F1 Manager 2022: ERS (Energy Recovery System) - how does it work and how to use? F1 Manager 2022 guide, tips

The ERS system is an important component of a Formula One car. This page of the F1 Manager 2022 game guide explains how to use the ERS strategy to temporarily improve the performance of the car in various situations (attack, defense and others).

Last update: 15 September 2022

F1 Manager 2022 allows use of ERS - Energy Recovery System. This page of our guide explains how it works, lists ERS strategies and recommends when to use it. This information should let you temporarily improve your performance and obtain better results in races.

• ERS - what is it?
• ERS strategies - how to change?
• List of ERS strategies and their main uses
• ERS degradation and replacement

ERS - what is it?

ERS (Energy Recovery System) can be used to provide instant and sudden boosts to your engine. You recover energy while braking, which is then stored in the battery until used. The battery's max capacity is 4 MJ, but a driver can use no more than 2 MJ per lap.

You can set ERS to work automatically, but you'll be better off switching between strategies manually depending on the situation - in order to overtake others or defend your current position. We've described all available ERS strategies further down this page.

ERS strategies - how to change?

ERS strategies are, obviously, separate for Driver/Car 1 and Driver/Car 2. You must enter the car's menu and select the final tab. There are 5 ERS strategies to choose from and you can switch between them at will. You can also check how much energy you have stored in the battery (from 100 to 0%)

Switching strategies during the race is extremely important. It lets you change your priorities depending on the situation during the race.

List of ERS strategies and their main uses

Out of all five available strategies, you'll probably use three the most often. These are:

Overtake - You should use this technique when you're near behind another car (less than 1 second - that's the distance letting you use the DRS). This will increase your chances of success, though it won't guarantee it (like if the performance difference bewteen both cars is too great).

You should also make sure no cars are following you closely. You can easily end up getting overtaken while trying to overtake someone else.

Defend - You should use this technique when there's another car closely behind you (around 1.5-2 seconds). This will make it more difficult for them to overtake you. Don't think it guarantees you'll keep your position though. They can still overtake you if driving on a straight stretch of road letting them use the DRS or if their car is better then yours. This strategy, however, can and will make it more difficult.

Deploy - You should use this strategy when you need to improve your lap times. This has two main uses:

1. To catch up with other cars beyond the reach of your DRS.
2. Completing laps quickly to gain an advantage over the opponents. This technique could come in handy if you want to reduce the risk of someone getting too close.

The remaining two strategies shouldn't be used as frequently:

1. Neutral is the most balanced strategy, designed for optimal battery use without focusing on anything in particular (offense, defense, pace).
2. Harvest is a strategy designed to store more energy in the battery. This makes it easier for you to use this energy later on (for example, when you get close to your opponents), but it also slightly decreases your car's performance.

ERS degradation and replacement

The ERS is one of three main car parts which degrade over time. Its degradation is shown as a percentage - you can check it in the car's stats and between races in the Cars menu.

Try to replace your ERS before it breaks down completely. You receive two ERSes per season. Going beyond this limit forces you to pay $1,000,000 for a new one and moves you back a few positions at the start of the next race.

It's unlikely that two ERSes will be enough for the entire season. Prepare yourself to purchase an additional battery and suffer the penalty at least once per season.