Formula 1 is the purest, most exciting form of motorsport yet devised, and the video game grid is almost as tightly packed with contenders as the real, fuel-belching circus itself.

It's not hard to see the appeal of screaming round corners at 200mph, and EA's game is the first opportunity - although certainly not the last - to do just that on Xbox. The question is, is F1 2002 a Ferrari or Minardi?

There's plenty to admire here. Proper drivers and tracks with detailed cars and slick presentation make for an enjoyable TV-Style F1 session. And everything is as up-to-date as it's possible to be with the full set of 2002 stats.

When you're driving, the game's fast and oh-so playable. If you want to scream around Silverstone (or one of the other 16 accurately-recreated courses) without worrying too much about the intricacies of the sport, then you're well catered for. The arcade mode is one of the game's strengths, letting you jump straight in and have a challenging race from the off. Hardcore race nutters will prefer the Simulation controls though, turning every corner into a battle between hand-eye coordination and the cold, hard laws of physics.

To teach you how to get things right, the main single-player mode requires you to pass a series of challenges, ranging from simple acceleration and braking exercises to trickier corners and chicanes.

They work in much the same way as the licenses in the PlayStation's Gran Turismo games, teaching you the basics you need on the tracks. It's a good idea, and one that's welcome in the tricky world of F1 racing.

There's nothing inherently wrong with F1 2002, and at this stage, it's the Xbox F1 race leader. But as a racing game, it's simply not as fun as RalliSport Challenge or Project Gotham Racing, and there's every chance the upcoming Grand Prix 4 could out-F1 it in every way.

So then, Ferrari or Minardi? Actually, it's more like a mid-table Jordan.

1. Very fast
2. Slick presentation
3. Accessible arcade racing

1. Sim Mode is extremely tough
2. Seen it all before

Power
Some reasonable sights, but nothing actually that jaw-dropping on display here.

Style
EA has been doing just this for six years now. It's authentic as is humanly possible.

Immersion
It very much depends on your thoughts about F1 and it's unlikely to convert non-believers.

Lifespan
If you can cope with the tough Simulation mode, this could keep you going until F1 2003.

Summary
A solid F1 title with everything a fan could want - great graphics and handling - but this is mere evolution, not revolution.