McLaren 720s EVO GT3 Paul Ricard HYMO Hot Lap Analysis

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Let’s take a look at this hot lap of Paul Ricard in the McLaren 720s EVO GT3 driven by HYMO.

The Track

The Circuit Paul Ricard, located in Le Castellet, France, is a cornerstone of motorsport history and innovation, widely recognized for its distinctive blue and red run-off areas. Opened in 1970 and named after the pastis magnate who financed its construction, the track has become a symbol of French racing prowess. Its versatile layout, featuring long straights and a variety of corner types, has made it a testing bed for automotive development and a favourite among drivers seeking a comprehensive challenge. The circuit's most famous feature, the Mistral Straight, is a high-speed test of nerve and engineering, often interrupted by a challenging chicane to test braking and handling. After extensive renovations and safety improvements, Paul Ricard returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 2018, reviving its legacy as a host of the French Grand Prix. With its modern facilities and a layout that promotes overtaking, the track continues to be a prominent venue for racing events, testing, and driver training.

The HYMO setup used in this hot lap video is available for you to try HERE.

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Analysis

The analysis below uses the Track Titan platform to compare a HYMO reference hotlap to one of the Track Titan community drivers at La Beausset. The key here is maintaining both average and minimum speed through the extremely long double apex right. You can see that the reference driver in blue uses 3rd gear whereas the community driver shifts to 2nd. You can actually see the exact moment this happens when the speed traces and diff to ref graphs diverge. This is because of engine braking - essentially the higher engine RPM of lower gears is acting as more of a brake due to rotary friction even though no brakes are applied for either car. This slows the car faster but the driver also drops their minimum speed lower than the reference. Had the community driver held 3rd the car would likely have remained more stable as downshifting mid corner can make the car planted. So even though they get on the throttle earlier it is from a much slower point. The net loss is 0.2s.

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You can analyse every other turn in the Track Titan platform; see reference lap here.
You can also take it to the next level and compare it against your own driving, just sign up to Track Titan for FREE today here.

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Hot Laps Top Tips

For hotlapping consistency, the key is to find a rhythm and balance between precision and speed. Start by setting a target lap time that is quick yet within your ability to replicate, rather than pushing for an outright fastest lap that might be harder to repeat. Focus on driving smoothly with precise inputs, ensuring each turn, brake, and acceleration is deliberate and controlled. Break the track down into sections and master each one before stitching them together into a full lap. Use the same reference points for braking, turning, and accelerating each lap to help maintain consistency. Keep your eyes up and look ahead to the next corner to anticipate your moves. Monitor tire and brake temperatures to keep them in the optimal range, as fluctuations can affect grip and braking performance. Finally, analyse your telemetry data to identify where you're losing time or where you can push a bit harder, and make incremental adjustments rather than drastic changes. Remember, consistency comes from repetition and learning, not just raw speed.

Not where to fucus your efforts? Use the HYMO hotlap as your reference point.

To see full lap analysis of your own driving, you can sign up to Track Titan for FREE today here.

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