Video summary

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

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

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).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Original video