After F1 24 let down many players with poor handling and minimal improvements beyond graphics, Codemasters faced serious pressure to deliver with F1 25. The good news? They’ve largely succeeded. This latest entry promises to be their most realistic and engaging racing game yet, with major improvements to handling, team management, and storytelling modes. In this review, we’ll break down whether F1 25 lives up to its promises and if it’s worth your time, whether you’re a longtime Formula 1 fan or someone new to the series.

Driving Feel and Performance

The most important part of any racing game is how it feels to drive, and F1 25 gets this right from the moment you hit the track. The car physics received a complete overhaul this year, making every turn, brake, and acceleration feel more authentic than previous games.

The developers focused on four key areas: tire behavior, power unit output, aerodynamics, and steering feedback. These improvements really show when you’re racing. When you brake hard going into a tight corner, you can feel the tires struggling through your controller. When you’re carefully managing the throttle through a sweeping turn, the car’s weight shifts in a way that tells you exactly how close you are to losing control.

What makes F1 25 special is that it manages to feel realistic without being punishing for casual players. You can use medium driving assists and still get that exciting, edge-of-your-seat feeling without spinning out constantly. The game teaches you to become a better driver through subtle feedback rather than making you restart every few minutes.

Car setup options are also more user-friendly now. The default settings already give you about 90% of the car’s potential performance, but if you want to dig deeper and adjust things like wing angles or tire pressure, you’ll see immediate results. This gives both casual and hardcore players what they want.

The AI drivers have gotten some improvements, particularly in how they use their energy recovery systems and choose racing lines. However, they’re still a bit too polite when it comes to aggressive racing. If you’re hoping for those dramatic last-lap battles you see in real F1, you might find the AI a little too well-behaved.

Breaking Point 3: Drama on and Off Track

Breaking Point returns for its third installment, continuing the story-driven campaign that mixes racing with off-track drama. While the basic formula hasn’t changed much, the emotional stakes feel higher this time around.

The mode features more branching dialogue options, bigger consequences for your choices, and race scenarios that actually matter to the story. Some of the mid-race objectives can feel a bit artificial (like being told to overtake two cars in two laps while your car is damaged), but the overall narrative keeps you engaged.

One nice touch is how Breaking Point 3 connects to other parts of the game. Characters from the story mode can appear in My Team and Career modes, making the whole game feel more connected. While not everyone will love the story focus, those who enjoyed previous Breaking Point campaigns will find plenty to like here.

F1 Movies: A Cinematic Touch

F1 25 includes mini-campaigns inspired by the upcoming F1 movie, which is an unexpected but welcome addition. These aren’t just throwaway extras – they’re well-crafted scenarios that make you feel like you’re part of a Hollywood racing film.

All players get access to the intro movie campaign, while those who buy the Iconic Edition will get additional movie-tied challenges after launch. It’s a fun way to add some variety to the standard racing experience, especially if you’re a fan of movies like Rush or Ford v Ferrari.

While it’s not a full movie mode, it adds an interesting creative element that bridges the gap between F1’s real-world drama and your virtual racing experience.

My Team 2.0: Running Your Own F1 Operation

The My Team mode has always been one of F1’s strongest features, and this year’s version 2.0 takes it to the next level. If you enjoy the management side as much as the racing, this is where F1 25 really excels.

Your Team HQ now grows and improves as your team becomes more successful. Win races and sign sponsors, and you’ll see your base get visual upgrades that make your achievements feel real. A new Accolades system tracks your accomplishments and gives you extra motivation to keep pushing forward.

The team dynamics are much deeper now. Every decision you make matters, whether it’s deciding which driver gets the latest car upgrade or how to spend your research and development points. If you play favorites with one driver, the other might start getting upset – just like in real F1.

The biggest new feature is the ability to race as both drivers on your team. This is a major improvement that lets you help develop both drivers, choose which one to control before each race weekend, and manage their growth in a way that feels like running a real F1 team.

The customization options are a mixed bag. The new Decal Editor lets you scale, rotate, and layer logos on your car, which is nice. However, the overall livery system still feels limited compared to other racing games. You might find yourself wishing for more design templates or the ability to create your own team branding from scratch.

It’s worth noting that you can only manage your own created team, not take over an existing F1 team. While it’s not as detailed as dedicated management games like F1 Manager, My Team remains one of the best single-player management modes in racing games. It’s satisfying, rewarding, and can easily become addictive.

Visuals and Sound

Codemasters used laser-scanning technology to recreate the circuits in F1 25, and the results are impressive. Tracks like Suzuka, Imola, and Miami look fantastic, with surface details like bumps, curbs, and elevation changes that actually affect how you drive.

An interesting new feature is reversed tracks. Circuits like Zandvoort and Red Bull Ring can now be raced backward, complete with adjusted AI behavior and safety marshal positions. While it’s not the same as getting classic historical circuits, it’s a fun way to add variety to familiar tracks.

The audio quality is solid throughout. Engine sounds are crisp and distinctive, tire noises are punchy, and the ambient track audio (crowds, weather effects, pit chatter) helps create immersion. There’s also more variety in radio messages, which is important for capturing the F1 atmosphere. The commentary and radio communications are decent, though not particularly standout.

Verdict

F1 25 isn’t perfect, but it represents a significant improvement over last year’s disappointing entry. After F1 24’s problems, Codemasters needed to prove they still knew how to make a great F1 game, and they’ve largely succeeded.

The driving experience is excellent, My Team mode is deeper and more engaging than ever, and the overall package feels more personal and complete. Yes, there are still some issues: customization options remain limited, some features like managing existing teams are missing, and the AI could be more aggressive.

However, these problems feel like minor bumps in the road rather than major deal-breakers. The core racing experience is so solid that the shortcomings don’t significantly hurt the overall enjoyment.

For F1 fans, this is the most enjoyable and content-rich version of the series to date. For newcomers to F1 games, it’s probably the most accessible entry point yet, offering enough assistance to help you learn while still providing the depth that racing enthusiasts crave.