F1 2017...How is your career going?

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

I've been out of the car for far too long. On to Monza...a track that doesn't really fit the profile of our car. My Honda engine is really going to be struggling around this track.

I won my rivalry with Grosjean, and my new rival is his teammate Kevin Magnussen. Got to keep that rivalry going with Haas Racing I guess.

Because I'm having to take a gearbox penalty, I went ahead and ordered engine part #6 for all components to really drive that grid penalty home. So with a fresh engine, qualified 14th, which is certainly respectable, but the penalty will have us starting in the back. Strategy wise I'm opting for a one-stop, starting on the mediums and going to a set of soft tires. I'm completely bypassing the super softs because I'm hard on tires. What can I say, I have a lead foot.

Start of the race and turn one at Monza is so treacherous. The straight is so wide, but the turn narrows considerably. Then you add me to the mix....because I'm not languishing back here very long.



A very aggressive move...but the FIA deemed I didn't cut the corner. I didn't really hit anybody...though I may have banged tires a bit with the Haas car. Didn't get a collision warning. So we're good. Sergio Perez in the middle there...wasn't as lucky, as his front wing got chewed up pretty good there and he ended up having to pit the next lap. And there were seven different collision warnings on lap one between the AI cars. Very nice.

Because I opted for a longer first stint...I started making my way up through the field. Ended up in the top ten after my dive bomb of the century going into the first chicane. After that though, things settled down, because once cars start getting strung out...I'm not passing them on track.



So we fast forward to the end of the race. Ricciardo is breathing down my neck with three to go. I'm running 7th. Ricciardo passed me on the front stretch, but I was able to out brake him into Rettifilo (first chicane) and took the position back. On the run to Ascari (final chicane), I protect the inside line, Ricciardo tries to pass me on the outside...but suffers a major lockup and runs off course.



While coming back on course, Ricciardo runs straight into the path of Kevin Magnussen and...



Thanks for knocking my rival out Daniel. Ricciardo had one more feeble attempt at overtaking me going into Ascari on the final lap, but I shut the door on him and brought this McLaren home in 7th.



Kimi Raikkonen won the race after Lewis Hamilton had to make a second stop because he couldn't make a one-stop work. Hamilton finished second despite being the fastest car of the day. Esteban Ocon rounded out the podium. Bottas retook the driver's world title lead after Vettel suffered a mechanical failure. Hamilton is seven points behind Bottas. With Vettel's DNF and a 2-4 finish for Mercedes, the Silver Arrows have taken the lead from Ferrari in the Constructor's title race.

On to Singapore, where I'll be having a chassis upgrade waiting for me. I figured after six upgrades to the engine, I should probably put some work into the chassis, especially since Toro Rosso passed me in the chassis rankings. Despite six engine upgrades...it still ranks last.

[vertman]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

What percentage of race length are most of you using. I have started with 25% but it feels a little short. Any suggestions?

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

What percentage of race length are most of you using. I have started with 25% but it feels a little short. Any suggestions?

I personally use 50%. It gives me the length I want in a race session without having to race for 90+ minutes.


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[mdiggitydawg]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

I've been out of the car for far too long. On to Monza...a track that doesn't really fit the profile of our car. My Honda engine is really going to be struggling around this track.

I won my rivalry with Grosjean, and my new rival is his teammate Kevin Magnussen. Got to keep that rivalry going with Haas Racing I guess.

Because I'm having to take a gearbox penalty, I went ahead and ordered engine part #6 for all components to really drive that grid penalty home. So with a fresh engine, qualified 14th, which is certainly respectable, but the penalty will have us starting in the back. Strategy wise I'm opting for a one-stop, starting on the mediums and going to a set of soft tires. I'm completely bypassing the super softs because I'm hard on tires. What can I say, I have a lead foot.

Start of the race and turn one at Monza is so treacherous. The straight is so wide, but the turn narrows considerably. Then you add me to the mix....because I'm not languishing back here very long.



A very aggressive move...but the FIA deemed I didn't cut the corner. I didn't really hit anybody...though I may have banged tires a bit with the Haas car. Didn't get a collision warning. So we're good. Sergio Perez in the middle there...wasn't as lucky, as his front wing got chewed up pretty good there and he ended up having to pit the next lap. And there were seven different collision warnings on lap one between the AI cars. Very nice.

Because I opted for a longer first stint...I started making my way up through the field. Ended up in the top ten after my dive bomb of the century going into the first chicane. After that though, things settled down, because once cars start getting strung out...I'm not passing them on track.



So we fast forward to the end of the race. Ricciardo is breathing down my neck with three to go. I'm running 7th. Ricciardo passed me on the front stretch, but I was able to out brake him into Rettifilo (first chicane) and took the position back. On the run to Ascari (final chicane), I protect the inside line, Ricciardo tries to pass me on the outside...but suffers a major lockup and runs off course.



While coming back on course, Ricciardo runs straight into the path of Kevin Magnussen and...



Thanks for knocking my rival out Daniel. Ricciardo had one more feeble attempt at overtaking me going into Ascari on the final lap, but I shut the door on him and brought this McLaren home in 7th.



Kimi Raikkonen won the race after Lewis Hamilton had to make a second stop because he couldn't make a one-stop work. Hamilton finished second despite being the fastest car of the day. Esteban Ocon rounded out the podium. Bottas retook the driver's world title lead after Vettel suffered a mechanical failure. Hamilton is seven points behind Bottas. With Vettel's DNF and a 2-4 finish for Mercedes, the Silver Arrows have taken the lead from Ferrari in the Constructor's title race.

On to Singapore, where I'll be having a chassis upgrade waiting for me. I figured after six upgrades to the engine, I should probably put some work into the chassis, especially since Toro Rosso passed me in the chassis rankings. Despite six engine upgrades...it still ranks last.

Jason, I do enjoy your recaps .. makes me antsy to find time to get on the courses... hoping to run my first career race (50%) Australia... may I ask, since you've helped in finding set ups for these tracks (Which I appreciate immensely), does your "Team" recommend the type of tire, or engine upgrades, or are these things you do because you obviously know a lot about the sport?
Curious as I am a F1 newly, both to the game and any knowledge of the sport

thanks

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

Jason, I do enjoy your recaps .. makes me antsy to find time to get on the courses... hoping to run my first career race (50%) Australia... may I ask, since you've helped in finding set ups for these tracks (Which I appreciate immensely), does your "Team" recommend the type of tire, or engine upgrades, or are these things you do because you obviously know a lot about the sport?

Curious as I am a F1 newly, both to the game and any knowledge of the sport



thanks

I use both. Sometimes I’ll use the recommended upgrade. Sometimes I select my own upgrades. Strategy, I’ll generally let the team set the initial strategy, but I’ll reserve the right to change it in the middle of the race in case I notice somebody trying to undercut me on tire strategy or if there’s a safety car.


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[vertman]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

Dumb question, was trying to take a photo yesterday in "photo mode" but could not figure out which button was used to take the photo( XBOX ONE). Any help?

[Hunkerdown]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

What percentage of race length are most of you using. I have started with 25% but it feels a little short. Any suggestions?

I started HAAS career at Melbourne, 100%. Why? You can save mid session. [emoji12] [emoji106] I am running 17th on lap 29 out of 58. My car sucks, or is it just me? Saved on main straight mid session.

Xbox GT: Hunkerdown
Mixer: HUNKERDOWN
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"Hunkerdown's Franchise TV"

Madden 18 - Still Waiting on patch to fix QB AI.
NBA 2K18 - Hawks Myleague
FIFA 18 - Orlando City
NHL 18 - New Jersey Devils
F1 2017 - Ferrari Career

[Finn]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

I run 100% races as well, I just can't get over scaled tyre wear otherwise.


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[Finn]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

I use both. Sometimes I’ll use the recommended upgrade. Sometimes I select my own upgrades. Strategy, I’ll generally let the team set the initial strategy, but I’ll reserve the right to change it in the middle of the race in case I notice somebody trying to undercut me on tire strategy or if there’s a safety car.


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Agreed, race director and making sure the circuit map is set to show the full track helps me keep a watch out and make the call if my strategy needs to change.


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[Lieutenant Dan]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

First, Jason you're reports are outstanding as always, keep up the great work!

I run 25% races, ideal length as I usually will do the whole weekend in a gaming session, and then I also always watch the whole replay after.

Back from vacation so Malaysia is up today!


BTW, on a real F1 note...the US Grand Prix was wonderful, and I LOVED watching Max's charge to catch Kimi! It was absolutely furious driving, but damn that call by the stewards to take 3rd from him broke my heart. Congrats to Hamilton, they should just rename Circuit of the Americas to HamTrack. You'd almost think he helped design the thing he's so dominant there.

[Lieutenant Dan]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

Finished Malaysia, had to replace my worn out turbo so took a grid penalty and SHOULD have changed gearboxes while I was at it but did not as I figured 61% wear should see me through.

So I started 20th of course, and my fuel light was yellow at the starting grid LOL Come on guys, let's have a closer look at my fuel testing results in practice??!!

Switch right away to Lean mix for a lap to 'get it back', and pick off the a few slower cars to start moving up to 15th. Then on the 3rd lap the gearbox starts going awry and sticks between shifts, putting a lot of stress on the engine. They suggest a new strategy; basically come in a lap early for your tire change so I did that.

After I'm back out and trying to move back up again from 20th and start gaining spots, the VSC comes out for a lap. I'm at 14th and my teammate Magnusson's in front of me by two seconds. I spend the next few laps shaving that down and finally catch him on a bit of a dive bomb at the hairpin between the two long straightaways which my fuel light was blinking red on the final sector of the final lap.

My goal finish was 12th place, but I wound up edging and holding off Magnusson and finishing 13th, with Jeff pissing in my ear that 'was simply not good enough' LOL.

Suzuka is next; not usually strong there and I can tell you already I'm starting from the back with a new gearbox.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

Did practice and qualifying at Singapore. I was slightly concerned about my practice times as I was consistently towards the bottom of the time sheets. The one thing I was very pleased with though was my setup is very nimble and very easy on the tires.

Then we got to qualifying....and something unlocked in the car because this baby started flying. In Q1, I qualified sixth. In Q2, I set a purple sector time in sector 2. My McLaren...setting a purple sector time late in qualifying? I mean I am dialed in. Qualified 4th in Q2, and I’m only four tenths off of Sebastian Vettel.

And then we get to Q3. Screen pops up and there it is. A brake system failure...and by the time they get it fixed, I can’t even post a time in Q3.

Will be starting a respectable 10th after starting in the back of the pack the last several races.

But I just keep thinking about what if the F1 gods had smiled on me and allowed me to run in Q3?


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[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

It's time for the Singapore GP and thanks to grid penalties, instead of starting tenth, I'll be starting sixth. It feels good to take advantage of grid penalties for once. Because I'm forced to start on the ultra softs by making it to Q3, we are going for a two-stop strategy, going US -> SS -> SS. And unlike the real-life grand prix...after practice was marred off and on by tropical downpours, there is no rain in the forecast for this race.

Lewis Hamilton starts from pole and dominates the start of the race. As for me, I'm able to maintain my position somehow, as it's very difficult to pass here at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Though these cars have an advantage on me in Sectors 1 and 3, I'm flat dominating in Sector 2, which is allowing me to hold my own despite my crap Honda power unit.

A virtual safety car comes out on lap 4...and as we're getting ready to come back to green, Hamilton really slows the field down and the gap that the top three of Hamilton, Ricciardo, and Raikkonen have built up is evaporating quickly as I'm following Bottas and Verstappen is following me and I go for it and I follow Raikkonen and dive bomb on both Bottas and Ricciardo and jump into fourth place.

The one thing I have noticed over the past couple grand prix is that Mercedes really struggles with tire wear. And real life mimics virtual world here as Lewis comes into the pits while Raikkonen and I continue on and now I'm in second place. I go ahead and pit the next lap and as I'm coming out of the pits, the safety car comes and a full course caution is thrown. Every team that hasn't pitted yet puts under the safety car and we will restart fifth behind Bottas as Esteban Ocon leads the race with Hamilton behind him, followed by Raikkonen and then Ricciardo.

Thanks to the VSC and the SC, after the team started me almost two laps short of fuel...I now have a fuel surplus to play around with. And inexplicably, Hamilton manages to hit the wall during the safety car and breaks the end plate off of his front wing. So as the green drops, Hamilton's ailing car cannot keep up with Ocon and he is holding up progress. Bottas tries to get around Ricciardo, they BOTH lock up, and I manage to get around both of them and into fourth place. I give Raikkonen a quick look, but that Ferrari is too damn good and the Ice Man proceeds to start chasing down Ocon after Hamilton veers into the pits to get a new front wing, moving us into third, which is where we stay until its time for our next pit stop. Bottas catches me...but catching and passing are two completely different things.



Bottas pits first, then I pit, and my crew gets me out JUST in front of Bottas.





Force India decide to run Ocon on a one-stop strategy while everyone else is running a two-stop strategy. Raikkonen gets around him for the race lead. I'm managing to keep Bottas behind me by running rich mix from the run-up to the last turn all the way to the end of the second DRS zone. He manages to pass me a couple times, but then I'm able to outbreak him and re-overtake him. All this time, we are slowly reeling Ocon in and with three laps to go, I overtake him to get into second place.



Which is a good thing because Bottas struggles to get around him and I'm able to open up a two and a half second gap before Bottas is finally able to get around him. On the last lap, Bottas is shaving half a second a sector on me. I just know he's going to be up my gearbox before the end and he'll probably have one chance on me on the back straight going into the final turn.

But then calamity ensues when Bottas' engine let's go and he RETIRES on the last lap, securing me a podium finish with my best finish of the season in second place.



Raikkonen gets the victory. I finish second. Ricciardo finishes third. Bottas maintains his lead in the driver's championship, but Raikkonen only trails him by seven points. Mercedes maintain their lead in the manufacturer's race, but with a DNF by Bottas and a non-points finish for Hamilton, Ferrari is only 20 points behind. I'm still 8th in the points, but only five points behind Sergio Perez for 7th. We are still in 5th in the manufacturer's race, 35 points behind Force India for 4th.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

Practice for the Malaysian Grand Prix was marred by monsoonal downpours at Sepang and it was hard to get a gauge of how we were looking. What I did know was this....Singapore was murder on my gearbox. As in after two races, it was already at 75% wear. We were going to gamble and see if it would last. In FP1 and FP2, the gearbox gave me no issues. In FP3, the gearbox started slow shifting. Oh geez.

It dried up for qualifying and we made it to Q3, where we qualified 9th...mostly because Kimi Raikkonen's time was invalidated for corner cutting. As for that gearbox...after calculating that it would probably fail with two laps to go, we decided to take the grid penalty and start 14th.



And the monsoon has returned to Southeast Asia. Imagine that. Start of the race and with zero visibility, I naturally run into the back of somebody going into turn one. Not major damage to the front wing, but I'm sure we didn't help it any.



In the rain though, we start picking our way through the field and make our way up to fifth place. But that was as far as we made it as I kept trading fifth back and forth with Ocon.



Then the track dried out quickly, and that's when the problems started. My engine and turbocharger were on their final legs and with the dry weather and two long straights, I became a sitting duck and started sliding down the field.

On the last lap, I'm running ninth. Alonso is running tenth. It looks like it's going to be the first double points finish for McLaren this season. But Alonso is not contempt to run behind me. He wants to get around me. We make contact a couple times as I'm able to maintain position while Felipe Massa is chasing us down.

Going down the backstretch, I go inside to protect that line into the corner. Alonso tries to go further inside while Massa goes to the outside. Alonso realizes that he is going to run out of real estate and backs out of the throttle, and he ends up behind Massa.



I'm able to slide up in front of Massa and come across the finish line in 9th place. Alonso's greediness costs McLaren another point in the championship. Points we desperately needed to chase down Force India. Instead...we lost ground.

[krtgolfing]

Re: F1 2017...How is your career going?

Decided to start a career last night as the second driver with Red Bull Racing. Max Verstappen is my team mate. I decided to go with 50% racing and 60 difficulty as I use a controller.

All three practices were dry and did all the testing. Failed the tyre test and fuel management test. I am terrible on tyres and fuel. Was P5 at FP1, P2 at FP2, and P4 for FP3.

Qualifying was pretty dry as well. Ran with the US tyres and made it through Q1 and Q2 quite easily. Start of Q3 first lap out was okay lost a good amount of time in section 3. So bailed after the first lap. Second lap and final lap felt like a near perfect lap and got P1 for the race by around .1-.15 seconds over Bottas.

Start of the race was dry again and decided to do a one stop race with a stint on the US tyres and the second stint on the soft tyres. Seemed like everyone else did a two stop strategy. It was a 29 lap race. Start of the race I got a mediocre start so had Bottas on the inside of me into turn 1, but he was still there after turn 2. Going into the high break zone of turn 3 was able to outbreak him gaining a good lead. Was able to build about a 3 second lead going into lap 5-6. When this occurs the yellow gas gauge comes on so I turned it down to mix 1 to get the gas back into the green. Did this for 3 laps and thankfully everyone made their first stop of the race. So I was able to get back into mix 2 and make my one and only stop of the race on lap 11. Come out of the pits to a 5 second lead. I was matching the pace of Bottas for the next 10 laps until it seemed liked everyone made their second stop of the race, so I had a solid 20+ second lead over Vettel and Raikonen third. Bottas slipped to fourth. With a 20+ second lead decided to switch to mix 1 to save gas and tyres just in case I needed to use mix 3 late in the race. Lost about 1-1.5 seconds a lap to Vettel, but was about to hold on to the lead until the end with a 9 second lead. Vettel and Raikonen finished the podium. Bottas, Hamiltion and team mate Verstappen rounded out the top 6. Great start to the season!