels, gamepads, and keyboard controls. Most standard USB wheels are reported as compatible, with control assignments configurable in the options. ([feralinteractive.com](https://www.feralinteractive.com/en/manuals/f12017/1.0.5/steam/?access=sptpkxywbb&utm_source=openai))

Is F1 2017 still sold normally on Steam?

The app remains identifiable as F1™ 2017 in Steam’s metadata, but current search evidence indicates that the game is no longer normally available as a fresh Steam purchase. Existing owners can still use the Steam installation and its recorded single-player features. ([steamdb.info](https://steamdb.info/app/515220/info/?utm_source=openai))