No F1 26, So F1 25 Ships 8K Ray Tracing Instead

Instead of shipping F1 26 this year, Codemasters is pouring its visual upgrades into a DLC expansion for F1 25. The 2026 Season Pack launches June 3 with enhanced PSSR support on PS5 Pro, 8K resolution output, ray-traced reflections, and dynamic global illumination. It's an unusual move for a franchise that has shipped annually for years, and I think it's one of the more interesting decisions EA Sports has made in a while.

Codemasters previously confirmed it was taking a year off from a full sequel to build an F1 2027 game that, in the studio's words, "looks, feels, and plays differently." In the meantime, PS5 Pro owners get a Quality Mode locked at 60fps with ray tracing and PSSR upscaling, a 120Hz Performance Mode, and an 8K output option for anyone with a display that can actually use it. Technical producer Si Lumb told the PlayStation Blog that Sony made the PSSR upgrade "incredibly simple," and that the new Madring street circuit was built from the ground up to showcase these features. On the gameplay side, the pack adds active aerodynamics, a new Overtake mode, updated driver lineups including Audi and Cadillac as new teams, and expanded Career and My Team modes with full team management customization.

I'd rather see a studio spend an extra year making a proper next entry than churn out another annual release with a roster update and a fresh coat of paint.99 console expansion (or $24.99 on PC) that includes technical upgrades and new mechanics makes this feel less like a skipped year and more like a bridge worth crossing. If F1 2027 actually delivers on the promise of a different game, this approach could look smart in hindsight. The 2026 Season Pack and bundled Season Edition hit PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on June 3.