EA SPORTS F1 26 won't make it to the starting line: EA wants an expansion of the previous game instead of a new one

The publisher has confirmed a change of direction for your driving franchise Officially licensed: There will be no new annual installment of EA SPORTS F1 next yearInstead, the content for the next season will be incorporated through a paid expansion on top of the currently available game.

This decision is part of a broader plan with which EA and Codemasters intend to take their time for a more in-depth development.According to the company, The next major installment will be completely reimagined and “will look, feel, and play differently.”, expanding the gameplay options and the experience for fans.

What will happen next year with the saga?

Instead of a traditional launch, the studio is preparing a “premium” DLC that will update the base game with cars, regulations, teams and drivers from the new seasonThis is not a standalone product: you will need a copy of the current game to access the additional content.

For now, the publisher has not set a date or revealed the price of this expansion. EA only states that the package will align with the major technical and sporting changes that will reach the championship, a relevant transition for the regulations of the sport.

The idea is that users can Enjoy the grid game and the updated single-seaters when the season starts, maintaining the playable base and the already known modes while the next big project of the series arrives.

As a market reference, and without intending to predict the cost of the DLC, The current game was originally released for €79,99 on consoles and €59,99 on PC in Spain and the rest of Europe. The company has not yet announced whether there will be specific editions or bonuses for the expansion.

EA SPORTS F1's "strategic reboot"

EA explains that this change is part of a “Strategic reboot” to dedicate more resources to a later delivery that expands the experience and offers new ways to play. In the company's words, the future project will focus on a larger and more modern experience.

From the studio, its senior creative director, Lee Mather, has highlighted the current game's performance and the community's response, noting that It is the right time to “build for the future” and ensure that the next installment marks a clear leap forward in gameplay sensations and possibilities.

This move fits with an increasingly common trend in sports titles: Fewer full releases and more content updates that extend the life of the base gameespecially in seasons with major regulatory changes.

What the expansion includes: planned content

According to details shared by EA, the paid package will include the main news of the championshipThe announced items include:

• New single-seaters adapted to current regulations.
• Updated competition regulations.
• Teams and drivers according to the official grid.

The company has not provided details yet. whether there will be additional modes or featuresBeyond ensuring that the DLC will serve to reflect the major sporting changes of the season in the game.

Impact on players in Spain and Europe

Those who already own the game in PS5Xbox Series X/S or PC will be able to jump into the new season through the expansionMaintaining progress and available modes. Distribution will be through the usual digital stores in our territory.

For those who haven't yet reached the podium, a reasonable option will be Purchase the base game and, when the time comes, add the expansionbecause the additional content will not work without the current edition installed.

The community shows a mixture of expectation and caution: Some players are asking for improvements to physics, AI, or commentary.While others applaud the pause in the annual cycle to focus on a qualitative leap in the next full release.

At an operational level, EA insists that the series doesn't disappear or go into hibernationThe expansion will keep the game alive while the development team focuses on that reimagined title coming later.

What we know about the new project

The publisher has confirmed that the The next full installment will arrive after this transition period.The goal is to offer a "reimagined" game with more possibilities, new sensations behind the wheel, and a broader focus for different user profiles.

No specific features have been announced yet, but EA does emphasize that The development aims to make the experience deeper while remaining accessible., taking care of both the veteran fan and those who are approaching the officially licensed saga for the first time.

The project continues to be managed by Codemasters, the studio responsible for the franchise for more than a decade, now under the umbrella of Electronic Arts after the acquisition of the British team.

The picture the company paints is clear: a year of updating aimed at reflecting the major regulatory change, and a subsequent, more significant release that aims to redefine the F1 experience on consoles and PC, with special attention to the European and Spanish audience that sustains the saga's community.