Preventing Understeer in F1 25, LMU, & iRacing with the “Throttle Jump” Technique

In the world of sim racing, learning the right driving techniques is more important than simply logging hours behind the wheel. Many newcomers jump from car to car or from one sim to another—hoping that a new setup or pedal upgrade will suddenly make them faster. But in truth, the key to consistent improvement lies in mastering the fundamentals that apply to any car, any simulator, and any set of pedals (or controller).

One of the most powerful yet underrated techniques in sim racing is something I have called the “Throttle Jump.”

It’s a skill that improves car rotation, exit speed, and control, all while helping you stay planted on track and avoid understeer. Whether you’re driving in iRacing, F1 25, Le Mans Ultimate, or even real-life karting or formula cars, this single skill can dramatically change your corner exits.

Let’s break down what the throttle jump is, why it works, how to use it correctly, and how top-tier drivers from F1 Esports to real Formula 1 are mastering this simple motion.

---

Why Throttle Control Is So Important in Sim Racing

Throttle application is one of the most delicate parts of driving technique. Too early or too aggressive, and you’ll spin the rear tires and lose traction. Too cautious, and you’ll suffer from understeer or lose precious time on corner exits.

Many drivers are told that “smooth is fast.” That phrase is often true—especially when learning car control—but it can sometimes be misunderstood. A car may look smooth and in control even when aggressive inputs are being applied.

The fastest drivers often use rapid yet precise throttle inputs to control the car’s balance. This is where the throttle jump comes in.

---

What Is the Throttle Jump Technique?

As the name suggests, the throttle jump involves a quick, intentional “jump” in throttle input at the moment of corner exit.

Instead of smoothly ramping up the throttle from 0% to 100%, the driver makes a rapid jump—say from 0% to 50%—and then gradually increases the pedal pressure as the steering unwinds and the car stabilizes.

For example, you might:

1. Turn in and trail brake to the apex.
2. As you reach the point of maximum rotation, jump from 0% to about 50% throttle.
3. Then, as you open the steering and approach corner exit, smoothly squeeze from 50% to 100%.

This quick initial jump does three things simultaneously:

• Gets the engine into the optimal RPM range faster, improving responsiveness and torque delivery.
• Shifts the car’s weight rearward, increasing traction on the driven wheels.
• Triggers mild throttle-induced rotation, helping rear-wheel-drive cars pivot more efficiently toward the corner exit.

In short, it’s a controlled burst of throttle that “activates” the car’s mechanical grip and uses the available downforce efficiently. The result? Faster, cleaner exits and better lap consistency.

---

Why the Throttle Jump Works

To understand why the throttle jump is effective, we need to look briefly at the physics of grip and weight transfer.

When you accelerate, weight shifts rearward. This shift increases the load on the rear tires—exactly what you want when trying to exit a corner. By jumping on the throttle rather than rolling on too slowly, you create that rearward load transfer faster, giving your rear tires something to bite into.

At the same time, this technique helps the car rotate. The rear tires gain grip while the fronts momentarily lose some load, allowing the nose of the car to point toward the exit rather than push wide in understeer.

The trick is to time it perfectly. Too early or too much, and you’ll overwhelm the rear tires and oversteer. 

---

How to Apply the Throttle Jump in Different Cars and Sims

The throttle jump is a universal concept, but its execution depends on the car, corner type, and simulator physics model.

--- Article continues below --- Shop Sim Racing Discounts

1. High-Power Cars

In powerful Formula or LMP2 cars, you’ll want a smaller jump—perhaps 30–50%—since these cars can easily overwhelm the tires with torque. 

2. Lower-Power Cars

In something like an iRacing F4 or a Formula Ford, the throttle jump can be much larger, even up to 70–80%. These cars have less torque, so you can afford a more aggressive throttle ramp without losing traction.

3. Traction-Controlled Cars

In GT3 the throttle jump is often 100% immediately. The TC system modulates the power delivery for you, meaning you can stamp the pedal to the floor as soon as the car is stable.

---

Real-World and Esports Examples

You don’t have to take my word for it, top sim and real drivers are using this technique everywhere.

• Ismael Fahssi demonstrates it brilliantly at the Australian circuit, using precise 50% throttle jumps at apex points in 3rd and 4th gear corners.
  
• Jarno Opmeer, F1 Esports Champion, is another driver who leans heavily on this method. At the Mexico circuit, he frequently makes large throttle jumps—50 to 60%—then modulates the pedal smoothly. His style shows how dynamic throttle work can yield massive rotation benefits.
  
• Marcel Kiefer uses the technique in LMU GT3 cars, often going straight to 100% throttle because of traction control systems.
• Even in iRacing, the F4 drivers use it effectively at COTA (Circuit of the Americas), where early throttle jumps stabilize the car’s mid-corner balance.

• And in real Formula 1, telemetry data from Lando Norris at COTA reveals the same pattern—a fast initial throttle jump, followed by small modulation before full throttle.

This consistency across platforms and disciplines shows how fundamental this motion is to modern driving.

---

The Advanced Version: Throttle Overshoot

If you closely analyze telemetry from elite sim and real-world drivers, you’ll notice something even more interesting. Right after the initial throttle jump, many of them make a tiny reduction in throttle—then continue to squeeze upward.

--- Article continues below ---

I call this the “Throttle Overshoot.”

Here’s what it looks like:

• The driver jumps quickly to 50–60% throttle.
• Immediately backs off by 5–10%.
• Then continues increasing toward 100% as the steering straightens.

Sometimes, drivers like Jarno Opmeer perform what could be called a “double overshoot,” modulating twice before the final squeeze. It’s subtle but deliberate.

So why do this?

When you rapidly open and slightly close the throttle, you momentarily cause the rear tires to slip just a little—around 10% wheel slip, which is actually where tires generate their peak friction coefficient.

This mild wheel slip increases grip and helps the rear end rotate smoothly. It’s the same principle that makes controlled wheel spin ideal when launching a car from a standstill.

---

The Risks of using the Throttle Jump technique

Of course, like any technique, it’s not without its dangers. If you apply the throttle jump too aggressively while still on curbs or with uneven traction, you risk snap oversteer or a complete spin.

You also need to adjust this behavior in dirty air or when following another car closely. Reduced downforce changes the balance of grip, making the rear end more sensitive to sudden weight transfers. In traffic, the throttle jump should be gentler and paired with earlier steering release.

---

How to Practice the Throttle Jump

1. Record your telemetry or pedal input graph – free tools are available for F1 25 or LMU
2. Practice this technique in neutral – with the car not moving. Practice the aggression on throttle. Try jumping to 20%, 30%, 40%… 90% throttle inputs. You could be able to become precise with the amount of throttle application you want to apply and the amount of you do apply. 
3. Practice while driving – Look for medium speed corners to try. GT3 cars with TC might be easier to practice with as they are less oversteery.
   

---

Why This Technique Matters for All Sim Racers

What makes the throttle jump so valuable is its universality. It doesn’t depend on fancy equipment or game-specific physics—it’s rooted in real vehicle dynamics.

Whether you’re using a budget pedal set or a professional-grade direct drive rig, learning this technique will:

• Improve your corner exit speed.
• Reduce understeer.
• Enhance your weight transfer management.
• Make you a more adaptable driver across different cars and sims.

It’s also one of those skills that, once mastered, becomes second nature. You’ll start feeling the balance of the car through the throttle pedal—controlling grip, rotation, and stability without even thinking about it.

---

Final Thoughts

The throttle jump might go against the old-school idea that “smooth is fast,” but in today’s era of high-grip tires, dynamic weight transfer, and advanced sim physics, it’s precisely the kind of controlled aggression that makes drivers fast.

From iRacing to F1 25, from GT3s to LMP2s, and even in real Formula 1, this technique shows up again and again.
Learning it will not only make you faster but also give you a deeper understanding of how to control a car on the limit. 

---

Watch the video about throttle jumping, explained by our writer Carson.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

---

• Written by Carson Article updated on October 31, 2025 Tags: Tips & Tricks, EA Sports F1

---

Grab Your Sim Racing Gear Here

You can use the links below to shop for your favourite sim racing products, or for any products that we may have recommended. These links are affiliate links, and will earn us a small commission, with no additional cost for you.