Formula One (F1) video game fans have barely explored the full depth of the franchise’s latest title, F1 25, but many of them are already debating what they would love to see in F1 26.
The F1 gaming franchise has blown hot and cold since Electronic Arts (EA) purchased Codemasters, along with the official F1 game licence, five years ago.
F1 22 and F1 24 failed to get fans off their feet like F1 21 and F1 23, but F1 25 is generally considered the best game in the franchise to date.
The game came with plenty of exciting updates and new additions to keep gamers glued to their screens. EA and Codemasters can’t afford to drop the ball on F1 26.
Read on as we explore three upgrades that fans would love to see in the next edition of the franchise.
MyTeam Mode with a Custom Driver
Codemasters first introduced MyTeam mode in F1 20, and they received plenty of positive feedback for what was considered one of the best features ever added to the series.
Players were able to build their own F1 driver to take on the best drivers in the sport. However, a lack of innovation on Codemasters’ part have left the mode in dire need of an overhaul.
Fast forward to F1 25, MyTeam has been stripped of almost everything that made fans look forward to every new instalment. It has become more of a managerial simulation.
There is still a lot to enjoy from the revamped MyTeam mode, but it has come at the cost of players being denied the ability to create their own character for their team.
The new version of MyTeam allows players to take on the role of a team principal. Players have to manage the team’s resources, sort out the staff and manage the budget effectively.
F1 26 would be a perfect opportunity for Codemasters to bring back custom drivers. F1 has always been about personalities as much as performance, and players want to be able to create their own racing persona as they take on the best in the world.
Keep Liam Lawson in the Game
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson’s long-term future with the franchise has been one of the biggest talking points in F1 this season.
Lawson has been on the brink of getting a spot in the senior team for quite some time, but he has struggled to convince Red Bull that he is worth a shot.
If the New Zealand driver gets the seat, it would spark a massive surge in betting activity in his homeland. Lawson is already a popular pick among Kiwi punters, and many of them use betting site bonuses to wager on him securing podium finishes.
The Red Bull hierarchy recently hinted that they would announce their decision after the Mexico Grand Prix, but they are still being coy. The odds on Lawson staying with Red Bull do not look favourable.
While confirmation is expected before the final race in Abu Dhabi, gaming fans would be thrilled if EA kept Lawson in the F1 26 game as a Racing Bulls driver.
Codemasters has traditionally kept the driver roster as close to real-world situations as possible, but having Lawson in the game would make it more appealing to gamers in New Zealand.
Making Braking Point Mode More Interactive
Braking Point is a blockbuster story mode that explores the career of fictional drivers Devon Butler, Aiden Jackson and Callie Mayer racing for the Konnersport team.
Codemasters took some notes from the critically acclaimed Netflix series Drive to Survive that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the F1 World Championship.
Players loved the rivalries, emotional twists and behind-the-scenes tension. But after three instalments, it became repetitive and predictable.
The F1 25 version still has captivating visuals, but it barely takes player performance into consideration. It was fun at first, but knowing what to expect takes the excitement out of it.
If Codemasters are planning to add the Braking Point story mode to F1 26, they need to make sure they make it more dynamic and interactive.
Players will be more intrigued to give it a go, knowing that there will be unforeseen consequences for every decision they make, even if it is something as trifling as hitting a teammate.