But it never really confers that much of an advantage, since most racers will max out their tank.

Do it three times and your tank will be brimming with energy, allowing you to zoom off with a satisfying F1 screech. Periodically, you’ll drive over section of track that allows you to fill up the KERS by repeatedly squeezing the right trigger. This is where the KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) fitted to each car comes into play. It feels odd to brake so frequently in a kart racer, and even on the highest speed class (3000cc) races still feel a tad pedestrian, with cars lacking decent acceleration. After all, this is Formula 1 and you’ll have to learn how to take a corner by using your brakes, slipstreaming and finding the perfect racing line, not by sliding around it. The first thing you’ll notice is the lack of a drifting mechanic. The F1 licence differentiates Race Stars from other kart racers in some important ways. It’s all rendered in a quaint and quirky style, like everything has been constructed using pastels and plastic. Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, you’ll scale gigantic hotels which open up like rollercoasters, navigate building sites, before ending up in the desert. In Japan, you’ll weave in and out of warring Sumo wrestlers, dodge bowing geishas serving noodles, and jockey for position on top of Shinkansen. Each one is a charming condensation of that country’s most iconic landmarks and symbols. Like the F1 season, tracks are set across the globe, from Japan to Italy, Brazil to the USA. Similarly, levels are lovely to look at, but they're not nearly as much fun to race through. Drivers nod and wink to each other on the starting grid, and summon their misplaced helmets in a variety of mischievous ways before the race begins. You play as adorable caricatures of real-life drivers – the likenesses are strong, and they look as if they’ve been carved from colourful vinyl. F1 Race Stars is a certainly a nice game, with lots of visual charm.

F1 race stars game