How Formula 1 Drivers OVERTAKE

Check out Ekster's BLACK FRIDAY SALE! Use code DRIVER61 will get the audience up to 55% off!
👉 partner.ekster...
Let me know if you use any of these in your real or sim racing!
Formula 1 drivers are the most skilled OVERTAKERS in the world - in a sport where ‘SENDING IT’ means out braking another car from 180 mph, down to under 60mph in around 80 metres, pulling up to 6G, and placing your car PERFECTLY to get past.
So, what SPECIFIC techniques do they use to overtake? And what do you do if the driver in front is defending as HARD as they can? Well, I’m going to break down EVERY overtaking technique these guys have in their locker.
First, there are a load of ways to overtake in Formula 1 - but we’re going to focus on wheel-to-wheel battling. You don’t need me to explain a DRS move on the straight, or an undercut in the pits (we like the exciting overtakes).
Now, overtaking in a corner - is simply carrying more speed INTO, THROUGH a corner or (most of the time) carrying more speed OUT of a corner.
🔧 Motorsport Students & Professionals - I need your help!
If you’re working in motorsport, used to or are studying to, could you please drop me your email address? I’m looking to talk to as many people as possible about careers in motorsport.
If you can help, drop your details here, I’d love to chat for 10 mins:
👉forms.gle/txSd...
📹 All source footage can be found here 👉 bit.ly/3sCxwnw
➤Follow Driver61 on:
➤ Instagram- @official_driver61 - bit.ly/D61Insta
➤TikTok - @official_driver61 - bit.ly/D61TikTok
➤ Follow Scott on:
➤ Twitter - / scottkmansell
➤ Instagram - @official_driver61 - bit.ly/D61Insta
#Overtaking #Formula1 #Racing

[@jeromegouvernel8552]

"Such a shame we don't see too many of those super-late breaking moves in F1" - Leclerc @ Las Vegas: "Hold my beer..."

[@gogox98]

And Verstappen, Leclerc made him really work for it in the braking zone

[@briand8090]

Tire management has created this. I think it's great to force pit stops and the tires not able to go the distance, but there's got to be a better solution to mix up the race than manufactured degradation.

[@turbo_brian]

Honestly I couldn't understand why so few drivers defended to the inside in vegas. The passes felt a little cheap since all the corners narrow down so much at the apex whomever had the inside line was always going to come out in front no matter how they were positioned or their relative speed. The alternative is what george did which didn't work out so well.

[@AugmentedGravity]

Amazeballs

[@WilliamNyambati]

FRRR

[@tyleryoung5040]

As someone who's new to simracing/ motorsports in general, lots of really good info. I'm finally past the "I'm just here for safety rating" phase and looking to actually improve my racecraft. Overtaking and defending is def an area I need to work on, so this was really helpful.

[@ThePerks2010]

Same here, only guy I recommend to other sim racers if they want to improve technique.

[@johnbeer4963]

yeah. He's teaching people all the tricks I use to win races

[@zqzj]

Focus on braking as late as possible and conserving your momentum . You'd be surprised how much you can trim off a lap time if you just focus on those two goals.

[@JohnCharb87]

6:10 Robert Wickens. Now there's a inspirational story right there. After being paralyzed during a Indy Series wreck 2018 he returned to racing in IMSA's Michelin Pilot Challenge in TCR class during the 2022. He uses a specially modified car with hand throttle controls. In 2023 he won the TCR class Championship.

[@silenthunder23t]

9:35 i learned this from a kart driver n started using it in sim. Its really useful on slow corners and especially hairpins like at Suzuka. Its best not to repeat it too often as another driver can pick up on your tactic n slow a little more before turning in landing them with a better exit in the end

[@bertram-raven]

That kart driver will be one of the old-school. I believe karting schools these days are more worried about litigation if a parent's DD/DS are hurt than teaching controlled aggression.

[@Scoots1994]

There is also the move where by threatening an attack you can manipulate your opponent onto a surface with less traction, then take advantage of the extra grip you have in the braking zone.

[@DjDolHaus86]

You left out the 'Verstappen 21' which is a super late divebomb up the inside, bounce across the apex and then park it on the outside line leaving your opponent nowhere to go but off track or into the side of you. It's super effective but won't make you any friends

[@lianshunzhong7704]

I'm actually glad that he didn't, Verstappen crazy divebomb wasn't actually illegal per se, but I would call it D**k moves Late last year and this few months make me feel disgusting about him and decided to move from his fan to supporting other drivers like Leclerc and Norris

[@totalhydration5240]

I don't think RB likes being associated with the number 21 tho

[@IRoss106]

It’s just not racing though. It forces the lead car to take avoiding action, many of times being forced off track. I understand the requirement to hustle an overtake, being late on the brakes on the inside etc but there have been GENERATIONS, of drivers that have achieved this, with an acceptable level of racing etiquette and plenty of entertainment and punished rightfully where it hasn’t been acceptable.

[@virgilma6153]

Then how you guys expect to overtake a car that is better with one of the best drivers in that car? You just gonna let him be in front because that guy and car is faster or what?

[@IRoss106]

@@virgilma6153 so you think acceptable to force another car off the track to overtake or retain your place? Firstly that’s against the rules and secondly as I’ve already mentioned, we’ve had generations of drivers not have to resort to this style of driving without the sacrifice of safety, entertainment or etiquette. Why must this change now? Even if you have the mentality of “If the gap exists”, then why does the opposing car have to take avoiding action or get hit off the track?

[@pranavps851]

Hungary 2021 was an Alonso masterclass in how to block Hamilton's switchback. A drive for ages.

[@MadmanJnr]

Super GT is also a clinical " Ol Switch'A'Roo " overtaker and defender

[@VistokDB]

Literally the best video when im trying to improve in sim racing. I had trouble crashing onto other people and with this i now know proper overtaking techniques and less damage to my car.

[@PozzaPizz]

What about fast in, use the other car to stay on track and fast out? Sure the other guy will be off the track, but it works very well for me! Especially T1 Monza

[@alecmillea4539]

Works great unless there is simulation damage lol!

[@CockMcBallsddd]

Proper GT7 passing. . .wall riding the other car. Lol.

[@EddieTheH]

Bouncing FTW!!!

[@Guardian_Arias]

@@alecmillea4539 Sure sure, but there is also a skill curve in learning how to do it even with realistic damage turned on and then with lag in multiplayer oh boi you can make people slingshot off the track if done with enough hopes and prayers.

[@Kheeto67]

Works really well until the other driver comes out of the pits!

[@JasperAkhkharu]

Braking later also seems to suggest that you'd start your turn later due to being on the inside line. Though you'd have to slow down more, to make a tighter turn, the brakes are so powerful that its just a fraction of a second difference.

[@allenpaley]

Scott, your videos are exceptional. Please keep them coming!

[@cholatepnabangchang4834]

The pressure move is pretty much what Alonso and Perez were doing in Interlagos.

[@Nutmanjango]

I may be stupid and new to F1 but what is the difference between an undercut and an overcut and how can one anticipate them? How is pitting used to your advantage? What strategies are used and when does one pit to gain the advantage? I have watched so many races where pitting seemingly just didn't make any sense. I would love to see a video concerning pitting and how to use it to your advantage and when it would be detrimental.

[@yerrrrray]

In its most basic forms: Undercutting is to ensure your tires are at operating temperatures (OT for short) by the time your opponent pits, thus ensuring you’ll be able to pull away while they try to get their tires at their OT. As for over cutting, it’s more complicated and riskier, because the sting before putting has to be longer and thus you can’t use the tires too much, but it allows you to use the tires more on the stint after pits to quickly reach OT and push harder without having to look after them as much. You’ll also have fresher tires compared to your opponent(s) and you’ll be able to catch/pass then quicker (again, this is usually riskier to some extent.) Now, this is just my basic understanding of it so if anyone would like to add to it feel free to just don’t be rude, thank you. Hope this helped a little bit 😅

[@Nutmanjango]

@@yerrrrray thank you! Definitely learned something!

[@duroprem]

Shame all of this comes into play like 5% of the time in F1, with the rest 95% of the overtakes consisting of just putting the pedal to the floor and waiting for the DRS to open.

[@ldarm]

Yeah it can be boring sometimes

[@sajeucettefoistunevaspasme]

better than no overtakes with tens of seconds between each pilot but clearly worse than just good old driving skills

[@duroprem]

@@sajeucettefoistunevaspasme I don't know, man. Even in the era with the fewest overtakes, those precious few felt better than now when they all look the same. It was quality over quantity, and I was personally okay with that. But we live in the world of quantity, and I understand there was no way F1 would survive if such a thing happened again because too few people would watch it. It still blows, but cest la vie.

[@user-tr1hx7jx4r]

Leclerc and Hamilton are the masters when it comes to switchback overtakes

[@hectornecromancer5308]

At least when his reaction is still sharp. Which is fascinating there's so many examples of Lewis briliance in GP2 But for some reason, as times goes on, Lewis has become clumsier

[@faizalakbar3958]

​@@hectornecromancer5308not a pro analyst or something, but I do think that being used to dominantly leading the race for years makes him lose a bit of middle pack aggression? no?

[@hectornecromancer5308]

@@faizalakbar3958 that's a good point

[@F1_HQ]

@@faizalakbar3958 Fully agree. I'm a ham fan but he was pretty poor wheel to wheel for last couple years. He even admitted last yeaar that he needed to work on his racecraft. This year he's made a lot of good moves though barring couple rare incidents like the one with piastri and he is definitely more aggressive

[@THIS---GUY]

Instantly added to my list of videos I give to new or drivers who want to improve their craft. Thank you

[@ThePerks2010]

Love that little "yeah i know, that was a terrible link" smile for the advert😂😂😂

[@ski6712]

1977 at westwood coquitlam bc circuit watching a formula atlantic race with top drivers bobby rahal, giles villenuve (rip.😔) keke rosburg using these techniques coming down the 170 mph deers leap straight which culminated in a hard braking 90+ degree right hand uphill corner that headed into a right/left chicane thru to the grandstand straightaway this section was full of spectacular passing/braking maneuvers /action. ☺

[@BenDavies1977]

Every time Crofty says "the old switcharoo" I die a little inside 😢

[@jamesmccomb9525]

Those framerates on the simulation for some shots are pretty awful. Idk how you'd fix that but it definitely needs looking into.

[@andrewahern3730]

Replay and record demo at 1/8x speed, then correct in post.

[@turbo_brian]

4:24 I was really expecting you to say "but let me tell you about fernando alonso"

[@shadeburst]

Do you have a video on how to defend against a lunge? The overtaking driver loses a lot of energy through taking a bad line, so that driver has to force you to lose energy too or you will get better drive out of the corner and re-take. Spitskurve at Hockenheim may be the best laboratory test-bench for lunging and defending ever invented!

[@d4fm4n]

Fantastic content. Thank you

[@ghostjob6499]

Do An analysis of Alonzo v Russell crash in Melbourne. Did Alonzo pull a switchback defense on Russell?

[@alecmillea4539]

Awesome video Scott! More like this please!!

[@omerhaimed549]

Basically when a car behind you and you have to defend your position take the inside line wait for them to go for the the outside line and force them as wide as possible

[@Poorschedriver]

7:41 Fernando Alonso demonstrated this to Checo in Brazil, which was likley the highlight of the entire race.

[@kimichen539]

How about slickback rather than switchback?

[@m-J_C]

Oh god sake why is this everywhere

[@Dakkyun]

No, switcheroo is the best

[@theadamlevy]

No my name is A Pimp Named Slickback

[@groundedgaming]

If that's what you say, Mr. Adam Levy😂​@@theadamlevy

[@magicmillz]

@@theadamlevyBeat me to the reference 😂😂😂

[@bbbenj]

Thanks for your expertise

[@miguelolarte3762]

you can make the videos longer and explain in more detail, with breakin techniques and everything, i would love it!!!!

[@bertram-raven]

You need to do a Driver61 Masterclass. You will learn everything you see in the videos whilst coaches provide you with instant live feedback. I took the course and loved it. (I get nothing for saying this!)

[@percyj220]

The switchback to retake a position was the first "defensive" move I ever used. Course I lost the place on the next corner anyway cuz the guy just had better pace

[@CockMcBallsddd]

Hey Scott, I just wanted to thank you on all the viewers behalf, for putting in the genius little progress bar during the ads. I wish everyone would do this. You could put 5 ads in your video for all I care, if you keep the bar so I can skip them easily. Good on ya!

[@superhooch]

Greatest sponsor segue of all time

[@andrewahern3730]

Setting up and executing passes is exactly the reason why oval racing is exciting

[@89lakaganth]

Great Video, Thanks

[@Twobarpsi]

Excellent video!!

[@VanLucy1033]

I didn't expect to hear young Will Buxton 😂

[@0nikage.]

Yes!!!!!! Its a driver 61 video!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@firstnamethenalastname]

appreciate the sponsored content progress bar

[@f1andcarcontent]

max verstappen's braking point is quite different from others

[@Lanse1984]

He seems to lose 0 time overtaking

[@f1andcarcontent]

@@Lanse1984 yeah

[@MitjaBonca]

indeed, he brakes earlier then most of others... so no advantage there.

[@bertram-raven]

@@MitjaBonca As does Ricky. People keep calling him "The last of the late brakers," but as one of Scott's video showed, he is one of the first to brake but not as hard.

[@ehudgavron9086]

Hey Driver61 (Mr. Mansell) thanks for this. The key to the entire video is your very correct words within the first minute, that the overtaken driver must concede the pass. Too many drivers have not, will not, and refuse to concede that pass, leading to either a game of "chicken", or a quick retirement of either one or both drivers, sometimes with an opportunist in the slipstream taken with them. This is not a policing problem for the FIA inasmuch as they are unable to even solve a "simple" problem like all-four-wheels off-the-white-line issue. This is a racing culture thing. I've done amateur racing so consider this the same as refrigerator macaroni/glue master explaining to Leonardo Da Vinci how to "do art"... and yet, if you cant make a clean pass, don't. If you've been overtaken, don't be a dick. The difference between the two is experience plus the desire to save the car for a response later in the race. We all know it's not won on the first lap, not even in F1, not even in the MV era. Time to alert the drivers. Mr. Mansell (I'll call you by your first name when you allot me that privelege) I appreciate your hearty participation in this forum. When you fly upside-down, I will have explained it to hundreds of people... (going on 10 now...) and will be watching as live as I can get it. The dream of proving downforce is an upforce is absurd... and good on ya for taking that on. Ehud Tucson, Arizona, USA

[@freddyehab4290]

Please make a video about what happened to lewis hamilton and why his performance dorped

[@Watchdog99]

Give us an update on overdrive

[@JonathArn1655]

Switchback and outside>>>

[@ontoya1]

Ever since i got good at poker i realized that all high level competition is pretty much poker. You have to play the player moreso than the game at the TOP

[@thenoobccomipad6765]

Watching this video to learn something cool:😐 Watching this to se it in F1 23:😎

[@treigz7460]

car go brrr

[@Sir_Uncle_Ned]

That “oh shut up!” From the commentator was absolutely perfect.

[@KrishnaGupta-oq4fo]

max barking is simply awesome . i love his turns its more scientific thN others

[@user-tr1hx7jx4r]

His got the talent to control the back end of a car , sometimes making minor corrections whilst inside the corner almost like Schumacher too there's video on the channel about Max and Micheals driving style being almost similar

[@osemekeechenim3655]

In racing blocking is frowned upon hmm I wonder why that doesn't apply to Max sending drivers off the road when he tries to overtake

[@hectornecromancer5308]

He's pratically applying technique #1 and #2, but in a very agressive manner

[@AravindBalaji-u4x]

question: are there any other ways to defend against a switcheroo? Ive always thought that the defending driver could just take a shallower exit rather that all the way to the outside as a way to stop the attacking car.

[@Kheeto67]

Brake earlier, the switcheroo works if the driver on the outside has enough space to get that exit speed, you can put your car in front of him and block but you need good timing

[@DenzilTheGrate]

Park it on the apex, dont give them room to gain momentum over you

[@gvishal9571]

0:01 Bottas disagrees

[@threadpuff]

"Such a shame we dont see too many of those late-breaking moves" Also Fernando Alonso in Abu Dhabi 2023: "say less"

[@IngenieroMan]

Thumbnail reminds me of a certain "overtake" on silverstone 2021

[@MRD0889]

Lol blocking is frowned upon unless you're two ppl in F1 and depending on the weekend on how the Stuart's feel

[@DFSJR1203]

When I raced I was a good passer. This was oval track driving and I thought passing was passing. Having only run ovals I am not familiar with road racing.

[@JonathanHarvell]

Isn't that spelled "Doff my cap." ? That said, great content as ever.

[@dondumpster3196]

Verstapen and few youngsters changed dimension of overtake. They legalized dive bombs. Forbidden among drivers with rules like Mansell or Senna.

[@natureofnow]

Why all the Hamilton examples and none from Max? I want to learn the move where you brake so late that you can legally drive the other car off the track.

[@alexlacl8730]

Lewis brake way later than max and know how to execute

[@natureofnow]

@@alexlacl8730 that’s the only right answer to my sarcasm. :-)

[@nickgovier]

All of these examples are predicated on drivers leaving each other space. Sadly, in Austria 2019 the stewards decided to make it legal to divebomb, ignore the apex, and force the other driver completely off the track.

[@gandalf_thegrey]

7:05 Grosjean peaked in -high school- GP2

[@steveeb9567]

Who about some videos about the driving styles of the current F1 drivers ?

[@BTrain-is8ch]

Best overtakers in the world? I think a number of other two and four wheeled series might have something to say about that.... two races in WorldSBK's final two rounds had 73 overtakes for first place alone.

[@BruceUu]

i love how all of the footage is from games or gp2/3. Cos there wasnt a proper overtake in F1 since forever xD

[@optimusprime028]

"Max overtake is pushing other drivers off the track" -CultLH (crying)

[@BallisticTech]

Where's the part where you just drive the other car off the road even though they've been beside you through the whole braking zone, apex and exit. I understand why they do it. But as a spectator I love seeing multi corner battles with cars going wheel to wheel back and forth battling. The drivers obviously don't want that so they just seem to pretend the other car isn't there.

[@yannickg.1522]

So I am justified to park it on the apex

[@BSB-js8pm]

Ham overtaking goat In this Video And Overall 😂

[@AKAMustang]

Don't forget about Vettel's famous double dummy.

[@jonokiller]

Redbull F1 "Hmmm just be faster? Done"

[@sellojuniorhlalele2411]

I'm surprised that you didn't mention nothing about a block pass. A move we see a lot in MotoGP and can be done in a car.

[@miguelolarte3762]

its the swicharound, is basically the same but i get u

[@miguelolarte3762]

he mentined it but with different name

[@jeremybarrot2258]

Trick number one Just go fast ;)

[@kazabubu10]

The first move in the video looks awfully similar to a "block pass" in motorcycle terms....brilliant move....you pass compromising both lines and then park in front of the other car eliminating its advantage to go early on throtle after early rotation....

[@andrewahern3730]

I've heard it called a slider or a slide job. Basically yeet it into the turn, flying past your target car, get it slowed down enough to avoid the wall, and you end up parked on the racing line, blocking your target car

[@bertram-raven]

I have found young drivers are not being taught both block-passing and "parking" on the apex to defend a switch-back (two sides of the same coin) and so are far more likely to hit the passing/defending driver and later complain about being blocked. Older, more experienced drivers are finding themselves constantly being rear-ended because this skill is not being taught during karting lessons as once it was. What is more, many younger drivers are now of the opinion any kind of defence in a corner is "blocking." I blame F1 prima-donnas for legitimising this behaviour by whinging on the radio every ten seconds about being "blocked" when in reality they know nothing wrong was done but are hoping to influence the stewards. It makes me sad so many skills are being lost to a combination of technological crutches and new drivers thinking they can "snowflake" their way through a race by calling everything "blocking." My two boys know the techniques described in the video well - which is likely why they win so much given the other youngsters are clueless when it comes to balancing attack and defence strategies.

[@Mantastic84]

the oooooool' 8:19

[@joowonlee7114]

RIP DTM, we will miss you.

[@RTPJu]

Can you explain Nelson Piquet overtaking Ayrton Senna at 1986 Hungary GP? The best overtaking ever, IMHO!

[@LaCassetteF1]

Answer : by pressing the drs button

[@makisan2596]

Using examples of certain drivers have gotten their haters to be barking in the comments lmaoo. But great video

[@Housestationlive]

will be usefull when i will be an f1 driver... in video games.

[@throttlebrah]

Cant do that Valentino Rossi stuff on F1

[@CockMcBallsddd]

Yea for anyone who doesn't watch. . .the BTCC is probably the most fun to watch race league on earth. Its up there with the stadium trucks in terms of just constant action.

[@sadsismint]

Pretty sure if you're Verstappen you just full send it down the inside and hope that the other driver doesn't want to crash into you and drives off the track...

[@jacksteven781]

Russell needs to start taking notes. The dude has negative race craft

[@Housestationlive]

fia shouldn't permit drivers to push someone out during an overtake maneuver

[@EdNutting]

When most of the overtaking examples aren’t actually F1, kinda says there’s a problem with F1 😅

[@kissgergo5202]

4:23 well that's just a 5 second penalty

[@phoneaccount6907]

Not mention Max Verstappen dive bomb!?

[@aespa690]

What about the "push the other guy off the track" move known as the "Max special"?

[@zippy6667]

The deep dive is a MV1 staple. Love him or hate him he’s very aggressive which I think the sport needs.

[@gustavomarques4097]

Incoming salty Verstappen haters trying to bash on him because he dethroned their primadonna😂😂😂

[@toyotaecw]

When all else fails… use the chrome horn.

[@joao_oliveira5282]

Your guys sim vids need to have better fps

[@rickwebster1641]

U need to see Motogp More overtaking per lap than a F1 race F1 n9t quite up to par

[@window469wow3]

Hi

[@Amemji]

All of those good mentions but u forgot to mention the fake e.g. faking on the outside and going inside or visa versa

[@Simcaderacing]

aka dive bombs

[@Lindokuhle19988Zulu]

The verstappen technique: crash or let me pass

[@DMC_Motorsports]

What very outdated comment

[@AugmentedGravity]

Alonso around 130R.