Q+A with Dieter Gass, Chief Engineer Race and Test
With Fuji Speedway returning to the calendar for
the first time in 30 years, how does the team begin preparing
for a new circuit?
First of all you get a CAD (Computer Aided Design) file with
the circuit data, so we can start to run some simulations
in our software and get a first impression of what the circuit
is like. We are able to simulate all set up aspects of our
car and see the results of set-up changes on the new track.
Effectively our simulation software calculates virtual laps
of the circuit showing the effects on lap time of running
different levels of downforce or different set-up options.
Using these simulations we are able to find the best starting
set-up for the new circuit, so we arrive at the track well
prepared.
What areas are we able to simulate?
You start to determine what downforce level gives the best
lap time on the new circuit. Once you know that, you look
into which gear ratios suit the track with the given level
of downforce, before you get into more detailed simulations
of different set-up solutions. Getting a bit closer to the
weekend, you start running race simulations in order to predict
the optimum race strategy. This prediction takes into account
estimates of relevant characteristics of the new track, like
the degradation of the two Bridgestone tyre compounds and
the effect the fuel has on lap time. If you have more fuel
in the car, this affects your lap time, but we can accurately
predict how much time is lost with every extra kilogramme
of fuel carried.
Are there any unusual set-up implications at Fuji
Speedway, particularly considering the long straight?
The main straight at Fuji is exceptionally long, 1.475km,
but the rest of the circuit is relatively twisty so there
is a compromise you have to find on the aerodynamic and mechanical
set-up. You have some very slow corners which require good
mechanical grip and as always you want good grip in general,
but you have to balance that with the long straight, where
you need low enough downforce to get a level of drag which
allows you to have a good top speed.
Is it more difficult to predict the best strategy
when the team has not raced at the track before?
It is a bit more difficult, yes, because there are more uncertainties
at a new track compared to one which we know very well and
have all the data on. Obviously, it is a bit harder to predict
tyre behaviour if we don’t have any actual data from
testing or racing at that particular circuit. Mainly, what
you want to know about the tyres is the level of degradation
over long runs and the effect that has on lap time. Also,
without having driven at a track, you can only estimate the
time loss during a pit stop and that makes a difference to
the strategy you choose. Having said that, I am confident
our predictions will be very close to what we find when we
get to Fuji Speedway.
Historically, how accurate are these predictions?
I think we are quite accurate but the ultimate response to
that is very difficult to say for sure because it very much
depends on what happens in the race. Many incidents can happen,
which then have a positive or an adverse affect on strategy.
If you get a good start or a car you would be fighting with
gets stuck in traffic you can gain a lot in the final race
result, but the opposite case obviously costs time and ultimately
will compromise your strategy. On the other hand, if you have
a clean race you are able to see more clearly how accurate
the prediction was.
With a new circuit, do we learn more about set-up
requirements just by observing the track before the cars have
even run?
To a small extent, yes. We have most of the information but
when we first go to a new track we would walk the circuit
and study elements like the kerbs and the cambers of the track
in the corners. We have a good idea what to expect but it
is helpful to actually see the track with your own eyes to
really have a complete understanding. Well before the race
all the teams get a complete circuit map, which shows all
the corners in detail so you have the altitude and the topography
of the track. We have quite a bit of information there.
Would you keep a wider set-up window available in
preparing for a new circuit compared to one we know very well?
Not really because at any race we come prepared with all
the set-up options, so we have everything available to us.
However, it is true to say you might make bigger steps when
evaluating set-up in free practice as you tune the car to
the requirements of the track.
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