Input Telemetry Overlay
Input Telemetry shows exactly what you’re doing with the car — throttle, brake, clutch, steering, and (where supported) gear and other control signals — in a clean visual bar format. [1]
Category: Driving Technique
Best for: Learning + Coaching
Great for: Replays / Stream overlays
Setup
- Start your sim and enter a session (practice/qualifying/race).
- Open RaceLab and enable Input Telemetry from the overlays list.
- Place it near your “information zone” (usually lower-left or lower-right) so it’s visible without blocking apex/brake markers.
- Confirm the bars move smoothly:
- Throttle bar should go 0–100% when you press the pedal.
- Brake bar should match your braking pressure (watch for spikes).
- Steering trace/indicator should follow wheel input cleanly.
Best habit: keep Input Telemetry in the same spot on every layout so your eyes learn it (especially when reviewing mistakes).
Practical tips (how to actually use it)
Input Telemetry is most powerful when you’re looking for “shape” — not numbers.
- Trail braking: aim for a smooth brake release curve into the corner (no “step-off” unless the corner needs it).
- Throttle discipline: watch for repeated “stabs” — they usually mean you’re uncertain on traction.
- Brake spikes: if the brake bar jumps instantly to 100% every time, consider adding a little pedal smoothing / adjust brake force to regain modulation.
- Steering scrubbing: lots of fast left-right corrections often means you’re overdriving entry or fighting rear instability.
- Coaching / streaming: it’s one of the clearest overlays for viewers to understand what the driver is doing.
| What you see | What it often means | Quick change to try |
|---|---|---|
| Brake bar “on/off” with no smooth release | Dumping brake too early → understeer mid-corner | Release brake slower over the last 20–30% |
| Throttle oscillating on exit | Traction limit uncertainty | Short-shift / smoother throttle ramp |
| Lots of steering correction on entry | Overdriving / poor rotation balance | Brake a touch earlier; reduce entry speed 1–2% |
Known issues & quick fixes
- Bars not moving / stuck at 0: the game connection isn’t feeding telemetry. Re-check the game integration and restart the sim once.
- Steering looks “wrong direction”: confirm wheel calibration in the sim, then restart RaceLab.
- Inputs are delayed / choppy: try Borderless/Windowed and close any overlays/capture layers that are fighting for the window.
- Values jump or flicker: check Windows USB power saving settings and ensure the wheel/pedals aren’t reconnecting mid-session.
If it was working yesterday and stopped after a game update, do a full sim restart and re-check the telemetry/plugin settings for that game.
FAQ
Where should I place Input Telemetry?
Most people place it low-left or low-right. The goal is “glanceable” without blocking braking markers or corner apexes.
Is this overlay only for beginners?
No — it’s useful at every level. Pros use the same “input shape” idea to keep entries consistent and exits clean.
Can I use it for streaming?
Yes. It’s one of the best “explains driving” overlays for viewers.