how to avoid contact when overtaking in F125

Learn about how to avoid contact when overtaking in F125

Updated October 6, 2025

Overtaking cleanly in F1 25 can feel brutal: front wings gone, 5s penalties, and angry AI or online rivals. That’s normal when you’re new—F1 cars close speed gaps fast, brake late, and lose front grip in dirty air. This guide shows you exactly how to avoid contact when overtaking in F125 with clear steps you can apply today.

Quick Answer

Build the pass before the brake zone, not in it. Map and use ERS Overtake and DRS for the run, get significantly alongside before turn‑in, brake earlier in dirty air, hold one committed line, and leave a car’s width through the corner. Enable Proximity Arrows/Virtual Mirror. Practice on safe corners first, review replays, and adjust.

Why how to avoid contact when overtaking in F125 Feels So Hard at First

Cars decelerate from 300+ km/h and tiny misjudgments cause huge closing speeds.
Dirty air reduces front downforce when you follow, extending your braking distance and adding understeer.
The AI (and many players) commit to their line if you aren’t already alongside at turn-in—late lunges get treated like you’re not there.
Online latency can make gaps look bigger/smaller than they are—extra margin is needed.

By the end, you’ll know where and how to attempt passes, how much overlap you need, what to change in your inputs and settings, and how to diagnose problems if contact keeps happening.

What how to avoid contact when overtaking in F125 Actually Means in F1 25

“Avoid contact” = plan the pass so the overlap is established before turn-in and maintain predictable lines with space throughout the corner.
“Significantly alongside” guideline: your front axle at least level with their rear axle by the moment they turn in. If you aren’t there, expect them to take the apex.
One move on the straight is OK; moving again in the braking zone risks contact and penalties.
Leave at least a car’s width when side-by-side on entry, apex, and exit.

Before You Start (Prerequisites)

Hardware: controller or wheel. Either works—precision helps, but technique matters most.
Game: F1 25 on the latest patch. Practice in Grand Prix or Career; apply in Multiplayer once consistent.
Menus you’ll use:
- Settings > Controls, Vibration & Force Feedback > Button Functions: map DRS, ERS Overtake, Look Back, Change Camera.
- Settings > Assists: consider ABS On, Traction Control Medium/Full while learning; Braking Assist Off for full control.
- Settings > On-Screen Display (OSD): enable Proximity Arrows and Virtual Rear-View Mirror if available.
- Replay/Flashback: for review and training.
Optional setup tweaks for stability (not required): Brake Pressure 95–98% (pads), Brake Bias 1–2% forward for heavy stops to reduce rear snap.

Step-by-Step: How to Fix / Improve how to avoid contact when overtaking in F125

Map and test your info tools

Open Settings > Controls > Button Functions.
Map ERS Overtake to an easy, no-look button; map DRS and Look Back; confirm Change Camera works.
Turn on Proximity Arrows and Virtual Mirror in OSD. You should see a DRS icon on straights, an “ERS” indicator when active, and arrows when a car is alongside.

Choose the right corners

Early focus: long DRS straights into heavy braking (Bahrain T1, Spain T1, Monza T1).
Avoid first learning on high-risk spots (tight chicanes, blind entries, double-apexes).

Build the run, don’t divebomb

Exit the preceding corner tight and early on throttle to maximize straight-line speed.
Open DRS when the icon turns green and press ERS Overtake on the straight—not mid-corner.
Tuck into slipstream but avoid clipping the diffuser; offset slightly to keep clean air on your front wing.

Decide inside vs outside before the 150m board

Make your single defensive/attack move on the straight only.
Commit to one line. Do not switch again once braking begins.

Establish overlap early

Aim to have your front wheels at least level with their rear wheels before the turn-in point.
If you’re not alongside by turn-in, abandon the lunge and set up a switchback (cut under on exit).

Brake earlier in dirty air

Dirty air extends stopping distance. Brake 5–15m earlier than you would alone.
Release the brake gently to avoid understeer into your rival. If understeer starts, straighten slightly and scrub speed safely.

Leave space while side-by-side

Inside pass: hug the inside, slow the car more than usual, and leave a full car’s width on the outside.
Outside pass: expect a tighter squeeze; leave room inside and prioritize a straighter, faster exit.

Control the exit

Feed throttle smoothly to avoid rear stepping out into your opponent.
Be ready to “lift to live”—if traction breaks, lift briefly rather than catching a slide into their sidepod.

Use Flashback to train the timing (if allowed)

If you tap wheels, Flashback to 2–3 seconds earlier and try braking 10m sooner or committing to a different line.
Repeat until you make the overtake with a clear car’s width maintained.

Review the replay

From the Replay screen, watch from TV cam and rival’s cockpit.
Check: overlap at turn-in, your braking point vs markers, and whether you changed line under braking.

Common Mistakes and Myths About how to avoid contact when overtaking in F125

Divebombing from 3+ car lengths back: AI/players will turn in; you weren’t there in time.
Moving under braking: illegal in real racing and risky in-game—causes netcode taps.
Relying on the Dynamic Racing Line: it doesn’t fully account for dirty air; brake earlier when following.
Spamming ERS everywhere: deploy on the straight only; mid-corner ERS can cause wheelspin or push you wide.
Staring at the rival’s car: look “through” to your apex/exit; use peripheral vision and Proximity Arrows.
Assuming ghosting will save you: not all lobbies ghost cars; never plan around it.

Troubleshooting and “What If It Still Feels Wrong?”

I keep rear-ending the car ahead into hairpins
- Likely cause: dirty air + slipstream overspeed. Action: brake earlier, start braking while offset for cleaner air, reduce Brake Pressure a bit and add 1–2% front Brake Bias on heavy stop tracks.
AI turns in on me every time
- Likely cause: you’re not alongside by their turn-in. Action: get overlap earlier by using ERS/DRS sooner or set up a switchback; don’t send a last-second lunge.
I get squeezed into the wall on straights
- Likely cause: you linger alongside without clearing them. Action: commit earlier, or lift slightly to slot in behind and try again at the next braking zone. You’re entitled to a car’s width, but leave margin in online lobbies.
Netcode bumps in Multiplayer
- Likely cause: latency/packet loss. Action: leave half a car extra space, avoid last-frame moves, and attack in wider braking zones. If possible, join lower-ping lobbies.
Wheelspin pushes me sideways into them on exit
- Likely cause: too much throttle/ERS at high slip angles. Action: reduce throttle aggression, save ERS for straights, consider TC Medium/Full while learning, and raise on-throttle diff only if you can control wheelspin.
Penalty even when it “wasn’t my fault”
- Likely cause: the game judged your move as avoidable contact (late lunge or line change). Action: review replay to verify overlap at turn-in; be earlier and more predictable next time.

Note: If your changes don’t seem to apply, make sure you saved settings and you’re using the intended preset in the current session.

What not to do

Don’t change line in the braking zone.
Don’t use ERS mid-corner while beside someone.
Don’t force the apex if you’re not alongside—reset and try the switchback.

Pro Tips Once You’re Comfortable

Battery timing: pulse ERS Overtake only from 5th gear up on the straight; off before turn-in to keep balance.
Switchback bait: show inside to make them defend; lift slightly, cut back, and drive past on exit with DRS.
Micro-offset in braking: stay 0.5 car-width off their wake to keep front grip and vision.
Corner-specific bias: nudge Brake Bias forward 1% for huge stops; bring it back for medium-speed corners.
Practice plan: 5-lap Grand Prix at Bahrain or Spain, AI 70–85. Aim for 3 clean passes per race and review replays.

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

You can complete 3+ clean overtakes in a 5-lap race without contact or warnings.
You’re consistently alongside before turn-in, not after.
No front wing damage or penalties across two consecutive races.
Your inputs feel calmer: earlier braking, one decisive move, smooth throttle on exit.

Master racecraft on the other side: check our guide on F125 defending cleanly.
Big gains come from stopping the car: read F125 braking technique.
Make your passes easier: learn F125 ERS and DRS management for smarter runs.

With these steps, you now have a reliable, repeatable process for how to avoid contact when overtaking in F125. Build the pass early, be predictable, leave space—and enjoy finishing races with your front wing intact.