the brake / reverse thing sounds like a bug, but it does kick in a bit too quick on xbox too, but only when you've stopped anyway (I know that sounds daft, but you should have to release the brake before applying again to reverse).
I'm getting to like it now, got to first qualy in 12th place, but my bug bare is something that'll only be sorted with an update I doubt will come, it pressumes everyone playing the game is male
and that's how it refers to drivers.