Do you keep getting beaten in qualifying by drivers that you used to beat on F1 25? Your battery usage might play a part in this.
Here's how your battery deployment can gain you a full second in qualifying lap time.
Boost mode
In the 2026 DLC cars, just like real life, there is a 50/50 split in power between the engine and the battery. Half the car's output now comes from the electric motor and how you harvest or deploy that energy can make up to a second difference in qualifying lap time. Boost mode determines how you deploy the electric 50% of the power of the car.
How to deploy boost mode
What you are looking for when deploying the boost mode is your battery percentage and the ''ERS Deploy'' mode. Make sure Boost is mapped to a button on your wheel or controller, where you can easily reach it multiple times per lap.
Now to get the harsh truth out of the way: The default ERS ''Hotlap" deploy mode is not good in qualifying. This might be where you were losing a second to your opponents on that quali lap.
Instead, turn the ERS Deploy to ''Medium'' and experiment with how long you can toggle the boost button coming out of (especially slow) corners. Distribute your battery percentage for the whole lap, focus on longer boost periods coming out of slow corners onto long straights. Avoid running out of battery percentage too early in the lap. You always want to have around 20% of boost left after the final corner that you can deploy up to the finish line.
Finding the optimal boost strategy on a new track requires trial, error and experimentation. Keep an eye on your laptime delta to see where you are gaining and losing time, with the final laptime being your deciding factor on how to distribute your electric power throughout the lap.
How to harvest boost mode
Formula 1 cars in 2026 harvest electrical energy during braking, partial lifting and full lifting. Ofcourse, you don't want to compromise your braking point when on a qualifying lap by braking earlier. Lifting fully off the throttle 300 metres before your braking point will also create a big lap time loss. The solution then, is the middle ground: As you start approaching a heavy braking zone, at around 100 metres before your braking point, come off the throttle slowly and keep it at a steady 70-80% before you hit the brakes. You will notice that the battery percentage will shoot up as you come off the 100% throttle. This is the best way to harvest electrical energy that will help you accelerate out of the corner, without losing too much laptime on the entry of it.
Bottom line
The 2026 cars reward drivers who optimize their battery usage through trial and error. Medium ERS with manual Boost gives you the control to deploy the power exactly where it makes the most difference: Out of slow corners, onto long straights and with enough left for the final push to the line. The 100-metre harvest trick is the part most drivers never find and is where a lot of free lap time is sitting. Figure out the best deployment and harvesting strategy and you will end up in front of people that only turn the ERS Mode to ''Hotlap.''
A load cell pedal set like the MOZA CRP2 gives you the sensitivity to hold a steady partial throttle under braking approach without guessing. A rigid cockpit means your foot position stays the same lap after lap — which is the difference between hitting 75% throttle consistently and hitting anywhere between 60% and 90%.
- SIMGASM Hobby simulator — stable entry cockpit, consistent pedal position every lap.
- SIMGASM Club simulator — 80×40 profile, adjustable for any wheel and pedal combination.
- SIMGASM Sport simulator — stronger wheel mount, integrated cable pass-throughs, more adjustability for dialling in your seating position.
- SIMGASM Pro simulator — 160×40 profile, zero flex under any load. Maximum feedback, maximum consistency.
Mapping the Boost button to a wheel paddle also matters. If Boost is buried on a controller face button you have to reach for, you will miss the activation window coming out of a slow corner. A proper sim wheel with accessible paddles and buttons — like the MOZA R5 bundle — puts Boost exactly where your thumb already is.
FAQ
Should I use Hotlap or Medium ERS in qualifying on F1 25 2026 DLC? Medium ERS with manual Boost. Hotlap sounds like the right choice but it deploys energy automatically in a way you cannot control.
When should I activate Boost on a qualifying lap? Coming out of slow corners onto long straights. That is where the extra electrical power translates directly into lap time. Avoid activating it mid-corner — the power delivery will unsettle the rear while the car is still turning.
What happens if I run out of battery before the finish line? You lose the electrical half of your power output for the remainder of the lap, which on a 2026 car is roughly half of your total horsepower. Always leave around 20% battery for the final corner onto the start/finish straight.
How do I harvest battery without losing lap time? At around 100 metres before your braking point, come off full throttle and hold it at 70–80% before hitting the brakes. The battery charges quickly as you back off full deployment, and the lap time cost is minimal compared to lifting early or coasting.
Does this work on every circuit? The principle is the same everywhere, but the optimal distribution changes with the circuit layout. Tracks with long straights like Canada or Monza require more careful energy budgeting than tighter circuits where you're on full throttle for a lower amount of time per lap.
