Interlagos. A circuit of contrasting extremes.

The brazilian circuit has the shortest lap time of the season. Interlagos is a circuit of extremes, combining slow hairpins with a long straights. The physical demands of this bumpy circuit are intensified by the fact that it runs anti-clockwise, subjecting the drivers necks to the opposite loadings experienced at a normal clockwise track.
Let´s see the key features to turn a good lap in Interlagos:

Engine: Because of the lost of power caused by the altitude of the circuit (around 7%) and a long main straight (some part in uphill), the engines are crucial to turn a good lap time.
Aerodinamics: In Interlagos is desired high aerodinamic pressure in the middle of circuit (second sector) and a low aerodinamic pressure in the other two sectors to reach higher speeds. One solution for this extremes is to set a high aerodinamic pressure in the front wing  to combat the understeer in the middle of the circuit, and low aerodinamic pressure in the rear wing to reduce drag and reach high speeds. It happens because the impact of high pressure of the rear wing over the maximum speed of the car is bigger than in the front wing.
Suspension: It's always important. In Interlagos the mechanical grip is important in the second sector of the track to compensate the oversteer caused by the low aerodinamic pressure in the rear.
Gearbox: medium to high acceleration, it's necessary short gears for the first 5 gears because of the slow second sector and to take a good reponse in the exit of the uphill Junção curve.
Brakes: brakes aren't the problem in Interlagos.

More information to build a car setup for Interlagos can be found here:
Link

A japanese car and a japanese driver in a japanese track

Suzuka is one of the oldest and most-famous racing circuits in Japan. The track is returning to F1 calendar this year. Suzuka is considered a "driver circuit", where the driver can be more significant than the car to turn a good lap time. The circuit requires a driver well concentrated and in good physical condition. Let´s see the key features to make a good lap here:

Aerodinamics: medium to high downforce (8/10). Is needed a good high-speed balance because there are a lot of medium and high speed changes of direction.
Brakes: brakes aren't the problem in Suzuka. The circuit is one of the two lightest circuits on brakes overall, because you don't have the combination long straight/low speed corner which hurts the brakes.
Suspension: mechanical grip is important here, to get good clean exits out of the slow corners and a car that can ride the bumps and any changes of camber. Soft suspension helps at the bumps of the track.
Engine: a powerful engine is required in Suzuka, mainly because of of the uphill curves and the long straight in the and of the lap.
Gearbox: medium acceleration, the transition between gears have to be smooth to give stability during the sequence of curves.
More information about car setup to Suzuka can be found here:
Link

Flying lap at Singapore 2008

A great lap at the fantastic Marina Bay Street Circuit. Singapore street circuit looks like being one of the slowest of the season, only faster than Monaco. Marina Bay is one of only three circuits on this year’s calendar to run in an anti-clockwise direction. Let´s see the key features to make a good setup here:
Tires: soft tyres are needed. Street circuits are dirty and a good grip, specially at corner exits helps to save lap time. (Soft / Super Soft)
Aerodinamics: very high downforce (10/10). To give the car good stability under braking and to push the car into the ground in the corner exits to maximise traction and ensure good acceleration.
Brakes: needs a efficient brake cooling, because of the regularity of braking.
Suspension: mechanical grip is important here, to get good clean exits out of the slow corners and a car that can ride the bumps and any changes of camber. Soft suspension helps at the bumps of the track.
Engine: less severe on the engine due to the low percentage of the lap spent at full throttle (50%).
Gearbox: short gear ratios to optimze acceleration and get the more power from the engine at low speeds.
More information about car setup to Singapore can be found here:
Link

Monza, Italy

Let´s start with the Italian Grand Prix. Monza is the fastest track of Formula 1 championship, I reached around 346 km/h here. It´s a amzaing track. A really ruge challenge setup the car here. The key features here are:
Aerodinamics: Very low downforce to reach the maximum speed. Wings at almost zero.
Brakes:  15% of the lap braking. Balance the brakes to the front. 63(F) :37(R). Adjust engine brake map and coast to stable under hard braking.
Gearbox: adjust the gear ratios to maximum speed, over 350 km/h. The first gears can be shorter to give more acceleration.
Suspension: Soft suspension to be able to hit the kerb in the two first chincanes.

More information about car setup to Monza can be found here:
http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2005/9/3508.html

First post

Hi everyone!

In the first post I want to tell you how the blog will work. The theme of the blog is F1 simulation games and mods. Actually, I play Rfactor (http://www.rfactor.net/) with CTDP F1 2006 (http://www.ctdpworld.org/) mod, because this mod is the most realisitc ever made. There are many mods based on 2009 F1 season on the web, but in my opinion they are unrealistic and not well made.
So, here I want to share my experiences with Formula One simulators, producing videos and the showing the key features to be well successfull on lap with a Formula 1 car. Sometimes I will try to bring to you some technical data from Formula 1. The updates of the blog will follow the actual 2009 Formula 1 season calendar, starting by the Italian Grand Prix.
You are free to ask me about any doubt.

I hope you enjoy the blog.