In F1 25, going fast through corners relies on steady control and understanding the car, not on risky moves.
The corners make or break your lap times in this game. If you’re still taking turns too gently or depending on assists, you’re leaving plenty of speed on the table.
Whether you're playing on a controller or wheel, here’s a fully fleshed-out breakdown on how to truly corner faster and smarter.
Is Driving Smoothly Really That Important in F1 25?
Yes, the first thing to understand is that F1 25 rewards clean, connected movements.
If you jerk the wheel, smash the brakes, and slam the throttle, you’re going to struggle for grip. The physics engine has been refined this year to respond more realistically, so the smoother you are, the more the car will give back.
When approaching a corner, you want to brake hard in a straight line, then slowly reduce pressure on the pedal as you start turning in.
That’s the foundation of trail-braking, and it’s one of the most effective techniques for keeping speed into and through the corner without sliding or locking up.
Why Is "Less Is More" the Key to Fast Corners?
Trying to “do more” in every corner (braking later, turning sharper, accelerating earlier) is a mistake many players make.
In most cases, the secret to faster lap times is doing just enough. Keep the momentum going; don’t try to push it.
For example, braking slightly earlier but keeping a minimum speed through the turn will usually beat someone who brakes super late and comes to a crawl at the apex.
Focus on being efficient, not aggressive. The best way to understand this is by syncing your steering and pedal input—when the wheel is straight, go hard on the brakes or throttle.
But as you start turning, ease off to avoid overwhelming the tires. The more you turn, the less throttle or brake you want to use to keep balance.
Why Is Trail-Braking So Important in F1 25?
Trail-braking is absolutely key to getting faster through corners because, rather than completing all your braking before the turn and then coasting, it lets you brake and steer at once to maintain speed—just make sure to apply the right amount of pressure.
Brake hard while going straight, then gradually release the brake as you start turning. The more you steer, the less you press the brake.
You want to be off the brakes and on the throttle as you hit the apex. This keeps the vehicle stable, puts enough pressure on the front tires to assist rotation, and stops you from having to steer aggressively.
What’s the Secret to Nailing a Fast Exit?
The golden rule is only to apply the throttle when the car is straightening out. Winning races come down to corner exits.
You might not be the quickest coming in, but a smooth and early exit sets you up to strike or hold your ground. Even a slight turn of the wheel when hitting full throttle will cause you to lose traction, especially without assists.
Ease into the gas slowly, and don’t be afraid to short-shift (upshift early) in slower corners to limit wheelspin. Once you feel the rear settle and your steering returns to center, go full throttle and ride the speed into the next section.
Should You Turn Off Assists for Better Lap Times?
Gradually disable them—begin with traction control on medium, then switch it off, and finally turn off ABS once braking feels smooth without lockups.
Helps to have assists when learning, but they hold you back in the race against the clock. ABS and traction control interfere with how hard you can brake and how smoothly you apply throttle.
When ABS is active, it stops your wheels from locking but limits the precise brake control required for trail-braking. No traction control means developing throttle sensitivity to unlock cleaner and more effective corner exits.
Keep the racing line on “corners only” to help you find braking points, then eventually learn to use trackside markers like 100-meter boards or curb edges for your cues.
Why Should You Practice in Real Race Conditions?
Time Trial mode is perfect for working on pure speed, but it doesn’t show what actual racing feels like.
There’s no fuel weight, no tire wear, and no ERS strategy. To truly improve your cornering, practice in Grand Prix mode or online lobbies, where the car changes lap by lap.
Tire grip fades, temperatures rise, and fuel burns off, so you learn to adapt. Fast cornering in F1 25 means more than just one perfect lap. It’s about staying quick every lap, even when the car handles differently.
This will train your muscle memory to stay sharp under real-world race pressure.
Can ERS Usage Help You Corner Faster?
ERS (Energy Recovery System) won’t directly make your cornering better, but using it wrong can cancel out all your hard work.
Save your “Overtake” mode for long straights or moments when you’ve nailed a corner exit and are ready to pass. Don’t spam ERS out of every turn—that’s a waste.
Instead, learn to control deployment. Drop to “Medium” when you’re stuck in a DRS train or don’t plan to attack. Only activate “Overtake” when the rear is stable, the tires are warm, and you’re fully ready to pounce.
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