-1920x1080-(1).webp?width=660)
- Primary Subject: EA SPORTS F1 25: 2026 Season Pack
- Key Update: The major DLC updates the base game with the 2026 season's regulations, cars, rosters, and the new MADRING circuit, leaning heavily into complex simulation.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: June 10, 2026
- Quick Answer: The F1 25 2026 Season Pack is a highly realistic simulation update, but complex battery management and ultra-realistic driving mechanics can occasionally sacrifice pure racing fun
The F1 25 2026 Season Pack was recently released, bringing the uniqueness and chaos of the 2026 F1 season to the game.
It adds a lot of content to the F1 25 base game, including new teams, tracks, revamped visuals and audio, and all the new F1 regulations.
But how does it impact the driving experience? And are all the additions a net positive?
I answer those questions and many others in this F1 25 2026 Season Pack review.
Game tested on Xbox Series X.
An Authentic Replication of the 2026 F1 Season
The F1 25 2026 Season Pack does an amazing job of replicating the 2026 F1 season, in all its chaos and glory.
All the new regulation changes were introduced with exceptional authenticity, so much so that you can also feel the pains of the real-life F1 drivers in the game.
Mastering the new power units will take time, even for the most veteran players. Battery management, the engine energy system, and overtakes.
All the things pilots have been complaining about since the 2026 season started are present in the F1 25 2026 Season Pack.
This makes it a flawless update from a simulation standpoint, as you will face all the challenges you see in real life on the virtual track as well.
So, while it's an amazing job in the simulation department, this fidelity affects the overall driving experience.
Because it delivers an incredibly realistic driving experience of the F1 2026 season, it makes driving quite frustrating at times, and outright unenjoyable in some moments.
It's the old question of simulation vs arcade, realism vs fun. Finding the sweet spot where the game is realistic and fun to play is key, and the F1 25 2026 Season Pack leans heavily in the simulation aspect.
There is nothing inherently wrong with that, and for die-hard F1 simulation fans, this update is a dream come true.
However, players should be aware that fun is normally sacrificed for this incredible fidelity, and that's exactly the case for the F1 25 2026 Season Pack.
Despite that, there are still plenty of noticeable improvements to the driving experience. Driver physics were revamped, with cars being more responsible and feeling better to handle.
Without the new regulations, especially the frustrating battery management, the driving experience would probably feel the best it has ever been.
That's why, going forward, I think a way to separate those who want a hardcore simulation experience from a more casual one should be introduced, maybe in the form of a new game mode.
Great Improvements With One Notable Absence
The F1 25 2026 Season Pack adds significantly improved visuals and audio.
The new engines sound fantastic, and the updated cars look great, with the Sauber and Cadillac teams being added to all game modes.
Tracks were also polished, even if none received a massive makeover. The MADRING circuit, which is still in development and will receive the Spanish Grand Prix later this year, was also added to the game.
All of these changes improved the driving experience and the overall immersion of the game.
However, there is one noticeable absence: the two-player career mode is not supported by the F1 25 2026 Season Pack.
This is something that I expect to be added in a future update, but it's still a disappointment not to have the feature at launch.
Verdict
The F1 25 2026 Season Pack is the dream of hardcore simulation fans. It faithfully replicates all the changes introduced in the 2026 season, allowing players to experience everything F1 players experience, but in a virtual setting.
This does have its drawbacks, as it negatively impacts the driving experience, sometimes removing the fun out of it. Casual players will have to take their time to get used to the new features.
All in all, the F1 25 2026 Season Pack is a great update. Like everything in life, it's not perfect. However, its positives significantly outweigh the negatives, making it a must-get for all F1 fans.
-1920x1080-(1).webp?width=860&quality=10&blur=40)
Stay tuned to RacingGames.gg: The Home of Virtual Motorsports.