Any F1 fan will greatly appreciate the level of detail that each car and track sports. The game has a full license from the FIA which allows them to have all the actual team names (i.e. Ferrari, McLaren, Jordan, etc.) and actual driver names (i.e. Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, etc.) The cars obvioulsy look exactly like each of their real life counterparts, and the tracks are precisely configured as they are in reality. The amazing part is, even the backgrounds and off-track scenery is spot-on in its accuracy. For example, on the track in Austria (the A1 Ring), while driving up the straight that follows turn 1, the horizon line of the mountains are *exactly* like they are if you watch the Austrian Grand Prix on TV! It's things like this that really put this game in a league of its own. Even the pit stops have wonderfully animated, polygonal crew members who take their proper positions, and carry out their tyre-changing and refuelling tasks in a very life-like manner.

The number of options in the game are staggering. Everything from the standard fare of adjusting every possible aspect of the car (front and rear wing angles for downforce, transmission gearing, tyre choice, suspension stiffness, etc.), to analyzing the telemetry of practice and qualifying laps in order to improve your future lap times, are included. Altering weather conditions are also an option. Rain effects are wonderful, and it truly alters the handling of the cars (as it should). Given that this is primarily a Formula 1 simulator, the level of difficulty is fairly high. However, auto acceleration and braking, and adjustable opponent AI (artificial intelligence) are also optional, and they work wonderfully. This makes the game desirable for any racing fan, casual or die-hard.

You can also view the action from almost any possible camera angle. You can race "as the driver" where you can see "your" hands turning the wheel (and, by the way, each of the different cars' interiors are faithfully reproduced as well... no generic F1 car interior here). But during the replay mode is when the camera angles really become appreciated. You can have views from any of the following: helicopter, front wing, rear wing, behind the driver's helmet, atop the car, and several others. Possibly the best camera angle of all is the TV angle. All the actual, real-life TV camera placements are accurately placed around the tracks, so you can watch your race as if you are watching a real Grand Prix. Simply put, it is amazing.

GRAPHICS: 9 --- The beautiful look, and magnificent attention to detail make this the best looking and realistic F1 simulator to date in the graphics department.

SOUND: 8 --- While the engine sounds don't quite have that beautiful, ear-piercing quality that actual F1 engines do, they are much better than average. Music is nothing special... but who cares? You're buying the game for the racing, not the catchy tunes. :-)

GAMEPLAY: 9 --- Extremely realistic controls, and above average opponent AI make this an extremely satisfying simulator, while optional "aids" make it appealing to less fanatical race fans.

PRESENTATION: 9 --- Beautiful, easy-to-navigate menus and the overall look of the game are immaculate. This gives the game a very polished and "finished" look to it.