F1 2021

Lore & Background

F1 2021 introduced a brand new story mode called Braking Point, set across three years: the end of the 2019 Formula 2 season, then the 2020 and 2021 Formula One seasons. The story follows British rising star Aiden Jackson, who wins the 2019 Formula 2 Championship and graduates to Formula One, and his veteran teammate Casper Akkerman. Their rivalry, fueled by rival driver Devon Butler, escalates over two seasons. The game also marked the debut of ray tracing support on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, as well as victory radio calls. For the first time in career mode, two players could participate together as teammates or rivals. New circuits Imola, Portimão, and Jeddah were added as free updates, while Marina Bay, Melbourne, Montreal, and Suzuka circuits appear as originally intended despite real-life cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Russian flag was removed as a nationality option following FIA rules.

Reader's Guide

F1 2021 is notable as the first F1 game published by EA Sports since F1 Career Challenge in 2003, following Codemasters' acquisition by Electronic Arts. It is also the most recent game in the series to feature a four-digit year, as the series changed to using two digits for the next game as a result of EA's purchase. The introduction of Braking Point made the F1 series the fourth EA Sports title to have a story mode, following Fight Night Champion, FIFA The Journey, and Madden NFL Longshot. The game's My Team feature allowed players to form their own F1 team, dealing with sponsors, engine suppliers, and teammate recruitment, with a new addition of Department Events where players choose the best decision for a given scenario. Seven prominent Formula One drivers were selectable in My Team: Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Jenson Button, David Coulthard, and Felipe Massa. The visualization increased from the previous year, with more accurate sidetracks and facial expressions in story mode, and the full version of F1 broadcast opening titles were added after launching the game.

Did You Know?

• The game features a story mode called Braking Point, set across the end of the 2019 Formula 2 season and the 2020 and 2021 Formula One seasons.
• The Russian flag was removed as a nationality option, causing Nikita Mazepin to compete under the 'Rest of the World' flag.
• For the first time in career mode, two players can participate together as teammates or rivals.