Pushing the issue

[thirteendog]

How many of you have learned to just keep a comfortable lead? What I mean is I tend to press myself harder and harder, lap after lap. Even if I'm leading the race with 3 to go and I'm passing lap traffic. Which as you know, can be difficult in a F1 game. There have been many times that I get down to the last five laps of a race, leading by at least 1 minute and I total my car trying to pass the lap car. I could've easily just chilled out, and stayed behind him and passed him on a straight, but noooo I why pass him on the straight when I can out brake him in a turn .

It happened to me earlier this morning too, I was racing a short race, 12 laps at Malaysia I think, I'm 20 seconds in front by lap 10. I'm pushing for fast lap after fast lap. No need, I'm winning the race, but then I hit the curb (rumble strip) spin out. I only lost 4 seconds, but I could've hit the wall. I get going again, start pushing the lap time again by the end of the next sector. Curb again, spin, lost more time, and tires are shot. I managed to win the race by 2 seconds.

 

[GT4 genius]

I know what you mean, but I seem to be able to calm down for awhile sort of mid-race, then my problem is to try and not lose too much concentration. But then towards the end I always seem to pick up the pace again and often my fastest lap is the final one.

 

[Ardius]

Everyone goes through that, its just a process of practicing and getting used to racing for long periods of time and keeping your concentration up. I find it helps to remind myself to think "what am I going to do when I catch the guy in front?" and just keep remembering to think about it each car you catch and plan ahead. It sounds silly that we don't (or at least I don't) think like that normally, but its true, normally I don't plan my overtakes and just take them whenever I am closest rather than waiting for a better moment.

They should really start putting this kind of thing into the license tests in Gran Turismo, its such a basic common sense that at least I tend to forget (possibly because I just assume that AI will be easy to overtake or something).

 

[GT4 genius]

They should really start putting this kind of thing into the license tests in Gran Turismo, its such a basic common sense that at least I tend to forget (possibly because I just assume that AI will be easy to overtake or something).

That is true. I think it is because we automatically assume that the AI wont be any hassle to overtake. The only place I always plan my moves is in GT5P online, everywhere else I just take them when I can. Even in our online F1 races, I have planned some moves, but with the lag bubble its difficult to plan them, I usually wait for someone to make a mistake.

 

[Alltidxx]

Everyone goes through that, its just a process of practicing and getting used to racing for long periods of time and keeping your concentration up. I find it helps to remind myself to think "what am I going to do when I catch the guy in front?" and just keep remembering to think about it each car you catch and plan ahead. It sounds silly that we don't (or at least I don't) think like that normally, but its true, normally I don't plan my overtakes and just take them whenever I am closest rather than waiting for a better moment.

They should really start putting this kind of thing into the license tests in Gran Turismo, its such a basic common sense that at least I tend to forget (possibly because I just assume that AI will be easy to overtake or something).

I think it's due to the short races most people do. It's a blast and then it's over so planning overtakes is not really rewarded. It becomes very different at long races.

 

[Biggles]

This is especially an issue at Monaco: it's quite easy to set a fast qualifying time, start the race in pole, gradually pull away from the AI cars, build up a decent lead...

and then stuff it into a wall as you try & set faster & faster lap times.

 

[thirteendog]

I hate Monaco with a passion. In 4 seasons I've yet to finish a race.

 

[thirteendog]

I did much better on melbourne this morning. I would have won the race if the rain wouldn't have come in Q3. Started 10th, finished 4th with the fastest lap of the race.

 

[Sureboss]

I love defending a lead, thinking, "Right, where do I want to be at the next corner? Where do I want him to be at the next corner."