Reliable electric brake for a synchronous engine

A method for controlling a braking torque of a drive system and for braking a vehicle includes in a first state connecting phase connections of a synchronous machine to one another by a changeover apparatus and short circuiting the phase connections such that a first braking torque develops at the synchronous machine. In a second state the phase connections are connected to one another by the changeover apparatus and to a resistance, such that a second braking torque develops at the synchronous machine. The changeover apparatus periodically switches between the first and second states at a switching frequency of 10 Hz or higher to produce a pre-settable braking torque at the synchronous machine, with the changeover between the first state and the second state being controlled by a timing element in an unregulated manner.