Choosing among the best Formula 1 racing games depends on whether you want a current official video game, a tabletop race for a group, or a long career built around an earlier F1 season. I rank F1 25 for Xbox Series X first for its 2025 championship setting and team-management focus. Championship Formula Racing is my pick for shared, strategy-led play with up to 12 people, while F1 2016 for PlayStation 4 suits players who want an extended career and a defined historical season.
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The main tradeoffs are format, platform, and season freshness. F1 25 is tied to Xbox Series X and cannot be played on Xbox One; the board game needs no console but takes longer than its roughly 45-minute estimate in some sessions; and F1 2016 offers a substantial career mode with teams and tracks from 2016. I use those differences to rank each option by the kind of Formula 1 experience it can actually provide.
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Key Takeaways
- F1 25 is the strongest choice for an official 2025 championship game, with revamped My Team and a Braking Point continuation, but it requires Xbox Series X.
- Championship Formula Racing is the only tabletop option here and supports 1–12 players, making it the best fit for group strategy without a console.
- F1 2016 brings 21 tracks, 22 drivers, 11 teams, and a career spanning up to ten seasons, though its championship content reflects 2016.
- The ranking puts season relevance and breadth of Formula 1 video-game play first, then rewards the board game for its distinct multiplayer format.
- Check platform before choosing a video game: F1 25 is for Xbox Series X, while F1 2016 is for PlayStation 4.
| F1 25 for Xbox Series X |  | Best Overall | Platform: Xbox Series X | Compatibility: Not compatible with Xbox One | Edition: Standard Edition | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Championship Formula Racing Board Game |  | Best for Group Play | Brand: Jolly Roger Games | Players: 1–12 | Playing time: About 45 minutes; may take up to 60 minutes | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| F1 2016 for PlayStation 4 |  | Best for a Long Historical Career | Platform: PlayStation 4 | Championship: 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship | Release date: August 19, 2016 | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Formula 1 racing game | Platform | Championship | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 25 for Xbox Series X | Xbox Series X | 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship | May 30, 2025 |
| Championship Formula Racing Bo | — | — | — |
| F1 2016 for PlayStation 4 | PlayStation 4 | 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship | August 19, 2016 |
More Details on Our Top Picks
F1 25 for Xbox Series X
F1 25 is my overall pick because it puts the most recent championship represented here at the center of the experience: the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship. The revised My Team mode gives players a reason to think beyond the next race, while the third chapter of Braking Point adds a story route that can continue into Driver Career or My Team. That combination makes this a broader fit than a season-only racing package.
Compared with F1 2016, this is the obvious choice for buyers who want a newer official season and the described continuation of Braking Point. F1 2016 still has a specific attraction in its stated career of up to ten seasons and its 21-track calendar, but its roster and championship setting are from 2016. F1 25’s supplied details do not list a track count or career length, so I would choose it for its season and named modes rather than assume a particular quantity of content.
There is a firm hardware boundary: this edition is for Xbox Series X and is not compatible with Xbox One. That restriction matters more than its mode variety if the buyer does not own the listed console. It also cannot take the place of Championship Formula Racing for a group that wants a face-to-face tabletop session. For Xbox Series X owners choosing a Formula 1 video game from this lineup, though, its current-season focus and mix of racing, management, and story give it the strongest all-around case.
Pros:- Official game of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship.
- Revamped My Team mode adds team and driver management to race progression.
- Braking Point’s third chapter can continue in Driver Career or My Team.
- Offers a newer championship setting than F1 2016 in this lineup.
Cons:- Playable only on Xbox Series X hardware.
- Not compatible with Xbox One.
- The supplied product details do not specify track count or career length.
Best for: Xbox Series X owners who want an official 2025 F1 season alongside team management and a continuing story mode.
Not ideal for: Xbox One owners, PlayStation players, or buyers primarily looking for a multiplayer board game.
- Platform:Xbox Series X
- Compatibility:Not compatible with Xbox One
- Edition:Standard Edition
- Championship:2025 FIA Formula One World Championship
- Genre:Racing video game
- Language:English
- Release date:May 30, 2025
- Modes noted:My Team, Braking Point, Driver Career
Our verdict“Choose F1 25 for the most current official Formula 1 video-game experience in this group, provided you own an Xbox Series X.”
Championship Formula Racing Board Game
Championship Formula Racing takes the roundup away from consoles and into the board-game format. It supports 1–12 players, with an advertised session of about 45 minutes, and asks players to customize cars with driver cards before adapting their strategy to different track features. Speed, skill, and wear are part of that setup, so the choice of car configuration has a role beyond simply picking a driver.
That makes it a different recommendation from both video games. F1 25 and F1 2016 focus on official championship seasons and console play; this game is better suited to people who want to make race decisions together around a table. Its large listed player range is the standout when organizing a group, while the video games are the better fit for someone whose priority is an official season and a console racing experience. The listing includes one-player play, but the supplied description emphasizes group competition and does not explain the solo rules in detail.
Session length deserves attention: the description also says races may take up to 60 minutes, so I would leave more time than the 45-minute estimate when planning a game night. Its paper material and sizable 2.2 kg listed weight also make this a physical boxed game rather than a compact digital option. It is my group-play pick because it translates car setup and track adaptation into shared decisions, but buyers who want to drive through an F1 season should choose F1 25 or, for a historical career, F1 2016.
Pros:- Supports up to 12 players, more than either console game is described as supporting.
- Track features shape the car-building and race strategy.
- Driver cards let players configure cars around speed, skill, and wear.
- Can be played without owning an Xbox or PlayStation console.
Cons:- Races may run up to 60 minutes rather than the estimated 45.
- The supplied description gives little detail about how the one-player mode works.
- It is a tabletop strategy game, not a video game with on-track driving.
Best for: Groups who want a Formula 1 themed tabletop race with car customization and room for as many as 12 players.
Not ideal for: Buyers seeking an official console F1 season, driving controls, or sessions that must fit within a strict 45-minute window.
- Brand:Jolly Roger Games
- Players:1–12
- Playing time:About 45 minutes; may take up to 60 minutes
- Recommended age:13 years and up
- Material:Paper
- Item weight:2.2 kg
- Item dimensions:12 x 2.75 x 12 inches
- Theme:Car racing
Our verdict“Pick Championship Formula Racing when the shared tabletop race matters more than console driving or a current official season.”
F1 2016 for PlayStation 4
F1 2016 earns its place through the scope of its career rather than season freshness. Its official 2016 championship includes 21 tracks, 22 drivers, and 11 teams, and the career mode can extend across as many as ten seasons. Players develop the car with their team over that span, making progression a central part of the package. Safety Car and Virtual Safety Car features add race-management conditions to the listed track action.
Against F1 25, the tradeoff is clear. F1 25 represents the 2025 championship and includes a revamped My Team mode plus the third Braking Point chapter; F1 2016 instead offers a specified multi-season career structure and a defined calendar and roster. Buyers who care most about current championship context should put F1 25 first. Those who are content with a historical season and want the career arc described here may find F1 2016 more directly suited to that preference.
This edition is for PlayStation 4, so it will not serve a buyer shopping for the Xbox Series X release. It also cannot reproduce the board game’s table-wide strategy or support for up to 12 listed players. Its dated roster and calendar are the main drawback for a 2026 buyer, and the product details do not establish any updated season content. I rank it third because the career features are meaningful, but the age of its championship limits its appeal as the leading recommendation for today’s F1 season.
Pros:- Includes the 2016 season’s 21 tracks, 22 drivers, and 11 teams.
- Career mode can span up to ten seasons.
- Car development gives progression a team-management element.
- Includes Safety Car and Virtual Safety Car features.
Cons:- Its teams and calendar are from 2016 and are dated for a 2026 roundup.
- This listing is for PlayStation 4, unlike F1 25’s Xbox Series X platform.
- It does not provide the current-season focus of F1 25 or group tabletop play.
Best for: PlayStation 4 players who want a career that can span up to ten seasons and do not mind racing within the 2016 championship setting.
Not ideal for: Players who want current teams and tracks, an Xbox release, or a tabletop game for a large group.
- Platform:PlayStation 4
- Championship:2016 FIA Formula One World Championship
- Release date:August 19, 2016
- Tracks:21
- Drivers:22
- Teams:11
- Career:Up to ten seasons with car development
- Race features:Safety Car and Virtual Safety Car
Our verdict“Choose F1 2016 for its defined multi-season career on PS4 if the historical 2016 roster and calendar suit you.”
How We Picked
I ranked these three products by how well they answer different versions of the search for a Formula 1 racing game. For the video games, I gave weight to the championship they represent, the breadth of their career or team play, and how clearly their modes support repeat races. That puts F1 25 first: it is the most current official championship entry in this group and combines racing with team management and a continuing story.
I also treated format and compatibility as core buying factors. Championship Formula Racing is a board game rather than a console title, so its value lies in bringing a configurable race to a table of up to 12 players. It ranks second overall because its group play is distinctive, even though buyers seeking realistic controller-based driving will want a video game instead. F1 2016 ranks third for this 2026 roundup: its career structure and race features remain substantial, but its 2016 teams and calendar are less current than F1 25’s 2025 championship.
I used the supplied product descriptions and specifications, including each game’s platform, season, player count, modes, and stated drawbacks. I did not treat the board game’s single-player listing as proof that every group feature works identically at one player, and I do not assume unlisted capabilities or compatibility. The rankings favor a clear fit for a buyer, rather than pretending these products are interchangeable.
| Formula 1 racing game | Platform | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| F1 25 for Xbox Series X | Xbox Series X | May 30, 2025 |
| Championship Formula Racing Bo | — | — |
| F1 2016 for PlayStation 4 | PlayStation 4 | August 19, 2016 |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Best Formula 1 Racing Games
I would start by deciding what kind of F1 play you want: a current official video game, a long career around a past season, or a board game built for a group. These options solve different needs, so a quick platform and format check can matter more than comparing their feature lists line by line.
Choose a format before a season
F1 25 and F1 2016 are console video games; Championship Formula Racing is a tabletop game. Pick a video game if you want to play on the listed console and follow a championship or career structure. Choose the board game if your priority is shared decisions, car configuration, and playing with a group at one table. Its stated range reaches 12 players, while its session estimate is about 45 minutes and may stretch to 60. That is a different kind of race from either digital title, not a direct substitute for console driving.
Match the console to the listing
Compatibility is a hard filter for the two video games. F1 25 is listed for Xbox Series X and explicitly does not work with Xbox One. F1 2016 is listed for PlayStation 4. The products supplied here do not describe cross-platform versions or other compatibility, so I would match the exact edition to the hardware already available before weighing modes or season details. A game with a better fit on paper is no use if it is for a different console.
Decide how current the championship needs to be
F1 25 represents the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship, the newest season in this lineup. F1 2016’s 21 tracks, 22 drivers, and 11 teams belong to the 2016 season, which gives it a specific historical identity but also makes its roster and calendar dated. I would favor F1 25 for a buyer who wants the newer official setting. F1 2016 makes more sense if its up-to-ten-season career and car development are a stronger draw than having a recent roster.
Compare career and management details
Both console games include a management dimension, but the supplied descriptions emphasize different strengths. F1 25 has a revamped My Team mode and a third Braking Point chapter that can continue into Driver Career or My Team. F1 2016 spells out a career of up to ten seasons, with car development alongside the team. I would choose based on that distinction: F1 25 for its current season and named story and team modes; F1 2016 for a clearly stated long-term career arc. The available information does not specify exact career length for F1 25, so I would not assume it exceeds the older title’s listed span.
Plan for the board game’s actual session
The board game’s appeal is its group size and adaptable strategy: driver cards influence car attributes, and each track has features that affect setup choices. Still, the advertised 45-minute playing time is an estimate; the description allows for races up to 60 minutes. If the group has a hard stop, make room for the longer stated duration. The listing says it supports one to twelve players, though its description gives more detail about customization and group racing than solo play. For a solo-first buyer who wants an explained career, either video game has clearer mode information here.
Use the drawbacks as a final filter
Each pick has a limitation that can decide the purchase. F1 25’s hardware requirement rules it out for Xbox One owners. F1 2016 may disappoint a buyer who wants current drivers, teams, and tracks. Championship Formula Racing asks players to trade controller-based racing for a physical strategy game, and sessions can exceed the estimate. My overall ranking favors F1 25 for its newer official season and mode mix, but the best personal choice depends on whether platform, historical career, or group play matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these is the best Formula 1 racing game overall?
I rank F1 25 for Xbox Series X first because it is the newest official championship represented here and pairs the 2025 season with revamped My Team and a continuing Braking Point story. That recommendation depends on owning the listed console. For tabletop group play, Championship Formula Racing is the better fit, while F1 2016 has a more explicitly defined multi-season career.
Can I play F1 25 on Xbox One?
No. The supplied compatibility details say F1 25 is not compatible with Xbox One and is playable on Xbox Series X. Check the console edition carefully before choosing it. F1 2016 is listed for PlayStation 4, and the board game does not require either console.
Which option is best for playing with a group?
Championship Formula Racing is the group pick because it supports up to 12 players and uses car customization and track features to shape race strategy. The listed playing time is about 45 minutes, though the description says sessions may last up to 60 minutes. The two other products are console games, and their supplied details do not describe comparable tabletop group play.
Is F1 2016 still worth choosing in 2026?
It can suit a PlayStation 4 owner who values a career spanning up to ten seasons, car development, and the 2016 season’s 21 tracks, 22 drivers, and 11 teams. Its calendar and roster are dated compared with F1 25’s 2025 championship. I would choose F1 2016 for its specified career structure, not for current-season content.
Which game should I choose if I want a career mode?
Both console titles provide a career-related route in the supplied descriptions. F1 2016 explicitly lists a career of up to ten seasons with car development, while F1 25 offers Driver Career and a revamped My Team mode, with Braking Point able to continue into either. Choose F1 2016 if a clearly stated long career span is your priority; choose F1 25 if the newer official season and its named story and team modes matter more.
Conclusion
I recommend F1 25 to Xbox Series X owners who want the newest official season in this comparison and a mix of racing, team management, and story. For a group that wants to plan car setups and race together around a table, Championship Formula Racing is the distinct pick, with time for a session that could reach an hour. Choose F1 2016 if you play on PS4 and care more about its up-to-ten-season career than having a current roster. The right choice comes down to your console, preferred format, and whether season freshness or career structure leads your decision.
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