Improvements to the physics engine in F1 2012 have dramatically improved the vehicle handling, according to the game's creative director.

Codemasters' Steve Hood says that a new physics programmer has F1 development team since the completion of the last game and has already made significant changes to the game's engine.

"The nitty gritty of it is that we've changed the way the aero is working, we've changed the way the suspension is working - and the suspension and tyres are critical to feel of the car," said Hood, speaking to VideoGamer.com at Namco's recent Global Gamers Day.

"Previously you might have been bouncing over the kerbs or driving along and the tyres weren't always in contact with the ground, they didn't come back down quick enough. But now when you update the suspension, it sounds a bit weird, but it's almost more compliant. The wheels are in contact with the ground a lot more and you suddenly get a lot more feedback."

This might sound like the kind of change that will only matter to the most hardcore of racing purists. But Hood believes that gamers across the board will notice the resulting effect upon the way the car is handle.

"F1 is on the edge of performance, so these things can become very apparent to the user, because you're doing such high speeds. Now it changes so that the car just feels... I wouldn't say more alive, because that makes it sound skittish, but more in contact with the ground.

"You are driving a car now, it's really on the road."

For more from Steve Hood - including his views on the newly-announced Codemasters Racing label - keep an eye peeled for our complete interview, later in the week.

F1 2012 will be released on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this September.

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