EA SPORTS F1® 25 x F1® THE MOVIE: the ultimate F1 experience

Formula 1® is a worldwide phenomenon. One built on the thrill of witnessing true talent and grit, where expert control and precision meet blistering speed, all fueled by heart-pounding drama that travels across the globe.

Now, thanks to the world-class talent found here at EA and our partners at Apple Original Films, fans can dive deeper than ever before into the universe of F1 racing thanks to an immersive crossover between F1® THE MOVIE and EA SPORTS F1® 25. This interactive experience allows millions of F1 players and fans to leave the theatre after watching F1® THE MOVIE, and continue to celebrate their fandom with their favorite characters from the film in new, unique storylines and events found exclusively in EA SPORTS F1® 25. 

This collaboration isn’t just a tie-in. It’s a celebration of authenticity, innovation, and the passion that drives both the sport and its fans. And ultimately, an experience that extends the movie’s narrative into the game, allowing players to step directly into the shoes of the film’s fictional APXGP drivers, Sonny Hayes and Joshua Pearce, and much more.

Let’s take a closer look.

“One area we wanted to get right was the transition from movie footage to gameplay and back, making that feel as seamless as possible.”

The ultimate F1 experience

For fans of Formula 1® and immersive gaming alike, the latest EA SPORTS F1® 25 add-on content offers something truly special. Building on the excitement of F1® THE MOVIE, players are invited to step into the world of APXGP, the fictional racing team at the heart of the film’s story. This isn’t just a simple tie-in. It’s an opportunity to experience the drama, intensity, and high-speed thrills of the movie right into your hands.

Those who purchase the Iconic Edition or Iconic Edition Upgrade of EA SPORTS F1® 25 by July 11 can race as APXGP in both Driver Career and My Team modes. 

Players can also separately purchase F1® 25 Chapter Scenarios and enjoy a number of gameplay scenarios that recreate some of the most exciting on-track battles from the film, featuring the drivers Sonny Hayes and Joshua Pearce. Fans can also equip their personal driver with Joshua Pearce’s helmet automatically upon downloading their purchased Chapter Scenarios DLC, and completing all six Chapters will unlock Sonny Hayes’ helmet from F1® THE MOVIE. 

The collaboration also enriches the game’s soundtrack and character authenticity, with Apple Original Films providing other reference materials and licensed music from the movie, further deepening the connection between the two worlds.

But creating these immersive and authentic experiences was no small feat—it required the unique expertise and close partnership between the talented teams at EA and Apple Original Films. Only through our combined passion for storytelling, technical mastery, and deep understanding of Formula 1 could this seamless blend of film and gameplay come to life.

“Telling a story as a filmmaker is hard enough when you’re in control of every aspect of what the viewer sees and how it’s presented, but turning those heavily scripted beats into something interactive, something you can play, is a real challenge.”

The world-class talent who made the crossover possible

The collaboration between EA and F1® THE MOVIE began when EA was first approached to be a partner and sponsor of the APXGP team, the fictional racing outfit at the heart of the film’s story. This initial sponsorship sparked a deeper interest within our expert teams, who recognized the opportunity to expand the partnership beyond branding.

Today, alongside the in-game experience, EA SPORTS appears as an official partner of the fictional APXGP team, with the brand featured on both the APXGP team car and race suits in F1® THE MOVIE. 

And it took a team of world-class experts to make it happen.

Gavin Cooper is the Creative Director of the F1 series at EA SPORTS. He has worked on racing titles since the late ‘90s and has built a career out of making the most immersive titles with unrivaled authenticity enjoyed by millions of players around the world. And when this opportunity presented itself, he knew he and his team at Codemasters were up to the challenge.

“Telling a story as a filmmaker is hard enough when you’re in control of every aspect of what the viewer sees and how it’s presented, but turning those heavily scripted beats into something interactive, something you can play, is a real challenge,” says Gavin.

The F1 team leveraged their experience from previous story modes like Braking Point to translate the movie’s scripted cinematic moments into interactive, balanced gameplay scenarios. This required innovative design to maintain the integrity of the story while ensuring accessibility and fun for players of all skill levels.

Technically, the collaboration pushed boundaries with seamless transitions between movie footage and gameplay. EA’s developers worked meticulously on matching color grading and visual treatments to preserve the cinematic look within the game’s interactive sequences, creating a truly immersive experience that feels like stepping inside the film itself.

“We were excited by the opportunity to create an experience that extended beyond the film, allowing players to recreate these thrilling on-track set-pieces in the context of putting themselves in the driver's seat. That was something that Apple Original Films/Warner Bros. really liked the sound of, and they gave us the space to explore that,” says Gavin.

In the end, EA and Apple Original Films have crafted the ultimate F1 experience. One where fans can transition from a summer blockbuster film into their home and carry on the kind of quality experience they expect from world-class developers.

“We were excited by the opportunity to create an experience that extended beyond the film, allowing players to recreate these thrilling on-track set-pieces in the context of putting themselves in the driver's seat. That was something that Apple Original Films/Warner Bros. really liked the sound of, and they gave us the space to explore that.”

Setting the standard

This collaboration raises the bar for how sports, film, and gaming can seamlessly intersect. EA’s expertise in delivering this level of integration underscores its leadership in interactive entertainment. The success of EA SPORTS F1® 25 and its F1® THE MOVIE content not only elevates the player experience today but paves the way for future innovations that bring fans closer to the heart of the action—no matter the medium.

Dive into EA SPORTS F1® 25 now to experience this extraordinary fusion of film and gameplay firsthand. Immerse yourself in the drama, speed, and authenticity of Formula 1 like never before. Purchase the Iconic Edition or Iconic Edition Upgrade by July 11 to play as APXGP drivers in My Team or Driver Career. Chapter Scenarios are sold separately and playable in-game beginning June 30.

For more exciting stories and updates, visit ea.com/news.