A choice of 4 circuits were available for both F3000 and F1 varying in difficulty and the player drives against seven other main cars in both categories.

For the first race in each category, the player is given a one-lap qualifying run in either wet or dry conditions to determine their starting position.

To continue on to the next race, a player must finish in the top 6 (points were scored the same as Formula One at the time with 9 for 1st, 6 for 2nd, 4 for 3rd, 3 for 4th, 2 for 5th and 1 for 6th).

The game ends if the player finishes a race in 7th or 8th, their car runs out of fuel or is too damaged to continue.

In Japan, Game Machine listed F-1 Dream on their June 1, 1988 issue as being the fourth most-successful table arcade unit of the month.