car

The career mode is interesting, and makes the experience more fun than the traditional F1 games. The game isn't hard to master after a little time, and you can find yourself scoring podium finishes consistently by the 2002 season. The main problem that I have with the game is this: numerous times while leading the race, I have pitted at the same time as the second place car. The pit graphics enable you to see down the pit road a portion of the time, and while I'm pitted, the second place car will simply drive through and take the lead. It is extremely frustrating, and they generally have a significant enough lead that it is generally impossible to retake P1. All-in-all good, but I wish that EA would have fixed that before release!

EA has demonstrated the ability to master a sport when they put effort into it (NCAA Football, Madden, NASCAR Thunder, FIFA). So it's appalling (but probably financially successful) to see them slap out half-hearted efforts like F1 Career Challenge, Knockout Kings and the NHL and NBA series because they know they can cut costs and production because the hardcore fans will ensure a profit alone.
Similar to the NHL series, they add a few gimicky features to appeal to the console crowd but take away more specialized features like adjustable AI, car tuning, race length and individual stats. The graphics are slightly upgraded, but the framerate, draw distance and control are poor. The engine sounds actually cut out when you turn the wheel!
It's clear EA used old code and slapped together some poor cutscenes with bland presentation (which is an EA strength). It's like a bad expansion pack for F1 2002.
The worst new features include a "hot zone" where you score EA cards and points for driving fast through a designated portion of the track. The screen gradually turns red the faster you go (think of the "bluring effect" in the horrible movie "Driven"). And various EA cards pop up and distract you on screen when you overtake and take corners properly. Very distracting and childish. Console racers will never compete with PC sims, but at least give us the option to try.
The big career mode is a joke as you virtually have no customization options. Race length, damage, AI and even pit strategy are all set. You cannot even determine a tire compound!!
My recommendation is to get "Grand Prix Challenge." It is probably the best F1 racer ever to hit a console and it has terrific controls and graphics. Then wait and see what Sony does with the F1 license when Formula One 2003 comes out. I have a feeling they will take it very serious because of it's exclusivity and the uproar that would be caused in Europe if they screwed this up. The bottom line is EA would never treat the Madden franchise like this, so why should we tolerate it with the other sports.
Memo to EA...Loyalty is an important quality and one your customers exhibit enthusiastically to all your products. But if you cannot get better quality from all your development houses then at some point that loyalty will erode and more upstart companies will peck away at your bottom dollar. It may be 20 years from now, but this industry is fickle and your fan base is young, transitional and more acceptable to change.

Wow, A bunch of people have complained about how this game sucked. I bought it and I dig it. Here it is! Everyone seems to say stuff about how the game cheats, or it's not realistic... ITS A GAME!!. EA's not doing the Microsoft thing and advertising this as "As Real As It Gets".. You know why? because it's a game, and not a F1 simulation. I race carts, gone through racing courses, and am a huge fan of F1 (and live it Italy currently) I will tell you this game is obviously not as sense invigorating but you know what?

This is a pretty cool game. There is no such thing as an F1 Simulation for a game console just yet. Real fans of F1 such as myself recognize that we will always be able to say bad things about computer games. But they cannot be too realistic because driving requires feel, sensation, and view depth which cannot be trasmitted by a computer (yet). Get over it.

EA can't be blamed for not developing this game too much better, because F1 isn't a big sell in the United States and they are a business that needs to sell and profit. Sucks but that's life! Maybe Sony will do a better job (we hope) since they have a more international Market for thier products. But look at the game again; This is one of the best F1 Games ever made.. Without a doubt.