Formula 1 2016 game adds online multiplayer championship

The 2016 installment of the F1 series includes several new features that were heavily requested by players, including the return of the safety car, introduction of the virtual safety car, and a revamped career mode.

Autosport understands Codemasters did not want to promise the feature would be added to F1 2016 while it was still working on perfecting it for inclusion this year.

Announcing the feature, Codemasters said: "We're very happy to be announcing that F1 2016 will feature multiplayer championship, a brand new game mode that allows up to 22 players to compete against each other over the course of a season.

"This new mode allows you to race as team-mates or to battle it out as different teams, as well as offering great possibilities for league play.

"Championships are, of course, saveable, so you can fight it out over the course of many weeks."

Speaking before the online championship feature was revealed principal game designer Lee Mather told Autosport more new features are planned for future versions in the series.

"What we were really pleased about was that we had our vision for what we wanted F1 2016 to be, and as a team we were incredibly confident we were making not only a game that we loved but a game that the fans would go wild for," he said.

"We've got a roadmap of what we want to do with the title.

"We've brought in the community so their involvement can help us to reaffirm that what we're doing is the right thing for the game.

"So far this year the response we've had has been pretty amazing."

F1 2016 is released on August 19 for PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.