EA Sports and Codemasters have rolled out another significant update, patch 1.04, for F1 25 across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S platforms. This latest patch provides a notable enhancement to the artificial intelligence (AI) drivers` performance specifically at the beginning of races. Players had previously noted that AI-controlled cars were not as competitive as expected when the starting lights went out, which is a critical and high-intensity phase of any Grand Prix weekend. The improvements to AI reactions and traction aim to make race starts more challenging and realistic going forward.
Following the pattern of previous updates, patch 1.04 also includes fixes targeting specific tracks. This time, the focus is on addressing issues with the track surface and lighting at Suzuka, as well as the track surface at Miami. Furthermore, the My Team game mode benefits considerably from bug fixes introduced in this patch. Problems that prevented players from engaging in contract negotiations with new drivers and issues causing incorrect cost cap graphs to display have been corrected.
A smaller, yet important detail for dedicated fans, is a fix related to the Williams team`s sponsor decals. They have now been updated to accurately reflect their real-world placement on the cars, driver suits, pit crew uniforms, and within the pit lane and paddock areas.
Full List of Changes in F1 25 Patch 1.04:
- Adjusted AI race starts to ensure competitive performance.
- Fixed an issue in My Team Career preventing players from approaching new drivers for contract talks after the first season under certain conditions.
- Reduced the thickness of tire smoke from skids and lock-ups, and increased its fade rate.
- Corrected an issue in My Team Career where the previous season`s Cost Cap graph was incorrectly displayed, implying it hadn`t reset.
- Updated Driver Accolades to accurately reflect achievements up to the end of the 2024 season.
- Fixed minor issues with the track surface at Miami.
- Fixed minor issues with the track surface in Japan (Suzuka).
- Fixed lighting issues within the team garages in Japan (Suzuka).
- Implemented improvements to shadows across various tracks.
- Updated Williams sponsor placements in various game areas to better match real-life appearance.
- Ensured the Kick Sauber car in Time Trial uses the correct driver number.
- Fixed an issue where using Rewind after the Safety Car entered the pits could trigger incorrect Engineer dialogue about Safety Car pit strategy.
- Fixed an issue causing incorrect timing information when requesting `Teammate Status` via the radio menu.
- Updated the game intro sequence to use the official 2025 F1 Opening Titles music.
- Fixed an issue in Braking Point where the Engineer might provide updates about the target position too frequently.
- Fixed an issue in Braking Point resulting in silent phone calls if an earlier call was declined by the player.
- Fixed an issue preventing drivers hired during Career mode from being assigned numbers 1 or 99.
- Fixed an issue allowing players invited to Invitational lobbies to join with simulation settings different from the host.
- Fixed an issue where applying a License Level restriction to an Invitational lobby did not prevent players with lower licenses from joining.
- Fixed the flickering `Caution` message seen by Spectators in Multiplayer sessions.
- Fixed a number of minor issues concerning the placement and appearance of numbers and sponsors in the Decal Editor.
- Fixed an issue causing Force Feedback to stop working on some steering wheels when restarting a Time Trial session from the results screen.
- Added action map support for Asetek Forte, La Prima, and Tony Kanaan wheelbases based on the existing Invicta map (PC Only).
- Improved the Tinnitus Relief Filter option in Audio and Accessibility Settings, allowing the frequency sound to start lower and fade in gradually.
- Fixed several issues that could cause the game to crash, based on player reports and stability telemetry.
- Fixed an issue where using Rewind after fixing a faulty DRS during a pit stop would cause the DRS to become broken again.
- Implemented various User Interface (UI) improvements.
- Made other general stability improvements.
Rupert Caldwell 
Tristan Blackwood