F1 25 Preview | More realism than ever, and more focused management mode

During an exclusive preview event at Codemasters' studio in Birmingham - attended by GPblog - the most important new features were first presented, after which there was plenty of time to experience the game yourself hands-on. This gave a good idea of ​​the innovations that have been implemented compared to last year's edition.

In previous editions of the game, players could set up their own team and get behind the wheel of their own car as a driver. In F1 25 you are mainly the owner - although you can still race for your own team, albeit as one of the drivers who make up your driver line-up.

The emphasis, however, is on your role as team boss. Not only do you choose two drivers for your team, attention must also be paid to the development of the drivers. If you give preference to one of your drivers too often, this will have a negative impact on your relationship with the other driver and on the contract negotiations with both drivers.

The management part, however, goes further than just the drivers. There is also the renewed Team HQ, where you have to make smart choices regarding investments in the headquarters, staff and updates, taking into account the budget cap. Every investment also means the deployment of staff and that brings additional costs with it.

Rivalries between teams are also introduced, which can affect your reputation and Fan Rating. This in turn determines how other drivers and teams see you - and can influence contract negotiations, among other things.

A major new feature in the game is the use of LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection And Ranging). Thanks to this technology, which Codemasters has used during Formula 1 race weekends, a number of circuits look more realistic than ever before. The Melbourne, Bahrain, Suzuka, Miami and Imola circuits have been accurately recreated down to the millimetre, including bends, elevation changes and even barriers in the exact places where they would be during a race weekend.

Even the seasons have been taken into account: for example, the typical Japanese cherry blossoms stand out along the Suzuka circuit, where the Japanese Grand Prix was held in the spring this year. To ensure that the necessary data can be collected during a real race weekend, a specially equipped vehicle is driven over the circuit in the early morning. A time-consuming task, but one that they plan to continue: this year again, LIDAR will be used during F1 weekends to collect data for all circuits.

Another interesting new addition to the game is the ability to drive some circuits in reverse. Three circuits have been selected for this: Zandvoort, Silverstone and the Red Bull Ring. Zandvoort is certainly interesting, but the Red Bull Ring is also very worthwhile to drive in the opposite direction because of the completely different perspective that the player gets on the idyllic Austrian landscape.

Braking Point, the story mode of the game, has been given more depth. The fictional F1 team Konnersport is still central and is now participating in the battle for the championship. A new addition is the possibility to choose which of the two drivers you play with in different races. These choices not only influence the challenges that you are presented with, but also the outcome of the story.

Unique to the latest edition of the F1 game is the collaboration with the upcoming Hollywood film F1, starring Brad Pitt. Fictional team APXGP makes an appearance in-game and can be chosen by players in My Team mode, or added as the eleventh team on the grid in Career Mode. Those who pre-order the Iconic Edition will be able to play through scenes from the film following the film’s release to earn additional rewards, including helmet designs and liveries.

F1 25 releases on May 30th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Players who pre-order the Iconic Edition will get early access, and can play the game starting on May 27th. Additionally, additional rewards await, including additional APXGP scenarios, a special livery, and F1 75-themed overalls and gloves to celebrate the sport’s 75th anniversary.