2026 is a huge year for F1 in the real world, seeing massive changes and overhauls to the sport that have drastically changed the racing landscape. This sense of change has also jumped into the gaming realm as, for the first time ever, there is no standalone F1 26 game. Instead, there is the 2026 Season Pack for F1 25, a €24.99/£24.99 DLC.
Which is a brave and bold move by Codemasters and EA, as having reviewed the series for YEARS now, it has been a question I have asked a few times. “Why not just bring this out as DLC instead of a full-price title?” given the limited changes past instalments have had.
An Idea
Now, on paper it might just sound like a glorified roster update. However, once you get out on track it quickly becomes apparent that there is a bit more going on beneath the carbon fibre bodywork than a few name changes and colour swaps.
The headline change is obviously the 2026 regulations, which have shaken up the sport both on and off the circuit. New car designs, revised power units and the ever-changing grid mean this season feels noticeably different from what came before it.
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Much like the real-world championship, teams that were once untouchable can suddenly find themselves struggling to keep pace, while midfield outfits are capable of springing the odd surprise.
This is where F1 25: 2026 Season Pack feels at its best as it’s mirroring the real world perfectly. Where there would have been two or three teams that would dominate the season, now almost any team feels like they can have a claim to the throne. Sort of.
Handling an Update
The biggest changes on the gameplay front can be felt in the handling. It feels lighter on its feet in some areas but more unpredictable in others. Low-speed corners require a little more patience and timing than before, while high-speed sections reward confidence and commitment.
It strikes a better balance between accessibility and simulation than some past entries, giving newcomers room to enjoy themselves without completely alienating veterans looking for a challenge.
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Though I did find certain tracks bring out some odd behaviour from the AI, particularly during wheel-to-wheel battles. They can be impressively aggressive one moment and strangely passive the next.
Wet weather races also feel a little inconsistent. Grip levels occasionally fluctuate in ways that seem more frustrating at times than realistic.
Performance Bonus
Career mode also benefits greatly from the new content. The updated driver line-up, teams and regulation changes help inject fresh life into a mode many players have likely spent hundreds of hours with already. Negotiating contracts, managing team development and chasing championship glory still forms the backbone of the experience, but the new season gives everything a welcome sense of unpredictability.
Though it’s worth noting two-player Career mode is not supported with the new content. This is a bit of a misfire and will leave some a little unhappy, understandably so. F1 World also continues to be a HUGE time sink, offering countless objectives, challenges and rewards. Whether you love it or merely tolerate it, there is no denying it adds replayability to the package.
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Meanwhile, online racing remains as chaotic and enjoyable as ever. Particularly when twenty drivers all decide the first corner is somehow wide enough for everyone.
Racing Render
Visually, the F1 25: 2026 Season Pack is excellent. The cars look fantastic, trackside detail remains impressive and the lighting system continues to produce some genuinely stunning moments, especially during dusk and night time races. Audio is equally strong, with engines sounding appropriately aggressive and team radio chatter helping sell the atmosphere trackside.
The 26 Season Pack may not completely reinvent what F1 25 delivered, but it doesn’t need to. Instead, it delivers meaningful changes where they matter most and successfully captures the excitement of a new era in Formula One that fans will love.
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It also respects fans by being a £24.99/€ DLC pack instead of a £70/€80 full-fat title, and if you shop around you can bag both the core game and pack for just over £50, making it a very enticing package.
