Time Trial League - Rd 7 - Paul Ricard

Bonjour! 

It's time for round 7 of the Time Trial League and we're at Paul Ricard, home of the 2021 French GP. 

Championship Standings

1	Fongu	56pts
2	Gildoorf	40pts
3	32BOBO32	19pts
4	Carl_gpgames	15pts
5	Duffer	13pts
6	Prblanco	10pts
7	KerleyF1	03pts

I have a commanding 16 point lead over Gildoorf, the two runaway points scorers so far this year. 

32bobo32 leads the midfield pack, with Duffer and Prblanco having missed a round each. But for this race, we have a full grid of submisssions. 

Every round so far has produced great battles and we're looking forward to another great round, even though the actual race was quite dull. 

The Track

The original dat file was made by Prblanco from F1 Virtual, but it was an early build and still required some more work. Gezere finished off the track, with help from Auscain, Gap77 and AugustoGibim. The track is graphically good, though I'm not sure anyone really likes the blue and red lines.

Prblanco: "Damn looking at this track almost makes me sick 🤮 stupid blue lines 🤣"

CC-Lines

The cc-line hasn't really been optimised, so the keyboard players are at a disadvantage. With the same setup, I was 1.5 seconds down using the keyboard. I'm hardly the Top Gear stig, but it gives you an indication of the advantage of using a steering wheel. 

Prblanco: "Track seems severely unoptimized for keyboarders, sadly"

Gildoorf: "not a satisfying round for keyboarders"

Fongu: "there's no consistency for me whether the car will follow the cc line or not."

What I mean by that last quote is that a bit too fast into the corner, or a bit too late into the turn in and you are on a completely different trajectory around the corner, it was so difficult to get all your best sectors in one lap (on the keyboard at least).

Challenges

After two street circuits and the track surrounded by walls, this track was wide open, but not everyone was a fan. 

Gildoorf: "Not an easy circuit to set braking points."

Prblanco: "Not quite enjoying to drive this track so far..."

Gildoorf: "Turn 12 I drive praying for the Holy Ghost🙏🏻🙏🏻"

32bobo32: "Grrrrr... Damn Paul Richard... It's a kart circuit"

Carl: "argh i must say this track stands as a symbol for what i hate about modern f1 tracks"

Another issue was the magic data hasn't been optimised either, which meant tyre wear was not particularly high, but you definitely had an advantage on the first flying lap. But you had to watch the fuel... 

Gildoorf: "Fuel consuming also something hard to deal with"

The rules for our league is that you have to have at least 1 lap of fuel remaining at the end of the lap. 

You have to watch how much you abuse the kerbs, if you drive over the other side of the kerbs, it can really destablise your car and send you into the air. Gildoorf found that on the exit of turn 3, running wide, and over the inside of the kerb of turn 4, coming back towards the track, the kerbs lifted his car into a hilarious barrel roll. 

The final challange on the GP4 version of Paul Ricard is track limits. It was always going to be an issue and Michael Masi (Prblanco) was working overtime checking our laps, Gildoorf running right on the edge of the white line, his shadow keeping him just in the track limits in this particular screenshot.

Masi: "Seems good. I can't see blue under front right wheel... Right on the limit"

And here I am running with just one wheel on the outside edge of one of the kerbs. 

Getting the right setup

With 2 weeks to set our times, I set things off putting in some laps with a steering wheel early into week 1, knowing I didn't have much time in week 2. I manage to set a 1.36.5, running a low downforce set up, only level 5 on the rear wing, using the advantages of the wheel to get it around the corners. 

Fongu: 'total kerb abuse' 

... is how I described the lap, it ended up being my fastest time. 

However, it turns out having a mid-range set up was the way to go. Gildoorf's set up was a popular choice:

32bobo32: "I tried It, it's similar to mine One. You use and extreme brake balance this time 😂"

Fongu: "I did a few laps with [gildoorf's] setup and I was easily in the 37s, the gearing was a joy"

               "the 'loosey goosey' rear end is essential for some of these long corners"

A fail for me on the set up front, but let's see how we all fair on our laps.

Lap Analysis

A couple of mentions before we get going. Firstly, Carl did not manage to get the track working on his PC until just a few hours before the deadline, so just a few laps from him and all credit goes to him again for another great video. 

The second thing to note is that there are only two competing on the keyboard this round (Gildoorf and Kerley), with 32bobo32 finally dusting off  his steering wheel. 

Gildoorf: "🥳🥳🥳🥳👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼... About time, @32bobo32 👏🏼👏🏼"

Prblanco returns this round and he also is on the steering wheel. 

And it's away we go...

0:08 As always we start off with a speed check, the screen below is taken on the Mistral straight. 

Carl: "346 was max. but low downforce did not pay of in most turns"

So Carl was running with the lowest amound of wing, some 20kph faster than the rest going into turn 1, with me (sorry I will convert to kph soon) running at 333kph. Prblanco and 32bobo32 are the two slowest on the straight, with the other three running close on the top speed front. 

0:11 Into turn 1, and me and Duffer use a lot of kerb whilst Kerley outbrakes himself into turn 1. The profile of turns 1 and 2 is from 2017, the real track having changed a bit and whilst the real cars are flat out through turn 2, it was impossible in this GP4 version. 32bobo32 and Prblanco have lift and coast into turn 2, but watch my HUD as I am stamping on and off the throttle. Gildoorf is hampered by the CC-line, you have to be brave on the keyboard and use the exit kerb to get the most speed out of it. But I am able to straight line the two turns, making the most of the kerbs, and with the top speed advantage I take the early lead. Duffer is a fraction ahead of 32bobo32, then Prblanco. Carl and Kerley come next, and amazingly it's Gildoorf in last place, I had to check this several times, but let's dwell on this moment for a minute. 

0:20 I continue to use every available kerb, on the left kink, and lots of kerb on the entry of turn 3. I have a substantial lead as I arrive into turn 4 as everyone else is in turn 3. Duffer and Prblanco also take lots of kerb. Coming into turn 5, and Duffer is using all the inside kerb and more. 

0:31 It's not easy to see the running order, with very little on the side of the track to use as a reference, and the field is quite spread out over different parts of the lap. But using the Turn 6 marker, and I am still in the lead, albeit with less of an advantage now. Prblanco shoots into second place, ahead of 32bobo32 right behind. Duffer is next, followed by Gildoorf who has made up some ground. Kerley maintains his spot having overtaken Carl. 

The long turn 6 is tricky, and you have to know when you can apply full throttle without going too wide on the exit. It's particularly tough on the keyboard, because if you run it too near the white line on the exit, you can't make turn 7. All of us use slightly different techniques to hold the speed, with 32bobo32 and Carl using maximum steering lock. Gildoorf is the bravest on the exit of turn 6, and with a wiggle from turning the TC off, he's starting to reel the rest of us back in. Over the kink in turn 7, and I straight line that kerb, using all of the kerb and more available.  

0:42 First sector times are done: 

1	Fongu	00:33.397
2	Prblanco	00:33.622
3	32bobo32	00:34.068
4	Duffer	00:34.282
5	Gildoorf	00:34.287
6	Carl	00:35.245
7	Kerley	00:35.421

I am using my striaght line speed advantage and ultimate kerb abuse to maintain my lead, but Prblanco has closed up, the two of us the only ones in the 33s. For me at least, a 34.0 is just possible on the keyboard. 32bobo32 maintains third. Duffer has a tiny advantage over Gildoorf on the keyboard, whilst Carl takes 6th place back off Kerley. 

0:46 It's another drag race and those with less wing gain an advantage down the long straight. The chicane at turns 8 and 9 are next, and I am right over the kerb on the right trying to minimise how much I need to turn into turn 8 and hopefully carry more speed with that. A little squirt of throttle and brake again into turn 9. I lock up and run a little wide into 8 and compromise my entry into turn 9. 32bobo32 goes over to the left the most for a wide entry into turn 9, probably over doing that a bit there. Again I am using every possible piece of track within the rules on the exit kerb and the kink just after the exit of turn 9 and it's another drag race. I pull out my advantage again, Prblanco holds onto second place, Duffer takes over third from 32bobo32 with Gildoorf close on their heels. Carl is now pulling away from Kerley. 

1:01 Into turn 10 and you want to not lose any speed by putting on too much steering lock, so I'm right over the left kerb on entry trying to use as little steering lock as possible. I drop one mph through that corner, Prblanco similarly only losing 1kph. Carl, running the lowest wing, and running fewer laps, has the least confidence and has to lift. 

Sector 2 times have been set. 

1	Fongu	00:26.506
2	Duffer	00:26.650
3	Carl_gpgames	00:26.657
4	Gildoorf	00:26.941
5	32bobo32	00:27.110
6	Kerley	00:27.353
7	Prblanco	00:27.471

With mostly straights, I set another purple sector, despite my mistake into turn 8. Just a piece of paper separates Duffer and Carl who both have excellent second sectors. Gildoorf is just in the 26s with his sector time, the keyboard able to keep close to the wheel users. Kerley is 6th through this sector. But after an impressive first sector, it's Prblanco bringing up the rear nearly a full second behind my pace setting time. 

With the shuffle mode on in sector 2, the combined sectors are: 

1	Fongu	00:59.903
2	Duffer	01:00.932
3	Prblanco	01:01.093
4	32bobo32	01:01.178
5	Gildoorf	01:01.228
6	Carl	01:01.902
7	Kerley	01:02.774

I am a full second ahead of my competition, but all the twisty stuff is coming up. The midfield is tight with Duffer in a strong second place, impressing throughout the first two sectors. Prblanco, despite being slowest of all in sector 2 is in third place. 32bobo32 is just ahead of Gildoorf, just 0.3 seconds separating the four racers. Carl and Kerley have dropped back a bit. 

1:08 Turn 11 offers different lines, but most of us opt for a wide approach, coming inside for the first part of the turn, let the car run wide a little, before coming back inside for the apex at the end of the long right hander, a benefit to those running with some downforce. Again this is a tricky turn on the keyboard to stay with the cc-line, particularly hitting that final apex. 

On the exit, and my lead is shrinking. Prblanco and 32bobo32 are neck and neck for second place, Gildoorf is up to fourth just ahead of Duffer. Disaster for Kerley as he runs wide and off track. 

1:17 Turn 12 is another tricky turn with a late apex, turning whilst on the brakes. My brakes are working overtime, and all the wheel users except Prblanco apply maximum steering lock here. I'm surprised that around turn 13 I'm the only one using all the kerb to straighten that turn, but you have to be careful you don't do it too much on the keyboard. Using the turn 13 marker board for reference, and Prblanco is closing in on my lead, whilst Gildoorf has just edged ahead of 32bobo32. Duffer, having had such a promised 2 sectors has a disatrous turn 12, locking up and running wide on the exit, he and Carl now are neck and neck ahead of Kerley at the back. 

1:26 It's tempting to use all the kerb in turn 14, sticking you wheels on the inside of the kerb, but it does throw the car in the air, so it's best not to do that and let the tyres grip the track. Prblanco takes a wider turn in, carrying much more speed than I can around turn 14 and he snatches the lead! 

Into the final turn, and again it's another tricky one on the keyboard as you can't get as far to the left on entry as you'd like (unless you were really slow around turn 14). The final bend has been the cause for much drama in previous rounds. It's like Noah's ark now, going in two by two, great battles up and down the field. 

• It's a two horse race for the win, Prblanco the surprise leader going into the final corner in the lead just ahead of me, Prblanco using his setup to make massive gains on the long bends, but I have much less wing going into the long final straight. Prblanco takes the final turn beautifully, whilst I'm too busy trying to take lots of kerb, I forget to accelerate out of the corner. 
• Gildoorf runs wide just ahead of 32bobo32, it's close there, but Gildoorf is able to carry that speed onto the straight. 
• Carl and Duffer are also neck and neck and it's Carl who is able to get around turn 15 the quickest out of the two. 

On the final straight and I'm trying my best to claw back that lead, running 10kph faster that Prblanco. Who is going to win?

Well let's analyse the sector three times first:

1	Prblanco	00:35.458
2	Gildoorf	00:35.774
3	Carl	00:36.396
4	32bobo32	00:36.406
5	Fongu	00:36.685
6	Duffer	00:37.775
7	Kerley	00:37.939

A massively impressive final sector from Prblanco, as he is 1.2 seconds faster than I am through there. Gildoorf is impressive as always, doing his magic in the final sector and setting the second fastest time through there. Carl and 32bobo32 are very close through there, but they are both a second slower than the quickest time. Duffer and Kerley, after their mistakes, bring up the rear. 

Your winner, for the French GP Time Trial league, and fastest around Paul Ricard is Prblanco! 

1	Prblanco	01:36.551	+0.000
2	Fongu	01:36.588	+0.037
3	Gildoorf	01:37.002	+0.451
4	32bobo32	01:37.584	+1.033
5	Carl	01:38.298	+1.747
6	Duffer	01:38.707	+2.156
7	Kerley	01:40.713	+4.162

It was close! I was just 0.037seconds away, having thrown away over a second lead after the second sector, a victim to my own setup choices and a poor final corner. Amazingly after a poor second sector, Prblanco, returning from paternity leave, gets his first win of the season, on his debut run on the steering wheel. Double congratulations. Here's an interesting fact though, as the PR in prblanco stands for Paulo Ricardo, is this fate? Who knows, but a well deserved victory all the same. 

Gildoorf, after being slowest in the first sector (being on keyboard more than anything else) comes home third, and incredibly is less than half a second away from the fastest time. After bolting on his setup, I couldn't get all my best sectors in one lap, with this being my closest attempt, just two tenths off Gildoorf's time, my GP4 crashing before I could save it. 

Using my setup though, and I am setting 1:38.0s. All of that to say is Gildoorf is still the king of the keyboarders and an awful lot better at setups than I am! 

Amazingly, after such a tight battle for third, 32bobo32 finished over half a second behind Gildoorf in the end, all of that in the last corner and the final drag race to the line. 

Carl secures fifth place a great job with so little time. 

It was a case of what might have been for Duffer who was right in the fight after the first two sectors. 

Kerley wasn't too far off in sectors 1 and 2, but a big mistake in sector 3 saw him drop off the tail of the pack. 

But wait, the drama doesn't end here...

Track Limits

It was nice to see F1 following the same rules as our Time Trial league, penalising those who run wide in turn 6, and as we saw above, nobody fell foul in that corner. 

But before we even get into turn 1, and I'm brought before the stewards for this infringement, I am a bit too eager on my entry and I am fully over the white line. 

On the exit of turn 2, Gildoorf makes the most of the exit kerb, but it ends too soon and he's also over the white line. 

And as we noted in the analysis earlier, Kerley ran wide in turn 11.

And Duffer locks up and runs wide out of turn 13. 

As these were reported to race director Michael Masi, we all held our breath for the final verdict. If we all get DQed, Prblanco would keep his win, with 32bobo32 and Carl joining him for an unusual podium and the rest of us with zero points. 

Gildoorf: "Paul Ricard should be banned😂😂"

32bobo32 "This round is going to be like the 2005 US GP"

Fongu: "I don't mind being disqualified, so long as my main rival goes down with me 😂"

Here's an excerpt from the real F1 rules:

Masi: "My sincere opinion after rewatching the video is that none of the track limit violations had any positive effect on laptimes"

'No lasting advantage' is the verdict, and we all keep our times! But we're all reprimanded, there will be no such leniancy going forward. 

Reactions

Gildoorf: "@prblanco 😨😨What A lap!!!... Awesome S3👏🏼👏🏼😃"

Prblanco: "Lost 0.2s to Fongu on S1, 0.9s on S2, gained 1.2s on S3. Using 16/12 wing setup" 

* (I'm using 5/5 setup)

Fongu: "It's a shame, @Duffer was on a pretty good lap until then (turn 12)"

Duffer "Yes this turn 😭😭"

Gildoorf: "Close battle once again, this championship is great!! Congrats, @prblanco, welcome to the podium👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🥳🥳🥳"

Prblanco: "I'll probably never leave the wheel again after this round 😆"

Fongu: "@prblanco what a comeback, well done, you deserve it"

            "@gildoorf great keyboard lap as always, super human"

32bobo32: "@gildoorf Absolutelly a superb lap! The master of keyboard"

Carl: "Congratulations to @prblanco for a truly impressive victory! Well done! 🍾🍾🍾🏎️🏎️🏎️"

Kerley: "@prblanco congratz for you lap!!! 👏👏👏🏎️🏎️🏎️"

Gildoorf: "@Kerley we should start looking for a steering wheel 😃😃😃"

Championship Standings

1	Fongu	62pts
2	Gildoorf	44pts
3	32BOBO32	22pts
4	Prblanco	20pts
5	Carl_gpgames	17pts
6	Duffer	14pts
7	KerleyF1	03pts

After all of that, and I extend my championship lead. 32bobo32 maintains third place after another solid finish, but Prblanco jumps up two places with his victory. Carl and Duffer are in the hunt in this tight midfield battle whilst Kerley remains on 3 points.