Honestly, I really don't feel that the games are realistic in the slightest and making the assessment that they are whilst playing on a controller is somewhat flawed. AMS2, rFactor 2, ACC, iRacing and the like have pretty realistic physics, whereas the f1 games' physics are awful in my opinion. Both Lando and Max have stated that the 'cars don't handle like cars', which is why they spend their time on iracing instead. The f1 games can be a good bit of fun, but realistic they are not.
Having played F1 2019 for more than a month nearly all my spare time, what I can say is that the base physics are rather terrible in that game and most likely in the successors too. What I really love is dealing with the DRS, fuel mix and the ERS modes and those variables. However, once you update your car they start handling a lot more like real cars once the downforce comes into play. The issue is that the cars were made too slow in cornering capability. No matter if you drive a Mercedes or Ferrari and you're a proper ace in the game, you will be several seconds off Hamilton's 2019 Melbourne pole time in the game's original mode. You just don't have anything underneath you when turning and have to compensate by multiple inputs in qualifying. The AI handles really stupidly and brake tests people when you try and lap cars. In my current career I've almost or done run into Magnussen three times in about eight races due to his car always moving into my way when lapping him during braking or cornering. Hopeless stuff
That being said, I think it simulates strategies, tyre wear and track evolution really well. I went from 1'37.3 to 1'36.0 at Singapore in my updated career car between FP2 and Q3 without feeling much stronger. Early in the race on mediums I was doing low 1'45s on mediums which makes sense, so the fuel load, ERS modes and tyre grip is quite well done. I'd imagine F12021 is similar.
When it comes to Bahrain, I think it comes down to experience of playing F1 games for decades. I've never had any problems with the downhill double turn myself and I can't imagine I would in F1 2021 either (I plan to buy it at a later date). You just need to be very smooth on the brake pedal and have a lot of patience. It's better to brake early and with a weaker input to maximize corner exit speed and being able to smoothly exit to preserve the tyre. Bahrain is a track I've always felt suited my smooth driving style though. One of the few new tracks that do. I'm much better in race trim than one-lap speed in that game. I can take care of mediums for really long distances if I need to. Among the other tracks I've always been quick at in any video game include Montréal, Silverstone, Hockenheim, Spa and Monza. In this game I feel very comfortable at Barcelona, the Red Bull Ring, Singapore and Abu Dhabi as well.
The combination of heavy braking and tyre management in corners where many players just fry them has always been my thing. Shanghai, Paul Ricard, Austin and Mexico are really bad layouts for me though. I just can't get my head around them! For some reason I can't get my F1 2019 car around the hairpin in Monaco properly but otherwise I've nailed that circuit.
I'm more of a Grand Prix 4 guy in general, that game really allows you to carry a lot of corner speed and the wet weather sim was a lot more realistic. Granted, those cars are way faster in race trim than the real 2001 cars were but for qualifying they're spot on.
