EA Introduces New Paid Extension to F1 2025
EA Sports Pauses F1 2026 Release and Announces Long-Term Roadmap
Publisher opts for a paid 2026 season expansion for F1 25 and redirects development toward a fully “reimagined” F1 title planned for 2027.
Highlights
- EA confirms there will be no standalone F1 2026 game; instead, a paid F1 25 expansion aligned with new FIA regulations, teams, drivers, and cars will be introduced.
- The studio says the pause gives developers time to integrate sweeping changes in 2026 to FIA rules, upgrade core systems, and prepare a more ambitious, reimagined F1 title.
- Backed by strong reception for F1 25, EA and Codemasters are now focused on delivering a fully rebuilt, more expansive F1 2027 game and plan a long-term franchise evolution.
The American-based major gaming publisher, Electronic Arts Inc., announced its future roadmap for the Formula One franchise (EA SPORTS F1), with significant changes. The announcement, dated Nov. 18, 2025, confirmed that there won’t be a new edition of F1 in 2026. Instead, players will get a paid expansion built directly into EA SPORTS F1 25.
The paid expansion will be based on the 2025 edition of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Formula One World Championship, aligning with the new regulations and changes integrated in the tournament. The announcement states that players will get access to new teams, drivers, and cars, authentic to the FIA’s next-cycle ruleset.
EA framed the change as part of a multi-year strategic investment, intended to give developers more time to build larger systems, integrate upcoming regulations from the official sport, and redesign the next full game. Along with the structural changes, the company also confirmed that a reimagined and more expansive F1 title is now scheduled for global launch in 2027.
How the 2026 Shift Reshapes the EA Sports F1 Circuit
EA took over Codemasters, the title’s developer, back in 2021. Since then, the publisher has been launching new editions of EA SPORTS F1 franchise aligning with the Formula One World Championship, every year. Breaking from the annual launch pattern marked a significant shift for the franchise.
According to management, the change is a reflection of the franchise's progress and a chance to update its long-term development cycle. “F1 25 has been an incredible success… now is the perfect time for us to look ahead and build for the future,” said Lee Mather, Codemasters’ Senior Creative Director, positioning the changes as a bridge to a more invested ecosystem.
EA’s decision likely came from the sweeping engineering and regulatory changes announced in the 2026 FIA championship. Incorporating the new changes within the already established F1 25’s base will provide a stable foundation for developers to reallocate time and resources toward the 2027 new launch.
EA’s strategic shift leans heavily on the strong reception of F1 25 and support from both the Formula One Management and the F1 teams. The publisher says the title has earned praise from players, media, content creators, and even real-world F1 drivers, underscoring the franchise’s positioning as a flagship simulation asset.
Author
Kamalikaa Biswas is a content writer at Outlook Respawn specializing in pop culture. She holds a Master's in English Literature from University of Delhi and leverages her media industry experience to deliver insightful content on the latest youth culture trends.
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