>>11865681
I think that's just the way it is until you upgrade your car; but first you need to get the manual transmission upgrade (the game teaches you early on that you have a better top speed with it and that it's much easier to win with manual). It gets better after that; though I think each sequel improves on the last. Also iirc fyi beating the championship once isn't the end of things, if you go at it again you'll get new tracks eventually.