It is still unclear when the paid update for F1, which replaces a standalone title, will be released. The new season in the current installment may provide a clue.
F1 25 is entering the final corner: on March 4, EA SPORTS released the next and final season of the racing game. It is unusually long, running until June 3. There is a reason for this: F1 26 is not intended to be released as a standalone game, but as a paid update for the current installment.
The exact release date for this update is not yet known. However, there is already speculation on social media that the end of the season could provide a clue. If the update is released shortly after that, the date would be before the eighth race of the real season in Monaco.
Three new race scenarios
With the new and final season, the developer has not only updated the Podium Pass, but also added three new race scenarios. One of them revolves around Alexander Albon at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. There, the player is already comfortably in the points with the Williams – the goal now is to get even more out of the car and secure a podium finish.
Another scenario focuses on Charles Leclerc at the Italian Grand Prix. In the “Temple of Speed” at Monza, the challenge is to hold his own with the Ferrari against two McLarens. The third scenario revolves around Lando Norris in Abu Dhabi. The Brit is initially in the lead, but shortly before the end of the race, the two Ferrari drivers are doing everything they can to catch up with him.
Verstappen criticizes new regulations
There is also plenty to talk about in real-life Formula 1. Mercedes secured first and second place in the opening race with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Max Verstappen finished sixth and was unimpressed by the rule changes affecting the engines.
Drivers now have to pay much more attention to their battery management. It is hardly possible to drive at full throttle all the time, as this quickly depletes the energy supply of the new engines. In future, the engines will draw about half of their power from the combustion engine and the other half from the battery, which will have to be recharged regularly.
Verstappen was less than enthusiastic about this: “It actually has nothing to do with Formula 1,” complained the Dutchman. “It feels more like Formula E on steroids.” How EA SPORTS will implement this may be revealed at the beginning of June.
