A major new update has arrived for F1 25, bringing with it Season 4: Survival Challenge. This new season, which runs from November 12 until January 7, introduces a completely new way to race, adds some of the year's most-requested special liveries, and updates the driver roster and ratings to reflect the real-world action.
This is a big update with a lot of new things to do, so we’ve broken down everything you need to know.
What is the New 'Survival Challenge' Mode?
The biggest new feature is the 'Survival Challenge' mode, which you can find on the main menu. This isn't your standard Grand Prix. It's a fast, five-player online mode where the goal is simply not to be in last place.
Here’s how it works:
- You'll join a quick-fire race with four other players.
- When the race starts, a two-minute timer begins.
- When that timer runs out, the driver in last place (P5) is immediately eliminated from the race.
- The timer then resets, and the battle continues. A short time later, the driver in P4 is eliminated, and so on.
- This process repeats until only one driver is left, who is then crowned the winner.
The entire experience is designed to be "instant-action," with most races finishing in less than five minutes. It's the perfect mode for when you want a quick blast of F1 action without committing to a long race.
To make things even faster, the rules are different from a normal race. DRS is available immediately from the start, and there are no collisions on the first lap. This means you can go for overtakes right away without worrying about a Turn 1 pile-up ending your race. It’s all about pure, fast-paced driving.
You’ll be racing on a mix of popular tracks like Spa and Austria, as well as the circuits from the end of the real-world calendar, including Brazil, Austin, Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi.
How to Earn the New Special Liveries
This is the part many players have been waiting for. This season, F1 25 is adding four of the most popular special liveries from the season:
- Ferrari (Monza livery)
- Red Bull (Japan livery)
- Sauber (Miami livery)
- Racing Bulls (Miami livery)
Along with these, there are six new driver helmets to unlock. The best part? They can all be earned for free.
By playing the new Survival Challenge, you will earn Survival Tokens. These tokens are a new in-game currency that you can spend in the "Event Catalogue" to unlock the livery or helmet you want. The developers have confirmed that Survival Tokens cannot be purchased in any way - they are only earned by playing the game. This is a huge win for players, as it rewards your time and skill on the track.
The Event is in Two Parts (And Your Tokens Expire!)
This is the most important thing you need to know about the new season. The event is split into two parts, and your Survival Tokens will be wiped between parts.
- Part 1: November 12 - December 10
- Part 2: December 17 - January 7
This means any tokens you earn during Part 1 must be spent before December 10th. They do not carry over to Part 2. Make sure you spend them before they're gone! The rewards are also different for each part.
Here is the full list of rewards and their costs:
Part 1 (Nov 12 - Dec 10)
- Ferrari Monza livery - 2400 Tokens
- Sauber Miami livery - 1800 Tokens
- Hamilton Monza helmet - 1250 Tokens
- Leclerc Monza helmet - 1250 Tokens
- Antonelli Miami helmet - 900 Tokens
Part 2 (Dec 17 - Jan 7)
- Red Bull Japan livery - 2400 Tokens
- Racing Bulls Miami livery - 1800 Tokens
- Verstappen "Orange Lion" helmet - 1250 Tokens
- Verstappen Japan helmet - 1250 Tokens
- Russell Miami helmet - 900 Tokens
To help you earn tokens, there are four weekly event goals that can reward a maximum of 5,500 Tokens per week, in addition to tokens you earn just for playing.
Driver Rating & Roster Update: The Big Movers
Just like in the real world, the drivers in F1 25 are having their performance reviewed. This update, which covers the races from Azerbaijan to Mexico, brings some big changes.
First, there's a new face on the grid. Franco Colapinto, the first Argentinian F1 driver in over 20 years, will now line up for Alpine alongside Pierre Gasly. This change will apply to all new Career saves. If you have an existing career, he will appear in the driver market. His starting stats give him an Overall Rating of 73.
Here are the other big changes:
- Carlos Sainz (Up): After a string of bad luck saw his rating drop, Sainz has had an "unprecedented turnaround." His strong performances, including a P3 in Baku, have impressed the stat experts. His Pace has increased by +2, bringing his Overall Rating back up to 85.
- Ollie Bearman (Up): The Haas rookie has proven he belongs. A "remarkable P4 finish in Mexico" (the team's best-ever-equaling finish) has resulted in a big stats boost. His Racecraft and Pace have both jumped by +3, pushing his Overall Rating to 80.
- Oscar Piastri (Down): The pressure of the championship fight seems to be affecting Piastri. After 12 podiums in the first 14 races, he failed to score one in the last four events. He is the only driver whose Overall Rating has dropped this update (-1), with decreases to his Awareness (-2) and Pace (-2).
New Podium Pass and a Free Gift
Finally, a new season means a new 50-level Podium Pass. As you play any mode in F1 25, you'll earn XP to unlock new rewards. The free tier includes a full "Shatter" livery set and 2,500 PitCoin. The VIP tier offers the "Atlantic 2" sponsor livery set and 6,500 PitCoin.
As one last bonus, keep an eye on your in-game inbox in early December. The F1 25 team will be dropping a gift for all players as a thank you for playing.
Stay tuned to racinggames.gg: The Home of Virtual Motorsports.