What Formula 1 is, NASCAR isn’t — and what NASCAR is, Formula 1 is definitely not. Being two completely different motorsport genres, they share one undeniable trait: adrenaline-fueled ballistic speeds.
An average Formula 1 car generates a ton of downforce, pulling G’s that would be almost unbearable for ordinary humans. NASCARs, on the other hand, go crazy fast around the course, relying less on downforce and aerodynamics.
Each discipline attracts a unique audience — whether it’s racetrack spectators or gamers who enjoy simulation on their screens. Today, our focus is on the gaming side, with a spotlight on two flagship racing titles from EA Sports and iRacing Studios. While both illustrate a different picture, here’s a complete comparison between F1 25 and NASCAR 25 out of curiosity.
F1 25 Vs NASCAR 25
Gameplay & Driving
Codemasters is known for its highly technical and fast-paced Formula 1 titles. F1 25, published by EA, is no exception and helps the franchise live up to its name. The gameplay is as good as it gets, simulating natural aerodynamic behavior, sharp handling across different cars, and realistic tire wear, which combine to deliver an ultimate Formula 1 experience.
Here, you don’t just drive a car, complete laps, and call it a day. Instead, each race of a season requires innovative strategies and effective team management to help you overcome the competitive AI and unforeseen weather conditions that can significantly disrupt your tactics. For die-hard fans, these features are a source of amusement, but for rookies, they pose a challenge.
When it comes to NASCAR 25, the story is a lot different. The game delivers it all to reflect stock-car heritage. iRacing Studios are synonymous with their true-to-life physics, and players can feel it when they plan their drafting and slipstream tactics on oval and road courses. In close-pack showdowns, the gameplay shines with a nearly accurate representation of NASCAR’s weight and momentum. At the same time, tire wear and pit strategies deepen the overall simulation.
In other words, NASCAR 25 isn’t as technical as F1 25 and welcomes various audiences by providing a sweet spot between arcade racing and simulation.
Career & Game Modes
Career mode is the main selling point of F1 25. As mentioned before, it provides more than just driving around and nailing apexes. Players have to keep a lot of things in check, including sponsors, team dynamics, and the technological aspects of both the team and the car.
The game includes every iconic track straight from the real F1 calendar, historic challenges, and leagues to extend replayability. Furthermore, there are multiplayer modes that fuel competitiveness through ranked and endurance events.
In NASCAR 25, the career mode is equally robust. While it’s not as deep as F1 25, it features multiple series, such as the renowned Cup Series, Xfinity, Truck, and ARCA, which are enough to give fans an immersive experience.
You get to deal with sponsors, the car’s technical aspects, and create a dominant name on the leaderboard by grinding multiplayer. Similar to F1 25, each mode allows you to race on authentic tracks, which collectively qualify this game as a must-play for any enthusiast.
Graphics & Presentation
F1 25 is a visual eye candy. Tracks, pit lanes, drivers, cars, and everything else look and feel realistic because it was built from the ground up for current-gen machines, ditching the PS4/Xbox One era. Every on-track action is backed by engaging, authentic commentary from notable F1 figures like David Croft and Alex Jacques. Spectators, cinematics, and how they change with weather and region are also entirely out of the box and worth praising in F1 25’s presentation.
As a racing game also explicitly tailored for current-generation gaming machines, NASCAR 25 visually gives F1 25 a run for its money. Each car is identical to its real-life version in terms of detail and authenticity. Challenging tracks such as Darlington Raceway offer a carbon copy of an average race day, with energetic crowds, media, and drivers.
Commentary, on the other hand, is not as full-blown as F1 25 and is limited to in-game voiceovers. Regardless, it’s still appealing, especially to those who live and die for this discipline.
Which One Is For You?
There’s a straight answer to it: the one that simulates the sport you are into. No matter what you choose, both of these titles hold up well when it comes to showcasing their respective disciplines. If you are someone who wants to simulate the golden Ferrari days, F1 25 delivers all the goods you need.
Similarly, NASCAR 25 caters to those deeply committed to the sport; recreating the iconic Hail Melon, however, is questionable.
