Formula One 04 was the first Sony Formula One game to contain a 'Career mode', which allowed players to work their way through the Formula One teams over the course of five years (albeit a repeat version of the 2004 season each time). Players would start out testing in a generic Formula One car, and if they did well enough in the test they would be offered a contract by a small team such as Minardi. Players would then work their way up the grid throughout their 'career' through a mixture of good tests and impressive race performances. This game also had Net Play available.