The way F1 is going:
- Codemasters make 2009, but limit it to wii due to wanting to get more done.
- Codemasters make 2010, game is fun and good but lacks things, little buggy in areas.
- Codemasters improved to make 2011, game has more bugs but also big improvements, sloppy in areas.
- Codemasters hands over the code to a B-team to work on 2012, changes up the wazoo and removal of already included features for stupid reasons, trolls fanbase.
- Codemasters release 2013 and wonder why no one is buying it and why the fan base is halfed
- Codemasters stop making yearly F1 games, official reason being that the genre is drying up and blame it on the fans.
Much truth in above.
I can't speak in absolutes because I can't find any information on exact year, but full quote says how after 2011 Codemasters has signed a new, "multi-year" license. Which can also mean 2 year only, for 2012 and 2013.
Do not forget how 2008 reports were quoting 15 million $ (or euro?) annually for the Bernie (FOWC is the official F1 licenser for next 98 years).
With F1 Race Stars in the pipeline and next-gen consoles incoming, it will be very interesting to see how this will unfold. I still believe Codemasters did a great foundations of the engine to handle the proper F1 game, bit current execution-record is really something to think over.
Personally, I would really love to see Bernie reconsidering exclusive license deals (as for last 11 years) and go back to operating under multi-license agreements. I am fairly sure there would be many, many studios interested in grabbing F1 license for more reasonable amount of money, with only real obstacle being operating the production with so many interested parties in the same time.
But speaking theoretically, at this very point I see at least 4 studios that would probably be interested to grab a licence for let's say 3-4 million annually for upcoming years - and I am listing studios that already have engines capable of producing F1 games (with presumption how T10 really have FM engine more-less capable of variable weather/changeable lighting limited by hardware constraints of current XB):
Codemasters (lower license costs would probably leave more money for actual... coding - multiplatform),
Playground games/Turn10 (never underestimate Playground team with such F1 background while T10 could jump-in for the sake of Forza series - if they can solve visible suspensions - XB),
Polyphony Digital (Kazunori said he is interested in making F1 game, GT engine is 100% ready for execution of such title, so that one is a given - PS),
SlightlyMad Studios (once the money form pCARS starts to pour, I see their talent as a given in creating an F1 game and pCARS engine would be glorious - besides, they could even go and make some crazy historic GP game with one hand - the assets are all there - multiplatform)
Of course, there is always a probability of EA jumping in and getting DICE to do what they do best (still remembering V8 Supercars, gnnnnn..) or even Criterion (for some more casual version of the game), or even those crazy guys from Milestone, but those are less probable.
Ah, that wishful thinking..