Before Codemasters took the wheel, there was Studio Liverpool. And in 2007, they dropped what might be the most overlooked F1 sim on a Sony console—Formula One Championship Edition.
This wasn’t just another racer in the PS3’s early catalog—it was a full-throttle, high-fidelity simulation of the 2006 F1 season, and for its time, it looked absolutely stunning. Back in the early days of the PlayStation 3, we were still wrapping our heads around Sixaxis motion controls, motion blur that could give you a head rush, and bloom lighting that screamed “next-gen.” And somehow, this game nailed all of that—and more.
So the big question: was Formula One Championship Edition just a flashy launch-era tech demo for the PS3… or did it actually offer a gripping, simulation-grade racing experience that still deserves a spin today?
Let’s drop the clutch and find out.
Setting the Scene
The PlayStation 3’s launch in late 2006 was ambitious, expensive, and filled with potential—but let’s be honest, the lineup at launch wasn’t exactly overflowing with all-time greats. Sure, there were a few standouts like MotorStorm, but overall, it was a case of hardware hype outrunning the software.
That’s where Formula One Championship Edition quietly rolled onto the grid. It didn’t have the same explosive buzz as the FPS and action games, but for racing fans, this was something special. And the pedigree behind it? Absolutely elite.
Developed by Studio Liverpool, formerly known as Psygnosis (yes, that Psygnosis—of Wipeout fame), this was a team that knew speed, presentation, and polish like few others. By the time this game launched, they’d already been handling Sony’s officially licensed F1 games for nearly a decade. F1CE was essentially a highly refined version of F1 06 for PS2 and PSP—but dialed up for a high-def future.
And here’s the kicker: Formula One Championship Edition was the last game to use the full official FIA license before Codemasters acquired the rights in 2008. That means this was the final game to feature the entire 2006 grid, complete with classic liveries, teams like Honda and BMW Sauber, and stars like Schumacher, Alonso, and Raikkonen.
Looking back, it feels like the end of an era—and one heck of a swan song for the pre-Codemasters generation of F1 games.
Gameplay Breakdown
Let’s get this out of the way: Formula One Championship Edition isn’t an arcade racer in disguise. It’s not here to hold your hand. But it’s also not a full-blown sim in the vein of iRacing or rFactor. Instead, it finds this razor-sharp middle ground—somewhere between sim and simcade—that demands focus, finesse, and a feel for the road.
The handling model is where the magic lives. Cars are twitchy but responsive, and the moment you start to push the limits—late braking into a chicane, or feathering the throttle through Eau Rouge—you can feel the car come alive. Mistakes aren’t punished brutally, but you’re definitely not getting away with sloppy driving either.
Then there’s the AI. Studio Liverpool called it “Live Action Racing,” and it’s more than a buzzword. Rival drivers don’t just follow racing lines—they defend, block, and react based on your positioning. You’ll find yourself in wheel-to-wheel battles that genuinely feel unpredictable, especially on higher difficulties. They’ll squeeze you into corners or try to outbrake you into Turn 1, and suddenly, you’re not just racing the track—you’re racing minds.
Strategy plays a huge role too. From pit stops to tire wear and fuel loads, F1CE pulls no punches. The race engineer chatter keeps you looped in, and yes, pitting at the wrong time can absolutely ruin your race. You’ll start thinking like an actual team principal, not just a driver—because every decision counts.
And from a personal perspective? The F1 racing is intense and blood-pumping. If you’re used to the smooth, slightly forgiving nature of Gran Turismo or Forza Motorsport, buckle up. F1CE is a whole different beast. It’s a masterclass in commitment—you don’t just play this game, you race it.
Visuals & Tech
It’s easy to forget just how jaw-dropping Formula One Championship Edition looked when it first roared onto the scene in early 2007. This was PS3 launch window territory—back when “next-gen graphics” meant bloom lighting, motion blur, and reflective surfaces that made you squint like you were staring into the future. And somehow, F1CE pulled it off.
Thanks to the full FIA license, everything feels legit. Every team, every driver, every track from the 2006 season is here, recreated with startling detail for its time. Monaco glows under the sun. Spa feels fast, wide, and intimidating. Even lesser-known circuits like Istanbul Park get their moment in the spotlight.
But the real showstoppers? The dynamic weather effects, the damage modeling, and the cockpit view. Rain races turn into battles of visibility and tire choice, with puddles forming and spray misting across your visor. Take a wing too aggressively over a curb? Expect damage that changes how the car behaves. And if you’re brave enough to race in cockpit view, you’ll be treated to one of the most immersive perspectives of the generation—complete with head-tilt and dashboard reflections that were ahead of their time.
Even in 2025, Formula One Championship Edition still looks and feels like a high-performance machine. It’s not just a time capsule—it’s a tech demo that hasn’t aged a day where it counts.
Sound & Presentation: The Broadcast Feel
One of the most underrated parts of Formula One Championship Edition is just how authentic it feels—not just in the driving, but in how it sounds. Studio Liverpool didn’t just want you to race in F1—they wanted you to feel like you were watching a live Grand Prix broadcast. And in that respect? They absolutely nailed it.
The professional commentary is where it starts. No generic voice-overs here—this sounds like the real thing, with announcers who actually understand the sport. Their tone, their timing, the way they hype up battles or lament mechanical failures—it’s eerily close to the energy of a live F1 broadcast. That alone adds a huge layer of immersion that most racers from this era missed entirely.
Then there’s the ambient sound design. The engine tones change based on team and throttle input—there’s a raspy, high-revving aggression that absolutely sells the speed. Layer in the crowd noise, the wind rush, and the chatter from your race engineer, and you’ve got a cockpit that feels alive. Whether you’re weaving through the pack or stuck in a pit strategy battle, your ears are just as busy as your hands.
Even the UI design takes its cues from F1 broadcasts of the time. You get live sector times, lap deltas, real-time weather info, and even the classic vertical leaderboard. It’s minimal, stylish, and practical—just like what you’d see on a race weekend. The camera cuts between replays and race starts? Chef’s kiss. It really captures the drama of the sport.
In a lot of ways, Formula One Championship Edition wasn’t just a game—it was an interactive broadcast. And for fans of the sport, that’s exactly what made it so special.
Then vs. Now: How It Holds Up Today
Let’s be honest—Formula One Championship Edition is nearly two decades old. In a world of ultra-polished Codemasters releases with story-driven careers, esports integration, and 120fps ray-traced modes, it’s fair to ask: does this game still matter in 2025?
Surprisingly… yeah, it kind of does.
Sure, the feature set is barebones by today’s standards. There’s no online play anymore (unless you get creative with private networks), no dynamic career mode, no fantasy liveries, or deep progression systems. It’s missing that long-term loop that modern F1 games hang their helmets on.
But what it does have? Core racing that still holds weight. The driving model is tight, tactile, and responsive. The framerate is steady—even when the screen gets crowded—and the input response using a DualShock 3 or a modern controller adapter still feels sharp. If you’ve got a good display, you’ll be surprised how clean it looks in 720p, with crisp car models, solid lighting, and a total lack of visual clutter.
More importantly, it still scratches that sim itch. There’s a no-nonsense vibe to F1CE—it doesn’t bombard you with tutorials or gimmicks. You pick a team, choose your driver, dive into qualifying, and go. For sim lovers who don’t need RPG layers in their racers, this stripped-back approach feels refreshingly pure.
It’s also a fascinating time capsule—a chance to drive through F1’s V8 era with Alonso, Schumacher, and Button in their prime. You won’t find a modern game that recreates 2006 with this kind of care.
So yeah—it may not have the bells and whistles of 2025, but Formula One Championship Edition still delivers where it counts: at 300 km/h on the straight, with your tires going off and your engineer screaming in your ear.
Final Verdict
When I was playing Formula One Championship Edition, I was genuinely shocked at the level of realism it delivered. The physics were unforgiving but immersive, the racing was blood-pumping and intense, and the presentation? It felt like you were watching a live broadcast from the paddock. The commentary team nailed the vibe, and every detail—from tire wear to pit strategy—was painstakingly considered.
If you’re into arcade racers, Formula One Championship Edition might feel a little too serious. But if you’re the type of player who craves high-speed precision, lap-by-lap strategy, and the thrill of nailing the perfect overtake through Maggots and Becketts—this game still has gas in the tank.
It may not have the flashiest feature set, but there’s something beautifully focused about Formula One Championship Edition. It doesn’t waste time—it puts you in the car, on the grid, and in the moment. I recommend this game if you’re looking for a hardcore racing experience, or just want an introduction to F1 racing if you’re used to Gran Turismo/Forza.
It’s pure, fast, and still holds its line—even after all these years.
Verdict
Formula One Championship Edition
Great
