Like previous Codemasters games, this game is entertaining, and a good entry for novices.
While the environment of each track look very good (including the weather effect), the cars look very plainly modeled. Still fine, but if you don't tune the replay section (which is, annoying) you will get major lag. Very major lag. Seriously. Make a change for it first.
[2] Sound and Music (8/10)
While you get no music here (excluding in the pit), every sound of each F1 car here is very convincing you already inside a F1 car. That's a big plus. And the commentators (or your instructor), also your agent, is not too noisy. They remain calm and steady to encourage or instruct you to do the right thing. But I lost one immersive thing : your nickname isn't called for even once. (It's just me or...)
[3] Gameplay and Features (8.5/10)
Presentation given is usual - DiRT 2 type. But for this game it is much more effective and straight forward. I like it.
Inside the pit, you still have the chance to tune your car (I haven't played older F1 games because I am not a big fan of simulation racing games, but it is said to be containing much tuning option than this game), but I can see that if they make it too realistic, then only hardcore gamers will buy it. The game is well balanced, the tuning option is making sense.
Inside the race, the immersion looks good. The weather effect during the race also a neat addition, make you have the strategy first before putting yourself into a race. But I see something strange : the leaderboards. It is NOT CORRECT, AT ALL. You will be confused by it. Trust me.
The handling looks good for novices. Because this is Codemasters' first entry of F1 gaming, we can't hope much beside putting some-kind of DiRT 2 type of handling (and damage). Flashback feature also return.
Then another aspect of the race : AI and Rules.
AI is right, not bad, not too good. I play it in medium setting and it play just right. But beside that the rules are very confusing to me - after the penalty the effect is given later. Why don't explain the effect of each penalty first before the race? It means you have to know each penalty by doing trial-and-error method, which is not Codemasters style.
And the last, I very disappointed that only one track that contain night. Others all set in day. Luckily F1 2011 have the transition from day-to-night.
[4] Lasting Appeal (9/10)
For novices, this is interesting. For hardcore, this game is for your relaxation for taking some rest for stressing point from fully simulated racing games.
Final score : 8,625/10 (overall) pointed to 9/10
Just enjoy the game, see it if you like it or not. Rent it first. Or for F1 gamers, you can directly buy it.