''Grand Prix Manager'' is a

Formula 1 Formula One (F1) is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel single-seater formula Auto racing, racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one ...

management simulation

video game A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...

released for the

ZX Spectrum The ZX Spectrum () is an 8-bit computing, 8-bit home computer developed and marketed by Sinclair Research. One of the most influential computers ever made and one of the all-time bestselling British computers, over five million units were sold. ...

in 1984. It was written by P. Boulton and published by Silicon Joy.

Gameplay

''Grand Prix Manager'' places the player in the role of the manager of a

racing team, with the ultimate goal being to reach to highest management rating. This can only be achieved by winning the championship on the hardest difficulty setting. The player can choose how many races to take part in over the course of a season, and after each race the player is presented with a race performance screen, followed by car upgrade options. Revenue is generated through

sponsorship Sponsoring something (or someone) is the act of supporting an event, activity, person, or organization financially or through the provision of products or services. The individual or group that provides the support, similar to a benefactor, is k ...

, however sponsors will base their investment on their satisfaction with previous race results. This income is used to hire mechanics and a driver from a set list of well-known Formula 1 drivers. The player makes choices from menu screens regarding aspects of the car such as the tires, depth of tire tread and angle of the rear

wing A wing is a type of fin that produces both Lift (force), lift and drag while moving through air. Wings are defined by two shape characteristics, an airfoil section and a planform (aeronautics), planform. Wing efficiency is expressed as lift-to-d ...

, and is then shown highlights of the race.

Reception

Chris Bourne of ''

Sinclair User The ''Sinclair User'' was a magazine dedicated to the Sinclair Research range of home computers, most specifically the ZX Spectrum (while also occasionally covering arcade games). Initially published by ECC Publications, and later EMAP, it was pub ...

'' found the game to be unimpressive, especially as it was from the same publisher as ''

Football Manager ''Football Manager'', also known as ''Worldwide Soccer Manager'' in North America from 2004 to 2008, is a series of football management simulation video games developed by British developer Sports Interactive and published by Sega. The game beg ...

''. He found the in-race graphics to be motionless. He scored the game 1/10. Sean Cox of ''

Big K Big K may refer to: * Kuhn's-Big K, southeast American department store chain, sold out to Wal-Mart in 1981 * A larger store format of Kmart * A store brand used by Kroger (and subsidiaries) for soft drinks * ''Big K'' (magazine), a national UK c ...

'' was more positive towards the game, giving it a "KK" rating (maximum is "KKK"), and saying that people who enjoyed ''Football Manager'' would enjoy this game as well.

References

{{Formula One games 1984 video games Europe-exclusive video games Formula One video games Sports management video games ZX Spectrum games ZX Spectrum-only games Video games developed in the United Kingdom