This isn't the series' first attempt at a story mode (or Codemasters, as those old enough to remember Race Driver Grid will know) though after F1 2019 introduced a few of the key characters such as the dastardly Devon Butler in what felt like a throwaway effort this is a much more fulsome affair.

The Braking Point story mode leads the way when it comes to new features in F1 2021, and after some early misgivings and a few small bumps along the way it ends up landing rather well. Given all that, it's remarkable that Codemasters has managed to get the game out while the season remains in balance even more remarkable still that they've done so while adding one of the more enjoyable new features in recent years. Then you have to factor in the fact this is a transitional year, both for the sport itself as it introduces the budget cap and braces itself for 2022's radical new cars, and for the series as it makes its debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S and X. Indeed, the moving target of an F1 circus that's still weaving its way around the pandemic sees three tracks - Imola, Portimao and the all-new street circuit in Jeddah - coming as free post launch DLC. Which is, of course, too recent for any real impact on F1 2021 (not that Codemasters needed any help with the more nefarious plans people commonly associate with new overlords EA - the podium pass and various pre-order bonuses of earlier years are present and correct here, and once again are thankfully completely ignorable). Availability: Out July 16th on PC, PS4/5 and Xbox One/Series S/X.

Having gained momentum over the years until it's become, for my money, one of the most complete racing game packages around, the most striking thing about this year's F1 game is that EA Sports logo when you boot it up, Codemasters having sold up to the mega-corporation earlier this year.

The headline news, really, is what hasn't changed. An entertaining and surprisingly effective new story mode heads up an otherwise modest refresh for Codemasters' official series.

F1 2014 video game review