Tried a couple GT1 test races at Mt. Panorama last night, since it looks like the one where I have the most question of baseline strategy. Brief asisde, I hate racing the AI on this track (on many tracks, but this one in particular), the constant brake checking on the mountain top and through the dipper are infuriating.
Anyway, back to strategy... running my usual AMG, tires are not an issue. I could probably nurse them for the whole race, but won't because it starts to get sketchy over the mountain, and coming out of the dipper with the rears getting shoddy.
Fuel though, running flat out I get 8.5 laps(ish). That's a 3 stopper unless I fuel save. Minor fuel saving is pretty close on pace and gets me 9 laps, but that's still a 3 stopper. Half-shifting, I can nurse out 10 laps which enables a 2 stopper, but with an obvious pace impact. I tried the the Mazda, and I could go full-bore and get 9 laps, so it was easier to manage the fuel for a 2 stop, but I was slower and less consistent so I stayed in my comfort zone and went with AMG again.
From a pure race time standpoint, the pit loss is greater than the pace loss fuel saving, so I'm better off doing a 9-10-9 or something like that. Cooling off the pace in the second stint helps with the tires a bit too. But I'm trying to think of anything that would change my mind. More scheduled stops gives me more opportunity to fix damage if it occurs, allows me to drive without thinking about fuel constantly, compete head to head, and gives me some flexibility to get out of trouble if needed. But I can't imagine any of those scenarios costing enough time to make up for a pit stop unless they are severe and early in the race/stint.
So, looking like a fuel save 2 stopper, but I'll keep testing.
