F1 25 Driver Ratings Spark Debate: Is Piastri Undervalued?
The release of driver ratings for F1 25 by EA Sports has ignited a fiery debate among Formula 1 fans. While reigning world champion Max Verstappen unsurprisingly tops the list with a stellar 95 OVR, the placement of other drivers, particularly McLaren's Oscar Piastri, is causing quite a stir. Is the video game accurately reflecting the current state of Formula 1, or are the ratings skewed by past performances and perceived potential?
EA Sports uses four secondary stats – Experience, Racecraft, Awareness, and Pace – to determine a driver's overall rating. Verstappen's dominance is reflected in his impressive stats across the board, leading with 96 in both Racecraft and Pace. However, the "Experience" stat is emerging as a key factor in the controversy, potentially undervaluing younger, rapidly improving drivers like Piastri.
Despite currently holding a strong position in the real-life championship standings, Piastri receives an 87 OVR in F1 25, placing him behind more seasoned drivers like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. This discrepancy has raised eyebrows, with some arguing that Piastri's recent performances warrant a higher initial rating. As one article points out, though McLaren seems to have the best car right now, which is helping Piastri and Norris, “Norris is still thought of so much more highly when Piastri has just come off winning three straight races in a row in real life and leads the standings.”
The rankings also highlight the challenges in assessing rookie drivers. While some rookies like Kimi Antonelli are showing immense promise in real life, their lack of experience impacts their in-game ratings. The complete F1 25 driver ratings reveal intriguing choices, sparking conversations about the balance between historical achievements and current form.
Adding to the excitement, a recent video shows drivers themselves reacting to their ratings in F1 25. This further fuels the conversation and gives fans insight into how the competitors perceive their own skills and rankings.
EA Sports has stated that driver ratings will be updated throughout the F1 season to reflect real-world performance. This means that undervalued drivers like Piastri have the opportunity to climb the ranks as the season progresses.
F1 25 is set to release on May 30 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. With a new story mode and updated features, the game offers players the opportunity to challenge these initial rankings and prove whether EA Sports got it right.
Do you agree with the initial F1 25 driver ratings? Who do you think is overrated or underrated? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!