The game's career mode is its core, where the player starts with a smaller team and strives to reach the top (success attracts attention from bigger teams). The team truck serves as the "headquarter," where the player can view statistics or advance their personal career through contract negotiations. Before each race, the player can choose various configurations or set details themselves. Other game modes include custom grand prix, time trials, time attack, and multiplayer.
The main changes in F1 2011 compared to its predecessor are similar to those seen in real-life Formula One: two new courses, KERS (temporarily increases speed), and DRS (assists during overtaking manoeuvres). Other updates include safety cars, improved AI, new graphical effects, modified press system, and a co-op championship mode.