F1 2013 Name Change Fix Install !!top!! ✮ [ SIMPLE ]

, players often encounter a bug where they cannot change their driver's name, leaving it stuck as a default like "Player One"

. This issue is particularly common in certain versions of the game where the name-entry interface fails to respond or the save file does not store the new input. Core Fix: Steam API Replacement

The most effective way to resolve this name-entry bug is to replace the game's emulator file, which often prevents name changes from sticking. Backup Files

: Navigate to your F1 2013 installation folder (typically found in Steam\steamapps\common\F1 2013 ) and create a backup of your current steam_api.dll Download a "Player One" Fix f1 2013 name change fix install

: Search for a verified "F1 2013 Player One fix" or a "working steam_api.dll" from community forums like the F1 2013 Reddit community Install the Fix : Copy the new steam_api.dll into your game directory, choosing to the existing file when prompted. Change Name In-Game : Launch the game and go to MyF1 > Driver Information > Driver Details

. You should now be able to input your first and last names, and the game will save them automatically. Manual Method: Editing Configuration Files If you prefer not to replace

files, you can sometimes force a name change by editing the configuration file that handles your Steam profile emulation. Locate the INI File : In your game folder, look for a file named steam_api.ini or similar configuration file. Modify Name Line : Open the file with Notepad and find a line that says , players often encounter a bug where they

Step 3: Extract the Mod

Open the downloaded Name Change Fix .rar or .zip file. Inside, you will typically see:

• A new database_restrictions.bin (the fixed file).
• (Sometimes) A language folder with updated name strings.

Part 1: Why Does the F1 2013 Name Change Bug Happen?

Before we touch a single file, it is important to understand the root cause. The F1 2013 name change bug is not a corrupted save file issue in the traditional sense. It is a deprecation issue.

When F1 2013 was released in 2013, the game relied on Games for Windows Live (GFWL). This Microsoft service handled cloud saves, achievements, and profile names. In 2014, Microsoft officially killed GFWL. Codemasters later patched F1 2013 to use Steamworks, but the patch was imperfect. A new database_restrictions

The core problem is a registry permissions conflict:

1. The Steam version creates a save folder.
2. The game tries to write your new name to a virtual store location.
3. Windows 10/11 blocks this writing because the directory is locked or because a phantom GFWL container still exists.

Essentially, the game thinks it is saving your name, but Windows is telling it "No." The result is that you revert to the default name every time.

Step 2: Force Name Override via the Hardware Settings File

The name is actually cached in a separate configuration file, not the main save.

1. Go to: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\FormulaOne2013\hardwaresettings
2. Open hardware_settings_config.xml with Notepad.
3. Scroll down to the <user> tag.
4. If you see a line like <name value="UNKNOWN"/> or <name value=""/>, delete that line.
5. Add this manually:

   <name value="YOUR_NAME_HERE"/>
   

   (Replace YOUR_NAME_HERE with your actual name, e.g., Lewis Hamilton)
6. Save the file. If you cannot save, right-click the file > Properties > Uncheck "Read-only".

What You Will Need

Before you start, download the following:

1. The "F1 2013 Name Change Fix" mod – Available on major sim racing mod databases (e.g., RaceDepartment, Nexus Mods). Look for a file dated after 2014.
2. A copy of F1 2013 installed on your PC (Steam or disc).
3. 7-Zip or WinRAR (to extract the files).