Formula One

Waddington's Formula 1 is, arguably, the benchmark against which all other motor racing board games must be measured. The reason is simple: skill is the predominant factor, while luck plays a just big enough part that the outcome not entirely certain.

The central idea that makes the game worthwhile is that movement is fully under player control: the dice do not determine how many spaces you move.

Each player gets a car; a dashboard with speedo, lap counter, and tyre and brake wear meters; and a number of 'tactic cards' which gain extra spaces: not enough to make luck in the shuffle excessive. The track is divided into spaces, and a car moves 1 space for every 20mph of its speed: at each turn a car may change speed within defined limits. The bends have maximum safe speeds posted, but these may be exceeded if a player wishes to risk a penalty determined by throwing two dice.

Using 2 dice is a masterstroke (in comparison to other games) as it gives a non-uniform distribution of the various penalties, so that the severe ones are made less likely. The exact positioning of the bends was obviously worked out carefully since typical racing speeds always involve tough decisions about braking points and safety speeds, balancing wear penalties against loss of position.

Pit stops allow tyres and brakes to be replaced but you risk a slow stop. A major feature with some players is baulking: most bends are only 2 lanes wide, so ending your move on one can force an opponent down the slower inside lane or even make him/her lose some of his/her turn. Typically, you plan about 3 turns ahead, modifying the plan as you see what happens to the other drivers.

Various modifications to the rules exist, and with few players (or more than 1 game set), people often play teams of cars.

I never understood why they stopped making this game: if you ever see it anywhere, buy it.

Dave Budd