F1 2021 vs F1 2020: Everything you need to know

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In my F1 2021 vs F1 2020 game video, I compare the 12th Codemasters game of the official franchise available on PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

While the 2021 Formula One season in real life has been unusual, to say the least, F1 2021 from Codemasters is a more predictable affair. No over-tightened bolts, lack of spatial awareness or tire troubles here.

However, in my F1 2021 vs F1 2020 content round-up you will see that the series is not taking it steady. In fact, there have been some notable upgrades and improvements that might just tempt you into yet another annual purchase.

Before I get into that, be sure to like and subscribe for more driving game content. Also let me know if you have any questions or any video suggestions for the game. Bear in mind this is a demo version so you may see some glitches. The ‘work in progress’ is a big clue. Can’t really miss it.

For comparison purposes, I have recorded and outputted PC gameplay at 4K 60 frames per second with everything maxed out. Thank you, RTX 3080. Early codes are PC-only hence no console footage.

F1 2021 vs F1 2020: Release date

When is the F1 2021 release date? The 16^th of July 2021 for the standard version, while those who pay more for the pricier digital Deluxe Edition can play from the 13^th of the same month. All versions mimic the F1 2021 season, with 20 official F1 drivers, 10 teams, 21 circuits and an 8-event calendar.

You also get the F2 2020 season, which will then become the 2021 season via a free digital update. This includes the new rule changes. Quick note: The Imola, Portimao and Jeddah circuits will be added for free after launch.

F1 2021: New features

Moving on, F1 2021 has numerous career modes. The shiniest jewel in the crown is Braking Point, which is best described as the videogame version of the Netflix F1 documentary Drive to Survive.

All racing revolves around a “beautifully written story” – Codemasters words, not mine – as driver Aiden Jackson works his way up from the F2 2019 season to F1 in 2020 and 2021. That includes the trials and tribulations of the journey.

You can choose between five teams: Racing Point/Aston Martin, Alpha Tauri, Alfa Romeo, Haas, and Williams. Then choose either a casual or standard experience, depending on how good a driver you are. Not how good you think you are.

Adding to the story written by professional writers – and various characters you meet along the way – are visuals outsourced to another company. It seems like Codemasters is not messing around when it comes to making this a success.

Those who played F1 2019, meanwhile, may remember Devon Butler from the F2 Feeder Series. Well, the “villain” is back, which will be pleasing news to those who liked him.

What about a 2-player career?

The next major addition in F1 2021 is the two-player career mode. This is the full thing and not watered down. Yes, you and a friend can make a driver and then team up or race for opposing teams if you want your friendship to be tested.

If your friendship does breakdown mid-way through a season, Codemasters has included the ability to swap who you play with. Would be awkward otherwise. You can even swap teams to unite or fight mid-season.

The third career mode variation involves what is called Real-Season Start. This uses what is happening in the real F1 2021 season, including the Drivers Championship and Constructors Championship standings, and research and development.

Basically, you can replace an official driver and inherit their points at that point in the season. So choosing Lewis Hamilton is not as easy right now given his finish in Baku, Azerbaijan.

You can choose to start said season from any weekend that has taken place, which means you can jump in and out of climactic season moments and try to change history. If Lewis Hamilton’s form continues to decline, could you turn it around in the game?

Has the My Team career been updated?

Next and potentially most popular will be the F1 2021 My Team career. Creating and managing a custom made team was in F1 2020, but not the ability to sign famous F1 drivers. We’re talking famous famous – the likes of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. A guy I had dinner with once, that was a random evening. Nice guy.

Anyway, also new to the My Team career are department events. Basically, these are less important moments that happen and you get to choose how to deal with them. Codemasters gave me the example that the F1 simulator is having problems and a software update is available.

Do you a) choose whether to endure the cost of upgrading or b) keep going with it without knowing if it will break? The ramifications of either choice will affect your season.

There is also the Driver Career, with the option to start in F2 or F1 and race for a full or custom season length. This ties in with the Real-Season Start I talked about earlier.

F1 2021 vs F1 2020: Other improvements

Although not so useful if you intend on not crashing, which is advantageous, F1 2021 also benefits from an improved damage system that is more advanced and realistic.

In addition, the cars should be slower in terms of lap times on most, maybe all, circuits as downforce changes have come into effect. In short, making the car stick harder to the floor comes at the price of speed.

Keen racers may also notice a change in the level of grip as Codemasters said it worked on making the tyre physics more simulator-esque than ever.

On a related note, the skills tree introduced in F1 2016 has been tweaked in F1 2021. This includes the presentation and how upgrades are unlocked. Not a radical change, seems mostly aesthetic actually, but jaded eyes may find it welcome.

Furthermore, F1 2021 benefits from tweaks to practice sessions. Codemasters says you should not need to do as many to benefit and the rewards are different. Development boosts can be earned to boost research in a certain area, including reducing costs.

If practice sessions bored you in F1 2020, you can use Quick Practice in F1 2021 and aim for the same R&D benefits. On the flip-side, official practice session lengths have now been included.

F1 2021 also ushers in a new driver statistic, adding to the system introduced in F1 2020. Focus, as it is called, ignores real life data, rather it is affected by you. How you deal with the press, for instance, can affect your teammate’s performance. So maybe don’t blame him for coming last. Again.

Can you make F1 2021 more difficult?

One for the more talented virtual F1 drivers is the new expert race style, adding to casual and standard. Here you get a lot more options to fine-tune the experience. You can, for example, allow AI team research to progress faster, disable meeting the press or increase fault frequency.

Then there is pro career, which has more options unlocked, meaning you can really make a career as soul-crushingly tough as you want. Or dial it back a bit.

As for multiplayer, F1 2021 has various improvements. You now have beginner and experienced social play lobbies, which are unranked. The former uses casual race style, auto reset and no collisions. The latter features collisions and longer races.

Either way, you get the format of ranked play without the pressure of actually seeing your rank decrease after doing a Verstappen, as it is known in the business. Of course, a good drive will not see it increase.

The server browser has also been given a tweak, with additional filters allowing you to make it easier to find the races you want to enter.

Customisation-wise, expect new items. One example is a personal sticker you can add to the halo safety system. Also expect more Podium Pass and Shop item types, including victory radio calls that have become popular.

Any F1 2021 next-gen console optimisation?

What about F1 2021 vs F1 2020 when it comes to next-gen consoles? Well, the Xbox Series X gets smart delivery, faster load times, performance boost and optimised 3D spatial audio with added flexibility in the options menu. PS5 gets all that, well almost, plus adaptive trigger support.

Ray-tracing reflections are a thing too, but not when driving. So just for replays, broadcast and showrooms – even on PC, oddly enough. Didn’t need that 3080, after all.

As in Dirt 5, you can choose performance mode if you want up to 120 frames per second for silky smooth gameplay. If your TV supports it. Or the graphics option which is more about visual quality.

So now we come to the buying part. If you pre-order F1 2021, you get the Braking Point customisation pack comprised three avatars, three vehicle liveries, three helmets, three race suits, three gloves (well, three pairs), three victory radio variants and 5,000 PitCoins.

Meanwhile the digital Deluxe Edition comes with the aforementioned early access as well as seven iconic drivers for My Team to hire including Jenson Button and the late Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna.

Plus you get a multiplayer decal, an extra item of all the customisation stuff in the standard pre-order game, 18,000 PitCoins and a 10 per cent discount for returning players if you bought the previous game digitally. A nice touch designed to make it easier to upgrade every year.

And that is a wrap. Hopefully, you have a clearer understanding of what you are getting for your money in F1 2021. Be sure to like, subscribe, donate to help me keep making videos and stay tuned for my verdict.