Developer Funselektor sure loves cars and racing. After Absolute Drift and Art Of Rally, their next game shifts into a different gear as it’s new take on Motorsport Manager or F1 Manager.
Called Golden Lap, players get to be a Team Principal and take control of an open-wheel racing team during the “Golden Era Of Open Wheel Racing”.
By that, it means Golden Lap is simulating the 1960s-1970s era of Formula 1 sans all the licensing. The trailer opens with a quote from Mr. Monaco himself, Graham Hill who raced in that era of motorsport.
Funselektor is still channeling their minimalist aesthetic with Golden Lap. The track layout and moving little blobs that you’ll be investing in are tinged with soft gradients and punchy accents. While the cars aren’t visible, the sound sure feels authentic to the cigar-shaped cars of the era.
There is no licensing here, which explains the slightly off track layouts and fictional team names. Though if you know your F1 history, you can catch the non-licensed homages Golden Lap has. There’s a team called Chapman with black and gold colours, and of course there’s an Italian team that dons in scarlet paint.
Gameplay wise, expect to be making calls during the race and manage the team in-between them. From securing sponsors to allocating budgets. There will be 10 teams and 14 races available.
Dune Casu, founder of Funselektor, says: “After two releases with Absolute Drift and art of rally, we wanted to try something different while staying true to our passion for racing. We’re taking that opportunity with Golden Lap, which serves as a throwback to one of the most iconic eras of motorsport when it was exciting and dangerous in equal measure, teams were experimenting with designs, and drivers were notorious both on and off the track.”
For the development of Golden Lap, Funselektor is collaborating with Strelka Games.
Golden Lap will be released later this year on PC (Steam).