Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO Zolder Hot Lap Analysis

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Let’s take a look at this hot lap of Zolder in the Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO driven by HYMO.

The Track

Circuit Zolder, also known as Circuit Terlaemen, is situated in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium. Since its inauguration in the early 1960s, the circuit has been the venue for numerous international motorsport events. Its layout, spanning 4.011 kilometres with 10 turns, is characterised by a sequence of short straights, tight hairpins, and chicanes, demanding technical prowess and precise car control.

The circuit's compact nature emphasises the importance of braking and corner exit speed, especially in GT3 racing where the competition is fiercely close. Zolder's layout does not forgive mistakes lightly, and its relatively narrow confines place a premium on qualifying performance. Over the years, the track has seen legendary battles and remains a fixture in various racing series, challenging drivers with its tight turns and complex sections.

Thankfully, 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 in blue to one of the Track Titan community drivers through Segment 9. There are two key mistakes made by the community driver in this example. Firstly, the driver misses the apex. It does not look like they were entering excessively fast so it is likely they had a slightly unstable balance or poor setup and perhaps turned in a bit too late. This gave them a longer route through the corner but actually did not delay them getting back on throttle. The second mistake is choice of gear. You can see on the steering wheel display the reference driver uses 1st gear but the community driver uses 2nd gear. Despite getting on the power earlier than the reference, their exit is slower because they are in a higher gear. The total loss is 0.15s

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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Sim Racing Top Tips

Out of slow corners, maximising traction is about controlling wheel spin as you feed power from a low-speed state, where the car relies heavily on mechanical grip and less on aerodynamics. A progressive throttle application is key to ensure the drive wheels maintain traction, translating power into forward motion efficiently.

In contrast, fast corners are more about maintaining the aerodynamic downforce that keeps the car planted. The higher speeds increase downforce, which helps tyres maintain better contact with the track. Exiting these corners, the challenge is to balance the throttle and steering input to sustain the downforce without inducing aerodynamic loss or exceeding the grip limits, risking a high-speed slide or spin.

In both scenarios, car setup, including differential settings and tyre management, plays a significant role in achieving the best traction. The car must be finely tuned to handle the varying demands of slow and fast corners to maintain optimal pace throughout a lap.

Don't know what you can do to go faster? Use the HYMO hotlap to find out.

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

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