A method for controlling at least one first drive unit of a vehicle as a function of operating states of a second drive unit of the vehicle during a switchover operation. The first drive unit is associated with a first control unit and the second drive unit s associated with a second control unit. At least one message is transmitted to the first control unit by the second control unit. The message includes: a first desired value TQ1 of a controlled variable prior to the switchover operation; a second desired value TQ2 of the controlled variable after the switchover operation; and information on the angular position of a shaft of the second drive unit at the projected point of time of the switchover operation.