In need of guidance

[Drevin]

A few days ago, browsing through Steam's games I stumbled on F1 2012, and after I noticed it got good reviews and looked awesome, I decided to buy it. The thing is, I don't know pretty much anything about sim racing. And the last time I watched F1 on TV was quite a few years ago when Schumacher, Hakkinen, Coulthard or Barrichello were driving. And quickly after installing the game I realized I am awefully horrible at something like this. Basically I have no idea when and how to break and accelerate, and how to handle corners without getting off the track. I looked over the internet for guides to F1 racing or sim racing, but alas, I couldn't find anything for me. Most guides I found were about how to setup the racing cars for different events and conditions, which are without purpose for me, when I can't even take a proper corner, or a chicane.

So, here are my questions: does anyone know of a beginners' guide or more on how to drive a F1 car? Or can someone give some pointers on how exactly to execute a turn? How did you guys learn how to drive a F1 car? What are de do's and don't's in driving a sim car?

Thank you.

PS: I should probably mention that I have an XBOX controller, so I'm not trying to play F1 on keyboard.

[Sephrax]

Don't know any guides but you can try Young Driver Test. You can find it under Career from menu. It tries to explain some of the stuff. It also rates your performance in each test. All are covered: accelerating, braking, cornering, KERS, DRS.

[ravedemon]

Also,in career mode you can watch a video of every track with narrated tips on when to brake,accelerate etc. Best guide is to just keep playing,you will get much better after one season or so....

[Drevin]

Thank you for the replies. I know about the Young Drivers Test, as the game forced me to get into it even before I got the chance to find the graphics and audio options. I can't say it's useless, but basically it didn't give me enough pointers for what I needed. I guess I have to continue using the YDT and redo and redo the different tests until I get better, as ravedemon said.

A few more questions at this time:

There is a colored path that I can follow when driving. I assume when it's green I floor it, when it's red I brake hard, but what I should really do on yellow? Slow brake (press the controller trigger only half way)?

Seeing videos and seeing also the YDT, I assume it's not a bad thing to get on the red and white parts near the track. Do they help cornering? I can't take a corner if I just stay on the track?

Is it just me, or if I brake and try to turn at the same time it won't work and I will miss the turn?

Thank you.

[Sephrax]

Green: floor it (in corners give it just enough gas to go through that corner smoothly)
Yellow: no brake or gas just let it slow down by itself
Orange: a bit of braking is needed
Red: brake

Use as much space on track you can when cornering. As long as you don't go to grass/gravel it's good.

Never brake while cornering. F1 car doesn't work like normal car.

I found this btw. Didn't read it through but it has at least few good points especially on when to brake/turn/accelerate.
http://www.formula1-dictionary.net/cornering_tech.html

[Drevin]

Cheers for the answers, Sephrax. I'll start reading that article, I already love it has some graphics too.

[Spykerツ]

It is really a great game to play.. The only downside to this game is the penalty system is you cut a corner or if you really accidently spin some out

[New Power Soul]

Check out Alex Gillons Youtube channel, i know he has some driving school bits, espacially regarding acceleration and braking.

[Drevin]

Yill do. Cheers, Bootsy!

[76561198072237413]

f1julien2013f1

[MEDUSA]

Try not to apply full break and turn at the same time.
Breaking on straight will optimize the breaking force, using full 4-tyres and then decrease the break force as you enter a corner and let the tyres roll so it's not locked up and too much weight transfer on either side. This will preserve tyre longetivity, as you watch F1 race tyres are big issue with Pirelli tyre this season.

If you watch the F1 pre-race/qualy show recently, Lewis Hamilton explains the starting procedure, gas pedal halfway (to avoid wheelspin) and after the traction fully applied then gradually go on full throttle and go 2nd gear, then KERS, and next gear and so on.
I wish Fernando Alonso would do the explanation though because he always have a rocket start, on contrary to Mark Webber where he always bogged down and get mugged.

If you have option to watch from the driver's dashboard (on F1 race), choose Fernando Alonso at start, he always have exciting start. Very aggressive but calculated!

Originally posted by Drevin:

A few days ago, browsing through Steam's games I stumbled on F1 2012, and after I noticed it got good reviews and looked awesome, I decided to buy it. The thing is, I don't know pretty much anything about sim racing. And the last time I watched F1 on TV was quite a few years ago when Schumacher, Hakkinen, Coulthard or Barrichello were driving. And quickly after installing the game I realized I am awefully horrible at something like this. Basically I have no idea when and how to break and accelerate, and how to handle corners without getting off the track. I looked over the internet for guides to F1 racing or sim racing, but alas, I couldn't find anything for me. Most guides I found were about how to setup the racing cars for different events and conditions, which are without purpose for me, when I can't even take a proper corner, or a chicane.

So, here are my questions: does anyone know of a beginners' guide or more on how to drive a F1 car? Or can someone give some pointers on how exactly to execute a turn? How did you guys learn how to drive a F1 car? What are de do's and don't's in driving a sim car?

Thank you.

PS: I should probably mention that I have an XBOX controller, so I'm not trying to play F1 on keyboard.

[Drevin]

Cheers for the input, lilith!

[udogi]

I understand you very well Drevin, there's not a good official manual for this game! You are to guess things on your own.

My advice is that you should start driving with all the aids, and practice alone (no rivals), practice an awful lot of time. A steering weel is not indicated if you're still learning the tracks, keyboard control may be more suitable for learners as it's a bit simpler to use.

Once you're accostumed to the track lines you can start eliminating helps one by one, braking assistance is probably the first one to get rid of as it's essential for controlling your pace, once you are confortable with braking points and speed you'll be doing great. You need to know where to be (and what speed to have) at every moment to be quick, and that's learnt by experience and talent.

[ravedemon]

About the red and white parts, or curbs......You have to treat each one differently,every curb on every track is different in height etc. so riding on some will throw you off balance and some will be flat and help your pace.Also depends on your car setup.
More importantly,riding the curbs always damages tyres more,atleast in real life F1,I dunno if it is the same in the game....
Udogi is right,that is exactly the best way to learn this game....

[SeraphimGrey]

Had same issue...I as well lastly followed full F1 season when Schumacher was the man and others were trying to race him.. :D Well then I got myself a Logitech Driving Force GT. It's a whole new world... trust me. If you intend to spend some quality time with F1 2012, get a proper wheel. Otherwise, forget it, you'll always need to use more or less computer assistance, and there's no happines in that. It's great feeling when you can turn precisely, apply brakes or accelerate precisely and then you make great lap... or drive full 58 laps race, and your hands hurt at first from feedback. :D just like in carting racers.

I think that this game is made such that you really need quality wheel, it's not arcade that should be played on controller. Reluctat to buy? Borrow it at first :) And add me as a friend later ;)

[Cheeseburger Walrus]

Practice, practice and more practice :).. my tip for you would be do not race with racing line on but learn the track as it is. It is okay to go out the track but note to yourself what the perfect speed in and out the corner would be instead. Don't have to finish P1 all the time just enjoy yourself and you will notice yourself getting better and better.

P.S. Game is significantly better with a controller or a good quality wheel.