F1 25 Preview Part Three: Braking Point 3 Adds More Drive to Survive-Style Drama Up Front

The Braking Point modes in the F1 series have become a staple for those intrigued by the drama of racing. With each iteration, they’ve evolved, just as the TV-drama aspects of the sport have gained prominence. If you’re someone who prefers to stick to the authentic simulation aspect of the game, this mode might not be your first choice. However, for those who enjoy a bit of storytelling mixed into their racing experience, there’s definitely an audience eagerly awaiting it.

Drama has always been part of what makes watching cars zoom around tracks exciting. Love it or hate it, it’s undeniably a big part of how fans engage with the sport today. For those looking to inject a little extra drama into their Sundays, the third installment of Braking Point in F1 25 seems to have some exciting developments on the horizon.

Gavin Cooper, the creative director, shared insights about this mode: “When we first introduced the characters of Braking Point in ’21 and later Konnersport in ‘23, making them feel authentic was crucial. It wouldn’t make sense if they suddenly started winning championships from the get-go.” This year’s version shakes things up. After a successful winter investment and a strong start, Konnersport is poised to challenge the leading teams of F1. Cooper hinted at a major twist early in the story that throws the team into chaos, with the familiar Butler family drama remaining a key theme.

Players will step back into the shoes of drivers Aiden Jackson and Callie Mayer. You have the choice of racing as either of these characters in pivotal events within the story. Codemasters has focused on enhancing player agency, introducing diverse on-track objectives and narrative twists that vary based on the character you select. Moreover, the storyline offers alternative endings depending on which driver you choose more frequently, creating potential replay value for those who want to explore both paths.

During my hands-on, I chose Mayer for the initial two events, starting with a testing stint in Bahrain, where the aim was to get comfortable with the car by completing a few laps at a set pace. The first major race at Imola kicked things up a notch, thrusting players into action midway through the race after an early collision with a Dutch Red Bull driver—a nod to real-world accuracy.

Starting from seventh, the challenge was to climb back to the podium and earn extra points by overtaking Verstappen before a specific lap. As it was my first time playing this snippet of the game, I opted for minimal driver assists paired with a challenging difficulty level. Initially, this proved tough with the cars in the lead having already pulled ahead. Lowering the difficulty made it manageable, highlighting just how well the higher AI is tuned for those at the top of their game or using numerous aids.

This year, Codemasters has adjusted the difficulty spectrum, adding a fourth tier to the existing three to help players find their sweet spot. Even so, during this brief session, the jump from too easy to too hard seemed to lack that middle ground necessary for me. That’s often the case, though, as optimal settings can be elusive and vary greatly depending on track conditions and individual performance.

Back to the Braking Point storyline—this new investment comes courtesy of Davidoff Butler, a recurring rich character, father to Callie Mayer and Devon Butler. Devon now advises the team after retiring from racing, while Jackson and team boss Casper Akkerman also play significant roles. Expect the dynamics within the Butler family to drive much of the drama.

Though I haven’t been deeply invested in Braking Point’s narrative until now, I’m curious to see how Mayer’s journey unfolds, especially considering she’s a fictional first female F2 champion stepping into F1. Historically, the sport hasn’t seen a woman compete in a full race weekend since Giovanna Amati in 1992, though recent years have seen women like Jamie Chadwick and Jessica Hawkins taking part in testing roles. Also notable is the F1 Academy series, giving women their due spot in the sport.

To enrich the storytelling experience, Codemasters has used Nvidia Audio2Face animation technology for more lifelike press conferences and interviews, where you can see your driver respond to questions. Additionally, once you’ve completed Braking Point’s story, you’re given the option to import the Konnersport team into the MyTeam 2.0 mode to continue your journey, operating within typical team management mechanics.

Whether the drama-filled narrative keeps you engrossed enough to advance past Braking Point 3 or leaves you saturated from all the Drive To Survive-esque drama is something only time will tell.