F125 ERS strategy for races

Learn about F125 ERS strategy for races

Updated October 3, 2025

If you’re new to F1 25, getting your head around F125 ERS strategy for races can feel maddening: your battery drains in two laps, you can’t pass on the straights, and the AI seems to rocket by at will. That’s normal. ERS in F1 25 rewards timing and restraint: energy harvests under braking and deploys in bursts, and learning when to save and when to spend is the whole game. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to set up your controls, budget your battery, and deploy ERS to attack, defend, and manage a race.

Quick Answer

Use ERS like a budget, not a boost you hold. Map the Overtake button, save to 60–100% by lifting/braking and using “No Deploy” when stuck, then spend in short bursts on the longest straights—ideally with DRS—after a clean exit. Don’t drain to 0%. Attack on in/out-laps and race restarts; harvest behind cars or when tires are overheating.

Why F125 ERS strategy for races Feels So Hard at First

You’re juggling traction, DRS, tire temps, fuel, and battery—all while racing. It’s easy to press Overtake everywhere and empty the pack.
F1 25 models ERS harvesting and a limited power output: even at 100% charge, there’s a cap per second and per lap on how much extra power you can send. Mindless spamming doesn’t work.

Promise: Follow the steps below and you’ll stop wasting battery in corners, hit straights with charge, and make passes stick without running dry.

What F125 ERS strategy for races Actually Means in F1 25

ERS is your car’s rechargeable battery (primarily the MGU-K) that adds electrical power on top of the engine.
It charges (harvests) when you brake and sometimes while lifting/off-throttle. It deploys when you press the ERS Overtake button, and (depending on assists) via a baseline automatic deployment.
Key HUD items:
- Battery percentage: your current charge.
- “OT” or Overtake indicator: lights when ERS is actively deploying.
- MFD ERS page: lets you select No Deploy/Medium/Hotlap (names can vary by mode/patch) or just manage Overtake. If your build doesn’t show modes, you still have the Overtake button.
Core principle: Use ERS in short, targeted bursts after a clean corner exit and before braking, especially when you have DRS. Save in corners and dirty air sections.

Before You Start (Prerequisites)

Platforms: F1 25, latest patch.
Modes: Works in Grand Prix, Career/My Team, Multiplayer. Time Trial often uses an always-on hotlap-like deployment and won’t teach race battery management.
Assists:
- ERS Assist: When ON, the game handles baseline deployment. You can still use Overtake. When OFF, you’ll typically also get access to No Deploy via the MFD for faster harvesting.
Controls to set:
- Settings > Controls > Edit Bindings:
  - ERS Overtake (bind to an easy thumb/finger button).
  - If available: Toggle/Hold Overtake (choose what feels natural), MFD open/left/right/up/down, and Confirm to change ERS deploy mode.
On-screen elements:
- Ensure the HUD shows battery percent and MFD prompts. You can toggle HUD elements in Settings > On-Screen Display.

Step-by-Step: How to Fix / Improve F125 ERS strategy for races

Map your ERS controls

Bind ERS Overtake to a button you can tap quickly on exits (wheel: thumb button/paddle; controller: a bumper).
Optional: set Hold instead of Toggle if you prefer micro-bursts. Success: You can press and see the “OT” indicator light on and off instantly.

Pick an ERS baseline

If ERS Assist is ON: let the game handle baseline, use Overtake for extra power.
If ERS Assist is OFF: open the MFD (e.g., D-Pad), navigate to ERS, and set Medium/Default for running and No Deploy for harvesting stints. Success: You can swap to No Deploy and watch the battery rise lap-on-lap.

Plan a simple battery budget by race length

5-lap sprint: Spend more early but keep ~20–30% for the final lap.
25% race: Live between 30–80%. Save in traffic; spend on straights with DRS.
50–100% race: Cycle 1–2 “save laps” (No Deploy, lift a touch) to reach ~80–100%, then 1–2 “attack laps” using Overtake on the longest straights. Success: You rarely see <10% battery except by choice before a pit stop.

Nail the race start

Off the line, focus on traction. Activate Overtake only once the car is straight in 3rd–4th gear to avoid wheelspin.
Toggle off before the T1 braking zone. Success: Strong launch without red-lining battery or spinning.

Use Overtake only where it pays

Best spots: exits of slow/medium corners leading to the longest straights, especially with DRS.
Method: Wait until the car is pointed, open throttle, then tap Overtake for 1–2 seconds. Release by the 150–100m board before braking.
Combine with slipstream and DRS for maximum effect. Success: You gain 0.15–0.40s on long straights and complete passes into heavy-brake zones.

Harvest smart when stuck

If you can’t pass or you’re overheating tires, switch to No Deploy (or simply stop using Overtake) for 1–2 laps.
Brake smoothly and lift slightly earlier to maximize harvest. Success: Battery climbs back toward 70–100% without losing too much time.

Attack and defend with purpose

Breaking DRS: If the car behind is within 0.9s, deploy on corner exits feeding the next detection point to push the gap beyond 1.0s.
Overtaking: Save to 50–80%, then time Overtake + DRS for a decisive move. Don’t spam ERS mid-corner.
Defending: If a rival has DRS and is <0.4s back, use Overtake on the main straight. Toggle off as you move back to the racing line and brake. Success: You keep position without depleting the battery.

In-lap, out-lap, and restarts

In-lap: Save early in the lap so you can boost from the penultimate corner to the pit entry delta.
Out-lap: Use bursts where safe to get the new tires into the window and clear any undercut threats.
Safety Car/Virtual SC: Harvest. On restart, arm Overtake as the leader goes; deploy on the first long straight only. Success: You gain track position without burning your full stash.

Wet and low-grip races

Be conservative. Use shorter bursts and only from 4th gear onward to avoid wheelspin.
Traction control ON helps newer players; short-shift under Overtake if you feel rear slip. Success: No ERS-induced wheelspin, clean exits, and controlled defense.

Common Mistakes and Myths About F125 ERS strategy for races

Holding Overtake through corners: Wastes energy and overheats tires. Use it after the apex, not before.
Emptying the battery early: Running 0% makes you a sitting duck for multiple laps. Keep a floor of ~15–25%.
Using ERS where you can’t pass: Short, twisty sections rarely pay back the cost. Save for DRS straights.
Assuming Time Trial teaches race ERS: It doesn’t. Practice in Grand Prix or Career where harvesting matters.
Thinking more ERS equals instant pass: Without a good exit and DRS, ERS alone may not be enough. Prioritize corner exits.

Troubleshooting and “What If It Still Feels Wrong?”

Battery drains in 2–3 laps
- Likely cause: Overtake held too long or used in traction zones and short straights.
- Fix: Use 1–2 second bursts only on the longest straights after clean exits. Add 1 “No Deploy” lap every 3–4 laps to recharge.
I can’t change ERS modes in the MFD
- Likely cause: ERS Assist ON or your current mode doesn’t expose manual modes.
- Fix: Check Settings > Assists > ERS Assist. If you prefer manual, turn it OFF. Rebind MFD controls. Note: In some patches/modes you may only have Overtake; harvesting still works by simply not deploying.
Overtake causes wheelspin
- Likely cause: Deploying too early while still turning or in lower gears.
- Fix: Wait until the car is straight and in 3rd–4th gear. Use traction control assist or short-shift under ERS.
Even with ERS, I still can’t pass
- Likely cause: Poor exits or too much wing; rival has DRS too.
- Fix: Focus on the corner before the straight—brake earlier, square off, earlier throttle. Save battery to pair with DRS. Consider setup tweaks later, but racecraft first.
Changes don’t apply mid-race
- Likely cause: MFD selection not confirmed or wrong page.
- Fix: After opening MFD, navigate to the ERS page and confirm the selection. Watch for the HUD confirmation text.

Note: Don’t run permanent “Hotlap/High” in a race (if available). It will drain the battery and leave you defenseless.

Pro Tips Once You’re Comfortable

Micro-bursts: Tap Overtake for 0.5–1.0 seconds at peak acceleration points to stretch gaps or nudge within DRS.
DRS trains: Save while in the train; spend only when you’re ready to pass the next car. Don’t waste ERS dragging the whole train faster.
Break the 1.0s: Target ERS use just before detection points to deny DRS to rivals behind.
Phase your race: Save in dirty air or on worn tires, attack with fresh tires or clean air—especially around pit cycles.
Watch temps: If rears overheat, reduce ERS bursts until they cool; power on overheated tires adds slide and destroys grip.

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

You finish most laps with 20–70% battery and rarely hit 0%.
Your passes happen on the main straights with DRS + short ERS bursts, not random corners.
You can defend without panic-draining, and you can recharge in 1–2 laps when needed.
Lap times stabilize; you’re not fast for two laps and slow for five.
In the HUD, you consistently time Overtake to start after apex and end before the braking board.

Now that your F125 ERS strategy for races is dialed in, the next big gain usually comes from improving exits. Read our guide on F125 braking and corner exit technique.
Want more pace on straights without burning battery? Check our F125 DRS timing and racecraft guide.
Struggling in long runs? See F125 tire management and stint planning to pair with your ERS cycles.

What F125 ERS strategy for races Means in F1 25

In short: treat ERS like a race-long resource. Harvest in corners and when stuck, then spend in clean, short bursts on the biggest straights—ideally with DRS. Master that rhythm and your race pace, overtakes, and defense will all click.