If you play the game just starting with the first track in the series, you'll ease into the handling a little more gently. Generally grip is excellent, but it matters a lot on what surface you drive obviously. It's all fairly predictable and easy to deal with once you've gotten used to things. But it can be a lot to take in initially for sure! Some obvious reasons for lacking grip apart from the obvious driving on wet grass and mud-water is ... wait for it .. not having any tires on the surface.
What with all the bumps and the physics, that does happen sometime - part of the trick in getting the most out of your boost in this game is knowing when you're actually not flying. So far I've only used a bit of braking with the R2 button (brake/reverse). I've never even touched the handbrake, if that is actually something separate, so thanks for the tip in that case guys.
You should have known from the mere fact that I ended up buying the game. I wouldn't have if motion controls had been in, as I've said repeatedly.
