F1 2020

Driving a Formula One car is a lot of work for a workout game, but F1 2020 gives you enough ways to turn down the pressure that I think it can work, especially on a bike. On a treadmill, the steering may get annoying before the race does.

Gameplay

The racing is what I’d come for, and there’s enough of it to keep a workout moving. You’re choosing lines through corners, watching for a chance to pass, and deciding when to use things like DRS and your energy system, so there’s usually something to pay attention to. I like that you can build a team in My Team and race alongside the official teams and drivers, but the team management adds decisions between the parts I’m most interested in. I’d probably spend a while in the menus before getting back on track.

The races have a nice rhythm when you’re engaged, though they aren’t as carefree as an arcade racer. Tire wear and pit strategy give you something to think about, and a mistake in a corner can cost you time or a position. I don’t know how much of that I’d want on a harder workout, but on an easy ride it sounds like a good way to keep my brain occupied. You may still get passed while you’re figuring out a menu.

There’s current and classic content across 22 circuits, so you can change up where you race without needing the game to invent a new reason to send you around a track. The new split screen mode also has casual race options, which is a nice idea if you want to play with someone without treating every race like a championship final. I’m glad the game makes room for that. Sometimes I want to drive a car and not have a whole career riding on it.

The career and My Team modes are appealing if you enjoy having a longer goal, but I wouldn’t treat every session like a job you need to finish. Practice, qualifying, and the race can make a weekend feel like a lot when you’re also trying to exercise. I’d set up a shorter race and skip the parts you don’t care about. The menus can wait.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Treadmill and Bike Compatibility

A bike is where I’d start, because the controller inputs and the motion of the game both ask for some precision. Full controller support means you don’t need to reach for a keyboard, and the racing gives you something to focus on for most of a session. But this isn’t a game where you can steer vaguely toward the next thing and expect it to work out. A corner arrives, and you have to deal with it.

On a treadmill, I think the bouncing could make steering feel messy, especially through tighter corners where a small adjustment matters. I’d use the driving assists, lower the difficulty, and pick a shorter race before trying to jog through a full weekend. That gives you a better chance of staying focused on the workout instead of making the same turn badly while your thumb keeps moving. It may still take some getting used to.

On a bike, the controls seem more manageable because your hands can stay steadier, though the racing still asks you to react at the right time. I’d avoid online competition while exercising, since trying to keep up with other people can make you care more about the result than the workout. There’s always a moment where I tell myself I’m just going to take one corner cleanly, and then the next corner is already there.

Casual race options sound like the right place to start, and I’d keep the race length modest until you know how much attention you can give it while moving. The full races can be a lot to juggle when you’re tired, and I don’t know whether I’d want to manage a whole event while trying to keep a steady pace. The shorter version sounds less fussy.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Computer Requirements

The minimum graphics card is old enough that this doesn’t look like a game that demands a recent, powerful PC, though the 80 GB of storage is a meaningful ask. I’d check the graphics card first, then make sure you have room for it.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Conclusion and Score

F1 2020 is a good choice if you want focused racing and are willing to ease off the difficulty while exercising. I’d point bike riders toward it first, while treadmill runners should expect the steering to take a little practice.

Overall Score: 2.67 out of 3