F1 2021

Codemasters' latest benefits from new story mode and a suite of improved features.

F1 2021 is, without a doubt, Codemasters’ best F1 game to date. It’s just a shame that coronavirus hasn’t made its career mode quite as accurate as some might hope it to be, and some bits here and there seem to be lacking a bit of polish. Still, if you’re open to look past such issues, you’ll find a deep, rewarding racing experience that’s highly customisable. And if you delve into Braking Point, you’ll also find a story mode that genuinely adds to the package. Whether you’re an ardent F1 fan or not, F1 2021 is likely to be a contender for the accolade of best racing game of the year, that’s f...

Much of F1 2021 builds on the high-class foundation from previous games that make the series one of the best racing games out there, but new additions, especially Braking Point, are both great pieces of content on their own and optimistic foundational pieces for the future.

Codemasters is at the forefront of racing simulation, along with the occasional fun splash in the mud ala DIRT 5. But it’s time to get serious. The roar of the hybrid engines have returned with their latest official Formula 1 game, F1 2021. Featuring a brand new, cinematic mode, and a whole new generation of consoles with which to draw power from, could this be the best F1 game to date? Find out in our F1 2021 PS5 review.

Another smashing entry in the F1 series, and has left me wondering what more they could add for 2022 when that inevitably rolls out of the pits next year.

As mentioned in our review, we did not get access to the online portions of the game prior to launch, and as such we could not measure the stability of the online services. Since launch, I have been trying almost every night to join some online races, but it’s not been a smooth experience at all, with most attempts leaving me staring at an empty lobby or an error message. The only race I managed to do so far had massive lag spikes and completely borked timing screens, as I was shown as the leader despite lapping around 5th place. Codemasters are aware of the issues and are investigating them, ...

If I didn't know any better, I would have argued that Codemasters looked back at, and copied, the homework of their new corporate parent, Electronic Arts. F1 2021 reminds me of FIFA's Alex Hunter story found in FIFAs 17 to 19. For the first time, the series normally known for masterful racing and little else feels much more rounded. F1 2021 feels like "a game" more than ever before.

Very few have managed to walk the fine line between appealing to the masses and appealing to those who require the utmost level of realism, but that's precisely what Electronic Arts' F1 2001 for the PlayStation 2 does.

F1 2021 is one of the broadest depictions of the sport ever created, building on familiar cars and handling alongside returning multiplayer, esports, and My Team career modes, while the new Braking Point story gives you a taste of the teammate drama you loved to watch (and mock) in Netflix's Drive to Survive.

As a general rule, annual sports games get just that little bit better with each passing year, and that's certainly true for Codemasters' Formula One series. The officially licensed sim racer has been gradually improving each summer, and with F1 2021, the studio has made some wonderful additions that make this year's entry one of the best.

The future of the F1 series is cloudy right now. EA is the new boss, but its influence probably won’t be seen until next year’s game. F1 2021 adds a few new fixins to the strong foundation of last year’s game, along with the misfire that is Braking Point. Having the option to add dynamic dramatic events to the existing Career mode would be preferable to bland pre-rendered cutscenes that come with Braking Point. There's a lot of fun to be had with F1 2021, even if a true next-gen leap may not come along until next year. 8/10 Mazespins

Much like the sport itself, the driving is as impressive as ever. But the worries about management’s business practices endure, too. Fundamentally, F1 2021 is worth it for the handling model.