If it was truely realistic we'd all need to have been coached from the age of 5 to be able to actually drive them to a decent standard. If the onlinee shows anything its that there's a pretty steep learning curve in the game as it is.
Foza and GT are very good, but different games. They strive a bit more for realism, but their still games. If you put on driving gloves to play them and take it incredibly seriously its because you're a twat.
For me the game has to be realistic enough to be immersive, while still ultimately being fun, which is its main purpose. For my money it gets the balance pretty good.
Honestly, the Spaniards on F1 2011 are the worst people to compete with, them and the very young children who t-bone you off the track.
No offence to the Spanish in general.
Good shout