The game follows the established gameplay loop of the series, letting players drive Formula One and Formula 2 cars via controllers or steering wheels across career modes, time trials, single Grand Prix weekends, and online challenges. The handling model was revised in direct response to negative feedback about F1 24, and the AI was adjusted to produce closer on-track racing.
Simulation fidelity was raised through Lidar-scanned versions of Bahrain, Miami, Melbourne, Suzuka, and Imola, alongside revamped podium ceremonies and more real team radio messages. Nvidia Audio2Face AI lip-syncing technology was integrated for in-game character animation.
F1 25 introduced inverted circuits to the series for the first time: Silverstone, Zandvoort, and the Red Bull Ring can be driven in reverse across Grand Prix, Time Trial, Multiplayer, and Career modes, each receiving reworked DRS zones, AI lines, sector divisions, starting grids, and pit-stop sequences.
MyTeam — first introduced in F1 2020 — received a substantial overhaul designated MyTeam 2.0. Rather than serving as owner-driver simultaneously, the player now controls the team solely as owner, making strategic and personnel decisions while optionally driving as a hired racer during race weekends. The reworked mode drew comparisons to the separate F1 Manager series of games. Players could also add the fictional Konnersport or the film-based APXGP as an eleventh team in career modes via DLC.
The Braking Point narrative mode returns in F1 25, its third appearance in the series after F1 2021 and F1 23, set across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Returning characters include Callie Mayer (voiced by Emer Kenny), Aiden Jackson (voiced by Aiden Felgate), Devon Butler (voiced by Daniel Ben Zenou using Adam Sanderson's likeness), Casper Akkerman (voiced by Christopher Dane), and Andreo Konner (voiced by Joe Alessi). The story centres on the fictional Konnersport Butler Global Racing Team mounting a championship challenge.
A new mechanic allows the player to choose which driver — Callie or Aiden — to control in certain chapters, with different narrative outcomes depending on that decision. The mode spans two seasons: in 2024, Konnersport battles Red Bull for both titles and is ultimately taken over by Devon Butler following the death of Davidoff Butler; in 2025, the team carries that ownership structure into a title-winning campaign. The mode concludes at Abu Dhabi, where whichever driver the player chose claims the Drivers' Championship while Konnersport secures the Constructors' title.
Players can additionally race as Sonny Hayes — a racer-for-hire returning to F1, played by Brad Pitt — and Joshua Pearce, a rookie played by Damson Idris, both characters from the F1 (2025) film. The Iconic Edition includes additional film-inspired race scenarios.
The base game features all drivers and tracks from the 2025 Formula One World Championship. Yuki Tsunoda is depicted at Red Bull Racing and Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls, reflecting the real-life swap that took effect at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix. Jack Doohan's mid-season replacement by Franco Colapinto at Alpine was not present at launch and was added via a post-launch update. Drivers from the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship were included as driver icons alongside Formula 2 drivers.
In a break from the series' annual release cycle, EA Sports announced in November 2025 that a paid expansion would represent the 2026 Formula One season within F1 25 rather than a standalone new game. F1 25 thus became the first title in the series since F1 2015 to cover more than one Formula One season. A new game built from scratch is planned for release in 2027.
The 2026 Season Pack was released on 2 June 2026, priced at $25 on PC and $30 on console. It introduced the new 2026 technical regulations — replacing DRS and ERS with active aerodynamics, boost mode, and overtake mode — along with updated car models and performance data. New teams Audi and Cadillac entered the game's roster, and incoming drivers included Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, and Arvid Lindblad, the last-named replacing Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls while Hadjar moved to Red Bull in place of Tsunoda. The sole new circuit added was Madring, a street track new to the 2026 calendar. The cover art for the DLC, set at Madring, depicts Gabriel Bortoleto, Lewis Hamilton, and Bottas. Two-player career mode was considered but cut to prioritise the new simulation features for the expanded season.
F1 25 is the first entry in the F1 series since F1 2014 to be released exclusively for ninth-generation hardware, dropping PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The Iconic Edition — featuring Lewis Hamilton on the cover in his Ferrari livery — granted three days of early access from 27 May 2025. The standard edition cover features Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz Jr., and Oliver Bearman, the first time since F1 2015 and F1 2016 that a Williams and a Haas driver, respectively, appeared on a series cover. An Australian physical release on PlayStation 5 followed on 10 June.
F1 25 received generally favourable reviews. The aggregator OpenCritic recorded an 84 percent critic recommendation rate. The game was nominated for Best Sports/Racing Game at The Game Awards 2025 and for Racing Game of the Year at the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards but did not win either award.