F125 overtaking basics for beginners

Learn about F125 overtaking basics for beginners

If you’re new to F1 25, overtaking can feel impossible: you get close, hit dirty air, lose front grip, then either send a desperate dive or watch the car ahead drive away. That’s normal. F1 25 models aero wake, battery use, and DRS timing—get those right and passes become repeatable. This guide will teach you the core pattern so you can make clean, confident moves.

Quick Answer

Overtaking in F1 25 is about exit speed, energy timing, and braking discipline. Build the run out of the corner before a DRS zone, hit ERS Overtake on exit, open DRS at the line, slipstream, then brake slightly earlier and straighter than usual. If you don’t clear by apex, abandon and set up the next straight.

Why F125 overtaking basics for beginners Feels So Hard at First

• You’re fighting dirty air: following closely reduces front downforce, so the car understeers in medium/high-speed corners and overheats the fronts.
• Battery (ERS) and DRS timing are everything. If you deploy too late/early or exit the last corner poorly, you’ll be out-dragged even with DRS.
• Braking points change when you’re in a slipstream or off the rubbered racing line.

By the end of this guide you’ll know when and where to position the car, how to time ERS/DRS, and how to brake to finish clean overtakes without penalties.

What F125 overtaking basics for beginners Actually Means in F1 25

• ERS Overtake: Your battery gives a temporary power boost. Use it mostly on exits and straights, not mid-corner. Managing state-of-charge (SoC) is crucial.
• DRS: Available only in marked zones if you were within 1.0s at the detection line and it’s dry. DRS drastically reduces drag.
• Slipstream: Tucking behind reduces air resistance; your closing speed and braking distance change.
• Dirty Air: You’ll push wide if you follow too closely through medium-high speed corners.
• Racecraft: Where you place your car, the side you choose to pass on, and when you abandon a move matter as much as pace.

Before You Start (Prerequisites)

• Hardware: Controller or wheel. Both work—just map your buttons carefully.
• Game mode to practice: Grand Prix (5–25% race distance) or Time Trial to learn exits; then Career or Multiplayer once comfortable.
• Menus you’ll use:
  • Settings > Controls, Vibration & Force Feedback > [Your Device] > Edit Mappings
    • Map: DRS, ERS Overtake, Look Back, Change Camera, MFD (up/down/confirm) if you adjust bias/balance.
  • Settings > Assists
    • Consider: ERS Assist (On = game controls energy; Off = you control Overtake), Racing Line (Braking Only is ideal for learning).
  • Grand Prix > Race Settings
    • AI Difficulty (tune so you can catch but not blitz the car ahead).
• Track knowledge: Note each track’s DRS detection and activation lines (watch the HUD DRS icon and track boards).

You should now have DRS and ERS Overtake on convenient buttons and know how to toggle your MFD.

Step-by-Step: How to Fix / Improve F125 overtaking basics for beginners

1. Map controls and test

• Open Settings > Controls > Edit Mappings.
• Assign ERS Overtake to a button you can press while steering and upshifting. Assign DRS to a separate, easy-to-reach button.
• In a short Grand Prix session, press Overtake on a straight and verify the yellow battery bar depletes faster; press DRS when the HUD shows it’s available and see the wing open.

2. Pick the right overtaking zones

• Identify the longest straights with DRS. Plan to attack at the end of those.
• If corners feed into a DRS straight, focus on a clean exit rather than staying glued mid-corner.

3. Build the run (the lap before the pass)

• Aim to be 0.6–0.9s behind at the DRS detection line. Closer is better, but don’t cook your fronts in dirty air.
• If you’re 1.2–1.5s back, do a “prep lap”: save ERS, keep temps cool, and close the gap by optimizing exits.

4. Nail the final-corner exit

• Turn in a touch later, rotate, and straighten the wheel early to apply throttle cleanly.
• Short-shift if traction is marginal. Focus on minimum wheelspin.

5. Time your ERS and DRS

• Hit ERS Overtake from the apex/exit of the final corner onto the straight.
• Open DRS exactly at the activation line. Don’t spam too early—DRS won’t open before the line.
• Stay in the tow, but leave half a car-width of clean air on your front wing if you’re still cornering.

6. Commit to a side early

• Move off the racing line before the 150–100 m boards so the ahead driver can predict you.
• Pick the inside if you’re nearly alongside before the 100 m board; otherwise, position outside to threaten the switchback.

7. Adjust braking for slipstream and dust

• Brake 5–15 m earlier than your usual marker when you’re in a big tow or on the dirty side.
• Brake in a straight line first, then trail-brake gently to the apex.
• If not at least front axle alongside by the turn-in point, back out and set up the exit.

8. Leave room and finish the pass

• Keep a car’s width on entry if you’re inside; aim to be fully ahead by apex or early exit.
• If they hold the inside, prepare to cut back: late apex, square off, and re-accelerate with better traction.

9. Manage the battery

• Plan “attack laps” and “recovery laps.”
  • Attack: start with >60–70% battery; deploy down the main straight and maybe one more mini-straight.
  • Recovery: turn Overtake off, short-shift, and harvest for a lap.
• Don’t run 0%—you’ll be vulnerable.

10. Reset if it’s not on

• If you’re too far back at the detection line (>1.0s), don’t force it. Save ERS and try next lap.

Success looks like: you reach the braking zone with a positive overlap, brake under control, and exit either fully ahead or neatly tucked in with better drive for the next DRS.

Common Mistakes and Myths About F125 overtaking basics for beginners

• Mistake: Holding ERS Overtake all lap. Fix: Use it where it returns the most—corner exits and prime straights.
• Mistake: Opening DRS and then weaving late. Fix: Choose a side by the 150 m board; no late moves under braking.
• Mistake: Braking at your usual marker in the tow. Fix: Brake 5–15 m earlier and straighter.
• Mistake: Sitting on the gearbox in a fast corner. Fix: Back off slightly mid-corner to protect the front tires and maximize the exit.
• Mistake: Divebombing from >1.5 car lengths back. Fix: If you’re not alongside by turn-in, prepare the switchback.
• Myth: “Lower wings always overtake better.” Reality: Enough rear downforce often gives better exits, making passes easier.
• Myth: “DRS guarantees a pass.” Reality: Without a strong exit and ERS timing, you’ll stall alongside.

Troubleshooting and “What If It Still Feels Wrong?”

• DRS never appears

  • Likely cause: Not within 1.0s at detection, it’s raining, or DRS is disabled after incidents.
  • Fix: Watch the HUD DRS icon. Back off mid-corner to hit detection at 0.6–0.9s. Note: In wet conditions, DRS is off.

• Battery drains too fast

  • Likely cause: Over-using Overtake or wheelspin on exits.
  • Fix: Deploy only from exits onto straights; short-shift; run a recovery lap. Consider turning ERS Assist On while you learn timing.

• Illegal overtake penalty

  • Likely cause: Passing off-track or under yellow flags.
  • Fix: If prompted, give the place back immediately. Don’t pass before the green flag or while a yellow icon is on the HUD.

• Can’t out-brake AI without locking

  • Likely cause: Too rearward brake bias or cold brakes.
  • Fix: Move bias slightly forward via MFD (+1–2 clicks). Add a small earlier brake input and release smoothly.

• AI too fast on straights

  • Likely cause: Difficulty too high for your current pace.
  • Fix: In Grand Prix > Race Settings, reduce AI by 3–5 points and retest. Fine-tune until you can catch but not blast past.

• Car understeers badly when following

  • Likely cause: Dirty air.
  • Fix: Leave a small gap through fast corners, focus on the exit. If needed, add a click of front wing or lower on-throttle diff for traction.

• Changes don’t apply

  • Note: Save your setup or mappings before leaving the garage. If you exit without saving, your tweaks won’t persist.

What not to do:

• Don’t move in the braking zone.
• Don’t max ERS every lap; you’ll be a sitting duck later.
• Don’t send a lunge without overlap; repeated contact leads to damage and penalties.

Pro Tips Once You’re Comfortable

• Pre-DRS corner prep: Sacrifice mid-corner speed to square off the exit and launch.
• Detection-line games: If you’re leading a pair before detection, consider lifting slightly to let the rival cross first—then you get DRS to re-pass. Use sparingly and safely.
• Setup nudges for passing tracks: Slightly lower rear wing or a click longer 7th/8th gear (if available) for top speed; keep enough rear support for exits.
• Brake bias on attack: +1–2% forward for stability in a late-brake move; return to normal after.
• Camera and awareness: Use T-Cam for visibility, enable Proximity Arrows in OSD, and map Look Back to manage defense after passing.
• Tire care: A tiny lift mid-corner when following can prevent front overheating and keeps the car sharp for the exit.

How to Know It’s Working (Definition of Done)

Run a 10-lap Grand Prix at a familiar track and check:

• You complete at least 1–3 clean passes into main DRS braking zones with no contact or penalties.
• Your battery use is planned: you finish stints with 20–40% average SoC rather than hitting 0%.
• You brake a touch earlier in the tow and make apexes consistently.
• When a move isn’t on, you abort and then pass on the next straight with a better exit.

Next Steps and Related Guides

• Now that your F125 overtaking basics for beginners is dialed in, the next big gain usually comes from improving your braking technique. See: F125 braking technique.
• Master energy with our F125 ERS and DRS management guide.
• Struggling in packs? Read our F125 defensive driving and racecraft essentials.

Stay patient. Once you trust the pattern—prepare the exit, time ERS/DRS, commit early, brake straight—you’ll turn frustrating stalemates into smart, repeatable passes.