F1 25 is the culmination of everything I’ve come to love about Formula 1 games. As someone who’s followed the sport since the days of Michael Schumacher’s dominance—and spent countless hours mastering everything from the original Gran Turismo to the latest hardcore sim racers—this newest entry captures the thrill, precision, and drama of F1 like never before. There are some course yellow flags here and there, but overall, Codemasters has delivered a well-tuned machine that feels more refined than ever. Powered by current-gen hardware, it pushes realism, immersion, and storytelling to new heights. Buckle up—let’s take a hot lap through all the highs, lows, and hairpin turns F1 25 has to offer, and see if this year’s edition takes the checkered flag.
F1 25 details
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5 Pro
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: EA Sports
Genre: Racing Simulation
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
F1 25’s gameplay: A new level of precision on the track
F1 25 feels great right from the jump, and you can really push the cars without feeling like the controls are getting in the way. In a sport that is all about shaving milliseconds off the clock, it was great to see Codemasters has made steering tighter than ever. The handling model in F1 25 has been overhauled to provide a more authentic driving experience, and it’s a big step in the right direction. I immediately noticed the improved tire physics, which now more accurately reflect grip levels and wear patterns.
A more dynamic Formula 1 circuit
One of the standout upgrades in F1 25 is how alive the circuits feel. Tire management is now more critical than ever, especially with the enhanced tire physics and dynamic weather system. I had one race in Imola that started dry, turned wet halfway through, and suddenly I was scrambling to pit for inters while skidding through corners. If you ramp up the difficulty, every decision gets a lot more urgent and rewarding.
Smarter opponents
Rain doesn’t just look pretty—it genuinely affects grip, visibility, and racing lines. Add to that vastly improved AI, and you’ve got rivals who now defend aggressively, capitalize on errors, and race like they actually want to win. The improvements to the CPU AI offered some of the most intense wheel-to-wheel battles I’ve had in an F1 game, full marks to Codemasters for the improvements.
Laser-focused accuracy in F1 25
Adding to the greater level of realism, five circuits—Bahrain, Miami, Melbourne, Suzuka, and Imola—have been recreated using LIDAR scanning for the first time. The precision is incredible, with track surfaces and elevation changes feeling spot-on to real-life races. It’s a huge step forward for immersion. That said, I wish more tracks received the same treatment; only five of the 24 tracks have been scanned in F1 25. Once you’ve raced on laser-scanned circuits, the difference is hard to ignore, and it’s now an expectation for me going forward. If you’re a gearhead like me and are looking for cutting-edge accuracy on all the tracks, it would be great to see the entire season receive LIDAR-accurate tracks.
New to F1 25: reverse track layouts
One of the most heavily advertised features of F1 25 is the introduction of reverse track layouts. Racing iconic circuits like Silverstone, Zandvoort, and the Red Bull Ring in reverse offers a fresh and challenging experience, requiring you to rethink your braking points and racing lines. This provides a new way to experience these tracks in Formula 1 that has never been seen before. Overall, it’s a nice addition, but it would have been great to see this feature added to more tracks, rather than just a select few. For me, I’m trying to create the most authentic F1 experience in my games. While I appreciate this added element, I don’t see myself going back very often for the “reverse” tracks, as I tend to stick more to the real-life versions.
Braking Point 3: Drama on and off the track
Braking Point 3 returns with a gripping narrative that rivals the drama of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive.” The story follows the fictional Konnersport team, focusing on the dynamics between drivers Aiden Jackson and Devon Butler, as well as team principal Davidoff Butler. The narrative is more interactive this time around, with your choices influencing the storyline and outcomes. I found myself genuinely invested in the characters and their journeys, a testament to the mode’s strong writing and voice acting.
Konnersport Racing makes the jump
Speaking of a “deeper connection,” completing Braking Point 3 unlocks the ability to bring the Konnersport Racing Team into Career Mode, which is a brilliant touch. It creates a seamless narrative bridge from the cinematic, story-driven campaign into the hardcore simulation side of the game, perfect for players like me who enjoy a little more drama with their sport.
“F1 The Movie” tie-in
The integration of real-world elements in F1 25, like scenarios inspired by the upcoming F1 movie starring Brad Pitt, adds a fun, unexpected twist to the game. While these are short-lived modes that incorporate some of the movie’s action, they are a pretty cool addition. I must admit, I love these little extra offerings that tie a sports game to current events. Whether it’s something ripped from the real F1 season or a creative crossover like this. This might turn off some F1 purists, but I think it was a great add. It makes the game world feel more alive and connected to the broader world of F1 offerings.
My Team 2.0 and Career Mode: building your legacy
My Team 2.0 has undergone a significant overhaul, shifting the focus from being an owner-driver to a team principal managing two drivers. This change adds a lot more depth to team management. You’ll need to navigate driver personalities, contract negotiations, and resource allocation. I really like how F1 25 offers options to customize your experience. For instance, if you enjoy more social interactions, the game provides opportunities to engage in conversations and build relationships with drivers and sponsors. On the other hand, if you prefer to focus on financial strategies to make your team successful, the game allows you to delve into managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and optimizing resource allocation to achieve your goals.
Career Mode also introduces the option to add an 11th team to the grid, such as the Konnersport or APXGP teams, inspired by the upcoming F1 film. This addition offers new career paths and challenges, keeping the experience fresh for both veterans and newcomers.
F1 25 graphics and performance
F1 25 is a visual powerhouse, thanks to the implementation of LIDAR scanning technology. This has been used to recreate five circuits—Bahrain, Miami, Melbourne, Suzuka, and Imola—with stunning accuracy. The level of detail is great, from the texture of the asphalt to the surrounding environments. On the PlayStation 5 Pro, the game runs smoothly at 60 frames per second, with fast load times and no noticeable frame drops.
The lighting and weather effects have also seen improvements, with dynamic lighting creating realistic shadows and reflections. Rain races are particularly impressive, as water droplets accumulate on the camera lens, and spray from other cars affects visibility. These enhancements help to offer an experience that closely mirrors real-life F1 track days.
F1 25: a symphony of speed
The audio design in F1 25 is also vastly improved over last year’s entry. When it comes to communicating on-track action, the game features over double the number of lines from drivers. I found my time on the track to be a lot more dynamic and engaging with more chatter. The inclusion of commentator Naomi Schiff also brings a fresh perspective to race commentary this year. Schiff adds to the broadcast-style presentation in a positive way. Along with all of this, engine sounds have also been improved over F1 24. I found that there was a more distinct difference between each engine’s audio profile. Clearly, Codemasters listened to a lot of feedback from last year. They’ve made numerous meaningful adjustments to the audio in key areas, which was great to see (and hear!).
Final thoughts: F1 25 earns its spot on the podium
F1 25 confidently races ahead of its predecessors, delivering the most complete Formula 1 experience yet. From its overhauled handling model and smarter AI, there’s a clear sense that Codemasters is firing on all cylinders.
I appreciate how the game balances cinematic drama with hardcore sim sensibilities. Whether you’re here for the emotional highs of Konnersport Racing or laser-accurate hot laps through Suzuka. Of course, it’s not without a few yellow flags. I would’ve loved to see more tracks receive the LIDAR treatment. In addition, the novelty of reverse layouts wears off quickly. However, those are minor flaws in what is otherwise a top-tier performance. Whether you’re a seasoned paddock veteran or new to the grid, F1 25 has the polish, power, and personality to take a well-deserved spot on the podium.
| F1 25 Pros | F1 25 Cons |
| + Enhanced realism with new handling, tire physics, and dynamic weather | – Occasional AI quirks still linger |
| + LIDAR-scanned tracks (Bahrain, Miami, Melbourne, Suzuka, Imola) add immersion | – Only 5 out of 24 tracks use LIDAR |
| + Braking Point 3 delivers an engaging, cinematic story with real impact | – Reverse layouts are limited and may not appeal to all players |
| + My Team 2.0 introduces richer, more strategic management gameplay | – Some management systems may overwhelm newcomers |
Overall assessment of F1 25
Gameplay: 4.5/5
Graphics: 4.5/5
Sound: 4.5/5
Lasting Appeal/Replayability: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4/5 (80%)
F1 25 is a compelling and polished racing simulation that delivers on multiple fronts. Whether you’re a seasoned F1 fan or a newcomer to the series, this game offers a rich and rewarding experience that captures the thrill of Formula 1 racing. It’s a worthy addition to any racing game collection and sets the bar a little higher for future installments.
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