NASCAR presents a tremendous driving challenge, but when you really want screaming machines that buzz around courses cut from real life, then you want to sit behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car.

EASports F1 2001 is a wonderful combination of the wail of those high-powered engines, sharply rendered graphics and full-throttle action. If you want to test your driving skills on flat, albeit winding and weather-whipped course, then this is the game for you.

How hard is it to control the cars? Very. Steering controls are touchy, and overcorrecting will send you spinning off course.

F1 2001 boasts the 2001 season of Formula 1 racing, meaning you get all 17 tracks, 11 teams and 22 drivers. If you love these blazing machines, you won’t be able to contain yourself from climbing behind the wheel of a Ferrari or Jaguar. One of the more interesting aspects, in keeping with the season, is that weather conditions in each of the races emulate the weather experienced by the drivers during the actual events. You can start under clear skies and well into the race be faced with the torment of navigating through a steady downpour. Remember that the tires on these racing machines are slick, which means limited traction. Actually you are pulled about the courses by the centrifugal force generated by your speed, and drafting other vehicles.

F1 also asks for a little more than mere reflexive skills. You have to plan your race, and pre-select pit stops to take on fuel. The less fuel you have, the faster your car will go, but you don’t want to get caught stopping too often – that eats time, which is the valuable commodity of any racing game – nor do you want to run on fumes.

Of course, for the mechanic in the crowd, you can fine-tune the vehicle in any number of ways, including tires, steering, brakes, gears, and other parts in-between.

The options package is very well designed, and players should have no trouble navigating through the interface. You can spend the time in the shop, take on the season or jump right into a race without so much as a ‘start your engines’ admonition.

When it comes to the actual control elements of the game, players are given several choices. If you don’t have a steering wheel by now for motorsport sims, then this is the perfect excuse to get one. Without a wheel and pedals, racing control in this game is frustrating.
 

The graphics of F1 are stunning. EASports used motion-capture technology to get the pit crew looking authentic, and the detail on the cars is amazing. According to an EASports press release, the game incorporates a new engine, which delivers a higher frame rate. What that translates to is approximately four times the number of polygons per scene than in previous EASports F1 releases. Thrown in an audio track that will make you think you are trackside at an actual event, and you have a game that rips through the field and snags the checkered flag.

This program is rated for Everyone.

Install: Easy
This game doesn’t ask for a lot of hard-drive space for a minimal install, and it goes on quickly.

Gameplay: 8.5
There is some cerebral challenges awaiting players in the pre-race preparations, but once you get passed that, and actually get that engine rumbling, then this game is amazing fast paced.

Graphics: 8.5
These are detailed and well animated. The environmental graphics may be a little too sharply rendered, but when you are blowing past something at 160-plus miles per hour, who really has time to stop and admire the scenery. The lighting and weather effects are a real nice touch.

Sound: 8.5
This is a prime example of how a well-delivered audio track can push the animation and make the whole experience wonderful.

Difficulty: 8
These cars are not easy to handle. There are training modes available in the game, and it is recommended that (if you are a relative rookie to this circuit) you take them to gets some understanding of what it takes to control one of these monster machines.

Concept: 8.5
EASports has incorporated new technology to advance the look of the game.

Multiplayer: N/A
If you know someone with this game, and have their IP address, you can indulge in multiplayer competition. If not – well, this game still has challenges awaiting a single player.

Overall: 8.5
This is the best F1 racing game to date. It incorporates incredible graphical elements, intense racing action and awesome sound for high-speed thrills and chills.