My honest F1 26 REVIEW...NEW HANDLING, AI, MADRING and MORE

Product reviewed

F1 26 / “F1 2026 season edition”

• Marketed in the video as F126, but clarified as F125 with the 2026 season edition / DLC.
• Early access provided by EA.
• Reviewer focuses on menu changes, cars, engine sounds, handling, and the 2026 overtaking/ERS (“overtake” mode).

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Key features mentioned

Price tiers / value

• €25 on PC, €30 on console (if you already own the base game)
• €50 on PC, €60 on console (if you don’t own the base F1 game)

Menu / presentation updates

• New cover/branding featuring Lewis Hamilton and Bottas (also referenced: Leto/Bottas branding)
• New teams added to the game menus:
  • Audi (rebranded to Sauber)
  • Cadillac (described as the only brand-new team)

Multiplayer / ranked availability

• No ranked multiplayer with the new-gen cars, because the video coverage is still framed under the “F125” system.
• Ranked/modes still exist generally, but not with the new-gen cars.

Cars / authenticity notes

• Cars shown include some non-final versions
• Sports update planned after launch (no date; possibly tied to 2026 DLC timing)

On-board visuals

• On-board views praised for quality
• Red Bull livery/visuals highlighted

Engine / power unit audio (varies by team)

Reviewer compares sounds across: Mercedes, McLaren, Alpine, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Audi, Honda

• Also notes:
  • Cadillac with Ferrari engine
  • Audi with its own engine

Handling changes

• Feels different from F1 25, but not “blow your mind”
• Some creators claimed it feels like front wing damage; reviewer disagrees (though notes a resemblance)
• Braking drifting still usable to gain time (similar to prior years)
• Setup mentions:
  • Default brake bias 57
  • Default differential 60
  • Later tests mention brake bias 55

Overtake / ERS system in GP mode (“overtake” + harvest/straight mode)

• Includes an overtake control with deploy modes (0 / medium / straight)
• Reviewer describes lifting/coasting to “harvest” battery
• ERS management becomes a major strategic element
• Mentions downshifting during overtakes may increase advantage (“downshifting is getting you so much”)
• Overtake power is portrayed as extremely strong, enabling passing/three-wide attempts
• AI behavior described as improved vs prior game:
  • In F1 2025, AI seemed overly focused on battery management
  • Here, AI appears to drive more naturally and use modes strategically

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Pros (as stated)

• Handling feels “decent” / different in a good way, while staying on the familiar F1 base
• Track quality (“Maddering”) praised
  • Reviewer calls the track a “banger”
  • Compared to a “street version of Portimao”
• Overtaking/ERS strategy is fun
  • Lifting/coasting/harvesting + strong deploy adds variety
• AI seems better in GP mode
  • Less “battery-only” decision-making than in F1 2025
• Audio highlights
  • Reviewer’s favorite: Red Bull (10/10 powertrain sound)
  • Ferrari and Red Bull sound unique / better than others
• Visuals
  • Red Bull livery and on-board visuals praised heavily

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Cons (as stated)

• Engine sounds inconsistent / too similar (to the reviewer)
  • Reviewer claims they can’t really tell differences between Mercedes, Audi, and Honda (sounds “the same”)
  • Hopeful that the planned post-launch sports update will improve audio
• Track limits issues
  • Madrid: track limits problem at turn five
  • Nürburgring: observed “no track limit” behavior during testing (likely fix)
• Car/visual work not fully finalized
  • On-board camera/lens alignment mentioned as initially not centered (then corrected)
  • Cars described as “not final,” implying further polishing

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Comparisons made

• F1 2025
  • Handling/feel: different, but not identical; some front-wing-damage comparisons were raised by others
  • AI performance: reviewer says F1 2025 AI drove worse by focusing too much on battery management
• DRS / overtaking naming
  • Reviewer notes overtake looks like a “DRS 2.0”-type concept
  • Clarifies it’s not DRS 2.0 in the traditional sense

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Unique points mentioned (all distinct items)

1. Early access thanks to EA; video recorded before release
2. Clarification of correct product naming: F1 2026 season edition / “F125” framework
3. Price comparison: €25/€30 (owners), €50/€60 (non-owners)
4. Main menu changes; new cover/driver presentation (Hamilton + Bottas/Leto)
5. New teams: Cadillac (brand-new) and Audi (Sauber)
6. Ranked multiplayer not available with new-gen cars (within F125 systems)
7. Time trial car list available; some cars not final; sports update planned after launch
8. Engine audio comparisons across team pairings (Mercedes/Audi/Honda vs Ferrari/Cadillac, etc.)
9. Mercedes engine sound described as “weird”
10. Track limits appear off at least in one test
11. Red Bull engine sound praised as best (10/10), unique; Ford/Red Bull powertrain mentioned
12. Ferrari sound described as decent / among the best
13. Honda/Audi sound described as “similar” to Mercedes; not liked; possible future changes
14. Off-board sounds reportedly similar to previous years (not much difference)
15. Setup mention: brake bias/differential values (57/60) and later test idea (brake bias 55)
16. Handling: feels like F125 base; not mind-blowing; still “unique”
17. Community claim about front-wing-damage feel; reviewer partially agrees in spirit but disagrees with direct equivalence
18. Braking drift used for time gain (like previous years)
19. ERS/overtake system details: overtake button + straight mode + deploy levels; harvesting requires lifting/coasting
20. Strategic battery management expected to be a major factor; ERS is powerful
21. Overtake enables multi-car passing attempts; three-wide sometimes possible but not always
22. AI described as improved vs F1 2025, with less “battery-only” behavior
23. Track behavior notes: Madrid turn five track limits; Nürburgring track limit behavior mentioned
24. Track itself praised as fun/roller-coaster; resembles street Portimao
25. GP mode starting procedure said to be unchanged
26. Final recommendation based on fan level and price fairness

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Speakers / perspectives

• Single main speaker (Marcel) provides all impressions:
  • Emphasis on first-impression handling + ERS strategy + engine/audio opinions
  • Mentions “some creators” comments (front-wing-damage comparison) without introducing another speaker

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Overall verdict / recommendation

Recommended mainly for big F1 fans, based on:

• Strengths
  • Improved/strategic racing feel via ERS/overtake
  • Fun track impressions
  • Better-acting AI than F1 2025
  • Standout visuals/audio for certain teams (especially Red Bull)
• Weaknesses
  • Some engine sounds seem too similar (at least to the reviewer)
  • Track limits bugs present/likely to be fixed

Verdict: Decent first impression; worth it if you’re an F1 fan and the price feels fair—otherwise it may not be for you.