Why There Won’t Be a New F1 Video Game in 2026

What will happen to EA SPORTS F1 26?

While there will not be a dedicated new game released next year, the existing EA SPORTS F1 25 game - released in May earlier this year - will instead be updated. Then, a paid-for and optional downloadable content pack will be released for that title.

EA and the Codemasters Birmingham development team have not yet detailed exact contents or pricing, but it has said that it will include “new cars, regulations, teams and drivers” at least.

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What’s New in Real-World F1 in 2026?

Quite a lot, it turns out. There are sweeping rule changes, which will mean all-new cars are in development by all teams.

The vehicles should be slightly smaller, and aerodynamic changes could mean they are up to two seconds per lap slower than the current ruleset. Powertrains will also be dramatically changed, with a much greater reliance on electrical propulsion, making up to 50 per cent of total output alongside an internal combustion engine

The drag reduction system (DRS) is also removed, replaced by effectively a ‘push-to-pass’ energy system.

So, yes, there will be new liveries and sponsors to develop for the 2026-season DLC pack, but also, presumably, cars that look and feel different.

There are also set to be two events in Spain, with a new Madrid street circuit.

It’s yet to be confirmed if these drastic real-world changes will make it into the game authentically, or if they are represented as simple re-skins of 2025 machines. Either way, trophi.ai already supports F1 25 for AI coaching.

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Will EA SPORTS F1 25 Be Used as a Platform Forever?

No, as EA claims F1 25 will only be used for the ‘26 DLC.

In 2027, it has promised there will be a “reimagined” experience that “looks, feels, and plays differently, delivering more gameplay choices.”

This is pivotal. Since F1 2010, the F1 game has been developed by the same team (albeit not 100 per cent the same people), and using a derivation of the same ‘Ego’ game engine technology.

There was a significant upgrade to ‘Ego 2.0’ between F1 2014 and F1 2015, but everything since has been small steps forward.

For EA SPORTS F1 27, it is (again) not confirmed which technology stack will be used, but the ‘reimagined’ wording and extra time afforded for its creation could hint at significant changes.

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Is This a Good Move?

EA SPORTS F1 25 was reviewed favourably, and its single-player modes are generally well-received. Its multiplayer offering is often critiqued as being behind other contemporary sim racing offerings, and the visuals look similar to recent entries.

The main challenge with F1 games over the past half-decade has been their ‘hit and miss’ quality. F1 2021 was revered, F1 22 derided, F1 23 back on form, F1 24 a slump, before F1 25 returned to more positive times.

It’s been clear that the yearly release cadence has impacted the creators, so it is hoped that the lower pressure on a DLC pack for 2026 will see a reinvention and more consistency henceforth.

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Written by the teams at trophi.ai and Traxion.GG.