In a first operating mode, as a function of the determined torque request value at least one first final control element is actuated influencing an air path of an engine. Representative of an actual basic torque value, a specific engine characteristic value is determined as a function of which, a filter parameter value is determined such that a torque setpoint value is brought closer to the actual basic torque value. The filter parameter value is saved assigned to the specific characteristic value. In a second operating mode, the filter parameter value is determined as a function of the specific characteristic value and the setpoint torque value is predefined by filtering the driver-requested torque value as a function of the determined parameter value. As a function of the predefined setpoint torque value, at least one second final control element is actuated which influences the drive system torque outside the air path.