Guide: Race Day — Tactics and Strategy

Ready, Set, Go...

Everything you've done up to this point — hiring staff, training drivers, and building the car — comes down to this moment. The Race in Race Manager takes place in real-time, and your decisions on the pit wall can either bring victory or end in disaster.

Driver Control Panel

During the race, you have direct control over the behavior of both drivers via the control panel:

Pace Mode:
- Push: The driver pushes to the limit. Maximum pace, but rapid tire wear and a high risk of mistakes.
- Balanced: The optimal ratio of speed and resource preservation.
- Save: The driver conserves tires and fuel. Useful for extending a stint before a pit stop.
Box Request: You decide when it's time to change tires. You can choose the compound type for the next stint and specify the need for damage repair.

[IMAGE_RACE_CONTROLS: Driver tactics control panel]

React to events instantly. A split-second delay can cost a position.

Tire Management and Pit Stops

Tires are your primary resource.

Temperature Window: Ensure the rubber doesn't overheat during aggressive driving.
Compound Choice: Softs are faster but don't last long. Hards allow for a long stint but sacrifice speed.
Pit Stop: Time is spent in the pits for entry, the tire change itself, and exit. Any mistake by the mechanics can add precious seconds to your stop.

Track Factors

A race is a dynamic environment:

DRS: If your driver is less than a second behind an opponent in the detection zone, they can activate the drag reduction system for an overtake.
Weather: Rain changes everything. Be prepared to switch to Intermediate or Wet compounds at the right time.
Safety Car / VSC: In the event of accidents on the track, a safety car appears. This is the ideal time for a "free" pit stop, as all opponents are required to drive slowly.

Real-Time Analytics

Use all available tables:

Standings: Current positions and gaps. You can toggle the display mode: gap to leader or interval to the next car.
Sector Times: Monitor which sectors you are faster than your competitors. This will help you understand when it's time to switch to push mode.

💡 Tip: You don't always need to attack. Often, victory goes to the one who preserved their tires better for the decisive laps and made one fewer pit stop than their opponents.

Make the right decisions and lead your team to the podium!