EA has confirmed the next steps for the F1 game series, and the plan has both positives and potential risks. Instead of releasing a full new game in 2026, the entire FIA Formula One World Championship season will arrive as a paid expansion for F1 25. New cars, new regulations, new teams and the complete season structure will be added to the existing game.
Avoiding the Football Manager misstep?
The timing is interesting. Football Manager skipped FM25 entirely and pushed straight into FM26, which went on to have a poor launch with major issues across gameplay, stability and new tech systems. It became a clear example of what happens when a studio tries to reinvent too much at once while simultaneously hitting a fixed deadline.
EA and Codemasters seem to be trying to avoid that same trap. By updating F1 25 instead of rushing out F1 26, they buy themselves an extra year to focus on the larger overhaul planned for 2027. It gives the team breathing room and keeps the player base in one place rather than fragmenting it for the sake of a yearly box release.
The challenge: the 2026 rule changes are huge
The question is whether an expansion is enough to handle the scale of what’s coming in real-world F1. The 2026 regulations fundamentally change the sport:
• Cars becoming lighter and smaller
• Aero reduced to promote closer racing
• Hybrid systems shifting to a 50/50 electric combustion split
• A major increase in electric output
• Adjustable aero replacing DRS entirely
These changes represent a new era rather than a simple update. Translating this into F1 25’s existing handling model and systems is a major technical challenge. An expansion keeps things tidy for players, but it may limit how deeply physics, AI and car behaviour can be rebuilt.
A more ambitious reboot planned for 2027
EA also confirmed that the next full entry in the series will arrive in 2027. They describe it as a reimagined and more expansive F1 experience, built to match how the audience has grown and shifted in recent years. Codemasters remains in charge, with EA framing this as part of a multi year investment in the franchise.
F1 25 continues with seasonal updates
F1 25 carries on with its live service model. Season 4 is now live, offering new liveries and a Survival Challenge across several modes. The game remains the foundation for F1 content until 2027.
A sensible approach or a risky stopgap?
EA’s plan has clear upsides. It avoids a rushed annual release, keeps players in one ecosystem, and gives Codemasters more time to deliver something bigger in 2027. But it also raises questions about whether an expansion can truly capture the biggest technical shake-up F1 has seen in years.
Pricing and timing for the 2026 expansion will be revealed next year.
