Ploughing into the first turn with both front wheels locked and your eyes closed probably isn't how Sebastian Vettel does it, though it's about all I could manage short of hiding behind the sofa.

Normally I'm a dab hand when it comes to video games, especially racing games, but there was clearly something wrong here. I was slamming the brakes on hard, throwing the car at the apex and expecting it to stick like muck to a blanket like most games encourage you to, but suddenly I was sailing past the apex, getting a good look at the exit kerb before sliding off into the scenery having left most of my Pirelli rubber on the road behind me.

It's one of the first things that strikes you about F1 2011, the latest offering from Codemasters in its Formula One series. Rather than hurling the car about with brute force the game is more simulation based, meaning with that approach you'll be seeing more Armco than Ukyo Katayama. Instead a deftness of touch is required, a subtle correction here, perhaps a dab of opposite lock to control the slide there. The handling of the cars has changed markedly since F1 2010, the first game of the series. More nervous and racy this time around, you're clearly at the wheel of a thoroughbred racing car which needs accurate and deliberate input.

Clearly targeted at the hardened Formula One fan, the game has steered away from the crash and bash titles like the Need for Speed series. This is a proper simulation, which can be dialled up or down depending on your mood. Only the 24 cars from the 2011 Formula One teams are available, and just nineteen circuits, Bahrain having been omitted in the game as in real life.

On the face of it the game is therefore comparatively shallow and niche, throwing you in at the deep end rather than warming you up through junior categories with less powerful machinery. It proves a steep learning curve, one I must suggest is near vertical and therefore too alienating to new players. A range of driving assists can be turned on or off to tailor the difficulty, as well as simulation options like tyre wear, fuel effect, and even damage but it can make for some frustrating moments when, on a hot qualifying lap, you are a little too optimistic with the throttle and bury the nose of the car in the barrier. Or worse, you miss your braking marker and punt the Lotus ahead off into the weeds, demoting you 10 grid slots.

The penalty system employed is realistic if at times a little harsh. More than once as I recovered from a spin, well off the side of the circuit, I was penalised for dangerous driving and given a 10 second penalty. I was also warned about unfair blocking when the nearest car was exiting the pits well behind me. Is it coz I is Australian?

The bugs which plagued wheel-to-wheel racing in F1 2010 have therefore not been totally eliminated, but at least now drivers can bang wheels within reason without fear of being penalised. Go too far however and you'll be on the wrong end of the stewards judgement, first with a penalty and if you step over the line too far, disqualification. Reckless driving is therefore frowned upon, unless you turn the flag rules off and head in for a bit of demolition derby.