How realistic is F1:CE?

[Biggles]

Just picked up the game. Wow! Doesn't feel like driving a car at all - more like guiding a rocket - acceleration & decceleration is so extreme. How close to the feel of driving a real F1 car do you think this is? Of course, there is none of the physical strain - G-forces etc...

 

[Blake]

In terms of the forces simulated it’s pretty accurate (braking distances, corner speeds etc. are fairly accurate), but in terms of car dynamics it’s very basic.

 

[Biggles]

My question: is the handling of F1 cars really that amazing ? I have never (of course) driven a F1 car, so it's impossible for me to know how accurate the driving physics are in F1:CE.

I can see why many people would be turned off by F1 & this game: the handling & performance of these cars is so precise that they seem to lack a certain quirky individuality that makes "real" cars interesting. I actually found the vintage Cooper car the most fun to drive, so far, I guess because it feels more like a "real" car (understeer & oversteer).

The lack of FF definitely detracts from the realism - what is the latest news on that front?

 

[Z]

My question: is the handling of F1 cars really that amazing ? I have never (of course) driven a F1 car, so it's impossible for me to know how accurate the driving physics are in F1:CE.

I can see why many people would be turned off by F1 & this game: the handling & performance of these cars is so precise that they seem to lack a certain quirky individuality that makes "real" cars interesting. I actually found the vintage Cooper car the most fun to drive, so far, I guess because it feels more like a "real" car (understeer & oversteer).

The lack of FF definitely detracts from the realism - what is the latest news on that front?

Yep.. F1 cars are amazing bits of machinery and the game does a fairly good job of representing their real-life counterparts.

Like yourself, I rather enjoy the classic GP cars as well. You still need to have good reflexes and such to control them, but you get a little more 'feel' to work with. Then again, the speeds are much slower compared to the modern era, so IMHO it is easier to find the limit in the older cars. However, controlling them at the limit is another thing as you aren't supplied with insane amounts of grip.

As for FF in the US release, it's rumored to be released in the next few days. MS7XWDC and his source were spot-on with the release for the EU patch, so it's pretty safe to say that we can expect our patch very soon.

 

[Biggles]

Yep.. F1 cars are amazing bits of machinery and the game does a fairly good job of representing their real-life counterparts.

Really low center of gravity, huge downforce, fat racing tires = almost "unrealistic" grip. I find there's a huge difference between even the top high performance supercars, like an Enzo, & these F1 beasts.

I think FF will help make the driving experience a little more "physical", which will be a big help. My understanding was, that it was the EU patch that was going to be available in the next few days, & no word on the US patch...