For the recently completed season, EA has improved its own update in almost all aspects and implemented further significant exclusives. F1 2001 supports Logitech's GT Force wheel (among others), with arguably better default calibration than GT3 but disappointingly weak feedback on tarmac. Players must also start themselves off after the green light instead of letting the computer shift them into gear immediately and have some involvement in pit stop performances, with results affecting the length of the delay. Although four-player racing returns, now two can simultaneously compete in a full grid of 22 cars, albeit without the option of iLink support. Both the frame rate and draw distances remain intact throughout multiplayer races.

Style-wise, this update sports a grimier, less PC kind of look than its predecessor. The tracks are dirtier, and lighting has been well utilised, notably at Belgium. Although not up to GT3 standards, F1 2001 looks only a generation behind and is certainly a lot better than its rivals. It is the dust clouds and rain splashes, rather than course renditions, that let the graphics down most of all and tyre smoke, while quite realistic, is unconvincing close up. At times pretty, EA's video game doesn't need GT3's look, but has at least taken a few leaves out of its book, so to speak. F1 might be a glamorous sport, but its real-life courses are largely far from beautiful. Yet it must be said that the Monaco circuit, appropriately, looks better here than in GT3. Rain drops also look a little better on the cameras than in GameCube's Wave Race title.

If you winced at Murray and Martin's commentary in Formula One 2001, be glad that this title's newly introduced pit radio doesn't do quite so badly (in fact, aside from the odd sound glitch and poor skid effects, F1 2001 is aurally pleasantly unpleasant and true to life). Tips on weather and advice of events around the track are thereby relayed to you immediately, though too quickly in the case of momentary changes of position and often unnecessarily - such as when you overtake an opponent yourself. The weather itself can now change more than once even during short races; nevertheless, it tends to come and go far too methodically and often cancels out any effect on pit strategy by changing back too soon.

An option of simulation handling has also been introduced but steering in this mode feels too twitchy using both the GT Force wheel and Sony's hand controller. If you do go off the track, expect to be placed back on course if you struggle to get back yourself. Whether that is a good thing for an F1 game depends on your perspective but EA's title hardly takes to the simulation route enthusiastically. Two relevant errors in the display layout must also be mentioned here: there are no RPM guages and both the player's position and gear displays are frequently displaced by (thankfully optional) corner arrows. You try racing F1 with no confidence in your torque band, gear selection, current or maximum RPM.

Default handling has been improved from previously to allow for far better cornering without taking much getting used to but car set-up options are reduced in this mode to the choice of tyres. Of course, altering cars makes a difference to their handling and there is now more of Gran Turismo's type of fine-tuning available rather than a series of options to choose from.

Contrary to the back of the case, F1 2001 uses analogue button functions in acceleration and braking. Especially impractical for anything close to full races, this ergonomically hazzardous function can be avoided by using a second analogue control stick instead, which also allows for more precise application.

Sadly, although collisions will see you severely disabled if you turn on full damage effects, with FIA rules also turned on a yellow flag will appear simultaneously and you will be penalised as your car drives or spins or flips or rolls past your victim's wreckage, or any other car. Furthermore, repairs and maintenance cannot be conducted in the same pit stop as stop/go penalties. Other glitches not mentioned here are largely insignificant but nevertheless annoying.