when to use overtake ERS in F125

Learn about when to use overtake ERS in F125


Updated October 23, 2025

Struggling to figure out when to use overtake ERS in F125? You’re not alone. New players often burn the battery at the wrong time and feel slow on the straights or helpless when defending. This happens because F1 25 simulates limited electrical energy per lap, and timing matters more than raw usage. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly when and how to deploy ERS Overtake to pass, defend, and set fast laps without running flat.

Quick Answer

Use ERS Overtake mainly on the exits of slow-to-medium corners that lead onto long straights, in short bursts once the car is straight. Spend to:

  • Attack into DRS zones
  • Defend when a rival has DRS
  • Starts/restarts Keep a floor of ~20–30% battery except for critical moments or final laps. Don’t run Overtake through corners or to 0%.

Why when to use overtake ERS in F125 Feels So Hard at First

  • ERS is limited: you only harvest so much per lap under braking. If you use too much too early, you’ll be underpowered later.
  • Overtake gives diminishing returns at very high speeds, so timing and short bursts beat “always on.”

Promise: Follow this guide and you’ll have a simple plan for attacking, defending, and qualifying that keeps your battery healthy and your straight-line speed strong.

What when to use overtake ERS in F125 Actually Means in F1 25

  • ERS Overtake is a push-to-pass deployment mode that increases MGU-K electrical power for a straight-line boost.
  • It consumes your battery (SOC, state of charge). The HUD shows a percentage and an “OT”/Overtake indicator when active.
  • You harvest energy mainly under braking; you cannot rely on constant harvesting to cover constant Overtake use.
  • Principle: Deploy where it converts best into lap time—on traction-friendly exits onto long straights and in pass/defend situations.

Before You Start (Prerequisites)

  • Hardware: Controller or wheel. Map ERS Overtake to a reachable button.
  • Game version/mode: F1 25, latest patch. Applies to Time Trial, Grand Prix, Career, and Multiplayer.
  • Assists and menus you’ll use:
    • Settings > Assists: Set ERS Assist to Off to control Overtake yourself.
    • Settings > Controls: Bind ERS Overtake to a button. Consider using a hold-friendly button to avoid leaving it on.
    • In-race HUD/MFD: Learn where you see ERS (%) and the Overtake (OT) indicator.

How to check on-screen:

  • Bottom-right HUD typically shows battery percent and an “OT” light when active.
  • The MFD ERS page (open the MFD and cycle pages) shows your current charge and deployment status.

Step-by-Step: How to Fix / Improve when to use overtake ERS in F125

  1. Set up control and assist
  • Pause > Settings > Assists: ERS Assist: Off
  • Pause > Settings > Controls > Edit: Map ERS Overtake to a thumb button/paddle you can hit on corner exit. Result: You should be able to press your mapped button and see an “OT” indicator light up on the HUD.
  1. Learn the deployment “sweet spot”
  • On a practice lap, exit a slow/medium corner onto a straight.
  • Wait until the car is mostly straight and traction is stable (often 3rd–4th gear on a controller, earlier if you’re very smooth).
  • Press Overtake for 1–3 seconds, then off. Repeat once if needed. Result: You’ll feel a strong surge early in the straight with less wheelspin risk.
  1. Attack plan (overtaking)
  • Use ERS Overtake in three moments: a) To get within 1.0s of the car ahead before a DRS detection. b) On the exit onto the straight where you’ll use DRS. c) In short pulses to complete the pass before braking.
  • Turn it off once your speed gain tapers (usually top gears) or the move is done. Result: You reach DRS cleanly and finish the pass without draining the entire battery.
  1. Defend plan
  • If a rival behind has DRS, use Overtake on the same long straight in short bursts.
  • Prioritize exits after slow corners where DRS is strongest.
  • Spend less than you would to attack; aim to keep 20–30% in reserve. Result: You neutralize their DRS enough to hold position into the braking zone.
  1. Starts and restarts
  • At race start or Safety Car/Virtual Safety Car restart, use Overtake from 2nd/3rd gear once you’re straight to maximize launch and prevent being swamped.
  • Avoid holding Overtake through the entire run if traction is poor; burst it. Result: Stronger launches without wheelspin or battery blowout.
  1. Qualifying routine
  • Out-lap: Do not use Overtake; start hot lap at ~100% SOC.
  • Hot lap: Use Overtake on the main straight and the next longest straight. Focus on exits, short bursts.
  • In-lap: Don’t deploy; let the battery recover for the next run. Result: Consistent peak deployment where it matters most.
  1. Race battery budget
  • Rule of thumb:
    • Normal laps: Spend small bursts on 1–2 key straights (5–10% SOC total).
    • Attack/Defend laps: Spend more (10–20%), then recharge on a calmer lap.
    • Keep a floor of ~20–30% except late-race or must-pass moments. Result: You’ll avoid running flat and becoming a sitting duck.
  1. Track-specific mindset
  • Power tracks (Monza, Baku, Jeddah): Save for the longest straights; short bursts off key corners only.
  • Technical tracks (Monaco, Hungary): Use sparingly—main straight and critical overtakes; traction first.
  • Mixed tracks (Silverstone, Bahrain): Focus on exits leading to DRS zones (e.g., Bahrain T10/T13, Silverstone Luffield to Wellington). Result: Maximum return on deployment per circuit type.
  1. Wet or low grip conditions
  • Delay Overtake until you’re fully straight and stable. Favor even shorter pulses.
  • Consider using slightly later in the straight to avoid traction losses. Result: Power without spinning the rears.
  1. After passing: break DRS
  • If you complete a pass before a detection line, use a small burst to clear 1.0s by the next detection. Result: You avoid being repassed immediately.

Common Mistakes and Myths About when to use overtake ERS in F125

  • “Use Overtake the whole straight.” Myth. It has diminishing returns at very high speeds. Early-to-mid straight bursts yield more benefit.
  • “Spam it every lap.” Mistake. You’ll bottom the battery and lose defense later.
  • “Use it in corners for faster exits.” Risky. It often causes wheelspin; use once the car is straight.
  • “DRS makes Overtake unnecessary.” Not true. DRS plus a short ERS burst is the strongest combo for passing.
  • “0% is fine; it recharges fast.” Mistake. Recharging is limited. Hitting 0% makes you slow and vulnerable for several laps.

Troubleshooting and “What If It Still Feels Wrong?”

  • Overtake button does nothing

    • Likely cause: ERS Assist is On, or the button isn’t bound.
    • Fix: Settings > Assists > ERS Assist: Off. Then Settings > Controls > bind ERS Overtake. Test in practice.
    • Note: Some control profiles may have conflicts—clear duplicate bindings if needed.

  • I keep leaving Overtake on by accident

    • Likely cause: Toggle behavior plus a hard-to-reach button.
    • Fix: Map to an easy button and train a quick “on-off.” Consider using a press-and-hold workflow if your hardware supports it. Watch the “OT” light on the HUD.

  • Massive wheelspin when I hit Overtake

    • Likely cause: Deploying too early or too aggressive throttle.
    • Fix: Wait until the car is straight/in higher gear; use shorter bursts. If needed, increase Traction Control assist slightly while learning.

  • Battery always empty mid-race

    • Likely cause: Overspending early or using on short straights.
    • Fix: Set a floor (20–30%). Reserve for key straights/DRS moments. Do a “recovery lap” with minimal deployment after attacking.

  • Overtake disabled unexpectedly

    • Likely cause: Yellow flags, pit limiter, or low SOC.
    • Fix: Check flags, turn off limiter after pit exit, and ensure SOC > 0%.

  • I can’t pass even with Overtake

    • Likely cause: Using it too late or in small doses after top speed saturates.
    • Fix: Start deployment earlier on the exit to maximize acceleration; combine with DRS; commit to a 1–3s burst and then off.

Note: If your changes don’t seem to apply, make sure you saved control/assist settings before leaving the pause menu.

Pro Tips Once You’re Comfortable

  • Micro-bursts: Try 0.5–1.5s pulses right after traction stabilizes. This front-loads acceleration where gains are biggest.
  • DRS timing: Use a small burst before the DRS detection to get within 1.0s, then another burst as you open DRS on the straight.
  • Undercut/overcut: On out-laps and in-laps, use Overtake off key corners to beat the delta around the pit window.
  • Sector planning: Pick 1–2 “ERS corners” per lap (exits to long straights). This consistency stabilizes battery management.
  • AI/multiplayer: Expect aggressive ERS from rivals. Have a defense burst ready if you’re low on fuel or tires.

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

Run these checks in a 5–10 lap stint:

  • Your battery rarely dips below ~20% except for deliberate attacks or final laps.
  • You can get into DRS range when needed and complete passes within 1–2 braking zones.
  • When defending, you’re not being blown past on every DRS straight.
  • Your lap deltas improve on laps where you time ERS on exits of the two longest straights.
  • You can toggle Overtake reliably without accidental “always-on.”
  • ERS fundamentals: Learn how harvesting works and how to read the HUD in our F125 ERS management basics.
  • Racecraft: Now that your when to use overtake ERS in F125 is dialed in, the next big gain is maximizing DRS usage and positioning. See our F125 overtaking and DRS guide.
  • Traction and exits: Cleaner throttle = better ERS gains. Check out our F125 braking and throttle control guide for smoother launches onto straights.

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