F1 debuts on next-gen July 16 as first joint EA-Codemasters racing game

Codemasters and its new parent company, Electronic Arts, will launch F1 2021 on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on July 16.

This game is the first joint title between Codemasters and EA since EA’s $1.2 billion purchase of the British company. It will help EA fill a light release schedule for racing fans, as the publisher gave the Criterion team a year off from its Need for Speed franchise and assigned it to help the Dice studio finish the next Battlefield game coming this fall.

The game has a new story mode, and an expanded career mode with a new two-player option. It also has three new circuits, Portimão, Imola, and Jeddah, available to all players as free post-launch content.

In the Braking Point story mode, players take on a journey as they rise from the ranks of Formula 2 (think the minor leagues) to a shot at stardom in the world of Formula 1 (the sport’s major league). It also reintroduces players to the much-maligned Devon Butler, who makes his return having debuted in F1 2019.

F1 2021 expands its iconic Career mode with a new two-player option that allows friends to join online and play co-operatively or choose different teams and take rivalries to the track in synchronous race sessions. Each driver has complete control over their assists, allowing those of all levels to come together and compete. Career mode also introduces Real-Season Start, enabling players to begin at any point in the season with real-time driver and constructor standings.

Across all formats, returning features include driver-manager experience My Team, two-player split-screen, shorter season options for both F1 and F2, esports integration and accessible menus and handling.