A method controls an internal combustion engine that has a drive output shaft connected to an input shaft of a transmission. The internal combustion engine, the transmission and a drive wheel are encompassed by a drivetrain for the drive of a motor vehicle. The method includes determining a rotational acceleration of the input shaft and determining an input torque at the input shaft of the transmission based on a product of the rotational acceleration and a speed reduction ratio-dependent moment of inertia of the drivetrain in a section between the input shaft and the drive wheel. A combustion torque of the internal combustion engine is controlled such that the input torque adheres to a predetermined maximum input torque at the input shaft of the transmission.