The game will now display your custom 2021 names. However, the helmets and suits may still be 2013-era. This is a visual name change only unless you install the full skin pack.

The "f1 2013 name change fix 2021" was a panic search for thousands of sim racers who opened their favorite classic game only to find a stranger’s name on the side of the Red Bull.

Thanks to dedicated hex-editors and modders, the fix is simple:

As of late 2025 (writing this retrospective), EA has not patched this issue. They likely never will. The community fix remains the only solution. So fire up your wheel, set the weather to wet at Interlagos, and enjoy the screaming 2.4L V8s with the correct names on the timing screen.

Happy racing.

Did this guide help you? Share it on RaceDepartment or Reddit r/F1Game to help others still searching for the "f1 2013 name change fix 2021."

name change fix" refers to a long-standing issue in the 2013 Formula 1 racing game where players, particularly those using certain versions or cracks, are unable to change their driver name from the default "Player One" or save custom car setups

. While the game is over a decade old, community interest in 2021 and beyond has persisted due to its status as "abandonware" and its beloved classic car content. The Core Problem

In many installations, the game’s internal profile system fails to register keyboard inputs or save data correctly when trying to edit "Driver Details". This often results in: Locked Identity

: Players are stuck with the name "Player One" across all career and race modes. Saving Failures

: The inability to create or save custom car setups, which is critical for competitive play.

: In some cases, attempting to create an autosave or change a name causes the game to crash. Community Solutions and Fixes

Because official support for F1 2013 has ended, players rely on community-made patches and file replacements to restore functionality. steam_api.dll

: The most common "2021 fix" involves replacing a faulty or outdated steam_api.dll

file in the game's main directory with a modified version often labeled as the "Player One fix". : Typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\F1 2013 : This allows the game to correctly access the MyF1 > Driver Information > Driver Details menu to save custom names. Driver Name Changer Mods

: Specific tools like the "F1 Name Changer" (originally popularized for newer titles but adapted for legacy ones) allow users to modify driver and team names with a single click by bypassing inaccessible language files. Input Workarounds

: Some users found that the "bug" was actually an input mapping error. Keyboard vs. Wheel

: Disconnecting racing wheels before starting the game sometimes allows the keyboard to register name changes. Enter Key Input

: Simply pressing "Enter" on a keyboard while the "Player One" field is highlighted, rather than clicking with a mouse, can sometimes trigger the editing mode. Risks and Considerations

While these fixes restore the game's features, they often involve downloading files from third-party community sites like RaceDepartment . Users are advised to scan any downloaded files for malware and to backup original game files before making changes.

name change fix" typically refers to resolving a bug where players are locked into the default name " PLAYER ONE

" and cannot edit it. While the game was released in 2013, players still seeking a fix in 2021 and beyond often rely on community-made patches or specific menu workarounds. Common Fixes for " PLAYER ONE The DLL Replacement (Community Patch):

Many users resolve the issue by replacing the game's steam_api.dll file with a patched version often referred to as the "Player One fix".

Once the file is replaced in the game folder, you can navigate to MyF1 > Driver Information > Driver Details to freely edit your first and last names.

Note: Use caution when downloading these files from external sites like OverTake.gg and always back up your original files first. In-Game Menu Method:

Some players can bypass the initial setup lock by accepting the name "Player One" at the start.

After the profile is created, go to MyF1 > Driver Information > Driver Details to attempt a manual name change.

On PC, ensure you press Enter or the A button on a controller to "activate" the text field before typing with your keyboard. Profile Reset:

If settings won't save, back up your profile from the Steam userdata folder (App ID 223670), delete the in-game profile, and create a new one with the desired name. Modifying AI Driver Names (2021 Update Style)

If your goal is to update the 2013 grid to match the 2021 season names (e.g., adding Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 stats), you will need a database mod. F1 2013 - Can't change my player name - OverTake.gg

Here’s a helpful summary based on community fixes for F1 2013 on PC (Steam), specifically for the "name change" issue that became common around 2021–2022.

In the thick technical and legal fog that surrounds Formula 1’s evolving identity—team names, constructor entries, driver contracts, and the sport’s commercial framework—small administrative changes can ripple into years of confusion. One such case centers on the 2013 season’s official naming anomalies and how a 2021 corrective move clarified records, prize allocations, and historical continuity. This post unpacks what changed, why it mattered, and what the fix reveals about modern F1’s governance.

After applying the fix:

If you are stuck as "PLAYER ONE" in F1 2013 and cannot change your name through the standard menus, you likely have a known bug affecting the game's profile system.

While this was a common issue when the game launched, it remains a hurdle for those playing it in the 2020s. Here are the most effective fixes reported by players as of late 2021: 1. The "Enter Key" & Controller Bypass

Before downloading any files, try these input-based workarounds:

Controller Priority: If you are using a racing wheel or keyboard, the game may not register name changes correctly. Press "A" on a standard controller first, then use your keyboard to type the name, and press "A" again to confirm.

Keyboard Selection: Use the arrow keys to navigate to the name field and hit Enter to enable typing. Some users report that simply hitting Enter before trying to type solves the "locked" text field.

Unplug Peripherals: Temporarily unplug your racing wheel or other extra peripherals until you have successfully entered and saved your name. 2. Name Changer Fix Mods

If the manual methods fail, you may need a community-made fix that replaces specific game files:

SKIDROW’s Name Changer Fix 1.0: This is a widely used fix available on platforms like OverTake.gg (formerly RaceDepartment).

How to apply: Download the fix, extract the .ZIP file, and drop the contents (often a modified steam_api.dll) into your main F1 2013 game directory.

Warning: This method essentially "cracks" the game's name registration. This may affect Steam Cloud saves or online play, so back up your original files before proceeding. 3. File Integrity & Hardware Settings

Sometimes the inability to edit names is tied to corrupted settings files:

Verify Integrity: Right-click F1 2013 in your Steam Library > Properties > Local Files > Verify integrity of game files.

Clear Hardware Cache: Delete the hardware settings files located in your Documents/My Games/F1 2013 folder to reset input detection. Summary of Menu Navigation

Once a fix is applied or the input is recognized, use this path to set your name: Navigate to MyF1 from the main menu. Go to Driver Information > Driver Details. Enter your first and last name and ensure Autosave is on.

Are you having trouble with AI driver names specifically, or just your own player profile? F1 2013 - Can't change my player name - OverTake.gg

Start F1 2013 as usual. Go to the main menu. Your new name should appear immediately in the top-right corner. If you see the old name, close the game, re-check the XML (maybe the game generated a profile_1.xml instead), and repeat.

The community fix doesn’t reverse-engineer the game’s executable. Instead, it manipulates the local save structure that the game expects.

This method edits the game’s executable to force it to look at the correct, original name database.

Difficulty: Medium
Tools Needed: HxD Hex Editor (Free) or any hex editor.