Tip for consistency using the AI

[andrewdaniele]

Hi guys,

I've noticed this has helped with improving my lap times and consistency. Basically, I set the AI to the lowest strength I can keep up with at the back of a full grid, and then as I become more and more confident each race, I increase the strength (go 1 point each increase at first), once you get to 100% strength, start decreasing the number of cars on the grid, but still keep yourself at the back of the pack.

I don't know how much of this is just "training wheels" and if it only helps out new racers, but it helps me a lot! And yes, once I practice on my own without the AI, I still have the same lap time, so it's working.

I started this because I just joined a league, so I was looking at every possible way of preparing for the race as possible, not to be first or anything like that, but just to get some competitiveness out of it, plus it makes you safer too (because you know the track really well at that point and have fought with the AI a decent amount who you always keep at (or a little over) your limit in capabilities.

Hope this helps others who are trying to be serious about being their best!

[^4JB^7L^1ZR]

You need to practice longer stints to be consistent, by that I mean 15+ laps at a minimum and then a full fuel tank too which is probably around 30+ laps on tracks, finally practice whatever stints you need for your league races.

Practice driving at 90-95%, not 100% so you can lap without any risks, during that time you will eventually start to learn and get confidence on how and what you can make time and how to react and adjust as you make mistakes to minimize losses.

Finally the only way to be consistent in traffic is to drive in traffic, start off by being safe and a little cautious so you don't end up making contact often. Make good passes and decisions, if you are faster set up a pass with a corner or two in advance, don't try to just push through at every opportunity.

In the end you will get comfortable driving at 100% around other vehicles provided you are all around the same pace.

[andrewdaniele]

Originally posted by ^4JB^7L^1ZR:

You need to practice longer stints to be consistent, by that I mean 15+ laps at a minimum and then a full fuel tank too which is probably around 30+ laps on tracks, finally practice whatever stints you need for your league races.

Practice driving at 90-95%, not 100% so you can lap without any risks, during that time you will eventually start to learn and get confidence on how and what you can make time and how to react and adjust as you make mistakes to minimize losses.

Finally the only way to be consistent in traffic is to drive in traffic, start off by being safe and a little cautious so you don't end up making contact often. Make good passes and decisions, if you are faster set up a pass with a corner or two in advance, don't try to just push through at every opportunity.

In the end you will get comfortable driving at 100% around other vehicles provided you are all around the same pace.

That's great advice! I'm going to try that as part of my prep leading to the race this weekend. I'm amazed at how engaging this sim is, it's the first sim I truly wanted to get great at instead of just hot lapping for fun because it feels nice in VR lol. 1 track, 1 car, over and over again, and always looking at different approaches and ways of practicing, that's what this game has taught me to really take in and fall in love with that process.

[EF_Neo1st]

I know it may sound "not clever" (as not even related to the use of AI or not) but, just drive without lap times showing and care only about how much speed you can carry entering, through and exiting the turn, also trying to notice how fast you can do the turn.

Keep an eye to "braking point", "apex" and "turn exit", feel the car to know when you can use full throttle (to try and use full throttle as soon as possible) and you not only will be more consistent but also will improve faster.

[Protonv5]

Another tip is to start with Safe Setups and as you get quicker and set the AI higher move to the aggressive setup.

[andrewdaniele]

Originally posted by EF_Neo1st:

I know it may sound "not clever" (as not even related to the use of AI or not) but, just drive without lap times showing and care only about how much speed you can carry entering, through and exiting the turn, also trying to notice how fast you can do the turn.

Keep an eye to "braking point", "apex" and "turn exit", feel the car to know when you can use full throttle (to try and use full throttle as soon as possible) and you not only will be more consistent but also will improve faster.

that's a good idea, yeah it sounds like that would be very helpful to feel more connected to the circuit.

[andrewdaniele]

Originally posted by Protonv5:

Another tip is to start with Safe Setups and as you get quicker and set the AI higher move to the aggressive setup.

Yeah I did exactly this as well and it made a huge difference! I was stuck at 1:41 for hours, and then I went with the Safe Setup and now I'm able to do 1:38s, I've noticed that I can do 1:38s on aggressive now too, with some slight jerks of the car on some laps lol, so I think I'll continue to use the Safe Setup for the actual race since I want to actually stay somewhat with the back of the pack without risking going off course.

[EF_Neo1st]

Originally posted by andrewdaniele:

Originally posted by Protonv5:

Another tip is to start with Safe Setups and as you get quicker and set the AI higher move to the aggressive setup.

Yeah I did exactly this as well and it made a huge difference! I was stuck at 1:41 for hours, and then I went with the Safe Setup and now I'm able to do 1:38s, I've noticed that I can do 1:38s on aggressive now too, with some slight jerks of the car on some laps lol, so I think I'll continue to use the Safe Setup for the actual race since I want to actually stay somewhat with the back of the pack without risking going off course.

1:38 what track?

[andrewdaniele]

Originally posted by EF_Neo1st:

Originally posted by andrewdaniele:

Yeah I did exactly this as well and it made a huge difference! I was stuck at 1:41 for hours, and then I went with the Safe Setup and now I'm able to do 1:38s, I've noticed that I can do 1:38s on aggressive now too, with some slight jerks of the car on some laps lol, so I think I'll continue to use the Safe Setup for the actual race since I want to actually stay somewhat with the back of the pack without risking going off course.

1:38 what track?

on Zandvoort, but the issue I'm seeing is that 1:38 is going to my absolute max capabilities, and for that time I still need to be chasing the AI to keep my racing line nice and tight, otherwise I'm in the 1:39 range now

[EF_Neo1st]

Originally posted by andrewdaniele:

Originally posted by EF_Neo1st:

1:38 what track?

on Zandvoort, but the issue I'm seeing is that 1:38 is going to my absolute max capabilities, and for that time I still need to be chasing the AI to keep my racing line nice and tight, otherwise I'm in the 1:39 range now

Best time I could find for Zand is 1:34.434, your time is not that bad, just keep trying and pushing your limits.
I actually have to return to this track after 7 months, my best time 7 months ago was a 1:39, I hope now I can do a better time.