Dallara DW12 Donington Hot Lap Analysis
Let’s take a look at this hot lap of Donington in the Dallara DW12 driven by HYMO.
The Track
This challenging and technical course can pose difficulties in optimising your car setup. Negotiating through corners like Redgate, Craner Curves, and McLean's demands a precise balance. Fortunately, HYMO has you covered, providing access to all the setups you need here.
Established in 1931, Donington Park stands as an iconic racing circuit. Hosting the Formula One European Grand Prix in 1993 and currently a prominent venue for various motorsports events, the track offers a mix of elevation changes, sweeping turns, and challenging blind crests. Donington Park has been a consistent fixture in the motorsports calendar, attracting enthusiasts with its unique layout and history in the FIA World Endurance Championship since 2014.
Analysis
Charlie from the Hymo team demonstrates superior speed management, braking, and throttle control compared to another driver, contributing to his faster lap times. At the start of the corner, Charlie carries more speed from the previous corner's exit, which gives him an advantage. He also reaches his minimum speed earlier in the corner, allowing him to accelerate sooner and achieve a higher exit speed. This early acceleration is critical as it affects subsequent straights and corners.
In terms of braking, Charlie applies full brake pressure decisively and aggressively, maximising deceleration quickly. His clear release pattern aids in a smooth transition into the cornering phase, maintaining control over the car's balance and grip levels. The other driver's softer braking approach leads to less speed carried into corners and potentially slower lap times.
Charlie's throttle inputs are consistent and smooth throughout the lap, which is crucial for maintaining traction and balance through corners. This allows for earlier acceleration out of apexes. In contrast, the other driver exhibits erratic throttle control with sharp peaks and troughs that can cause instability and loss of momentum.
To improve performance, drivers should focus on carrying more speed through corner exits, achieving an earlier minimum speed in corners, applying brakes more decisively with a clear release pattern, and controlling throttle application smoothly for better traction and balance. Emulating Charlie's techniques will be key for drivers aiming to enhance their lap times.
Analysing the speed chart, it's evident that Charlie from the Hymo team maintains a higher speed at the start of the corner compared to the other driver. This indicates that Charlie has carried more speed from the exit of the previous corner, which is a crucial factor in achieving a faster lap time. The other driver's lower initial speed suggests they did not exit as efficiently, which sets them up at a disadvantage even before reaching the corner in question. Furthermore, Charlie achieves his minimum speed earlier in the corner than the other driver. This is significant because it allows Charlie to get on the throttle sooner, leading to earlier acceleration and a higher exit speed. The gradient of Charlie's speed chart post-minimum speed is steeper compared to that of the other driver, indicating quicker acceleration out of the corner. This difference compounds over each subsequent straight and corner, contributing to a better overall lap time. For improvement, focusing on carrying more speed through corner exit and achieving an earlier minimum speed will be key for drivers looking to match or exceed Charlie's performance.
Charlie's braking application is consistently more decisive and aggressive, which is evident from the steeper initial slope of the blue line. This indicates a rapid transition to full brake pressure, allowing him to maximise deceleration in the shortest amount of time. The other driver's more gradual slope suggests a softer approach to braking, which can result in carrying less speed into the corner and ultimately a slower lap time. Furthermore, Charlie's line shows a clear release pattern as he eases off the brakes, which helps in transitioning smoothly into the cornering phase. This technique ensures that he maintains better control over the car's balance and grip levels. The other driver's less defined brake release could lead to less stability during corner entry, affecting their overall speed through the corner and impacting their lap time negatively. Charlie's approach to braking not only contributes to his faster laps but also demonstrates efficient car handling skills.
Charlie's throttle control demonstrates a more consistent and smoother application throughout the lap, which is a key factor in achieving faster lap times. The other driver's throttle inputs are more erratic, with sharper peaks and troughs, indicating less control over the car's acceleration. This can lead to instability and loss of momentum, especially in critical sections of the track where maintaining speed is essential. To improve lap times, the other driver should focus on emulating Charlie's approach by applying throttle progressively. This will help maintain better traction and balance through corners, allowing for earlier acceleration out of the apexes. Charlie's methodical throttle application contributes significantly to his overall speed and consistency on track, which is evident in his successful laps for the Hymo team.
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