Assists

That isn't to say that Codemasters haven't showered the game with a generous amount of driver aids, which are a great strength. With everything turned on – speed assistance, braking assistance, anti skid, anti wheel spin and the racing line – the game quickly becomes a 'pick-up-and-play' experience. But although it was a great feeling to qualify third with a Force India at the legendary Spa track on my first attempt, I knew it hadn't really been down to me. Hurl your car into a tight corner at great speed, and the game will slow it down for you to gently tap the d-pad and sail round with no skill involved at all. Fun yes, but hardly thrilling.

The best results came when I took off the speed and braking assists. The anti wheel spin and anti skid assists are pretty much mandatory as the game is impressively realistic and yet impossible without them. Plus, although the racing line is very clever and useful for finding the right braking point (a green line will become red as you near a tight bend, slowly returning to green as your braking becomes sufficient to take the corner without incident) it is far too big and rather ugly.

Stunning

The overall aesthetics of Formula One 2009 however are anything but ugly. The cars are detailed and accurately proportioned and the tracks themselves are simply stunning both in general looks and authenticity. You may be hurtling along a back straight at impossible speeds but a glimpse of a grandstand or a flush of forestry and you know you are in Malaysia or Monza and not just some random field. It is great too to see the newest venues given the same care and attention as established tracks – Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Valencia all look superb. The pit crew (a notoriously hard factor to get right in terms of looks) are about three generations too late – but this is a minor niggle.

Apart from looking nice, the game plays very well. Yes it can be fiddly and is certainly hard to master without the aids, but at no point is the experience ever dull. The tracks are painstakingly accurate and the physics more than match their canvas. Each car handles just that little bit differently: the Brawn is smooth and swift, the Ferrari quick on the straights but brittle and the Renaults are sturdy yet slightly sluggish. Some cars suit some tracks better than others encouraging the player to devise his/her own strategy which is again suitably comprehensive. Choose whether to start on hard tyres or the green striped softer compound, alter your brake balance, aerodynamics and suspension. It is all incredibly detailed and a haven for enthusiasts.

Game modes

Once you have set up your profile you are hit with a host of different game modes. Quick start sees you quickly choose your driver and circuit and throw you slap bang in the middle of the grid, immediately allowing for some mistakes and yet encouraging you to pass from the offset. Race length, opponent difficulty and other such options can be set before you start, so if you want a quick three lap dash around Australia you can.

This plays to the gaming mantra of the PSP – the quick bursts of gaming on the train or bus – and is also supported within the 'Challenge' option where you have to complete a varying degree of tasks. There are fastest laps, overtaking contests, checkpoint targets and other scenarios. They all unlock further challenges and other goodies.

However there is also substance behind the short punchy style. You can choose to partake in a full race weekend at any circuit. Hone your skills and find the right balance in the practice sessions or jump straight to the three tiered qualifying session before having a stab at the main event. Despite the minimal production values, the atmosphere the game creates as you wait in the garage to go out on a Friday morning is impressive.

There is also the full career mode where you can try and re-enact Jenson's title bid or allow Barrichello or Vettel to take the crown in your own little world. There is also the chance to try and take the title yourself – with a three year goal driven career mode starting you off in a lowly team and offering you the chance to rise up through the ranks and fight for the title with a major player.

Playable

All in all Formula One 2009 is an authentic and very playable F1 game that is fun and up to date. It does lack polish and detail in some areas, but the gameplay is quick and compelling and the game modes are very addictive.