best overtaking spots in F125
Learn about best overtaking spots in F125
Updated October 22, 2025
Feeling stuck in DRS trains? You’re not alone. Figuring out the best overtaking spots in F125 can be frustrating because F1 25 cars are sensitive to dirty air and AI/online rivals defend hard into tight braking zones. This guide shows you exactly where and how to pass cleanly, so you turn close battles into confident, repeatable overtakes.
Quick Answer
The best overtaking spots in F125 are heavy-braking zones at the end of DRS straights (think T1s, hairpins, and slow chicanes). Prioritize exits onto these straights, open DRS, tap ERS Overtake 0.5–1.0s before your move, commit to the inside line, and trail-brake to the apex. Avoid high-speed esses; set up passes where the track naturally slows cars.
Why best overtaking spots in F125 Feels So Hard at First
- Dirty air reduces front grip, so following closely through fast corners overheats fronts and ruins exits.
- AI and human rivals brake check variably; if your braking point is vague, you’ll either rear-end them or miss the apex.
- DRS trains mean everyone has similar top speed; you must plan your battery use and corner exits, not just mash ERS.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know which corners to target on each track and the exact steps to prepare, launch, and finish a clean pass.
What best overtaking spots in F125 Actually Means in F1 25
When we say “overtaking spot,” we’re looking for:
- A long or medium straight (ideally with DRS) that ends in a slow corner.
- Clear braking references (150m/100m boards).
- Corner geometry that rewards inside positioning (hairpins, tight 90°s, slow chicanes).
In F1 25, the combination of DRS + ERS + late but controlled braking into slow corners is your highest-percentage pass.
Before You Start (Prerequisites)
- Hardware:
- Controller or wheel. Either works; consistency matters more than hardware.
- Game version/mode:
- Latest patch, practice in Time Trial and test in Grand Prix (25%) or Career. For online, use Multiplayer once consistent.
- In-game menus you’ll use:
- Settings > Controls, Vibration & Force Feedback: map buttons for DRS and ERS Overtake.
- Optional assists: Racing Line (Corners Only) and ABS while learning.
- Car Setup > Quick Setup: bias toward Top Speed on power tracks (Monza, Baku), balanced elsewhere.
- On-track HUD:
- Ensure the OSD shows ERS %, DRS indicator, and Delta to car ahead.
Tip for screenshots later: show the Controls screen where “ERS Overtake” is bound and highlighted, and the OSD with ERS percentage in the lower-right.
Step-by-Step: How to Fix / Improve best overtaking spots in F125
- Map your overtake tools
- Open Settings > Controls, Vibration & Force Feedback.
- Bind separate, easy-to-reach buttons for DRS and ERS Overtake (toggle or hold).
- Success looks like: You can hit DRS with your right thumb/finger and ERS with the other hand without moving your steering grip.
- Learn the detection and activation points
- Roll a practice lap in Time Trial, watch where DRS becomes available (icon flashes).
- Mentally note the last corner before each DRS straight.
- Success looks like: You can name the “setup corner” that feeds each prime straight on your current track.
- Perfect the exit before the straight
- Focus on the corner that leads onto the straight. Brake in a straight line, late apex, straighten the wheel early, then full throttle.
- If using assists, keep Traction Control on Medium/Full while learning exits.
- Success looks like: Minimal wheelspin and a stable car when you hit full throttle.
- Time your ERS deployment
- Use ERS Overtake only when you’re under 1.0s at detection and within slipstream.
- Toggle ERS 0.5–1.0s before you move out of the tow to complete the pass by the 100m board.
- Success looks like: You draw level before the braking zone, not in the middle of it.
- Commit to the safer line
- Prefer the inside into hairpins/slow chicanes.
- Brake at your marker, trail-brake to the apex; don’t dive from 4–5 car lengths back.
- Leave a car’s width on exit to avoid penalties and contact.
- Success looks like: Apex speed slightly slower than hot-lap pace but 100% under control.
- If the pass stalls, set up a switchback
- If they defend the inside and park it, prioritize exit: later turn-in, cut back under, then use traction + ERS to pass on the short run to the next bend.
- Success looks like: You exit with better throttle and complete the pass before the next corner.
- Recharge smartly
- If stuck in a DRS train, turn ERS Overtake OFF and recharge while drafting. Attack when the car ahead loses DRS or when your battery is >40–60%.
- Success looks like: One decisive overtake rather than three half-moves.
- Lock your braking references
- Use 150m/100m boards; adjust 5–10m earlier if following closely (dirty air).
- Consider Brake Bias +1–2% forward for stability on big lunges.
- Success looks like: No lock-ups, straight car, and you still make the apex.
Track‑by‑Track: Highest-Percentage Overtake Corners (Quick Hits)
Note: DRS placement can change with patches, but these heavy-braking targets rarely do.
- Bahrain: T1 (main straight), T4 (uphill right after short DRS), T11 (end of mid-straight).
- Jeddah: T1 (end of pit straight), T27 (last corner if you’ve built momentum).
- Australia (Albert Park): T3 (right-hander), T11/T13 situational; T1 is risky but viable with overlap.
- Japan (Suzuka): T1 (with a good 130R/Casio exit), Casio Triangle (T16–T17) on late brakes.
- China (Shanghai): T14 hairpin (after the endless T13 right), T6 occasionally.
- Miami: T17 hairpin (end of long back straight), T1 off the main straight.
- Imola: Tamburello (T2) after main straight; Rivazza exit to pit straight for T2 again.
- Monaco: Nouvelle Chicane (out of the tunnel) and T1 Saint Devote; extremely high risk—be clean.
- Canada (Montreal): Hairpin (T10), Final Chicane (T13–T14) with DRS tow.
- Spain (Barcelona): T1 chicane, T10 (La Caixa) if you compromised their T9.
- Austria (Red Bull Ring): T3 hairpin (top of the hill), T4 downhill right.
- Britain (Silverstone): Brooklands (end of Wellington straight), Stowe (end of Hangar straight).
- Hungary: T1 hairpin, T2 outside-to-inside switchback is common.
- Belgium (Spa): Les Combes (end of Kemmel), Bus Stop if you’re close.
- Netherlands (Zandvoort): T1 Tarzan (inside dive), T11–T12 DRS entry if you nail T10.
- Italy (Monza): T1 Rettifilo chicane, T4 Roggia; Ascari is low-percentage.
- Azerbaijan (Baku): T1 (end of mega-straight), T3 also workable; leave room near walls.
- Singapore: T7 (after DRS), T14/T16 situational—be patient.
- USA (COTA): T12 hairpin (end of back straight), T1 uphill hairpin with inside priority.
- Mexico: T1–T2–T3 complex (after very long straight), T4 also works.
- Brazil (Interlagos): T1 Senna S (with DRS), T4 Descida do Lago (second DRS).
- Las Vegas: Heavy-braking hairpins at ends of the ultra-long straights (T14/15); T1 also.
- Qatar (Lusail): T1 main-straight hairpin; other moves are opportunistic only.
- Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina): T6 chicane at end of first long straight and T9 hairpin (new layout) after the second.
Common Mistakes and Myths About best overtaking spots in F125
- Burning ERS everywhere: You’ll run dry in DRS trains. Save it for exits onto prime straights.
- Passing in fast esses (e.g., Suzuka S, Silverstone Maggotts/Becketts): Dirty air + high speed = spins and penalties.
- Divebombing from too far: If you’re not alongside by the 100m board, reset and try next straight.
- Ignoring exits: The pass starts at the previous corner’s apex, not at the braking board.
- Myth: “Overtaking is impossible at Monaco.” Hard, yes. Nouvelle Chicane with a tunnel tow is doable with discipline.
- Myth: “Always choose low downforce for more passes.” If you can’t follow in corners, you’ll lose the exits. Balance wings for the track.
Troubleshooting and “What If It Still Feels Wrong?”
I’m always 1.1s at DRS detection, never under 1.0s
- Likely cause: Poor prior-corner exit.
- Fix: Lower on-throttle differential a click (more rotation on power). In Quick Setup, nudge one step toward Top Speed. Focus on earlier throttle application and straighter wheel on exit.
I get wheelspin when I pop ERS
- Cause: Deploying too early/too hard in lower gears.
- Fix: Wait until 4th–5th gear to toggle ERS Overtake, or reduce throttle spike when you engage it. Keep TC on while learning.
I rear-end AI into hairpins
- Cause: They brake earlier or block inside late.
- Fix: Brake 5–10m earlier when tucked in dirty air; aim for inside but anticipate earlier decel. Map Brake Bias and go +1–2% forward for stability on the attempt.
I get stuck in DRS trains
- Cause: Everyone has DRS; your ERS timing is off.
- Fix: Recharge for 1–2 laps in the train, then attack when the car ahead of your target loses DRS or makes a mistake. Launch a decisive move with 40–60% battery.
I keep track-extending/penalties when finishing passes
- Cause: Pinching rivals or running them out of room on exit.
- Fix: Leave a car’s width at corner exit. Commit to the apex earlier so your line naturally opens.
Online desync/contact ruins my moves
- Cause: Netcode variance.
- Fix: Build overlap earlier, avoid last-second moves, and give extra margin near walls. Host quality matters; consider safer lobbies.
Note: If your control changes don’t apply, open Settings in-session, confirm bindings, and make sure you select Apply/Save before leaving the garage.
Don’t:
- Max out ERS every straight.
- Attempt passes into blind/high-speed corners.
- Change setup mid–Parc Fermé in Career expecting big top-speed jumps.
Pro Tips Once You’re Comfortable
- Micro setup nudges:
- Wings: −1 front or −1 rear on low-drag tracks to improve top speed and slipstream pull.
- On-throttle diff: 55–65% range (car/patch dependent) for traction-led exits.
- Brake bias: Map it; go slightly forward for lunges, neutral for normal running.
- Battery strategy:
- Attack in bursts. Recharge in the pack; spend where you can finish the move by the 100m board.
- Use ERS after stabilizing the car on exit, not mid-corner.
- Racecraft:
- Sell the outside, then switchback when they defend inside too deep.
- If you can’t pass into Corner A, compromise their exit to pass into Corner B.
How to Know It’s Working (Definition of Done)
Run these quick tests:
- Bahrain GP, AI you normally match: Start Lap 5 within 0.9s at the line; DRS + ERS to pass into T1 cleanly.
- Austria: Nail a pass into T3 or T4 from within 0.8–1.0s at detection, no lock-up, car stable on exit.
- Monza: Complete a pass before the T1 braking zone using slipstream + DRS + a short ERS burst.
Checklist:
- You consistently get under 1.0s at detection on target laps.
- You’re alongside by the 100m board on heavy-braking spots.
- Fewer warnings/penalties during passes.
- ERS ends races in the 5–20% range, not 0% by mid-distance.
Next Steps and Related Guides
- ERS mastery: Learn when to harvest and when to surge for clean passes.
- Braking technique: Trail-braking and markers that make late moves safe.
- Racecraft and defending: How to hold position without ruining exits.
Now that your best overtaking spots in F125 are dialed in, the next big gain usually comes from improving your braking technique and ERS timing. Check out our guides on F125 braking technique and F125 ERS management next.
