Do it with your eyes closed: How Formula 1 drivers memorize race tracks before even stepping foot on them

(*1*)

The Albert Park circuit for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix has 14 turns over 5.278 kilometers. F1 drivers can let you know the braking factors, cornering speeds and most popular line for each a kind of corners with out really being there.

How?

A demanding career

Formula 1 drivers are distinctive athletes: sometimes, they’re fitter, stronger, shorter and have decrease physique fats percentages than drivers in different racing sports activities.

Within the early years, drivers have been larger and stronger so they might wrestle automobiles with out energy steering. Now, they’re shorter, leaner and extremely match to deal with the elevated G-forces from greater cornering speeds in trendy automobiles.

Past the bodily calls for of F1 racing—like cornering G-forces in extra of 5Gs, the 600 newton forces wanted to function the brake pedal and cockpit temperatures that may exceed 50°C—drivers are subjected to excessive cognitive calls for.

These embrace synthesizing details about the observe situations, opponents and their atmosphere, to assist them to anticipate and execute precision driving.

Prior to now, F1 groups had limitless alternatives to check automobiles and athletes on the observe: some drivers accrued greater than 100,000 km of testing throughout their careers.

However since 2009, F1 drivers and groups have been restricted within the variety of testing days and kilometers.

In 2025, drivers will solely be allowed to participate in 4 take a look at days, and they are going to be restricted to a complete of 1,000 km.

The development of know-how

Following these modifications, groups have centered on know-how to coach drivers and take a look at automobiles.

Simulators present drivers and groups with extra testing not in any other case out there underneath present guidelines.

Drivers sometimes have entry to “manufacturing unit” simulators owned by their crew. These present an expertise as shut to truly driving an F1 as you may get with out being within the automobile.

They permit groups and drivers to alter nearly each side of the atmosphere—automobile setup, tire put on and even observe temperature and humidity.

Drivers may even have a “house” simulator made up of a number of displays, a steering wheel with power suggestions and pedals.

These are used largely for studying tracks and figuring out racing traces, moderately than for testing particular automobile setups.

The advantages of this know-how

Arguably, the best profit is security: crashing a automobile in an F1 simulator will not harm the driving force or harm an precise automobile.

Trendy strategies and arithmetic enable groups to simulate harm with out the prices related with conventional crash testing.

Superior racing simulators are costly, costing as much as £8M ($A15.9 million). However by eliminating the necessity for gasoline, tires and observe rent, they considerably cut back bills.

Drivers may refine their abilities, familiarize themselves with circuits and apply high-risk maneuvers in a risk-free atmosphere.

Simulators allow drivers to hone their overtaking and defensive maneuvers by adjusting variables similar to observe situations, the variety of AI-cars on observe, AI-car aggression and proximity.

This managed but dynamic coaching enhances problem-solving, sharpens response occasions and strengthens strategic decision-making.

These are all essential for real-world racing.

At a observe, it might take upwards of 20 minutes to make a single change to the settings on a automobile. In a simulator, modifications could be made in seconds.

This enables groups to take a automobile to the race observe with a examined set-up, prepared for apply classes the place they’ll experiment with methods together with engine maps, gasoline methods and pit-stop timing.

Put up-race, groups use simulators to research efficiency knowledge, establish potential enhancements and acquire insights for future races and automobile improvement.

What would possibly the long run maintain?

Digital racing (e-racing) is a digital type of motorsport the place rivals drive a computer-generated automobile on a digital observe.

There are three typical sub-types of e-racing:

• sim racing (utilizing practical physics, tire put on, gasoline consumption and harm)
• simcade (incorporating some practical parts however with decreased complexity)
• arcade racing (utilizing easier controls and physics like Mario Kart).

These on-line and digital variants have surged in recognition, bridging the hole between digital and real-world motorsport.

That is showcased within the film Gran Turismo. It tells the true story of Jann Mardenborough, who transitioned from simulator racing to skilled motorsport after profitable a contest in 2011.

Nevertheless, whereas simulators present a managed atmosphere for ability improvement, they lack elements similar to psychological and emotional stress, g-forces, thermal pressure, and the unpredictable parts that exist in real-world competitors.

Regardless of these variations, e-racing has gained credibility, with a number of F1 drivers frequently competing in digital occasions.

4-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen, for instance, can also be among the finest simulator racers on this planet. He makes use of digital racing to sharpen his abilities and stay aggressive between real-world races.

As e-racing continues to evolve, the function of simulators stays a key space of exploration.

Developments in simulator know-how—together with enhanced movement suggestions, physiological stress replication and AI-driven race dynamics—might additional bridge the hole between digital and real-world racing.

The query is now not whether or not simulators can help driver improvement however how they are often refined to higher replicate the calls for of on-track competitors, finally shaping the way forward for motorsport coaching and efficiency.

This text is republished from The Dialog underneath a Inventive Commons license. Learn the unique article.