F1 2020 Circuit Guide

This circuit guide is intended to help people with setups and My Team/Career mode.

With setups I hope it starts you off in the right direction when choosing things like:
wing angle, tyre pressure, differential etc..

Why waste time trying a high downforce setting on a low downforce circuit?

With My Team/Career I hope it helps with choices like:
timing R&D to coincide with track specifics, saving or swapping engine parts at the right moment etc..

Why use a new power unit with Spain and Monaco coming up?

***It is not based on my opinion and the data/information was sourced from:
The FIA, Mercedes, Renault, McLaren, Williams, Wikipedia, and others.***

I am sure there are some small errors, typos etc.. and you are more than welcome to post constructive comments to help me fine tune the information.

It really did take some time and effort to put this together, so if you found it useful, please hit that like button.

Australia

Albert Park is a clockwise circuit with 6 left-hand and 10 right-hand corners, and the emphasis being on medium corner speed. It is known as a high downforce circuit, with a generally smooth surface, low grip and high brake wear. With around 3190 gear changes, gearbox wear is moderate. Tyre wear is also considered moderate, so a balanced choice of tyres is recommended. Power and downforce are as equally important here. There are few opportunities to overtake, making it difficult to progress through the field. A pit stop here will cost you around 21 seconds, but may get you ahead of the pack.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	Medium	High	Balanced	Low	Smooth	Balanced	Medium	Medium	High

Bahrain

Bahrain International circuit is a clockwise circuit with 15 corners; 6 left-hand and 9 right-hand, and a split between low and medium corner speed. It is known as a medium downforce circuit with a generally smooth surface. It has low grip due to sand being blown across the circuit, plus high brake wear. With around 2964 gear changes gearbox wear is moderate. Tyre wear is considered high, so a hard choice of tyres is recommended. Power is important here, and there is no real difficulty with overtaking. Meaning you should progress through the field. Your best overtaking opportunities are turns: 1,4,11. A pit stop here will cost you around 25 seconds.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	Low/Medium	Medium	Power	Low	Smooth	Hard	High	Medium	High

Vietnam

The Hanoi Street Circuit is an anti-clockwise circuit with 12 left-hand and 11 right-hand corners, with a mixed corner speed. It is known as a medium downforce circuit, with a generally bumpy surface. Tyre wear is also considered moderate, so a balanced choice of tyres is recommended. Power is important here, with no difficulty in overtaking meaning you should progress through the field. A pit stop here will cost you around 28 seconds.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Anti-clockwise	Mixed	Medium	Power	???	Bumpy	Balanced	Medium	???	???

China

Shanghai International Circuit is a clockwise circuit with 7 left-hand and 9 right-hand corners, with a mixed corner speed. It is known as a medium downforce circuit, with a generally bumpy surface. There is low grip and moderate brake wear. With around 2856 gear changes, gearbox wear is moderate. Tyre wear is also considered moderate, so a balanced choice of tyres is recommended. Power is important here and can make overtaking easy, meaning you should progress through the field. A pit stop here will cost you around 17 seconds.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	Mixed	Medium	Power	Low	Bumpy	Balanced	Medium	Medium	Medium

Netherlands

Circuit Zandvoort is a clockwise circuit with 4 left-hand and 10 right-hand corners, and the emphasis being on high corner speed. It is known as a medium downforce circuit, with a generally bumpy surface. Tyre wear is considered high, so a hard choice of tyres is recommended. Power is important here, although surprisingly overtaking is near impossible, thus making it difficult to progress through the field. A pit stop here will cost you around 16 seconds, but may get you ahead.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	high	Medium	Power	Low	Bumpy	Hard	High	Low	Medium

Spain

The Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya is a clockwise circuit with 7 left-hand and 9 right-hand corners, and the emphasis being on high corner speed. It is known as a low downforce circuit, with a generally bumpy surface, high grip and high brake wear. With around 2904 gear changes, gearbox wear is moderate. Tyre wear is also considered high, so a hard choice of tyres is recommended. Downforce is important here. Overtaking and progressing through the field are difficult. Your best chances are turn 1 and turn 10. A pit stop here will cost you around 21 seconds, and may get you ahead.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	High	Low	Downforce	High	Bumpy	Hard	High	Medium	High

Monaco

The Circuit De Monaco is a clockwise circuit with 19 corners: 8 left-hand and 11 right-hand. With the emphasis being on Low corner speed. It is known as a maximum downforce circuit, with a seriously bumpy surface, low grip and moderate brake wear. With around 3744 gear changes, gearbox wear is moderate. Tyre wear is considered low, so a soft choice of tyres is recommended. Downforce is king here, with overtaking notoriously difficult, forget about progressing through the field. A pit stop here will cost you around 19 seconds, and will basically be your best chance to overtake. If you are brave you can try overtaking at turns 1 and 10.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	Low	Maximum	Downforce	Low	Bumpy	Soft	Low	High	Medium

Azerbaijan

Baku City Circuit is an anti-clockwise Street circuit with 12 left-hand and 8 right-hand corners, and a split between low and medium corner speed. It is known as a low downforce circuit, with a generally smooth surface, low grip and moderate brake wear. With around 3162 gear changes, gearbox wear is moderate. Tyre wear is also considered moderate, so a balanced choice of tyres is recommended. Power is important here, with a long straight making overtaking not so difficult. Especially turns 1 and 3. A pit stop here will cost you around 15 seconds.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Anit-clockwise	Low/Medium	Low	Power	Low	Smooth	Balanced	Medium	Medium	Medium

Canada

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a clockwise circuit with 6 left-hand and 8 right-hand corners, and a split between low and medium corner speed. It is known as a low to medium downforce circuit, with a generally bumpy surface, low grip and extremly high brake wear. With around 3920 gear changes, gearbox wear is high. Tyre wear is considered low, so a soft choice of tyres is recommended. Power is important on this circuit. A pit stop here will cost you around 23 seconds.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	Low/Medium	Low/Medium	Power	Low	Bumpy	Soft	Low	High	High

France

Circuit Paul Richard is a clockwise circuit with 6 left-hand and 9 right-hand corners, and a split between medium and high corner speed. It is known as a medium downforce circuit, with a generally bumpy surface, moderate grip and low brake wear. With around 2862 gear changes, gearbox wear is moderate. Tyre wear is also considered moderate, so a balanced choice of tyres is recommended. Power is important here. A pit stop here will cost you around 25 seconds. For overtaking try turns 1 and 8.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	Medium/High	Medium	Power	Medium	Bumpy	Balanced	Medium	Medium	Low

Austria

The Red Bull Ring is a clockwise circuit with 3 left-hand and 7 right-hand corners, and a split between medium and high corner speed. It is known as a medium downforce circuit, with a generally smooth surface, grip levels are high and moderate brake wear. With around 3834 gear changes, gearbox wear is high. Tyre wear is also considered moderate, so a balanced choice of tyres is recommended. Power is important here. A pit stop here will cost you around 21 seconds.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	Medium/High	Low/Medium	Power	High	Smooth	Balanced	Medium	High	Medium

Great Britain

Silverstone is a clockwise circuit with 8 left-hand and 10 right-hand corners, and the emphasis being on high corner speed. It is known as a medium downforce circuit, with a generally bumpy surface, high grip and moderate brake wear. With around 2496 gear changes, gearbox wear is low. Tyre wear is considered high, so a hard choice of tyres is recommended. Power is important here as silverstone is one of the fastest circuits on the calendar. A pit stop here will cost you around 30 seconds. If you are careful you can find the best overtaking at turns 3 and 15.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	High	Medium	Power	High	Bumpy	Hard	High	Low	Medium

Hungary

The Hungaroring is a clockwise circuit with 6 left-hand and 8 right-hand corners, and a split between medium and high corner speed. It is known as a medium to high downforce circuit, with a generally smooth surface having been completely resurfaced in 2016. It has moderate grip levels and low brake wear. With around 3360 gear changes, gearbox wear is high. Tyre wear is considered moderate, so a balanced choice of tyres is recommended. Downforce is important here, with few opportunities to overtake making it difficult to progress through the field, although you could try turns 1 and 2. A pit stop here will cost you around 21 seconds, but may get you ahead.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	Medium/High	Medium/High	Downforce	Medium	Smooth	Balanced	Medium	High	Low

Belgium

Spa is a clockwise circuit with 10 left-hand and 9 right-hand corners, and the emphasis being on high corner speed. It is now known more as a low to medium downforce circuit, with a generally smooth surface, moderate grip and low brake wear. With around 2112 gear changes, gearbox wear is low. Tyre wear is considered high, so a hard choice of tyres is recommended. Power is important here because of the Kemmal Straight. A pit stop here will cost you around 23 seconds. You have a few good overtaking opportunities at turns 1,5, and 18.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	High	Low/Medium	Power	Medium	Smooth	Hard	High	Low	Low

Italy

The Autodromo Nazionale Di Monza is a clockwise circuit with 4 left-hand and 7 right-hand corners, and the emphasis being on high corner speed. It is known as a low downforce circuit, with a generally bumpy surface, low grip and high brake wear. With around 2438 gear changes, gearbox wear is low. Tyre wear is also considered moderate, so a balanced choice of tyres is recommended. Power is considered critical here, being the fastest circuit on the calendar. A pit stop here will cost you around 25 seconds. Overtaking can easily be done at turns 1,4 and 8.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	High	Low	Power	Low	Bumpy	Balanced	Medium	Low	High

Singapore

The Marina Bay Street Circuit is an anti-clockwise circuit with 15 left-hand and 8 right-hand corners, and the emphasis being on low corner speed. It is known as a maximum downforce circuit, with a generally bumpy surface, low grip and high brake wear. With the highest amount of gear changes at 4880, gearbox wear is extreme. Tyre wear is considered low, so a soft choice of tyres is recommended. Downforce is the master around this circuit, with few opportunities to overtake making it difficult to progress through the field. A pit stop here will cost you around 28 seconds, and may be your best chance to get ahead.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Anti-clockwise	Low	Maximum	Downforce	Low	Bumpy	Soft	Low	Extreme	High

Russia

Sochi Autodrom is a clockwise circuit with 6 left-hand and 12 right-hand corners, and a split between low and high corner speed. It is known as a medium downforce circuit, with a generally smooth surface, low grip and moderate brake wear. With around 2120 gear changes, gearbox wear is low. Tyre wear is also considered moderate, so a balanced choice of tyres is recommended. Power is important here, with surprisingly few opportunities to overtake making it difficult to progress through the field. You could try at turns 2 and 13. A pit stop here will cost you around 25 seconds, but may get you ahead.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	Low/High	Medium	Power	Low	Smooth	Balanced	Medium	Low	Medium

Japan

Suzuka is the only figure of 8 clockwise circuit on the calendar, with 8 left-hand and 10 right-hand corners, and an emphasis on high corner speed. It is known as a medium downforce circuit, with a generally smooth surface, high grip and low brake wear. With around 2226 gear changes, gearbox wear is low. Tyre wear is considered high, so a hard choice of tyres is recommended. Power and downforce are as equally important here. A pit stop here will cost you around 22 seconds.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	High	Medium	Balanced	High	Bumpy	Hard	High	Low	Low

United States

The Circuit of the Americas is an anti-clockwise circuit with 11 left-hand and 9 right-hand corners, and the emphasis being on low corner speed. It is known as a medium to high downforce circuit, with a generally bumpy surface, high grip levels and moderate brake wear. With around 3024 gear changes, gearbox wear is moderate. Tyre wear is also considered moderate, so a balanced choice of tyres is recommended. Downforce is important here. A pit stop here will cost you around 24 seconds. Overtaking is considered best done at turn 1 and 12.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Anti-clockwise	Low	MediumHigh	Downforce	High	Bumpy	Balanced	Medium	Medium	Medium

Mexico City

The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, apart from having the best stadium section of any, is a clockwise circuit with 7 left-hand and 10 right-hand corners, and a split between low and high corner speed. It is known as a high downforce circuit, with a generally bumpy surface, There is moderate grip levels and high brake wear. With around 3124 gear changes, gearbox wear is moderate. Tyre wear is also considered moderate, so a balanced choice of tyres is recommended. Downforce is important here mainly because of the altitude effect on the engines. Try overtaking at turns 1 and 4 for the best success. A pit stop here will cost you around 22 seconds.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Clockwise	Low/High	High	Downforce	Medium	Smooth	Balanced	Medium	Medium	High

Brazil

The Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace is an anit-clockwise circuit with 10 left-hand and 5 right-hand corners, and a split between low and high corner speed. It is known as a medium to high downforce circuit, with a generally bumpy surface, high grip and low brake wear. With around 2982 gear changes, gearbox wear is moderate. Tyre wear is considered high, so a hard choice of tyres is recommended. Power and downforce are as equally important here. You'll have your best chance to overtake at turns 1 and 4. A pit stop here will cost you around 23 seconds.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Anit-clockwise	Low/High	Medium/High	Balanced	High	Bumpy	Hard	High	Medium	Low

Abu Dhabi

The Yas Marina circuit, apart from being colourful, is an anti-clockwise circuit with 12 left-hand and 9 right-hand corners, and the emphasis being on low corner speed. It is known as a medium to high downforce circuit, with a generally smooth surface, moderate grip levels and high brake wear. With around 3740 gear changes, gearbox wear is high. Tyre wear is considered low, so a soft choice of tyres is recommended. Downforce is important here, with almost no opportunities to overtake, making it difficult to progress through the field. If you will try to overtake do it at turns 1, 8 and 11. A pit stop here will cost you around 21 seconds.

Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
Anti-clockwise	Low	Medium/High	Downforce	Medium	Bumpy	Soft	Low	High	High

Table Of Track Characteristics

Track	Track direction	Corner speed	Down force	Circuit style	Grip levels	Track surface	Tyre choice	Tyre wear	Gearbox wear	Brake wear
AUS	Clockwise	Med	High	Balanced	Low	Smooth	Balanced	Med	Med	High
BHR	Clockwise	Low/Med	Med	Power	Low	Smooth	Hard	High	Med	High
VNM	Anti-clock	Mixed	Med	Power	???	Bumpy	Balanced	Med	???	???
CHN	Clockwise	Mixed	Med	Power	Low	Bumpy	Balanced	Med	Med	Med
NLD	Clockwise	High	Med	Power	Low	Bumpy	Hard	High	Low	Medium
ESP	Clockwise	High	Low	Downforce	High	Bumpy	Hard	High	Med	High
MCO	Clockwise	Low	Max	Downforce	Low	Bumpy	Soft	Low	High	Med
AZE	Anti-clock	Low/Med	Low	Power	Low	Smooth	Balanced	Med	Med	Med
CAN	Clockwise	Low/Med	Low/Med	Power	Low	Bumpy	Soft	Low	High	High
FRA	Clockwise	Med/High	Med	Power	Med	Bumpy	Balanced	Med	Med	Low
AUT	Clockwise	Med/High	Low/Med	Power	High	Smooth	Balanced	Med	High	Med
GBR	Clockwise	High	Med	Power	High	Bumpy	Hard	High	Low	Med
HUN	Clockwise	Med/High	Med/High	Downforce	Med	Smooth	Balanced	Med	High	Low
BEL	Clockwise	High	Low/Med	Power	Med	Smooth	Hard	High	Low	Low
ITA	Clockwise	High	Low	Power	Low	Bumpy	Balanced	Med	Low	High
SGP	Anti-clock	Low	Max	Downforce	Low	Bumpy	Soft	Low	Extreme	High
RUS	Clockwise	Low/High	Med	Power	Low	Smooth	Balanced	Med	Low	Med
JPN	Clockwise	High	Med	Balanced	High	Bumpy	Hard	High	Low	Low
USA	Anti-clock	Low	Med/High	Downforce	High	Bumpy	Balanced	Med	Med	Med
MEX	Clockwise	Low/High	High	Downforce	Med	Smooth	Balanced	Med	Med	High
BRA	Anti-clock	Low/High	Med/High	Balanced	High	Bumpy	Hard	High	Med	Low
ARE	Anti-clock	Low	Med/High	Downforce	Med	Bumpy	Soft	Low	High	High

[南巷近海]

谢谢

[Cata]

@F. Boucher

If you are not making any changes to the default settings, it is the downforce column.

If you make changes,the columns: corner speed, grip levels, and track surface are of interest.

The column "track direction" is informative.

The column "circuit style" is aimed at the overall specs of your car i.e. Merc is better on power circuits, RedBull on downforce circuits. Check where your car is strongest, maybe you have a balanced car.

The columns "tyre choice" and "tyre wear" are to influence your weekend tyre choice and tyre strategy.

The column "gear wear" gives you an informative view of how much stress your gearbox takes over a race weekend.

The column "brake wear" is informative as I'm not aware of brake wear actually being part of the game mechanics.

As I mentioned, this information was sourced from actual F1 teams etc., and slighted adjusted in some minor areas, where I understood the game may not reflect real life.

[Antikcommando]

Hello, for the game's default presets, which feature should you look at in your examples?

[Cata]

@Coverwatch

I'll use RedBull as an example.

RedBull have always been know for having a good aero package, hence why they usually do well on circuits like SGP, HUN, MCO etc., circuit styles that favour downforce or cars with a good aero package. Their car is not know for it's powerful engine so on circuits like RUS, BEL AZE etc., where the power of the engine is important they don't fair so well.

So if your car in F1 2020 has a powerful Merc engine and a crap aero package then you can expect to fair better at FRA than you would at HUN. So it concerns your total aero package or engine strength,

The downforce column refers to the actual settings you would place on your car like Front Wing 5, Rear Wing 7.

[Coverwatch]

Great work but I don't get some parts in the bottom table. For example you say the it's a downforce style circuit but downforce is given as low in Spain.

[Cata]

@ grollsebastian1

Thank you and you're welcome

[heaweat]

it is so good. Merci for that guid. Please give us more of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cata]

@ Dani RAMOS

Cheers, appreciate it

[Dani Ramos]

perfect

[Cata]

@front wing damage

Merci beaucoup monsieur, vous etes gentil