a vehicle control apparatus and method that control a vehicle equipped with a driving source and an automatic transmission connected to the driving source are provided . the vehicle control apparatus and method increase a driving force by at least one of the increase in output from the driving source and the increase in a speed ratio of the automatic transmission , when the vehicle is traveling . the vehicle control apparatus and method detects a request for passing a lead vehicle , and performs a limit control when the request for passing the lead vehicle is detected . the limit control reduces a proportion of the driving force increased by the increase in the speed ratio of the automatic transmission to the driving force increased by the increase in the output from the driving source .