F2P F1 Online: The Game to launch next year

Codemasters has announced it's to bring F1 Online: The Game to PC and Mac from Q1 next year.

The title, which is free to play, will let you play a full F1 season in a top-down perspective, but also let you be a team manager as you create and manage your own team.

The creation of your own team will enable you to your team name, your design of the car and more, as you try to create a successful team.

F1 Online will also feature all the licensed circuits, teams and drivers from the current F1 season. You'll also be able to race as your favorite team through "a range of game modes" in multiplayer.

Players will be able to track their success via leaderboards and social networks.

"Formula One is a proven major games brand that resonates with players on a global level and is recognised as one the biggest sports licenses in videogames. As the worldwide gaming market evolves, 2012 is the perfect time to extend this series to the free-to-play market," said Codemasters Online VP, David Solari.

"Building on the commercial and critical success of our high-definition Formula One games, this is an exciting opportunity to bring our passion for the sport and our expertise in racing to a new audience. With a bespoke design for accessible browser play, F1 Online: The Game is a perfect complimentary experience to the HD series and will appeal to a broad spectrum of Formula One’s millions of fans worldwide."

The game's being built with the Unity engine with assets from F1 2011.

First screens are below.