F1 Race Stars takes the official cars, teams and circuits of Formula One and turns them into a cartoon race. Codemasters built it as a spin-off from its usual racing line, and the result is a fast, loose game that trades realism for pure fun. It is the first kart racer the studio has made, and it shows.
Trailer, via ONE Media +.
The Formula One Setting
The game draws its cars, teams and tracks from the 2012 season. Every team that started that year appears as a playable character, along with two fictional teams added to fill out the roster. The tracks are not exact copies of the real circuits. They are built as theme parks, full of loops, jumps and shortcuts, with items placed at fixed points along the way.
The Kart Feel
The handling is simple. Cars drift easily, and the controls are built for quick reactions rather than precise lines through corners. That is the point. Codemasters has said the game is built to entertain rather than to simulate, and that is clear from the first lap.
The Driver Line-Up
The roster includes Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, plus drivers like Kimi Räikkönen, Nico Rosberg, Mark Webber, Michael Schumacher, Pedro de la Rosa, and two new fictional drivers. Players can swap a driver’s head for their own avatar or Mii, depending on which version they own. The fictional teams add Ruby Power and Jessica Chekker for TecNova-Star, and Josh Merit and Kira Hoshihara for Satsu-Aceler.
The Tracks
There are 11 circuits to choose from, each tied to a round of the 2012 season. Some parts of the Abu Dhabi track are drawn from the nearby rollercoaster Formula Rossa at Ferrari World. The tracks are short and packed with obstacles, and they reward bold driving over steady lines.
| Circuit | Based On |
|---|---|
| Belgium | Round 1 |
| Germany | Round 2 |
| Italy | Round 3 |
| Brazil | Round 4 |
| Abu Dhabi | Round 5 |
| Monaco | Round 6 |
| Singapore | Round 7 |
| Australia | Round 8 |
| United States | Round 9 |
| Great Britain | Round 10 |
| Japan | Round 11 |
Items and Weapons
Each track carries a KERS system around corners, and Item Boxes sit at fixed points along the way. Players can pick up weapons, and getting hit by one damages the car, forcing a pit stop to regain top speed. The item system adds chaos, and it rewards players who keep a steady eye on the road ahead.
Modes and Play
The game supports single-player races, multiplayer matches, co-op play and split-screen modes. Online play was shut down on 21 March 2024, so the multiplayer servers are gone. That removes a large part of the appeal for those who wanted to race online.
Where It Falls Short
The kart feel is not for everyone. Players who want a deep, accurate simulation will find the physics too easy, and the tracks too loose. The fictional teams and drivers feel like filler, and some players may prefer the real names over the new additions.
The Verdict
F1 Race Stars succeeds as a fun, fast racer that knows exactly what it wants to be. It is not a serious simulator, and it does not try to be one. The kart handling, the item system and the theme park tracks all work together to deliver a game that is easy to pick up and hard to put down. It is best enjoyed with friends in the room, not online.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.
