F1 2011 is Codemasters second Formula 1 game since they obtained the FIA Formula One World Championship license. Built upon the success of the first game, F1 2011 includes numerous improvements to the franchise and gameplay after critical feedback from its predecessor that will hopefully create the best Formula One game ever made.
Formula One is the most glamorous and adrenaline-fuelled sport on the planet. Racing on some of the best circuits in the world (and some Tilke atrocities), Formula One brings in over 525 million viewers worldwide, watching some of the finest racing drivers race at speeds of 220Mph with some frantic wheel-to-wheel action. In F1 2011, you too can race where only 24 drivers in the world can in the seat of a Formula One car.
Many F1 fans have already played F1 2010 so why pickup F1 2011 when it is just supposedly a yearly update with the new liveries for the teams and drivers of 2011?
F1 2010s car handling was a decent blend of realism and accessibility for gamers that provided some highly entertaining action however, it wasnt very deep, and there were quirks to the driving model that lessened the impact of driving a Formula 1 car. Some kerbs, even in the dry, you could not touch without the risk of spinning the car unfairly, damp weather still felt relatively easy to drive on, and you could control any spin by just tapping the brakes it was fun, but not particularly detailed.
There is a whole new suspension modelling system in F1 2011, which makes you feel more connected to the road than ever before. You can now properly attack kerbs, control oversteer just like in a real race car, actually lock your brakes up during heavy braking, and easily light up the rear wheels when you have traction control turned off and too much throttle. Each person will have their own preference as to what they are looking for in a driving model, but all the signs are pointing to a more rewarding and technically challenging experience for racers, yet the driving aids are still there to help novice gamers the chance to learn the Formula 1 experience.
The general concsensus from gamers who have played the preview of the game is that F1 2011s is a massive improvement compared to F1 2010, which is sure to please everyone. The gif below shows off the new driving model to the extreme this would never have been possible in F1 2010. Look at the suspension travel and wing flex:
F1 2011 now includes a full grid of 24 cars during online play - up to 16 players and 8 AI. Spectators can also now watch a race in session rather than having to sit idly watching the lobby screen.
Also new for F1 2011 is a full XP system for every ranked match online. Last year there was little incentive to race with 2010 performance levels - but F1 2011 introduces a fully-realised XP system that rewards brilliant overtakes, performances exceeding the expectations of the team you are driving fors, but it also punishes you for reckless contact. No longer will you groan when you are put in a HRT - you have the chance to earn massive XP beating cars you really ought not to. This will provide extra variety in the multiplayer action, as differing car performances will mean you will always be in the thick of the action as your level up and be ranked amongst the finest races.
This year you can play a whole season online with a friend or enemy in the same team. Inter-team rivalries bring along a whole new meaning in the fight for glory as you fight for the constructors championship. It brings an entirely new dimension to every Practice, Qualifying and Race, as you vie to get upgrades on your car before your team mate does and become the lead driver in the team.
You can start and stop the championship when it is convenient for you, so you can come back to the save whilst continuing other racing. You can also compare the amount of fastest laps, podiums, qualifying & racing positions whilst you look across the garage and see your main rival throughout the season.
This game mode is only available online split screen is not supported.
Check out Codemasters Developer Diary on Online Co-Op here.
At last split screen has arrived for F1 2011. Now you can race up to a full season with a buddy on the same console. You can race from quick 1 lap races right up to a full season whilst sitting on the same couch, including practice sessions.
SAFETY CAR?!?!?!?!?!
For the first time in any Formula 1 game, the safety car is now fully supported in F1 2011. Deployed during scenarios of extreme heavy rain, or during a big crash with cars left stricken on the circuit, a safety car dictates a set pace for all cars to follow, forming one of the most expensive queue of automobiles behind it.
F1 fans have been crying out for the safety car to be implemented in a game for a long time now. It provides a unique element of tactical opportunities in races of over 20% do you put on new tyres when it has been deployed? Do you stay out? Can you make the jump on the driver in front of you when normal racing resumes? Do you have to re-build your lead again, having seen your last 12 laps of hard work thrown away? Not only this, but you will also save fuel when running at slower speeds, so you can run a richer engine mode later in the race, plus you will have to manage the heat in your tyres.
In extreme circumstances a race can also be red-flagged, with the game deeming the race is too dangerous to go ahead. If you dont like the sound of either of these real-world racing elements, they can be turned off.
It remains to be seen how well the SC is implemented, but the potential is there for the safety car to change the course of any race.
Post-race celebrations in parc ferme are now present, including that sodding finger. No longer do drivers just do a fist pump or a head shake in the cockpit post-race we now see teams and drivers celebrating a win, or letting out the frustration after a poor performance in other sessions beyond the race.
DRS and KERS are now fully included, requiring manual deployment like in real life Formula 1.
KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) provides a button boost of 80BHP over 6.67 seconds of a lap, which is replenished each time a driver crosses the start/finish line. This can be deployed at any section of the track, although is most effective whilst accelerating on the exit of a corner. It can also be used tactically to overtake or defend against an opponent. It was not used in F1 2010 by any teams, but this year all but 3 have a KERS system in place.
DRS (Drag Reduction System) is Formula 1s new controversial rule that allows a portion of the rear wing to open, allowing cars to travel faster in a straight line to help aid overtaking. During qualifying and practice it can be used freely, whilst under racing conditions you must be within 1 second of the car in front at a certain specific point of the track to be able to open the wing for the subsequent straight. The effective effect can make a car 10-15km/h faster, but it does make the car have reduced downforce, making it more twitchy and less stable to drive. Do not use through a corner unless you fancy a trip to a gravel trap!
Note that, like in real-life, these specialised racing components can fail!
All tyre compounds are included in F1 2011, and react just like their real-life counterparts. The tyres have arguably been the single greatest improvement to the extra excitement of Formula 1 this season, as more pit stops are required this year than ever before thanks to the tyres degrading faster. You can now experience this in F1 2011, meaning more pit stops, a greater variety in tactics to be used and also a larger variation in grip and effective performance of cars on track, meaning more overtaking oppurtunities!
During normal dry conditions a driver must use two different sets of tyres throughout a race a hard and a soft tyre. If the race is at any point deemed wet, this rule no longer applies. Intermediate and full wet tyres are available for these conditions, each providing differing levels of grip for the amount of surface water on the track.
Discarded pieces of rubber from the tyres, known as 'Marbles' in the Formula 1 world, also have an impact on the level of grip the track offers if you stray away from the racing line towards the conclusion of a race.
The AI has been massively improved compared to F1 2010. They are more aggressive, make more informed decisions, faster at higher skill leves and are generally much more human in their race craft. They make mistakes, are bound by the same driving physics as the player car, and are more aware of their surroundings. Prepare to be challenged!
Paddock Area The paddock has been made more open and detailed, showcasing the life away from the action on the track in even greater detail.
Proving Grounds Time trials are back, but there are also specific challenges to compete in that go beyond the traditional hot lap in the fastest car possible. For example, it could include driving a Mercedes round a soaking wet Spa circuit. Once more is known, this section will be updated.
Race Director This is a new feature which allows you to see where people are, what tyres there on etc from the in game menu. It also allows you to see what happened to a particular driver who ended up at the back of the field. This is available in both offline and online game modes, and available in the post-race lobby so you can re-live some of the high and low-lights of the previous race.
Weather An improved weather system not only has a graphical impact. For example, it is now perfectly possible for it to be raining in only a portion of the track, yet remain bone dry at the other end a few miles away as rain starts to threaten the racing action thanks to the dynamic cloud system in place. Weather can also introduce the safety car, and even bring out a red flag if it is too dangerous for racing
Race engineer A more professional pit engineer will now provide you more detailed information during the racing action. He is also available in online races too; a new addition to F1 2011.
Graphics Improved graphical fidelity, especially in regards to the detail of the environments compared to F1 2010. Individual steering wheel models for each team has also been implemented.
Damage The damage model has been tweaked from F1 2010. Your car is more fragile than ever before, suffering from mechanical failures in reaction to the way you drive. Damage to your wings will now vastly affect performance more so than in F1 2010.
T Cam View The T cam has now been pushed back and down slightly, addressing complaints from F1 2010.
Cockpit View The cockpit view is now more dynamic, reacting to heavy braking, corner turn in and impacts.
Pit Stops Smoother pit stop animations, plus the pit release system is more aggressive, meaning you are no longer wasting precious seconds stuck in the pits when you could have been released earlier.
Mechanics & Race Crew There is now more garage activity before sessions, and each team has their own pit crew faces.
Kerbs You can now ride and attack the kerbs thanks to the new handling model. Not that you couldnt do it in F1 2010...
Bodywork The cars now have flexible bodywork, which is particularly evident at high speeds and with the use of DRS, making the cars look less rigid.
Dynamic Racing Line The racing line has been improved for newcomers to the game. It has also been tweaked so that it lifts off of the ground in braking areas in a nifty 3D effect.
Fuel You can now control the amount of fuel consumption your engine uses so at different points in the race you can be more aggressive or conservative, depending on the tactical position you are racing in.
Brakes Brakes are now a lot easier to lock and will now result in smoke coming from the locked up tyre.
Flags & Rules There are both electronic boards that show the flag colour and also marshalls that wave them. The rules have also been re-tweaked with the aim of improving the reliability of correct decisions being made by the game during racing incidents.
"Go Compete" Gameplay Trailer
"Season so Far" Gameplay Trailer
Developer Diary Video No.1
Developer Diary Video No.2 (Handling and AI)
Developer Diary Video No.3 (Co-Op Championship)
Developer Diary Video No.4 (Season Updates & Safety Car)
TV Spot 1
F1 2011 Launch Trailer
F1 2010 vs. F1 2011 Comparison Video
Minimum Specifications
Windows XP/Vista/7
DirectX 9.0c
Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.4Ghz or AMD Athlon X2 5400+
2GB Ram
Graphics Card: GeForce 7800/Radeon X1800 or higher
DirectX Compatible Soundcard or onboard audio
Dual Layer Compatible DVD-ROM Drive
12.5 GB Hard Drive Space
Recommended Specifications for DX11
Windows 7
DirectX 11
Intel Core i5 or AMD Phenom II x4
4GB Ram
Graphics Card: GeForce GTX460 or ATI Radeon HD 5850
DirectX Compatible Soundcard or onboard audio
Dual Layer Compatible DVD-ROM Drive
12.5 GB Hard Drive Space
Network Requirements
Broadband internet connection required (512kbps+ recommended)
TCP/IP Network
Game Manual Can Be Found Here
OXM: 9/10
"This year's edition has scored one better. The main reasons are improved physics and the new focus on turning the game into one of the most exciting multiplayer racing games around."
IGN UK Review: 8.5
"Examine the environments close-up or grief the collision system by harpooning your way into clumps of competitors and, yes, the illusion will be temporarily shattered. Play it properly, however, and F1 2011 is an incredibly satisfying experience. Difficult and draining, but ultimately extremely rewarding. Few, if any, other racing games can truly match its intensity."
Gamespot UK: 8.0
"F1 2011 is a great sequel which captures the fragility of an F1 car for the first time and features significant improvements over its predecessor. Its extremely steep learning curve will frustrate many novice racers but will delight serious F1 fans."
Gamespot Video Review
OPM: 8/10
"a game about appreciation for the sport" "change the way you watch the Sunday affo Grand Prix"
Eurogamer: 8/10
"A marginally better outing than last year, then, and that's enough to ensure that, as F1 games go, this is still quite comfortably the best."
Lucius86 - GAF CHAMP
Folorium Viridum - Emotional support, championship organiser, ball wrecker.
Kyaw - Graphics for |OT| and league tables.
HeliosCM - support from Codemasters and inviting us to the F1 2011 press event. Great work!
Leunam - Inspiring us last year with his amazing contribution in F1 2010.
SunhiLegend - F1 gif god.
Everyone in the F1 2010 Gaf Champ for being awesome and fuelling each other's passion for the game.
See you all in F1 2011!
