Sony and F1 strike exclusive gaming deal.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe yesterday celebrated the signing of a four year exclusive official licence with Formula One Administration Ltd, making them the official publisher of licensed Formula One titles.

Held at Nurburgring's KART centre at the home of the Grand Prix of Europe, a spectacular launch event also played host to a tremendous battle between self-professed gamers and F1 young lions Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button, who were on hand to help launch the first official title under this new licence, Formula One 2003 for PlayStation 2. Fernando Alonso reigned victorious after a closely fought two player battle at Nurburgring.

Alonso commended the graphics of the new game by saying: "Apart from the wind hitting my crash helmet and feeling the G forces, the game is amazingly accurate and it recreates a lot of the senses of Formula One."

Jenson Button from B.A.R-Honda added: "You can tell the team have done a lot of work on this. It's great fun. Formula One fans will really enjoy playing."

It doesn't get much more competitive than this. Both drivers threw down the gauntlet to race each other on the virtual track with the very same machinery they drive 16 races a year, before they do battle for real at the Grand Prix of Europe this weekend.

Chris Deering, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, said: "This four year exclusive relationship is the basis for a very exciting partnership between the world's leading motorsport and the most successful video game platform.

"Together I believe we will create a totally new consumer game experience that combines the power of PlayStation 2 with the exhilaration and spectacle of Formula One. Short of pulling on gloves and a helmet this is as close to being in the driver's seat as you're going to get."

Formula One 2003 will be the only game to feature the radical new rules for the 2003 season, and this level of authenticity extends to the exciting new race weekend regulations, where Friday involves the initial qualifying; Saturday, the one shot qualifying and Sunday, the race itself offering racing fans the unique opportunity to step into the shoes of their F1 heroes.

Formula One 2003 will also be the only title to include this season's cars sporting their current liveries, competing on the 16 official Grand Prix circuits and with all 20 drivers, including Alonso and Button, mapped to an astounding level of accuracy.

These levels of authenticity mean Formula One 2003 provides a completely immersive game play experience, yet still offers pick-up-and-play accessibility to all fans of the sport. You'll even enjoy commentary from the real-life Europe's favourite commentators.

So, whether you're cutting through the back-markers in the twisting streets of Monaco, or hanging on for dear life, flat out on the Parabolica Curve at Monza, Formula One 2003 promises to be the best implementation of the tension, exhilaration, spills and sheer adrenaline rush of Formula One racing ever seen.

Formula One 2003 for PlayStation 2 will be available from 9th July in Europe and 11th July in the UK.