F1 2021 revealed, coming to next-gen hardware with a new story mode

F1 2021, this season’s official Formula 1 game, has been revealed by EA and Codemasters and there is plenty to talk about – not least of which the title releasing on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series and PC.

The lead feature seems to be Braking Point, a brand-new story mode featuring the return of Devon Butler who first appeared in F1 2019. That game was the first attempt by the F1 games to introduce a story, and while it was fun, it was over in a flash.

Tellingly, the trailer focuses purely on this element of the game. No gameplay or in-game screens have been revealed at this point, and the video is a snazzy CGI affair that hints at intense rivalries which will be against fictional racers Devon Butler, Aiden Jackson, and Casper Akkerman.

Last season’s game introduced the superb My Team mode where you could create your own team and rise through the ranks. There’s very little information in the way of any improvements to that for 2021, although its return is confirmed.

What is new, however, is a two-player career. Assuming this is online, you and a friend can play this either co-operatively or competitively. To us, that indicates being able to race through a career, but perhaps not My Team, on either the same or opposing teams.

The Algarve, Imola and Jeddah circuits are to be included, but as a free update post-launch. Speaking of free, there will be a free next-gen upgrade for those who purchase on either PS4 or Xbox One, further details on any exclusions are to follow.

Last of the ‘big ticket’ items is the ‘Real-Season Start’ which allows players to jump into a season that reflects the current live standings of the real-world F1 year. How that works if some of the tracks are being added later though, remains to be seen.

There are plenty of other smaller details, though, which you may see on the pre-order landing pages. Alongside the standard edition, a Deluxe Edition will be available which provides three days early access and a suite of cosmetic bonuses. Of which victory radio calls are included and seven iconic drivers to “enhance you’re my Team game experience”. Both are very intriguing to us, and we hope to find out how these work closer to the release date.

Likewise, assist options, driver stats and multiplayer are said to be “refined”, but little is known about exactly how at this date. Split-screen, shorter seasons and F2 all return from the last game, but again, there’s no confirmation which F2 season is included at launch.

The game launches on all platforms on the 16th July 2021 – unless you order the Deluxe Edition for $15/£15 extra – and stay tuned as we’ll have lots of F1 2021 information and opinions coming very soon.