Time Trial League - Rd 5 - Monaco

Welcome to Round 5 of our Time Trial League, and it's Monaco, the one we all want to be good at. 

For this round, we have a Work in Progress F1 Virtual track based on the 2019 Monaco GP, it was a privilege to play on it. 

Championship Standings

Here's a quick reminder of how the table stands going into Monte Carlo.

1. 40pts - Fongu
2. 24pts - Gildoorf
3. 12pts - 32bobo32
4. 10pts - Duffer
5. 09pts - Carl_gpgames
6. 07pts - Prblanco
7. 02pts - Kerley

New Rules

Track limits was not so much of an issue here, and tapping the barriers are allowed. The main change was after fuel-burn gate. Starting the session with 10 laps of fuel is now no longer enforced, but you must have at least 1.0 laps of fuel left at the end of the hot lap. 

My Approach

I had limited time on this event, so I set my time quite early on in the week. I spent a lot of time working on my setup, mostly finding gains on the gearing. I didn't play much with the downforce settings, which would turn out to be quite important in the end. I wanted the lower gears quite close together, so close that it's impossible to do it efficiently with manual gear selection, but it's to help the car get maximum acceleration. I also wanted a low first gear, it helps force the car to slow down and get around the tight corners. I also needed to make sure I wasn't in between gears in any corner, and my top gear was just clipping at the fastest point on the track. I did my setup work on the keyboard, and then used the same set up for a few laps on the steering wheel. 

My best keyboard time was 1:13.189, and I was able to beat that on the steering wheel with a 1:12.612.

Monaco is very much a confidence track, and you have to build to up to it. You have to start slow and then gain confidence on lines, braking points, acceleration points and how close you dare go towards the barriers. Also how much TC to use (or rather how much it is switched off) comes into play too. If I had more time, I probably could have mastered the lap without TC on at all on the wheel. 

In terms of fuel, I set off with 4 laps of fuel, preferring to take 2 times laps to build confidence with tyre wear not an issue around Monaco. 

The Hot Laps

0:07 - As usual, we start by looking at the 'speed traps', because it reveals how much wing everyone is running:

1. 292kph - Gildoorf
2. 287kph - KerleyF1
3. 283kph - Duffer
4. 283kph - 32bobo32
5. 282kph - Carl_gpgames
6. 281kph - Prblanco
7. 175kph - Fongu

So I am running a hell of a lot more wing than the others (or the speedo is showing mph and it's actually 281kph 😂). Also worth noting the field is split between those running 6 gears and those choosing to run the 7th gear. I guess a couple of the guys were running the default setup. 

0:09 - Into Saint Devote and Duffer is the first to blink on the brakes and is last into the apex. There's a range of different lines, Gildoorf is over the right on the pit exit, whereas I prefer to be on the left trying to get maximum speed and less angle on turn in. It's Gildoorf, Prblanco and Kerley who are tied for the lead at the apex. Notice how much more steering lock I am applying on the wheel and actually I'm quite hesitant and slow, leaving lots of room on the exit. I clip the kerb a little, but Carl and Duffer both take lots of kerb. On the exit, 32bobo32, Carl and Gildoorf are running no Traction Control. Under the Pirelli banner, and it's Prblanco in the lead, 32bobo32 and Gildoorf too close to call in second and Kerley in fourth. 

0:16 - It's a drag race up the hill through Beau Rivage, favouring those with a low downforce setup, i.e. Gildoorf, and he storms into the lead under the UBS banner. 32bobo32 is following close behind, Prblanco losing ground, and I'm gaining in 4th. Over the crest into the long left hander of Massenet, and it's a tricky turn to get right, knowing how much to brake, coast and how hard to turn with a couple of apex points where the barrier seems to jump out at you. Also you need to line up for Casino Square and Carl and Duffer nail their apexes perfectly. 

0:22 - On the exit of Casino Square, and there's varying techniques, particularly those who whack the barrier on the exit. Prblanco, Carl and Duffer all avoid touching it, but it's Carl who is able to get good speed out the exit. I am the earliest back on the throttle in Casino Square, just glancing the barrier on the exit. Kerley and Gildoorf run wide and gives the barrier the gentle kiss, whilst 32bobo32 really clatters against the exit wall. Under the Casino banner and it's Gildoorf still leading, but I've closed up into 2nd, just an inch ahead of 32bobo32. Prblanco leads Carl, whilst Duffer and Kerley are neck and neck. For some reason, I come across to the right over the bump - no real need to do that in GP4. 

0:26 - Sector 1 times are in:

1. 19.215 - Gildoorf
2. 19.250 - Fongu
3. 19.251 - 32bobo32
4. 19.403 - Prblanco
5. 19.450 - Carl_gpgames
6. 19.643 - KerleyF1
7. 19.650 - Duffer

There's three clear groups forming, and it's incredibly tight between them, just 0.01 separating me and 32bobo32! For the first time on the lap, 32bobo32 turns off his traction control heading round Mirabeau. Carl and I both use our steering wheels to our advantage and we are able to hug the inside of Mirabeau whilst the keyboard runners are all struggling to keep that tight line, 32bobo32 managing the best. Gildoorf and Prblanco run really wide and at 0.29 it looks like Gildoorf hits another barrier on the left. He maintains his lead over the pedestrian crossing, but it's getting a bit scruffy! 

0:32 - Into the Grand Hotel hairpin, and nobody makes the apex. I get my braking all wrong as I slide over the kerbs on the right. But I'm first on the throttle, and over the pedestrian crossing and I take the lead, 32bobo32 sneaks into 2nd with Gildoorf now in third. Prblanco is a clear 4th with Carl, Kerley and Duffer all running close together. Into Mirabeau Bas and I completely abuse the kerbs, but watch it launch me into the air on the exit, but I manage to keep it together into Portier. 

0:40 - The exit of Portier is a key part of the track as you accelerate into the tunnel. At the end of the exit kerb, I am already in 4th gear though Gildoorf is right there with me. 32bobo32 has now dropped back a touch. Prblanco is ever so slightly ahead of Duffer, who is closely followed by Carl and Kerley is beginning to drop back a little. I release my TC for the first time out of Portier, but I slightly tap the inside barrier in the tunnel. 

0:47 - On the exit of the tunnel, it's important to get the right braking point into the Nouvelle chicane. Gildoorf is a clear 11kph faster than I am, snatching the lead back off me. You have to have the confidence to almost kiss the inside orange barrier, but it's vital to turn right as soon as possible over the kerb and get on the throttle quickly. This was the key difference maker between my wheel lap vs my keyboard lap where I gained the most time. 

0:57 - Into Tabac and I lead Gildoorf into this tricky turn. It's another confidence corner with a blind apex when you turn in and a barrier to watch out for on the exit. But its Gildoorf who is much more impressive than me on the wheel through there, the steering help giving the keyboard players just that bit more confidence. Into the first swimming pool chicane, another confidence corner and does anyone dare go through there without lifting off the throttle? Yes, Gildoorf, with the lowest downforce is able to keep it flat, as does Prblanco, but both have steering help to control their slide on exit. 

Sector 2 times are in:

1. 35.734 - Fongu
2. 35.773 - Gildoorf
3. 36.002 - 32bobo32
4. 36.165 - Prblanco
5. 36.221 - Duffer
6. 36.366 - Carl_gpgames
7. 36.722 - KerleyF1

It's close once again between myself and Gildoorf, and incredibly close sector times. 32bobo32 and Prblanco also set very similar times with Duffer improving from his slower first sector. 

1:02 - Into the second swimming pool chicane and it was amazing to watch 2021 qualifying how close they were to the inside right barrier, with Leclerc ultimately hitting it and ending Q3 early. But we all give it a bit of a wide berth in GP4. Though I'm on the throttle marginally earlier than Gildoorf, you can tell by the lines that I'm a lot more hesitant through there. Gildoorf, myself and Duffer get minimal airtime on the sausage kerb, whilst 32bobo32 and Prblanco spend a lot of their exit time in the air and collecting the car and Prblanco using the exit barrier to straighten the car. Kerley uses a more extreme approach of using the barriers. Carl serenely drivers around both kerbs being extra careful not to hit anything. 

1:06 -  It is absolutely neck and neck between myself and Gildoorf as we cross the white line coming into Rascasse. By the time we hit the pedestrian crossing, Gildoorf edges out in front. Very similar approaches in Rascasse, but Gildoorf has more confidence in Anthony Noghes and with his car being faster down the straight (6kph faster at the finish line) he deservedly takes his first victory of the season. Congratulations my friend. For the second time around the lap, I take off my TC out of the final bend but to no avail.  

1:20 - Sector 3 times are: 

1. 17.393 - Gildoorf
2. 17.628 - Fongu
3. 17.819 - Carl_gpgames
4. 17.869 - Duffer
5. 18.041 - Prblanco
6. 18.069 - KerleyF1
7. 18.242 - 32bobo32

Gildoorf absolutely smashes the final sector, the difference maker here in Monaco. Carl and Duffer put in excellent third sectors too, but they struggled in other sectors. Kerley also posts a good time, almost identical time to Prblanco as 32bobo32 limps home after being in contention going into the tunnel, losing time over the kerbs in the second swimming pool and running a little wide in Rascasse. 

1:22 and the overall times are:

1. 1:12.381 - Gildoorf
2. 1:12.612 - Fongu
3. 1:13.495 - 32bobo32
4. 1:13.609 - Prblanco
5. 1:13.635 - Carl_gpgames
6. 1:13.740 - Duffer
7. 1:14.434 - Kerley

Another excellent round, with a close battle at the front and a competitive midfield. Though Kerley finishes bottom, none of his sectors were particularly bad, it was just the midfield had good sectors mixed in with poorer sectors. After a run of 2 podiums, Duffer drops back in Monaco, and 32bobo32 returns to form taking his third podium of the year. It has to be noted that Prblanco did not set many laps at all and just pipped Carl over a full lap. 

Impressively, Gildoorf mastered his setup, and set a time nobody could get within a second of on the keyboard, with my keyboard time being 0.8 seconds down. My lack of playing around with wing setup cost me this round, though I do believe my work on gear ratios helped me accelerate quickly and confidently out of the corners. But I take nothing away from the super human effort Gildoorf put in to set a low 1:12 time. 

Quotes

• 40 minutes to go and Prblanco is P7 with a 1:14.503. 
• Carl says "KerleyF1 that's another point for you! 🙂"
• 20 minutes to go - Kerley says "Thank god for Prblanco don't have time to improve his lap." 
• 15 minutes to go - Prblanco submits 1:13.609 and says "sorry 😅". "It was my best ever S1 and S2, there's no way I wouldn't send that lap 😂"

• Fongu: "congrats Gildoorf on your excellent lap around Monte Carlo"
• Carl: "Gildoorf congratulations, you're the King of Monaco now!! 👑"
• Kerley: "Gildoorf, a superb and perfect lap!" Congratz!" "P.S: I hit the barrier 3 times 😜"
• Gildoorf: "🙌🙌🙌one at last 😂 huge thanks Carl_gpgames"
• Gildoorf: "32bobo32 is sort of mastering traction control tweaks. Well done! Also noticeable how laptimes fall down throughout the week. Monaco is somewhere where one's confidence rules."
• 32bobo32: "😂😂😂 my DRS"

Championship Standings (after round 5)

1. 46pts - Fongu
2. 34pts - Gildoorf
3. 16pts - 32bobo32
4. 11pts - Duffer
5. 11pts - Carl_gpgames
6. 10pts - Prblanco
7. 02pts - KerleyF1

GP4: Nikita Mazepin 'Victory Day' 2021 Spanish GP Helmet

I thought I'd gotten away with it, I couldn't see any special helmets for the Spanish Grand Prix to begin with, and then I saw there one after the race, and it's Mazepin amended his usual design with a tribute to Victory Day (not his victory obviously!). 

Being in a swing of creating helmets now, well race specific helmets at least, I thought I would do this out of a sense of completion. The design features two red stars and weaves three black lines subtly into his existing design. His number 9 also incorporates the black lines too, which is also the day of the race and of the celebrations in Russia. 

It wasn't easy picking the right shade for his helmet, it's a dayglo red as far as I can tell, that looks orange in some lights. Plus the red star gets a bit lost if the red was too close to red. I notice Jsoria used quite a faint orange shade, but I wanted it to be a bit more red without losing the orange tinge. 

Once more, this has been optimised for GP4, including alpha layer. I'm ever grateful for Jvinu's Bell helmet and template which is a pleasure to paint on.

Here's the links: Download Link | (mirror link)

Well with the helmets all up to date (I'm not doing Vettel's Imola GP helmet that he wore for half a race), and no hotlapping to be done for a week, I'll be concentrating on finishing my first proper 2021 car for GP4. 

Time Trial League - Rd 4 - Barcelona

Welcome to round 4 of the F1 Virtual and friends hot-lap league. The last round at Portimao was quite close, different drivers showing different strengths at different parts of the race track. The championship, however, doesn't reflect the competitive nature of each round, with lots of close battles at the front, not least with Gildoorf and Fongu (that's me) battling at the front, often trading places from corner to corner. I really do have to thank Carl for his great comparison videos that really show the drama and the tiny details that make the difference between first and second.  

For the first three rounds (and a little more time) I had done some laps on keyboard, before switching to the steering wheel. For this round, I will be solely using the keyboard, leaving only Carl_gpgames on the wheel. We've been using the 2013 release of the F1 Virtual Barcelona track, based on 2011 - there was not enough time for an updated track with the new turn 10 this time around. 

With the quick turn around, you'd think we would all be concentrating on our laps but we're really starting to get competitive and that's usually when the controversy begins. This week, I think all the controversy originated from me! Firstly there was the popular topic of...

Track Limit-gate

As noted last time, the rules state that we must keep at least one wheel inside the white lines at all times, though kerb usage is allowed. But Barcelona offers a number of places where running outside of the white lines can gain an advantage. 

I ended up running with the highest downforce setting, because in the long corners I wanted to be on the throttle for as much of it as I can. If you get the right trajectory (not easy) through turns 1, 2 and 3, with full wings and low fuel, you can stay full throttle and stay within the track limits. But if the stars do not align, then you would use the extra tarmac on the outside, which the real drivers have been doing for years. Having said that, it's a little bumpy out there and you can easily lose time in the run-off. 

Exit of Turn 3

By the way, these shots are from Prblanco so thanks for these shots clarifying the rules! 

The next trouble spot was the exit of turn 8. There is the kerb, which is allowed, then there's a small strip of astroturf (yellow line) which is not allowed, and an extra sausage kerb, also not allowed. Again it's so easy to run wide here off turn 7 and cut turn 8, but again the car can bottom out on the sausage kerb and you can end up losing time. 

Turn 8

The exit of turn 9 was tricky, with the tarmac of the old track not allowed, but the cc-line encouraged you out there. Even the red painted tarmac is counted as off track. After many attempts, I never managed to get through turn 9 on full throttle. I think it's possible though, because on my hotlap, I take the slightest of lifts off the throttle, but there's room on the exit. 

Exit of Turn 9

The hardest part of the track is the final chicane, turns 14 and 15. There's a big sausage kerb on the inside, and it seems they installed a magnet in turn 15 that really wants to suck your right rear wheel over it, which destabilizes the car and forces you to run wide. 

Exit of turn 15

On my first competitive run, setting a time of 1:21.5, I was off-track twice and very close to it on the other two, literally 3 and a half wheels over the white line, so we needed clarification of track limits.  

The second controversy of the week was...

Fuel burn-gate

In F1 today, tyre management is key to a good lap time, so we see them doing all kinds of things to keep the tyres in the best temperature window to extract the most out of them. In GP4, there's nowhere near that level of complexity, but tyre wear is an important factor, as is the amount of fuel you have in the car. A light car brings many advantages, the car is more nimble around the corners, allows you to brake later and you can take more speed through corners. 

The rules, as they are written, is that you have to start your out lap with 10 laps of fuel. The tyres are usually good for two (potentially three) runs before the performance drops off. So the trade off is usually i) do you want a light car with worn tyres, or ii) fresh tyres with lots of fuel. In my experience, the second option is usually better. 

I remember being in a GP4 hotlap league like 16 years ago, where there were no restrictions on setup or fuel, so you pick a setup running the car as low as possible, enough to get you around 1 lap before it penalized your top speed. So you'd do your outlap running as slow as possible, not bottom out your car, take as little life out of your tyres as you can, and run the fuel down so you only had enough fuel for one lap. I'd save the game just before the lap so I could quickly reload the game after each attempt. I had this idea for early rounds, but I didn't really use it, because 10 laps of fuel is a lot of fuel to burn (without blowing up your engine) in one lap, and I wanted to keep track of how many laps I did overall (over 100). 

Barcelona is not one of my favourite tracks, in fact I thought I'd be pretty bad at it. My initial times were around 1:21.7 (legally within track limits), knowing I could shave off 2 or 3 tenths off on a perfect lap. I thought I'd give fuel-burn ago here, starting my hotlap with around 4 laps of fuel initially and on the second lap, I set a time of 1:21.2. As I knew this was a loophole, I submitted my hotlap early to the team to see if anyone had noticed what I'd done and have time to try the same. It wasn't long before Gildoorf was beating my time. 

In light of this, the 10 laps of fuel rule will be scrapped at the next round, but the question is, how extreme do I fuel-burn and how quick can I go. I used my technique above, but I had 2.5 laps of fuel, so I could do 2 hotlaps together, I find it helps me get into a rhythm for a quick second lap. In the end, I set a 1:20.7, and literally as I was crossing the line to set that time, I saw that Gildoorf also submitted his lap, a 1:20.7! But who was quickest out of us two and would we be fighting for fastest time again?

The Hotlaps

With all that being said about fuel-burn, it was only myself and Gildoorf who maximised this benefit and that in large part is why there is such a difference in lap time. So I'll compare our laps, and then Prblanco, Duffer, 32bobo32 and Carl's laps together and then some general tips for Kerley's lap. 

The midfield battle: 32bobo32 vs Carl_gpgames vs Duffer vs Prblanco

0:12 - Carl is running with a default setup and is the fastest of all of us down the straight taking an early lead into turn 1. 32bobo32 locks up slightly and compromises his lines through the first two turns. Carl is ahead into turn 3, the other 3 are inseparable at 0:19. With Carl's lower downforce, he has to lift more, and on the exit of turn 3, 32bobo32 and prblanco have closed in on him. 

0:27 - After the first sector, and the three of them set 20.6s with Duffer dropping two tenths in turn 3. Into turn 4 and 32bobo32 has run the entire lap without traction control on so far and is struggling to contain the power on the exit of turn 4. Prblanco and Duffer both keep TC on and at 0.33 under the shadow, Prblanco takes a convincing lead and Duffer has closed in on 32bobo32, whilst Carl has dropped back a bit. Into turn 5, and 32bobo32 runs a wider line, whilst Carl on the wheel keeps maximum lock on for as long as possible. 

0:41 - Using the shadow under the bridge as a guide, Prblanco maintains his lead, with Duffer and 32bobo32 very close together and Carl slightly behind now. Through turns 7-8 and Carl keeps a tight line on exit, not using the sausage kerb in turn 8, but is the only one to turn off TC to gain acceleration on the exit and he's by far the quickest out of that turn. But it's 32bobo32 who has taken the midfield lead now, followed by Prblanco, Duffer and Carl. 

0:52 - Under the bridge at the exit of turn 9, and Carl is the only one to tap the brakes, having much less confidence with his lower downforce setup. Prblanco and Duffer in particular, using all the available exit tarmac that is legal and are now carrying more speed on the run up to turn 10. 

0:59 - That's the second sector done, and it's super close between Duffer, 32bobo32 and Prblanco with Carl dropping back. Overall it's 32bobo32 (51.310), then Prblanco (51.319) then Duffer (51.358) and Carl (51.491). Absolutely nothing between them, and everything to play for in the final sector.

32bobo32 locks up again and runs very wide (possibly dreaming of the new 2021 turn 10), and Duffer also runs wide but not as much. This propels Prblanco into the lead of this tight battle and Carl closes in once more. 

1:09 - Into turn 12 and it's Prblanco's turn to run a wider line. I do the same (reasons to be explained later), but I stay wide on exit whilst Prblanco comes back onto the racing line, carrying greater speed on exit than the others, but it could have been more. Prblanco and Duffer are neck-and-neck now, and 32bobo32 holds the slenderest of advantage over Carl. Duffer runs a much tighter line through turn 13, though slower, gives him the best line for turns 14 and 15. This shows, as Duffer and Carl both take turn 14 at least 10kph faster. 

1:18 - But for all of Duffer's advantage through 14 he really clatters into the sausage kerb in turn 15. Amazingly he makes it work for him, his car is stable throughout and he maintains a good exit. He is first to the white line into turn 16, just ahead of Prblanco, then 32bobo32 and Carl. Duffer completes that sector two-tenths faster than the rest of the midfield, matching Gildoorfs time through there. 

1:27 - Over the line and Duffer just beats Prblanco by a tenth of a second, with 32bobo32 just 0.060 seconds behind and Carl within two tenths at the end. A truly gripping and fantastic battle, great job guys. 

 

Kerley's lap

Sector 1 - Kerley is clean and tidy through the first three turns, matching Duffer's pace. He could have carried a little more speed through turn 1, but it's turn 3 where he could have lifted a little less off the throttle as he has room to spare on the outside. 

Sector 2 - Kerley runs really wide in turn 5 and it's here that he loses touch with the midfield. Turns 7 and 9 lack a bit of confidence, whilst the others are wrestling their cars on the exit trying to stay within track limits. I think a bit more time and practice will cure that. 

Sector 3 - Kerley has clearly been taking notes from my last blog post, easing off the brakes at the end of the braking zone to help turn in and gets a really good turn in at turn 10. But again he could be a little earlier on the acceleration. The rest of the sector looks good, making the most of a wide exit out of turn 15. 

I don't mean to pick on Kerley by singling him out in this post, but he clearly has the talent to trouble the midfield, I honestly just think it's about getting the practice in, gaining confidence and work on getting good exits, which to me is worth more time than being last of the late brakers. 

Schumacher vs Hakkinen; Hamilton vs Verstappen; Senna vs Prost; 
Fongu vs Gildoorf

0:12 - Again, we have a slight difference in setup, though interestingly, both of us running with much more rear wing than front wing. On this occasion, I'm running the higher downforce setup, and I'm 5kph slower down the straight.  Gildoorf is slightly more confident in the first two turns, both of us running similar lines with a wide entry into turn 3. Gildoorf has a slight lift in turn 3, but it doesn't matter, he's carrying more speed out of it. Notice I take a bit of inside line at the exit of turn 3 to shorten the track distance a touch. 

0:27 - First sector times are in and Gildoorf aces the first sector and is a tenth ahead. Into turn 4 and I use a slightly wider line to try and maximise speed on exit. Both of us turn off traction control but I have a bit of slide and lose precious time. I miss my apex in turn 5, but it's a bit forgiving and allows you to get a good exit to gain back any time lost.   

0:40 - Under the shadow of the bridge, and there is nothing between us. Turns 7-8 are taken almost identically, both of us using a lot of exit kerb. Under the shadow at 0:48 and it looks like I have the slightest of leads. Into turn 9 and look at how much the steering help is working overtime on Gildoorf's car, my higher downforce giving me an advantage here. 

0:59 - Second sector times have been set and I had the stronger sector, but Gildoorf still has a 0.12 second advantage, but after turn 10, it looks like I've taken the lead.  

1:04 - Here's where our lines are different, or rather how my lines are different from everyone elses. Into the right hander at turn 12, it looks like I run wide, but that's deliberate because I want to build speed offline and at 1:08, I'm travelling with around a 8kph advantage at the start of the exit kerb. In Turn 13, I come off the brakes a bit sooner which forces me to the left which will compromise me into turn 14, but I make sure I'm lining up for the all important turn 15. For me, I run as little kerb as possible, as I don't want to hit that sausage kerb which unstablises the car on exit.  

1:19 - Despite my unconventional lines and counter-intuitive driving style through turns 12-15, I've slightly eeked out a lead at the white line just before the final bend, which I try and keep a tighter line for a shorter run to the line. If I was driving on the wheel, I'd be scrubbing off speed doing that. By the finish line and Gildoorf is already reeling me in with a less draggy car, will this be pay-back for Bahrain when the situations were reversed? (in the voice of Murray Walker 1994 Japanese GP finish) 0.061 seconds! That is close, but I sneak another close victory from Gildoorf who also put in an excellent lap. When the gap is this close, all the details I've been pointing out count.  

Championship Standings

Well it's been a bumper edition, so well done if you're still reading this! The standings are:

1. 40pts - Fongu
2. 24pts - Gildoorf
3. 12pts - 32bobo32
4. 10pts - Duffer
5. 09pts - Carl_gpgames
6. 07pts - Prblanco
7. 02pts - Kerley

The table simply does not do justice to the incredibly close battles Gildoorf and I are having at the front. If I had used the keyboard all the way through, this would have been my only victory and the table would be quite different. Duffer is already up to fourth after missing out on the first round, his stand-out final sector at Barcelona earning him a podium and 4 points this round. The midfield battle remains quite close though, and it will be interesting to see if it remains that way as we head to Monaco for the next round of our hotlap league. 

GP4: Charles Leclerc 2021 Emilia Romagna GP Helmet

This will be the final track specific helmet from the first three GPs of 2021 that I'm going to do, and it's Charles Leclerc's Emilia Romagna GP 'Graffiti' helmet. 

As I had previously created the much simpler Portuguese GP helmet, I already had the main logos and design in place. There's a lot more shadow and highlights to amend, but of course the main thing was recreating the 'graffiti' part of it. It's a tribute to the Tifosi, the Italian Ferrari fans, and to Ferrari at Maranello, each of these words appearing at various parts of the helmet. Overall, I'm quite pleased with the result. 

Once more, thanks to Jvinu for his Bell helmet shape and template. 

Download | (mirror link)

Time Trial League - Rd3 - Portimao

Round 3 of the GP4 F1 Virtual and friends Hot Lap league is at the beautiful and faithfully recreated Portimao track in the Algarve in Portugal by F1 Virtual. 

A simply explanation of the rules is that we all start with 10 laps of fuel in a free practice session, with only 1 car on track, and only basic setup changes allowed (wing levels, gear ratios and brake balance). All the rest of the settings are 'out the box' GP4 settings. There is also strict track limits enforced, driving within the white lines, though kerbs are allowed, you must keep at least one wheel on track at all times. 

The track, as well as undulating, has a great flow, a nice collection of corners, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time pounding round on both keyboard and steering wheel. On this track, more than many other GP4 tracks, I felt I could explore different lines even on the keyboard to try and get good times. There's always a complaint that GP4 on the keyboard feels a bit too much it was on rails, but here you could manipulate that line at various parts of the track a bit more. There's lots of freedom on this fairly wide track on the wheel too. 

My approach to hot lapping

I did just over 100 laps around here, around 60 on the keyboard and slightly less on the wheel. The first thing is to decide on a setup. On the keyboard, my personal experience found the higher the downforce setting the better, though I ran with around 17 level wings, I probably should have gone higher. I could make gains with a low downforce setting in sector 1 and 3, but I couldn't make it work around sector 2. On the wheel, I could run less downforce, but I ran out of time experimenting. I was using around 15 level of wing downforce, though I was getting good sector times with around level 12 setting, I just ran out of time putting the whole lap together. To be honest, I'm pretty bad at setting up a car, I'd rather just get in and drive with what I have, so the basic setup changes suits me quite well, otherwise I'd have to hire an engineer! 

My best time on the keyboard was 1.21.970 - though I think I could beat that if I spent all my time using the keyboard, and using more wing. 

The best time on the wheel in the end was 1.21.302 - again there is more time there, especially with more time playing with less wing. 

I found turn 1 quite a challenge, on the keyboard, you have to try and not go too fast so that you can make the corner but you want the momentum into turns 2 and 3. On the wheel, I was quite cautious in the end. 

In turn 4 on the keyboard, in order to get around it full throttle, I had to initiate a slight slide and drift my way around it without losing too much acceleration/time. 

I found on the wheel, you would lost a bit of braking performance if you were on the kerbs whilst hitting the brakes. 

Turns 10/11 offered different lines, on the keyboard, I kept quite tight on entry to get me around the corner, but on the wheel I had a wide entry, which lost time on the way in, but I could straighten the car and get so much more speed on exit and gain lots of time with that line. 

Turn 14 was also difficult, trying to ease off the steering lock as quickly as possible to gain as much speed to the finish line as you can - the higher downforce settings really benefiting here. 

So, that's my highlights and tips, let's see how I get on against my rivals. 

Standings after Round 2

1. 20pts - Fongu
2. 12pts - Gildoorf
3. 08pts - 32bobo32
4. 05pts - Carl_gpgames
5. 03pts - Prblanco
6. 02pts - Duffer
7. 02pts - Kerleyf1

The Video

The video contains my wheel lap, which is the much quicker one. I'm not confident enough to run with traction control off yet, so I have auto-gears, traction control, but no steering help or other driver aids. 

Thanks again to Carl_gpgames who has put together the video again. Apologies I don't have the time to do screenshots, but I'll try and time-stamp interesting points. It's worth noting that only Carl and I have submitted laps on the steering wheel, whilst the others are racing on keyboards. 

0:12 - The quickest at the end of the straight is Prblanco at around 323kph, followed by me and Duffer at 319kph. It means the others are running more downforce. Kerley and I are using the kerb on the left to widen the first turn, you can carry more speed with less turning angle, maximising the aero and tyre grip. 

0:14 - Top speed might allow you to enter the first corner before anyone else, but Gildoorf is carrying nearly 10kph more than anyone else through turn 1. He's got the highest downforce settings and the most bravery out of the lot of us. 

0:17 - Using the brake markers as a reference, it's me and Duffer leading the way into the braking zone for the hairpin. 

I found on the keyboard in GP4, it's a really unnatural way of driving, but you are putting steering lock in as you are on the brakes, so that when you come off the brakes, the CC-line slingshots you around the turn. You can see that no-one has a straight steering wheel in the braking zone, and I carry that technique over onto the wheel, a habit I can't shake just yet. 

Another thing to note with braking technique is that you want to be hard on the brakes, but you want to ease off the brakes when you turn in and stop/reduce any brake locking. You can see Carl only has his brake pedal half way down for a fair amount of the braking zone, whilst the keyboard drivers are pumping their brake buttons to simulate the same effect. Kerley is the only one who isn't doing this yet, and you can see how Kerley misses the apex. Carl does too, I think he could have stayed harder on the brakes for a tiny bit longer. 

0:23 - Under the shadow of the bridge before the left hander, and it's Kerley in the lead, me in 2nd, 32bobo32 in third and it's too tight to call between Duffer and Prblanco. Look how close I am to overshooting the exit kerb, though I carry the most speed out of turn 4. 

0:30 - Sector 1 times are in and it's super tight:

1. 22.857 - Fongu
2. 23.055 - Duffer
3. 23.064 - 32bobo32
4. 23.077 - Prblanco
5. 23.127 - Carl_gpgames
6. 23.131 - Gildoorf
7. 23.344 - KerleyF1

0:34 - Gildoorf and Kerley are the ones to be a little wide and miss the apex of the corner this time. I use all my steering lock to really nail a tight line through that hairpin and using all the kerb on the exit. 

0.42 - A slight tap on the brakes/lift off through turn 7, a slight pump on the gas before lining up to brake into turn 8. Using the white line on the left, and I have quite a lead, with Gildoorf now in second, and 32bobo32 just a nose cone ahead of Duffer. It's really important to maintain good speed and get a good exit from turn 8, so for me, hitting the apex is not that important here. Over the crest and you lose a moment of acceleration. 

0:54 - Let's compare the different lines into turns 10 and 11. As I said above, I stay to the left and keeping as straight a line as I can on the brakes, get all my turning done fast, and then straighten up through turn 11 getting lots of speed out. 32bobo32 tries a similar line on the keyboard to me. Gildoorf  stays right.and lets the CCline work for you and pull you into the apex, something I did on my keyboard version of the lap. It's a shorter distance, and Gildoorf briefly leads into turn 11, and the others close in on me, but I'm playing the long game here. 

1:01 - Through the second sector split just after the turn and it's Gildoorf who is ahead, setting by far the best middle sector of anyone, again making the most of his high downforce setup and that line through turns 10 and 11. But notice that I am about 10kph faster than him and reeling him in quickly. All the others set almost identical 2nd sector times. Here are the 2nd sector times (not overall order)

1. 31.172 - Gildoorf
2. 31.331 - Fongu
3. 31.561 - Duffer
4. 31.595 - 32bobo32
5. 31.605 - Prblanco
6. 31.622 - Carl_gpgames
7. 31.653 - KerleyF1

1:03 - The braking for the hairpin for turn 13 is kind of blind, there's no real reference other than two white lines to the right of the track. The running order is me retaking the lead from Gildoorf, with Duffer, 32bobo32 and Prblanco too close to call in our tow and Carl and Kerley not too far behind them. Kerley runs really wide around the hairpin as he locks his brakes and slides wide, he needs to brake a tiny bit earlier and pump the brakes on corner entry. 

1:16 - On my warm-up laps, I was running wide out of this turn, using all the run off on the outside of the track to get maximum acceleration to start off my lap, but I had to keep it within track limits for the hotlap. Using the exit kerb as a reference, I am out of turn 14 first followed by Gildoorf, 32bobo32, Duffer, Carl, Prblanco and Kerley. I found the amount of wing you ran made a massive difference around this turn, as you carry more speed for longer, even if you don't get the headline top speed at the end of the straight. 

1:26 - Just a drag race to the finish line, I'm taking a bit of cheeky inside kerb around turn 15, and I only just have the highest top speed at the finish line, with Carl, Prblanco and Duffer within a few kph. I set the pace for the final sector, with Gildoorf and Carl a couple of tenths behind, and the rest again too close to call. 

The final times are really close, especially comparing the gaps in performance from previous rounds, this was very competitive event. I win my third round in a row, and as is becoming standard now, my keyboard time would have put me behind Gildoorf, but just ahead of the rest of the pack. The full lap times are:

1. 1:21.302 - Fongu
2. 1:21.672 - Gildoorf
3. 1:22.051 - Duffer
4. 1:22.126 - Carl_gpgames
5. 1:22.188 - 32bobo32
6. 1:22.280 - Prblanco
7. 1:22.546 - KerleyF1

It's a familiar top two, but it's Duffer who just takes the final podium slot with very strong sector times.  Carl is also improving with an impressive 4th placed finish, in part thanks to a monster final sector. 32bobo32 puts in another solid drive, but slides down to 5th, and Prblanco is nipping at his heels just a tenth behind. Kerley has also really improved, and if he can learn the braking technique, it will help him hit his apexes, and he too will be right in the mix. Great job guys. 

Standings after Round 3

The points scoring system is the one used in the 90s' and early 00's awarding points for the top 6 (10,6,4,3,2,1). It does mean winning gives you a massive advantage, so after 3 rounds, I've earned enough points for a rest if I want it! But seriously, I am starting to get busy with real life again, so I may not be able to submit a lap at all events, whilst I may only have time to put in a keyboard lap at others, we'll see. I'm just glad to be taking part, I'm glad to enjoy driving GP4 and to me, it's just a bonus to be at the right end of the championship. 

1. 30pts - Fongu
2. 18pts - Gildoorf
3. 10pts - 32bobo32
4. 08pts - Carl_gpgames
5. 06pts - Duffer
6. 04pts - Prblanco
7. 02pts - KerleyF1

We only have a week to prepare for the next round at Barcelona. We will be using the F1 Virtual track released back in 2013, which is based on the 2011 season.