GRAND PRIX

The lap is a quasi-steady-state point-mass simulation along the centreline. At each point the fastest cornering speed comes from μ(mg + ½ρC_LA v²) = m|κ|v²; a forward pass accelerates on power (P/v) and whatever grip cornering leaves over, a backward pass brakes on grip plus drag, capped at 5.6 g. Mass 800 kg, power 735 kW, C_DA 1.35 m² (1.19 with DRS), C_LA 4 m² (3.6 with DRS), μ 1.8. DRIVE and RACE integrate the same model in time with your pedals; the AI cars drive at a fraction of the model lap (their pace), which is what spreads the field.

Simplified on purpose: no weight transfer or tyre load sensitivity, no gearbox, no energy-deployment strategy, lap distance measured on the centreline, and contact is a brush that slows the car behind. The tyre temperatures are illustrative. The circuit, the teams and the cars are invented.

• FIA 2024 Formula One Technical Regulations — minimum mass (art. 4.1), power-unit limits including the 120 kW MGU-K (art. 5).
• Published power estimates for the 1.6 L V6 hybrid: about 1,000 hp combined (roughly 735 kW).
• Drag and downforce areas: engineering estimates for 2022+ ground-effect cars (CdA ≈ 1.1–1.4 m², ClA ≈ 3.5–4.5 m²); the chosen values reproduce published top speeds (330–350 km/h) and peak lateral loads (5–6 g).
• Tyre friction for racing slicks: μ ≈ 1.6–1.9 (Milliken & Milliken, Race Car Vehicle Dynamics).
• Lap model: quasi-steady-state point-mass simulation, the standard method in Milliken & Milliken and in lap-time simulation literature (e.g. Brayshaw & Harrison 2005).
• DRS: an opened rear-wing flap cuts drag by roughly 10–12%; published gains of 10–15 km/h at the end of a straight.