, the inability to change a driver's name—often stuck as "PLAYER ONE"—is a well-documented technical hurdle, particularly within specific versions of the game
. Resolving this typically requires a combination of basic troubleshooting and, in some cases, a dedicated patch or "fix" to unlock the naming fields. Core Resolution Strategies The primary methods to address this issue include: Replacing the steam_api.dll File
: This is the most common fix for versions where the naming feature is locked.
Locate a working "steam_api.dll" file online, often found under terms like "F1 2013 Player One fix" Backup your original file in the F1 2013 game folder. Replace it with the new file, then navigate to MyF1 > Driver Information > Driver Details to input your name. SKIDROW Driver Name Changer Fix
: A popular third-party patch released specifically to bypass the "PLAYER ONE" restriction. Users on OverTake.gg
recommend this tool as a "must-have" for playing F1 2013 today. Hardware and Input Troubleshooting : Sometimes the issue is simply an input registration bug. Keyboard Input
: Ensure you are using a keyboard to type, as some racing wheels do not properly map the naming fields. Press Enter
: In some cases, you must highlight the name field and manually press to enable typing mode. Hardware Settings Reset : Deleting the hardware settings files in your Documents/My Games/F1 2013 folder can sometimes reset blocked interface elements. Technical Considerations
While these fixes are effective, users should be aware that replacing core game files like
files can sometimes affect Steam DRM or online connectivity. It is always recommended to verify the integrity of your game files through the Steam Library
if basic name changes aren't working before attempting external patches. step-by-step instructions on how to safely backup and replace your game files?
The F1 2013 change name fix primarily involves addressing a bug where the player's name remains stuck as "PLAYER ONE" or the game refuses to save new driver details. Depending on your version of the game and the nature of the issue, this can be resolved through in-game menu navigation, manual file editing, or community-created "Name Changer" mods. Standard In-Game Method
For most users on the Steam version, the issue is often a simple UI misunderstanding or a temporary glitch that can be bypassed using these steps:
Initial Setup: Start the game and proceed through the initial profile creation, even if it forces a default name like "Player One".
Navigation: Go to the MyF1 menu, then select Driver Information, followed by Driver Details.
Editing: In this screen, you should be able to edit both the first and last names. Ensure Autosave is enabled so the changes persist after you exit the menu.
Confirmation (PC): If using a controller on PC, some users report needing to press 'A' on the controller to highlight the field, then using the keyboard to type, and pressing 'A' again to confirm. Save File Manual Fix
If the in-game menus are unresponsive or do not save your input, you can manually edit the configuration in your save files:
Locate the File: Navigate to your F1 2013 save directory, typically found in your Documents folder or within the Steam userdata folder (e.g., ...\Steam\userdata\[ID]\223670\remote).
Edit .sav or .ini: Look for a .sav file or an .ini configuration file. Open this file with a standard text editor like Notepad. f1 2013 change name fix
Update Name: Find the line starting with playerName= and change the text inside the quotes to your desired name (e.g., playerName="Your Name").
Steam Cloud Note: If the game reverts your changes, you may need to temporarily disable Steam Cloud for F1 2013 to prevent it from overwriting your local edits with old cloud data. Community Mods and Fixes
For cases where the standard methods fail—common in specific repacks or older versions—community members have developed dedicated fix files: F1 2013 - Can't change my player name - OverTake.gg
The "Player One" name bug in is a notorious glitch where the game refuses to save your custom driver name, leaving you stuck with the default placeholder. Over the years, this has become a bit of a legend in the community, involving everything from simple menu workarounds to deep-dive file modifications. The Original Struggle: The "Player One" Bug
When F1 2013 first launched, many players found that no matter how many times they typed their name in the setup screen, the game would revert to "Player One" as soon as the race started. Early community advice was simple: don't fight it at the start.
The "Acceptance" Workaround: Players were told to accept "Player One" during the initial setup. Once in the main menu, you could navigate to MyF1 > Driver Information > Driver Details to finally force the name change to stick.
The Hardware Quirk: For some, the issue was even weirder—steering wheels would sometimes map the "Enter" key to a random button, making it impossible to "confirm" a name via keyboard. Unplugging the wheel just to type your name became a standard ritual. The Technical "Long Story": Modding a Fix
As time went on and official patches failed to solve the issue for everyone, the modding community took over. The most famous solution was the SKIDROW Name Changer Fix.
The DLL Swap: This fix often involved replacing the steam_api.dll file in the game's directory (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\F1 2013) with a modified version.
The Discovery: This specific fix was nearly lost to time as hosting sites went down, only to be rediscovered years later by dedicated fans on forums like OverTake.gg (formerly RaceDepartment). Modern Legacy: Why We Still Talk About It
Today, the F1 2013 name fix is considered a "must-have" for anyone revisiting the classic game. While newer titles like F1 24 and F1 25 have streamlined customization into clear menus, the 2013 era remains a reminder of a time when you had to be part-mechanic, part-hacker just to get your own name on the leaderboard.
For a look at how driver names and transfers are handled in older Codemasters titles, check out this community guide:
, the "Player One" name bug typically occurs in unofficial versions where the game fails to save custom driver names. There are two primary ways to fix this: Option 1: Steam API File Replacement
The most common fix involves replacing a specific system file in your game directory that handles profile data.
Locate your F1 2013 game folder (usually where the .exe is located).
Download a verified F1 2013 Name Fix or a working steam_api.dll file specifically designed for this version. Back up your original steam_api.dll before proceeding.
Paste the new file into the folder, overwriting the old one.
Launch the game and navigate to MyF1 > Driver Information > Driver Details to set your new name. Option 2: Using a Name Changer Mod
For a more stable long-term solution, community-made mods like SKIDROW’s F1 '13 Name Changer Fix are widely used. , the inability to change a driver's name—often
Download the fix from a reputable community site like OverTake.gg.
Extract the ZIP file contents directly into your game's main installation folder.
These mods typically include a configuration file (like fullname.ini) where you can type your desired first and last names directly into the text file. Quick In-Game Troubleshooting
If you are using a legitimate copy and just can't click the name field:
Keyboard Input: Even if you use a racing wheel, the game often requires the Enter key and arrow keys to activate text input fields.
Profile Refresh: Sometimes deleting your current profile and creating a new one while your wheel is disconnected (using only a keyboard) allows the initial name entry to work correctly.
community, the most significant "change name fix" refers to a solution for the notorious "Player One" bug
, where the game prevents players from entering their own name during driver creation The "Player One" Bug Fix
: Players, particularly on certain PC versions, found themselves stuck with the default name "PLAYER ONE" and were unable to edit the first or last name fields. : A widely recommended community fix involves replacing the steam_api.dll
file in the game's root directory with a functional version. Reviewers' Perspective OverTake.gg , users describe this fix as a "must-have"
for anyone playing the game today, noting that the original fix files had become "long lost" before being recovered from obscure archive sites. Alternative Modding Solutions
For those looking for deeper customization beyond their own name, modders have developed more advanced techniques: Database Editing : You can manually change AI driver names by editing the
tab within the game's database files. For example, you can replace Massa's name with Kimi's to reflect real-world transfers, though the physical character model remains unchanged. Language Editor : Using a language editor to modify
files allows you to search for specific driver strings (e.g., lng_[driver_name]
) and replace them with custom text. Reviewers note this is effective for immersion during sessions, even if names don't always update correctly in the main menus. One-Click Tools : Community members created tools like the F1 Name Changer
to automate what was previously a tedious manual process involving Cheat Engine. Troubleshooting Common Mistakes Before applying a file-based fix, reviewers on the Steam Community suggest checking these basic steps: Input Method : Ensure you are using the
on your keyboard to activate the text field, as some controllers fail to register the "select" command for typing. Character Limits : Note that some versions of the game have a 15-character limit
To fix the issue where you cannot change your driver name in
, especially if you are stuck with the default "Player One" name, you typically need to address a specific bug related to the game's configuration or files. steam_api.dll Fix (Most Common) Download from a reputable sim racing forum
Many players encounter this bug in certain versions of the game where the name field is locked. Replacing the steam_api.dll file is the widely accepted community fix. Locate your game folder : This is usually found at C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\F1 2013 : Always copy your original steam_api.dll to a safe location before proceeding.
: Search for a working "F1 2013 Player One fix" or "steam_api.dll fix" from community forums like Reddit's Abandonware community RaceDepartment and paste it into the main directory. Change Name : Once replaced, launch the game and navigate to MyF1 > Driver Information > Driver Details to enter your new name. 2. Peripheral Interaction Workaround
Sometimes the name entry field doesn't respond because of how the game prioritizes input devices like steering wheels. Unplug Controllers
: Disconnect any racing wheels or controllers before launching the game. Keyboard Input
: Use the keyboard to navigate to the driver profile. Ensure you press Enter
on the name field to activate the text cursor, as it may not automatically focus.
: After saving your new profile name, you can plug your wheel or controller back in. 3. Change LAN Name
If your name only appears as "Player" during multiplayer or LAN sessions, there is a separate setting for this. selection menu.
Look for the option at the bottom of the pop-up menu specifically to set LAN name 4. Community Mods
If the manual file replacement feels too technical, there are pre-packaged mods such as "Choose Name F1 2013"
by users like AyrtonProst, which automate the process of bypassing the name lock. These are often hosted on sites like RaceDepartment : Downloading
files from unknown sources can carry security risks. Ensure you scan any downloaded files with a reliable antivirus program. or more details on editing AI driver names F1 2013 Name Fix Cracked - Facebook
A few community tools exist, such as F1 2013 Save Editor by Ryzza5. These provide a GUI but may not work with all game versions (Steam vs. retail, updated vs. vanilla). If using one:
ProfileData.Date: March 23, 2026.
If you prefer not to edit files, this is a safe but finicky fix. It works because the game prioritizes controller input over keyboard input when a gamepad is connected.
The Fix:
Why this works: Disconnecting the controller forces the active input device back to the keyboard. The timing is tight, but this has worked for users since 2014.
This is for users whose name reverts to "PLAYER1" every launch.
Win + R, type regedit, press Enter.HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Codemasters\F1 2013Name or UserName.UserName → Set your name as the value data.ProfileData file (from Method 1) to Read-Only.savegame.dat in Notepad.This forces the game to read the characters correctly.
If Method 1 did not work, or if you need to use accented characters (é, ü, ñ), the game is likely having a character encoding conflict. F1 2013 expects ANSI encoding, but Windows 10/11 often saves in UTF-8.
If absolutely nothing works, perform a clean slate installation with forced legacy permissions.
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\FormulaOne2013 folder.F1_2013.exe (in steamapps\common\F1 2013) → Properties → Compatibility tab.