EA has officially confirmed that the first details regarding the F1 25: 2026 Season DLC will be unveiled this Wednesday, May 20. Racing fans can expect a reveal trailer for the upcoming expansion to drop at 4pm UK time (11am EDT / 8am PDT).

While specific gameplay mechanics remain under wraps, EA has already teased the "cover" athletes featured in the update. The lineup includes seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, veteran driver and 10-time Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas, and former F3 and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto.

New Teams and Drivers in the F1 25: 2026 Season DLC

The inclusion of Bortoleto and Bottas is a telling sign of the content coming to the expansion. These drivers represent the two major additions to the real-life 2026 grid: Audi and Cadillac.

Because EA confirmed in late 2025 that there would be no standalone title released alongside the actual 2026 season, this paid expansion serves as the primary way for players to experience the next era of Formula One. The update is designed to reflect every major shift in the sport, including:

  • New car models reflecting updated technical specifications.
  • Updated driver rosters to match the real-world grid.
  • Revised regulations that will change how cars behave on track.

Navigating the New F1 Regulations

The way the F1 25: 2026 Season DLC handles new car characteristics will be a major point of interest for the community. Many professional drivers have been vocal about the challenges posed by recent technical shifts.

For instance, two-time champion Fernando Alonso has described modern F1 as a "battery world championship," while 2025 champion Lando Norris recently lamented that the sport transitioned from having the best cars ever made to perhaps the worst. Even Max Verstappen has joked about the difficulty of current driving, quipping that he has swapped his simulator for a Nintendo Switch to practice with Mario Kart.

Bridging the Gap to 2027

While F1 25 has been noted as the strongest entry in the series since the fan-favorite F1 2020, some critics have pointed out that it occasionally prioritizes cosmetic items like clothing and emotes over deep car content. This makes the upcoming expansion crucial for players looking for a more authentic racing experience.

With no full-scale game planned until 2027—which is expected to be a "reimagined" and more expansive experience—the F1 25: 2026 Season DLC will be the definitive way to stay current with the world of Formula One.