Formula One (video game series)
Sony's exclusive F1 game series from 1995 to 2006.
The Formula One series is a collection of computer and video games originally created by Psygnosis, later renamed Studio Liverpool. The series takes its name from the popular car racing series of the same name and covers every season from 1995 to 2006, with the sole exception of the 1997 season.
- first_release
- 1995
- last_release
- 2006 (Formula One 06)
- developer
- Psygnosis / Studio Liverpool
- publisher
- Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
- license_holder
- Sony (2003–2007), Codemasters (2008–2021), EA Sports (2021–present)
- platforms
- Various (including PSP and Nintendo Wii for later titles)
Lore & Background
The Formula One video game series was originally created by Psygnosis, a studio that was eventually renamed to Studio Liverpool. The series takes its name from the real-world Formula One car racing championship. In 2001, development shifted entirely to Studio Liverpool, an internal Sony Computer Entertainment Europe game studio formed from the restructuring of several studios including Psygnosis. Soon after, Sony obtained an exclusive FOA Official Licence, which barred any other company from producing a Formula One game for any platform for five years. The final numbered entry in the original series was Formula One 06, released in 2006 for PlayStation 2 and PSP, while Formula One Championship Edition was a separate launch title for the PlayStation 3.
Reader's Guide
Sony used its exclusive licence to produce Formula One games from 2003 until 2007, releasing a new title every year. Each annual release included improvements to the graphics engine as well as an updated and complete F1 grid showing the latest liveries, chassis, and drivers. The series covered every year from 1995 to 2006, with the exception of the 1996 season. By February 2007, Sony lost the license to produce Formula One video games, and Formula One Championship Edition, released at the very end of the previous year, was the last game in a series that lasted more than a decade. In May 2008, Codemasters picked up the license, with Sumo Digital producing F1 2009 for the PSP and Nintendo Wii a year and a half later. Codemasters took over the license proper in 2010, and as of 2026, currently maintains the rights to exclusively produce Formula One games.
Did You Know?
- The series covered every season from 1995 to 2006 except the 1997 season.
- Sony held an exclusive FOA Official Licence from 2003 to 2007, barring other companies from making F1 games.
- The last game in the original numbered series was Formula One 06, released in 2006 for PS2 and PSP; Formula One Championship Edition was a separate PS3 launch title.
- Codemasters acquired the license in 2008, but as of 2026 the license is held by EA Sports after EA acquired Codemasters in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Formula One video game series?
It is a PlayStation-exclusive racing franchise that simulated real Formula One championship seasons, running from 1995 through 2006. Each game corresponded to a specific F1 year, making the whole run a year-by-year snapshot of the sport during that era.
Who developed and published the Formula One games?
Psygnosis created the original titles before being rebranded as Studio Liverpool, and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe handled publishing throughout the entire run. The games were a Sony-first-party franchise from start to finish.
Which F1 seasons are covered in the series?
The franchise includes every championship season from 1995 to 2006, with the single notable gap being 1997, which was never released. The final entry in the Studio Liverpool era was Formula One 06, covering the 2006 season.
What platforms were the Formula One games released on?
The series originated on PlayStation hardware and, in its later years, expanded to PSP and Nintendo Wii. Despite those additional ports, the franchise was always published by Sony and marketed primarily to PlayStation audiences.
How does the Studio Liverpool F1 series relate to the modern F1 games?
The Sony-era titles (1995–2006) are a completely separate lineage from the F1 games that followed. After Sony stepped away, Codemasters held the official license from 2008 to 2021, and EA Sports has carried it forward since 2021, but none of those later titles were developed by Studio Liverpool.
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