No More Last-Gen Consoles

To the disappointment of many F1 fans, EA and Codemasters revealed that F1 25 is the first game in the series to only appear on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, shifting away from Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles.

Some would say this is a move that alienates a sizeable number of the game’s potential audience, but the PS5 and Series X|S have been out for nearly five years now: the switch has been a long time coming.

In theory, this should allow the developers to harness the extra power of current-gen hardware without being hamstrung by the need to optimise the game for recalcitrant technology. 

F1 25 hasn’t blown players away with its visuals just yet, however, so perhaps the improvements will be seen more clearly in F1 26 (if EA retains the F1 licence).

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Braking Point 3

F1’s Braking Point story mode returns in F1 25 for its third outing, revisiting the interesting dynamic between former on-track rivals Aiden Jackson and Devon Butler, with Devon’s sister Callie also driving for their Konnersport team.

Although it’s fairly linear in its execution, Braking Point offers an entertaining vignette of F1, featuring authentic voicework by Sky Sports commentator David Croft, with some key decisions for players to make throughout.

Some players will love it, some will hate it, but it does at least give F1 25 more variety.

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My Team Mode Changes

F1 25's comprehensive My Team mode has undergone a few changes too, with players now taking the role of team principal, managing two real-world drivers in the process. 

This is a step away from F1 24, in that you can no longer create a fictional driver, which has divided opinion among the community (you can, however, add either the Konnersport or APXGP outfits as an 11th team).

This can lead to tricky real-world scenarios like allowing one driver to use your team's latest performance upgrades, which can prove problematic when it comes to renegotiating your number two driver's contract. You can also choose which driver to control when it comes to race day, further expanding your strategic options.

Also, for the first time, AI-controlled teams can sign Formula 3, F1 Esports and legendary drivers in My Team, even though it's slightly incongruous to see Williams sign a peak-era Michael Schumacher. Thankfully, this can be switched off for those seeking realism.

The game's driver career mode will still allow players to create their own fictional driver, however, and this mode is largely unchanged from F1 24.

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My Team Facilities

The My Team mode is split into three main facilities, which can each be upgraded from your Team HQ.

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Engineering

Inside Engineering, car part research and development are split for the first time, producing an experience more like F1 Manager than previous F1 titles. 

Your ability to research and develop new car parts is also influenced by your position in the Constructors’ standings, with more resource points available to teams finishing near the bottom of the table. Eventually, this should equalise the field’s performance. 

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Personnel

You can negotiate with multiple drivers in F1 25. During these face-to-face meetings, your prospective employees will not only be concerned with how competitive your car is or how big their wage packet will be, but also with the reputation of your team.

Your reputation is not only affected by your performance, but also by the state of your finances and marketing strength. And if your current drivers get wind of these secret meetings, it can hurt your team’s overall performance.

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Corporate

In Corporate, balancing the size of your workforce, and how it’s divided between Engineering, Personnel and Corporate departments, is crucial. 

For example, having more staff in Engineering allows you to research and develop your car faster, but it costs more. Having a large workforce costs a lot of money, putting you at risk of exceeding the cost cap, just like real F1.

Corporate is also where you can negotiate sponsorship deals, check on your budget and customise your car livery.

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Major Track Changes

In a break from tradition, several of F1 25’s tracks use LiDAR laser-scan technology to improve their accuracy. 

Long a bugbear of the F1 series (F1 games used an outdated version of Spa-Francorchamps up until F1 24, for example), Albert Park, Bahrain International Circuit, Miami International Autodrome, Imola and Suzuka have all been laser-scanned, enhancing their appearance.

Perhaps controversially, F1 25 also introduces reverse direction tracks for the very first time, albeit in a limited capacity. The Red Bull Ring, Silverstone and Zandvoort can all be run in reverse direction, which perhaps makes up for the lack of totally new circuits.

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F1 The Movie Tie-In

One of the more divisive additions to F1 25 is the commercial tie-in with F1 The Movie. Starring Brad Pitt as veteran driver Sonny Hayes, F1 The Movie was filmed in and around the Formula 1 paddock, featuring real cars, drivers and teams from the 2023 and 2024 championships.

As a result, six movie-inspired scenarios are available to sample in F1 25, with players getting behind the wheel of the APXGP car to experience ‘immersive in-game chapter scenarios inspired by the film’.

The film’s main protagonists, Hayes and Joshua Pearce, become available for the in-game Driver Market, while Pearce’s helmet can also be unlocked. Completing all six scenarios will unlock Hayes’ helmet.

The F1 The Movie - Chapter Scenarios DLC is available to owners of the F1 25 Iconic Edition, or can be purchased separately for £8.99 / 9,99€ / $9.99. Is it worth picking up? If you’re a fan of the movie or you’re an F1 25 completionist, then yes. It’s a largely ephemeral addition for the majority of players, however.

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Improved VR

Surprisingly, and perhaps due to the game’s switch from previous-gen consoles, the game’s VR mode has undergone significant improvements in F1 25.

Performance is noticeably smoother, with higher visual fidelity reported by many players. The game is still only playable in VR on PC; however, disappointing PlayStation VR 2 users who are desperate for a semi-realistic racing experience.