Sim racers grappling with the sometimes-unpredictable physics of F1 25 can breathe a sigh of relief. The latest title update, **Patch 1.06**, is now rolling out across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, bringing with it a suite of adjustments aimed at improving the racing experience, particularly when the heavens decide to open up.
Perhaps the most impactful change for those daring enough to race without manual shifting in a downpour is the significant tweak to the **automatic gearbox behavior in wet conditions**. Previously, players might have noticed their virtual machines behaving rather oddly, prone to aggressively short-shifting in higher gears. This not only felt unnatural but also put players at a distinct disadvantage when trying to compete effectively with the AI drivers, who seemed less bothered by the virtual monsoon.
The developers have now adjusted this logic, promising a more sensible and competitive experience. No longer will your virtual engineer seemingly panic and grab the highest possible gear at the worst possible moment, allowing players using automatic transmission to maintain better pace and composure when battling the elements (and the computer) for track position.
Beyond the deluge, the update also addresses a less intuitive, but equally frustrating, physics quirk. Investigations based on player observations revealed that player cars were suffering a greater performance penalty from **underbody scraping** compared to their AI counterparts. Minor contact with the track surface, a frequent occurrence especially over kerbs or bumps, was disproportionately reducing player top speed due to excessive floor friction.
Patch 1.06 adjusts the **front ride height** calculations and **floor friction levels** to mitigate this unfair disparity. This subtle tweak promises a more level playing field, ensuring your carefully designed setup isn`t unfairly hampered by clipping the track surface in the same way the AI might experience it.
Aside from these core gameplay adjustments, Update 1.06 polishes various aspects of the game through a range of bug fixes:
- Addressing stability issues in **Driver and My Team Career** modes, including scenarios where teams might hire too many drivers or players could be left without a contract offer.
- Resolving minor **graphical glitches** at several tracks and specific issues like Fernando Alonso`s car appearance after damage or Joshua Pearce`s national flag.
- Correcting errors in **Engineer and Broadcast commentary**, such as misidentifying the season year or providing incorrect pit stop recommendations based on tire wear.
- Fixing issues with the **Decal Editor** placement and appearance of numbers and sponsors.
- Improving visual quality, particularly for PlayStation 5 Pro in Quality Mode and resolving display issues on certain HDR PC monitors.
- Updating backend elements like the OpenVR SDK on PC, AMD FSR implementation, and UDP data output.
- General **stability improvements** and various **UI fixes**.
On a lighter note, the developers aren`t ignoring the real-world drama. While not part of the patch notes itself, the studio has teased a potential future driver rating update for Sauber`s Nico Hülkenberg following his impressive third-place finish at Silverstone – a result that broke his lengthy podium drought and the team`s dry spell stretching back to 2012. While not yet implemented, it signals the game`s intent to evolve alongside the actual sport.
Overall, Patch 1.06 appears to be a significant step towards refining F1 25`s core simulation and squashing irritating bugs that impacted gameplay fairness and career progression. Players can now tackle wet races with slightly more confidence and less concern about the game`s physics engines conspiring against them.
