As a recent convert to the exhilarating world of Formula 1 after attending the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, I’ve been searching for ways to deepen my experience beyond race day. With the sport celebrating its 75th anniversary, it’s a fantastic time for new fans like me to jump in. That’s why I’m thrilled to be playing my first F1 game: EA SPORTS™ F1® 25.
Promising to be the “most fun, immersive and authentic F1® experience yet,” this new chapter in the franchise from EA and Codemasters is incredibly exciting. Playing on my PS5 with a Logitech G923 wheel has been fantastic, offering great force feedback and realism. Surprisingly, it’s also a blast with the standard DualSense controller and even through the PlayStation Portal, where the 8-inch screen delivers vibrant visuals.
From the moment the iconic F1 music and intro video load, featuring all the current drivers, the game perfectly captures the energy of a real race weekend, much like EA Sports FC 25 builds that “Game Day” atmosphere, F1 25 brilliantly builds to “lights out.” (Though a minor update might be needed as poor Jack Doohan still makes an appearance!)
There is no other way to put it than in F1® 25 the game is designed for you to “feel” the speed and intensity of not only a race, but the whole race experience.
F1® 25 is packed with new features for both newcomers and seasoned fans. The revamped My Team 2.0 mode is a standout, offering the “largest update since its introduction.” This time, you’re solely focused on team management, building your F1 dynasty from the ground up.
This involves strategic management of key facilities: Engineering, where R&D is now separated, requiring careful balancing of cost, timing, and driver perception; Personnel, featuring dynamic driver contract negotiations (beware of leaked conversations!) and workforce management; and Corporate, the hub for financial strategy, seasonal spending, the new Decal Editor for livery customization, and an updated sponsor system.
Expanding facilities, completing upgrades, and specializing your owner’s skills are crucial. The Team HQ environment evolves visually as your team grows, and new Facility Heads offer valuable support. Accolades earned in Driver Career now boost your Fan Rating, unlocking perks, sponsorships, and attracting top-tier drivers.
For those craving a narrative, Braking Point 3 continues the thrilling story of the Konnersport team. This chapter sees them fighting for championships amidst dramatic events that throw the team into turmoil. A major upgrade is increased player agency, allowing you to choose which Konnersport driver to play as, influencing on-track objectives and narrative. With rebalanced difficulty and a great “previously on Braking Point” sequence that feels straight out of “Drive to Survive,” it’s easy to get hooked, even if you’re new to the story. Finishing the mode even lets you continue with Konnersport in Career Mode.
Adding a cinematic touch, F1® 25 integrates with the upcoming F1® The Movie. All players get an intro scenario, with Iconic Edition owners receiving extra content from June 30th. At launch, the movie’s APXGP team and drivers can join Driver Career or My Team (Iconic Edition exclusive). Post-launch, Iconic Edition players get six gameplay scenarios inspired by the film, blending cinematics and on-track challenges with unique objectives and rewards like movie character helmets, it’s taking my excitement for the film to a whole new level!
Visual and audio improvements further enhance the immersion. Sharper graphics, more lifelike environments, and improved lighting make the weather feel incredibly dynamic. Racing around Melbourne in the rain on PS5 is a surprisingly atmospheric experience, with the rain on the visor and the gloomy landscape feeling just right.
In a first for the official F1 games, reverse track layouts are introduced for Silverstone, Zandvoort, and the Red Bull Ring. It adds a fun, almost “Mario Kart”-esque twist to modes like Grand Prix, Time Trial, Multiplayer, and Career from season two. Just when you think you’ve mastered a track, racing it in reverse throws you for a loop, significantly boosting the game’s longevity.
Customization gets a big boost with a new Decal Editor, offering movable, rotatable, and resizable sponsor decals. Driver numbers now have new fonts and colours. Title sponsor liveries debut, tied to your My Team 2.0 progress and sponsor relationships, impacting income and unlocking benefits. Special edition real-sport liveries for official cars will also be added post-launch.
Finally, F1® World receives updates like new collaborative Invitationals and an updated Driver of the Day system that rewards positive driving with accolades like Cleanest Driver and is your portal into the F1 Fanzone where you pick your favourite team and driver to create a collaborative, competative and EAsocial experience for the game.
EA SPORTS™ F1® 25 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC (Steam, Epic, EA App) in Standard and Iconic Editions. As a new F1 fan, I can confidently say this game is the perfect starting grid for anyone looking to experience the thrill of the sport firsthand.
I often refer to the EA Sports FC games as my “game between games” the game I play to wind down after work or between the other titles I have for review, but I feel like I might have a new contentor for that title as EA Sports F1 25 has me hooked and scores a 9 out of 10
