F1 2021 gives you a lot of buttons to remember on an Xbox pad: DRS, overtake, the radio, the MFD, the flashback. The default layout puts them in sensible places. Learn it once and leave it alone.
Here is the full list, and the few changes I would make.
F1 2021 Xbox controls list
These are the default buttons on an Xbox One or Xbox Series controller.
Driving
| Action | Button |
|---|---|
| Accelerate | RT |
| Brake / Reverse | LT |
| Steer left / right | Left stick |
| Gear up | A |
| Gear down | X |
| Clutch | A |
Race functions
| Action | Button |
|---|---|
| DRS | Y |
| Pit limiter | Y |
| Overtake (ERS) | B |
| Radio commands | LB |
| Flashback | View |
| Pause | Menu |
Camera
| Action | Button |
|---|---|
| Next camera | RB |
| Look around | Right stick |
| Look back | Press the right stick |
Multi function display
| Action | Button |
|---|---|
| MFD up | D-pad up |
| MFD down | D-pad down |
| MFD left | D-pad left |
| MFD right | D-pad right |
The game has two Xbox controller presets. If your pad does not match this list, look at which preset is selected in the controls menu.
Gear up and clutch share a button in the default list. You only notice it with manual race starts.
This page is about which button does what. How the stick and the triggers react is in my F1 2021 controller settings, with the calibration values.
Xbox One, Series X|S and PC
The layout is the same on all of them. An Xbox pad plugged into a PC uses the same buttons too, so this list works for the PC version if you do not drive on a keyboard.
The one setting that belongs to this pad is Trigger Rumble. It has three options: Off, On and Auto. The default is On. The small motors in the triggers shake when the tyres lose grip: in RT when the rears spin, in LT when the fronts lock.
Keep it on. On a pad you have no steering feel and no pedal feel. Those two little motors are the best information you get about the tyres.
How to change the controls
- Open Settings from the main menu or the pause menu.
- Go to Controls, Vibration and Force Feedback.
- Select your controller and press Edit.
- Pick an action, press the new button and save the scheme under a name.
Calibration is in the same menu. It has a test screen that shows what the game reads from your stick and triggers. If the steering bar moves when you are not touching the stick, you have stick drift. Add steering deadzone one point at a time until it stops.
What I would change
Overtake ERS Mode to Hold. The default is Toggle. Press B once and overtake stays on until you press B again. Forget it for half a lap and the battery is empty. On Hold, the power stops when you let go.
Do not touch the D-pad in a corner. The D-pad is under your left thumb, and so is the steering. Every MFD change means a moment with no hand on the wheel. Brake bias, front wing and fuel mix are jobs for the straight.
Practise the MFD in time trial. Do the same D-pad sequence ten times until your thumb knows it. In the race you will not have time to read the menu.
Manual gears: A and X are fine. Your right thumb sits there. If you want paddles, the bumpers are the natural place, but then the radio and the camera need a new button. I would rather keep the default and spend the time driving.
Common problems on an Xbox pad
| Problem | Fix | Why |
|---|---|---|
| DRS does not open | Check you are in a DRS zone and within one second of the car ahead in a race | The button only works when DRS is available |
| Gears do not change | Set the gearbox assist to Manual | On Automatic the game ignores A and X |
| Battery always empty | Overtake ERS Mode to Hold | Toggle stays on until you press again |
| Car pulls to one side | Add steering deadzone in Calibration | Stick drift |
| Car stays at pit speed | Press Y again | The pit limiter is still on |
| Nothing shakes in the triggers | Trigger Rumble to On | It may be off in the generic settings |
The assists are a bigger topic than a table. Which ones to keep on a pad is in my F1 2021 assists and AI difficulty guide.
Next steps
- On a PlayStation: F1 2021 PS4 and PS5 controls.
- Is a wheel worth it? Controller vs wheel in F1 2021.
- Make the car easier to drive with my F1 2021 setups, then read the F1 2021 tips.
FAQ
What are the Xbox controls for F1 2021?
RT accelerates, LT brakes, the left stick steers. A is gear up, X is gear down, Y is DRS and the pit limiter, B is overtake, and the D-pad runs the MFD.
How do I use DRS in F1 2021 on Xbox?
Press Y in a DRS zone when the game shows DRS is available. With the DRS assist on, it opens by itself.
How do I rewind in F1 2021 on Xbox?
Press the View button, the small one on the left of the Xbox button. That opens the flashback.
How do I change gear on an Xbox controller?
A for gear up and X for gear down, with the gearbox assist on Manual.
Are the controls the same on Xbox One and Series X|S?
Yes. Same game layout, same buttons. An Xbox pad on PC uses it too.
Can I remap the buttons on Xbox?
Yes. Settings, then Controls, Vibration and Force Feedback. Select the controller, press Edit and save your own scheme.