Just to update...
I contacted EA support regarding the installation issue using EA play, and provided all the relevant info regarding the problem, including my hardware specs etc.
The first response from their support team suggested that I check my graphics card drivers were up to date.
This sounded suspiciously like a generic response, and so I politely replied that my Nvidia Geforce drivers WERE the latest currently available and went on to advise that the problem was not a graphical issue, but an INSTALLTION issue with "EA Play", and then went on to re-explain the problem at hand.
The second response from them then suggested that I install the game using the" EA Play" app instead!
Like, seriously WHAT THE HELL?????? Do they even READ what is submitted to them??????
As I was getting no-where, I didn't bother attempting any further communication with them as they either had no grasp of the English language or were just incompetent.
Given this experience, it has just reinforced my resolve to never purchase an EA product ever again!
For what it's worth... I ran the Origin launcher instead, (updated to the latest version) and was then finally able to install it (on my ":F" drive without any issues whatsoever.
Although I have yet to test it properly with an actual race, I did find that it launched ok and even connected online... go figure!
I suggest anyone else on the PC having the same problem do the same, and bypass EA entirely.
Over and out!