With Braking Point, F1 2021 gets an extensive story mode and there are also important improvements on the track itself that ensure even more realism
New year, new publisher: The official racing game of Formula 1 is back and for the first time Electronic Arts is the publisher. Without the influence of the new publisher, the racing simulation cracks a platinum award in our test for the first time. However, the platinum award does not mean that everything automatically runs smoothly in F1 2021 … or drives. Especially the “Braking Point” story mode, which was highly praised in the run-up, turns out to be a montage model in the test.
Codemasters is convincing in other areas and fulfils a long-awaited wish of the fans with the co-op career mode. At the end of a season, the only question is whether your friendship will stand up to the fight for the world championship title.
The dream of happiness together in Formula 1
Which setup do I need for which track? And how do I get the last hundredths of a second out of my car? In the career mode of F1 2021, such questions were previously only answered by yourself. The new co-op mode remedies this and you drive in pairs with or against each other. It gets even more competitive when you start for different teams and negotiate new contracts with racing teams at the end of the season.
The road to the world championship is getting longer: Upon release, you will drive on 21 of the 24 official Formula 1 race tracks. The missing three tracks will appear later with an update. So that you don’t run out of steam during the season, you set the duration of the races and the number of tracks before the season begins.
This not only saves time, but also allows novice drivers a smooth entry into the cockpit. However, so that you as a novice driver don’t fly out of every corner and are a permanent guest in the pits, there are, as usual, many driving aids in F1 2021. In addition to brake and steering assistants, you can optionally activate ABS or other comfort aids. Even before you open the dictionary to terms like ABS, ERS and DRS, the game is already at your side: thanks to predefined settings, you don’t have to struggle with shortcuts, but get straight into the cockpit and drive for the best time. The innovation also found its way into the multiplayer mode. As a newcomer, you no longer race against the old hands, but can choose between “Beginner” and “Expert”. Those who simply want to drive a few nice rounds against others without an active damage model can now do so without professionals in the round.
The dream of a good story
Codemasters has repeatedly highlighted and focused on the new story mode in the run-up. In total, you will be entertained for five to six hours. Don’t expect a Hollywood-ready production with brilliant twists. Despite successful cutscenes, Braking Point is full of clichés and is also “cringe” in places. You can get a foretaste of what to expect in Braking Point in our test video. However, if you want to enjoy the story without spoilers, skip the first five minutes of the video:
Is the AI dreaming or is it already driving?
First things first: The AI has finally been improved! Whereas in the predecessor you were still pushed into the gravel bed by cocky AI drivers, there are now finally tough but fair duels.
Attacks take place via the inside and outside. There are no senseless overconfidence attacks – in such situations the AI retreats and expects the same from you as a driver. If you brake too late on the inside of the corner, in the worst case you will damage your car and greet the mechanics in the pit lane with a disdainful smile.
But even if you drive perfectly, you will visit the pit lane in the race. The tyre modelling has been improved and finally you can feel a real difference in grip between street circuits and permanent race tracks. Overall, the cars are better on the asphalt to begin with and tyre wear has a greater effect on the handling.
The clearest way to feel the power and performance of your car is to use a steering wheel with force feedback. After a long race, you will feel your arm muscles thanks to greater intensity, and soreness the next day is not uncommon either. With a gamepad or keyboard, the soreness is absent, but the driving experience is not nearly as immersive.
My best friend the gang
Formula 1 is fast and does not forgive mistakes – at least not in reality. In the game, you have another option besides the new rescue mode: flashbacks. If you drive straight into a bend, you rewind time and get the chance to make the turn after all.
If you do without the feature, you can expect a completely revised damage model. Even the smallest touches will now cause parts to fly around your ears. You can determine when and how many parts fly around your ears yourself in the options. The degree of realism can be set much more precisely and accurately in F1 2021. The behaviour of your car when you run out of fuel is also realistic. With the “hard” setting, you creep into the pits at a lame 160 km/h when the tank is almost empty.
At release, however, only 21 pit lanes are available to you. According to Codemasters, the three missing courses Jeddah, Portimao and Imola will be added with an update after the release.
Strengths and minor weaknesses
The story in F1 2021 is ideal for newcomers to get to know the game. Codemasters has clearly improved in many places. In career mode, the still easily transparent and rather monotonous interviews can now be deactivated. Even research and development is automated at the touch of a button.
In the MyTeam mode, you can also build up an F1 team this year and hire a team-mate on the driver market. The management of your own team offers additional entertainment and provides more variety. However, if you want Michael Schumacher or another of the six icons as your team mate, you have to dig deeper into your pocket. The seven legends are only included in the Deluxe Edition. But even without the legends, F1 2021 is a highlight among racing game simulations.
