Art's been busy imitating life in Formula One it seems. In the real world of F1 a raft of changes has swept in to re-inject excitement and unpredictability into the increasingly bland sport. Meanwhile, in the EA Sports pits the publisher has cottoned on to the idea that, so far as mind-crushing tedium is concerned, F1 games of late have been reproducing the sport a little too faithfully.

Hence F1 Career Challenge. Quick race option aside, the game exists for its accessible career mode. In this you create your own F1 rookie driver. Snag yourself a Super Licence and you begin the 1999 season as a driver for one of the lower profile manufacturers. You've then got until the end of the 2002 season to move up the grid and take on Schu and the big boys. Feedback and new job offers come via a neat PDA device similar to the one in V-Rally 3, while each Grand Prix weekend is divided into four distinct stages. Practice and Qualifying sessions speak for themselves and Test Scenarios enables you to refine your car's performance.

The races themselves, are tense but enjoyable. Instead of softening the handling or adding goofy power-ups, EA has smartly reduced the number of laps to a ceiling of eight, and streamlined the car set-up options. The end result is an F1 title that looks and handles like a proper sim, but feels much more like an accessible racing game than most.

Graphics 80%
Pin sharp and fast, Pit side it's a different story...

Sound 70%
All the right clanks, screeching and vrooms

Gameplay 70%
Arguably the most playable F1 game to date.

Lifespan 70%
Four whole seasons. you won't feel shortchanged.

Overall 70%
At last, an F1 game that makes a priority of excitement and thrills over worthy but dull simulation.