Rumor: F1 2021 Release Date Leaked Online

The release date for F1 2021 may have been leaked online. Fans of the series are waiting for an official release date for the simulation racing game, but this new information may help in the meantime.

The official announcement for last year's F1 game took place in April with a rather quick turnaround. So it is not a surprise that the reveal has not yet taken place (although it could be expected soon). However, according to sleuthing done online, one Twitter user may have found the release date for F1 2021.

Twitter user @ALumia_Italia is claiming that F1 2021 will release on July 16. Along with the release date, they found some information on some of the game's features, including a new story mode, split-screen racing, some online multiplayer information, esports functionality, and more.

Last year's F1 2020 released on July 10, 2020, so the date would make a lot of sense. F1 2020 had near-universal acclaim, so there are likely many who are looking forward to this newest release as well. Although the series may not have the same name recognition as racing franchises like Forza, Gran Turismo, Need for Speed, or even Mario Kart, the games are well-received and certainly have a following.

It should be noted that the release date leak for F1 2021 is anything but confirmed, so it should be taken with a grain of salt for now. EA also recently acquired Codemasters, the publisher of the F1 games, so that could hold up some of the news of the game, or even when it is released. For now, fans should be patient and wait for official information on F1 2021.

Codemasters is one of the premiere names when it comes to racing video games. Codemasters has produced some of the most critically-acclaimed and popular racing games of the last decade, going head-to-head with franchises like Electronic Arts' Need for Speed. But now Codemasters may actually find itself developing a Need for Speed game of its own, as it has been confirmed that EA has agreed to acquire Codemasters for a whopping $1.2 billion. Barring any unforeseen issues, EA will officially acquire Codemasters at some point in early 2021.

EA's acquisition of Codemasters is a big deal, as it will greatly expand the company's catalogue of games. Codemasters has the rights to a wide range of IP that EA could use to bolster its own lineup in any given year, and that could very well may be the company's plan. This will go a long way in ensuring that EA games are a more consistent presence throughout the year, and will give the company a boost in another key area as well.

The acquisition of Codemasters should give the EA Play subscription service a significant boost. Theoretically, this means EA could add all of Codemasters games to EA Play, which will mean a ton of new content for subscribers. This should enhance EA Play's value, potentially bringing in new subscribers as well as keeping others from dropping their subscriptions. It should be an especially appealing prospect for sports and racing game fans, as EA Play comes with a host of other benefits, like early access trials, discounts, and much more.

For those wondering about some of the biggest games that will now fall under the EA umbrella after the Codemasters acquisitions, and what will potentially becoming to EA Play, here are the most noteworthy franchises from the studio.