For the F1 25 2026 cars, set brake saturation to 0, brake linearity to 0 and brake deadzone only as high as needed to stop the brake from reading when your foot is off the pedal, usually around 5. Keep throttle deadzone, linearity and saturation at 0. The lighter 2026 cars rotate more under braking, so a precise, repeatable brake matters more than raw stopping power.
This guide explains what each pedal setting does, why the 2026 cars need a careful brake foot, and how your pedals and rig affect every braking zone.
Why do the 2026 cars need different braking?
The 2026 Season Pack changed the car itself, so your old braking habits do not fully fit anymore.
The cars are 32 kg lighter, the wheelbase is 20 cm shorter and downforce is around 15 percent lower. A shorter, lighter car rotates more easily when you brake and turn at the same time. Less downforce also means the tyres lock sooner at high speed. On top of that, the hybrid system recovers energy under braking, so the car slows down in a slightly different way from lap to lap depending on your battery use.
F1 25 brake settings explained
You find these in Settings, Controls, Calibration. Calibrate your pedals in the manufacturer software first, then fine tune here.
Brake saturation: 0
Saturation decides at what pedal position the game reads 100 percent brake. F1 25 sets brake saturation to 25 percent by default. That means you reach full brake at 75 percent of your pedal travel. It feels strong, but you lose the top quarter of your control range. Set it to 0 so you use the full pedal for fine pressure control.
Brake deadzone: as low as possible
The deadzone ignores the first part of the pedal travel. You want a small deadzone only if the brake shows input while your foot rests on the pedal. Start at 0, rest your foot on the pedal and watch the input bar. Raise the deadzone in small steps, often to around 5, until the bar stays empty.
Brake linearity: 0
Linearity changes the curve between pedal position and brake force. A value of 0 keeps it straight, so the same pedal pressure always gives the same brake. A curve sometimes helps with a cheap potentiometer pedal, but on a load cell it only makes braking harder to repeat.
A load cell brake measures how hard you push, not how far. This set is a popular choice for F1 drivers who want that feel.
MOZA Racing SRP2 Loadcell Pedals
F1 25 throttle settings explained
The throttle needs less tuning than the brake, but the 2026 cars still punish a rough right foot.
Keep the throttle straight
Set throttle deadzone, linearity and saturation to 0. The 2026 hybrid system adds up to 350 kW of electric power, close to half of the total. That torque hits the rear tyres hard on corner exit. A straight throttle curve gives you the most honest control, so you learn to feed in power smoothly instead of relying on a curve to hide it.
Match the throttle to the force feedback
When the rear steps out on exit, the steering goes light for a moment. That light moment is your cue to hold or lift the throttle a little. Our F1 26 settings guide explains how to keep that signal clean, and the active aero FFB guide explains why it shows up so often on the new cars.
How do you set up a load cell brake for F1?
A load cell brake gives you the most from these settings, as long as you set the maximum force right.
Set the maximum brake force
In the pedal software you choose how much force gives 100 percent brake. Pick a force you can reach with a firm push, but not one that needs your full strength. If you have to stand on the pedal to lock a tyre, you get tired after a few laps and your braking points drift.
Tune the elastomers
Most load cell pedals use rubber elastomers to set how the pedal feels. A stiffer stack gives a shorter, firmer brake that feels closer to a real F1 car. Our brake pedal elastomer and travel tuning guide walks you through it step by step.
If you also want a clutch pedal for other cars, a three pedal set keeps your options open.
Moza Racing CRP2 Load Cell Pedals
Does your cockpit affect braking consistency?
Yes, and on a load cell brake the effect is bigger than most drivers expect.
When you push hard, the pedal deck takes the full force. If the deck flexes, part of your push goes into bending metal instead of into the load cell. Your brake then reads a different value from lap to lap, even when your foot does the same thing. SIMGASM treats seating position, steering wheel angle and pedal geometry as performance factors, not cosmetic details. Johan Akkerman, who won the DNRT BMW E30 Cup in 2023 and 2024, knows from real racing how much a consistent brake pedal matters over a full stint.
The rated braking load at the pedal deck grows through the range: 150 kg on the Hobby, 200 kg on the Club and 300 kg on the Sport and Pro. For a firm load cell brake set for F1, a sim racing cockpit with more reserve at the pedal deck keeps every braking zone repeatable. You also find all compatible sets in our sim racing pedals range.
SIMGASM | Sport Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Black
Questions about F1 25 pedal settings
These short answers cover the questions drivers ask most about pedals in the 2026 Season Pack.
Why does F1 25 set brake saturation to 25?
The default makes braking easier on cheap pedals and gamepads. On a wheel and pedal set it costs you control, so set it to 0.
Should I use ABS in the 2026 cars?
ABS helps while you learn the new braking points. Once you feel the lock point through the pedal, switching it off gives you shorter braking zones.
Why does my brake show input when I am not pressing it?
Your foot rests on the pedal or the sensor reads a little noise. Raise the brake deadzone in small steps until the input bar stays empty.
Do I need load cell pedals for F1 25?
No, but they help a lot. A load cell reacts to force, which your leg remembers much better than pedal position. That makes your braking more consistent lap after lap.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
