F1 22 was developed by Codemasters and marked the full integration of EA Sports into the franchise's publishing structure. It was released simultaneously on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, with the PC version available via Steam, Epic Games Store, and EA's Origin platform — the first time Origin served as the primary platform for the series. The Champions Edition was available from 28 June, three days ahead of the standard release on 1 July, timed to coincide with the 2022 British Grand Prix weekend.
The game was delisted in March 2024 following the announcement of F1 24.
Reflecting the landmark 2022 Formula One technical regulations, which introduced ground-effect aerodynamics and significantly altered car design, F1 22 featured entirely new car models with updated physics. The game also updated the track list with revised circuit layouts for Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Yas Marina Circuit, and Albert Park Circuit, as well as adding the newly constructed Miami International Autodrome for the inaugural Miami Grand Prix. The Algarve International Circuit and Shanghai International Circuit were added post-launch via update.
The new handling model, tied to the real-world regulation changes, generated controversy among players for its revised traction characteristics. The sprint race format, which had been introduced to real-world Formula One in 2021, was also included in the game.
F1 22 introduced F1 Life, a customisable hub mode allowing players to collect supercars, clothing, and accessories. The mode replaced the Braking Point story mode that had debuted in F1 2021, which was not continued in this title. F1 Life was criticised by many reviewers as hollow and insubstantial.
Additional features included adaptive AI that adjusts car pace to match the player's performance, interactive pit stops, and immersive broadcast presentation options modelled on televised Formula One coverage. PC players gained virtual reality support through Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets. Commentary options were expanded to offer a choice between David Croft from Sky Sports or Alex Jacques from Channel 4 as the primary English-language commentator.
The Pirelli Hot Laps mode, accessible through F1 Life, allowed players to drive licensed supercars alongside Formula One machinery. A licensed in-game soundtrack was also introduced.
My Team Icons for this edition included Nico Hulkenberg, Mark Webber, Jacques Villeneuve, and Mika Hakkinen.
F1 22 received generally favorable reviews on Metacritic, and Japanese outlet Famitsu awarded the game a total of 32 out of 40. The game topped the United Kingdom sales charts upon release.
Critical assessments were mixed in character. Eurogamer praised Codemasters' implementation of simulation elements including dynamic weather but called the game "overly familiar" and "overly bloated." GameSpot praised the level of player agency and accurate recreation of the 2022 car era but criticised the hollow F1 Life mode and presence of microtransactions. IGN praised VR support and sprint race inclusion but panned the F1 Life mode as "vapid." PC Gamer wrote that "the annual release has not felt this unnecessary since F1 2014." The Guardian gave the game three out of five stars, calling F1 Life "egregious."
Polygon offered a more positive assessment, stating that the challenge of mastering the new car generation was "transformation enough." Push Square praised handling quality and customisation depth but noted persistent bugs, crashes, and screen tearing.
The game was nominated for Racing Game of the Year at the 26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.