F1 25 is a game jumps that lets you jump right in, featuring fresh physics and precise controls that punish even the tiniest slip-ups.
Starting with the basics is perfectly fine if you're new or a bit out of practice.
This guide explains how to stay focused, cut out unnecessary restarts, and actually enjoy the thrill of racing like a budding pro.
F1 25: Beginners Guide
F1 25 can feel a bit tough at first, especially if you're new to sim-style racing, but it's not impossible to get into.
The challenge mostly comes from how realistic the driving mechanics are. It's not enough to floor the accelerator or brakes to win since you have to be precise.
Understanding the best racing lines, braking spots and how to manage track changes is essential.
What Race Style and AI Level Should You Start With?
As soon as you start, the game prompts you to select a race style: Casual, Standard, or Expert.
If you're new, Casual mode is best since it relaxes handling, provides a reset after off-track moments, and includes adaptive AI that scales with your pace. That means you'll never feel too far behind or bored upfront.
It's perfect if you're still figuring out how these cars behave. Once you're comfortable, switch to Standard, which opens more customizable assists and a closer-to-real handling experience. Avoid Expert until you fully understand braking zones, tire wear, and advanced techniques like manual ERS or car setup adjustments.
As for AI difficulty, don't guess blindly. Run a lap in Time Trial mode, then plug your lap time into one of the many F1 25 AI calculators online (like F1Laps).
After that, adjust the number a bit if the races still seem too easy or too difficult. Each second difference between you and your in-game teammate usually equals about 10 AI difficulty points.
Which Assists Should You Use (And When Should You Turn Them Off)?
Driving assists are there to ease the pressure when learning, and that's exactly what they should be used for.
Here's a solid starting setup for new players:
- Steering Assist: Off (learn manual control early)
- Braking Assist: Off (you need to learn when to brake yourself)
- Traction Control: Medium or Full
- ABS: On
- Racing Line: On (corners only)
- Gearbox: Automatic
- ERS & DRS Assist: On
Once you feel consistent on a few tracks without spinning out or locking up, start phasing these off one by one.
For example, try manual gears once you're comfortable braking, or reduce traction control to medium and eventually to off.
This helps you build the muscle memory you'll need if you want to play competitively later on.
How Should You Set Up Your Controls for Better Handling?
Use a rotation angle of 360 to 400 degrees on your wheels to affect turning precision.
Lower rotation settings (around 360°) lead to snappier input responses, while higher settings feel more stable. For controller players, raise the steering rate to around 110–130% and adjust linearity so minor thumbstick moves don't make the car twitch.
This makes throttle and steering feehwl more forgiving when you're still learning. If using a force-feedback wheel, keep the dampening low so you can better sense the road and car movements.
What's the Best Way to Learn Tracks Without Pressure?
Jumping into Time Trial mode is one of the fastest ways to understand how your car behaves without worrying about tire wear, fuel load, or opponents.
Conditions are always perfect, and you can focus on:
- Mastering braking points
- Perfecting your racing line
- Building consistency lap after lap
You can also load ghosts from esports drivers to see their racing lines and throttle/brake inputs. It's one of the best tools for self-improvement.
And if esports setups feel too twitchy for your style, especially on a controller, try downloading Steam Workshop setups or preset setups made for career modes. These are often more balanced for long races and easier to drive.
How Do You Set Up Your HUD to Stay More Aware on Track?
Before hitting the track, head into the On-Screen Display (OSD) settings and adjust your HUD for better visibility and awareness.
- Enable Full Track Map: Take in the entire race and all opponents, not only the nearby ones.
- Turn On Proximity Arrows: These show where other cars are next to you.
- Red = side-by-side, White = nearby.
- Add Virtual Rearview Mirror: Helps track opponents without needing to constantly look behind.
- Enable Delta Time: This shows whether your current lap is faster or slower than your previous.
- Turn on Permanent Timer: This way, you'll always see session countdowns in qualifying or practice.
These small tweaks improve situational awareness and keep your races cleaner and more strategic.
When Should You Use ERS and When Should You Save It?
Tire management is where beginners often lose the most time.
Soft tires are quick off the line but wear out fast, making them perfect for short sprints or brief runs.
Mediums give balanced grip and durability, ideal for most races. Hard tires last longer but are slower, perfect if you want to minimize pit stops.
Starting on Medium tires and switching to Hards halfway through the race is a clever move for beginners. It's safe, simple, and usually only needs one pit stop.
Also, learn to manage ERS (Energy Recovery System):
- Use Overtake Mode only when passing or defending
- Save battery between straights
- Avoid keeping the battery at 100 percent for too long and manage its use wisely.
Turning off ERS assists later gives you more control, but leave it on for now while you learn the flow.
What's the Best Order of Game Modes to Follow?
Here's the best order to follow:
- Time Trial – to learn tracks
- Grand Prix Mode – to practice racing with AI
- Breaking Point 3 – story mode to experience various scenarios and challenges
- Driver Career – control your own path in the F1 world
- My Team – manage a team, upgrade facilities, and control everything behind the scenes
If you're new, don't jump into ranked multiplayer just yet. You'll have more fun and learn faster by staying in solo modes until your pace is consistent and you're confident with strategy, setups, and control.
Getting good at F1 25 doesn't follow a single path, but starting with the right race style, gradually turning off assists, practicing Time Trial, and learning tires, ERS, and smooth driving will put you ahead of most players.
Stay tuned to racinggames.gg: the best place for F1 coverage.