If you use mods like F1 2013: The Ultimate Edition or Classic 1990s Mod, the manual method may fail. Use the dedicated fix.
Many forum posts from 2015 suggest editing the database.bin or reinstalling GFWL runtime. Ignore those. Those methods are outdated and often break the car performance files. Here is the working manual method for the name change fix.
The "Name Change Fix" for F1 2013 is a 30-second installation that massively improves immersion. Racing as "A. Senna" instead of "A. Driver" turns the Classic Mode from a legal ghost town into a true historical simulation.
Pro Tip: Pair this mod with the "F1 2013 Classic Season Skin Pack" to restore the correct helmet liveries for a complete 1988 and 1992 season experience.
Happy racing, and keep it on the black stuff.
The "PLAYER ONE" name bug in is a notorious issue where the game fails to save custom driver names, reverting them to a default placeholder . This fix typically involves replacing a core game file to restore the customization functionality . The "Detailed Story" Fix
Preparation and Backup: Before modifying files, navigate to your F1 2013 installation directory (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\F1 2013) . Find the existing steam_api.dll and rename it to something like steam_api.dll.bak to keep a safe backup .
Acquire the Fix: You need a working version of the steam_api.dll specifically designed for this fix, often found in community-shared "Name Changer" or "Player One fix" packages . Installation: Extract the downloaded fix folder .
Copy the new steam_api.dll and paste it into your main F1 2013 folder . f1 2013 name change fix install
If the fix includes a .ini file (like steam_api.ini), you can sometimes open it with Notepad to manually type the desired name under a PlayerName= line . In-Game Setup:
Launch the game and navigate to MyF1 > Driver Information > Driver Details .
You should now be able to enter and save your first name, last name, and initials . Alternative "No-Mod" Workarounds
If you prefer not to replace system files, community members have reported success with these methods:
The Controller Swap: Unplug your racing wheel and use a standard keyboard or controller to input your name during the initial profile creation, then reconnect the wheel .
Hardware Settings Clear: Delete the hardware settings files located in Documents\My Games\FormulaOne2013\hardwaresettings and then verify the integrity of game files through Steam .
Profile Re-creation: Disable Steam Cloud, back up your save, delete the profile in-game, and then create a new one with the exact same name before restoring the backup files .
To fix the issue where your name is stuck as "PLAYER ONE" or can't be changed in If you use mods like F1 2013: The
, you typically need to replace a faulty file in the game directory. This bug is most common in certain versions of the game where the steam_api.dll does not correctly handle profile customization. Installation Guide for Name Change Fix Backup Your Files
: Before making changes, navigate to your game folder (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\F1 2013 ) and create a copy of the original steam_api.dll Download the Fix : Locate the F1 2013 Player One Fix Name Changer Fix
. Verified community versions can often be found on sites like OverTake.gg Replace the DLL Extract the downloaded Copy the new steam_api.dll and paste it into your main installation folder. "Replace the file in the destination" when prompted. Update Your Profile Launch the game. Navigate to Driver Information Driver Details
You should now be able to interact with the Name and Last Name fields to enter your custom details. Alternative Solutions Keyboard vs. Controller
: Some users report the name field only becomes editable if you use a keyboard's
key or temporarily unplug steering wheels before entering the profile menu. Steam Integrity
: If you own the official Steam version, try right-clicking the game in your library, selecting Properties Installed Files Verify integrity of game files to repair potential corruptions. Configuration Files : Check for an file in the game folder (often named ali213.ini or similar). Open it with Notepad and look for a line like PlayerName = PLAYER ONE to manually type your name there. current 2024/2025 season SKIDROW's F1 '13 Name Changer Fix 1.0 - OverTake.gg
, players often encounter a bug where they cannot change their driver's name, leaving it stuck as a default like "Player One" You need to find your save files
. 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
: 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
Based on the typical issues with F1 2013 on modern systems, the "Name Change Fix" usually refers to resolving a problem where the game fails to launch or crashes because it cannot handle spaces or special characters in your Windows username (e.g., "C:\Users\John Doe").
Here is the write-up for the installation fix.
You need to find your save files. They are not in the Steam install folder.
You should see a folder with a long string of numbers (your Steam ID) and a file called FormulaOne2013Save0.sav.