Racing line
The classic outside–apex–outside line lets you take a corner on the widest possible arc and at higher speed. In a sequence of corners, you sacrifice the first one for a better exit from the last.
Mechanics
Tips and mechanics
Behind every fast lap there are a few simple physical principles. Once you understand them, you'll stop guessing why the car won't turn or suddenly spins, and start fixing mistakes deliberately.
The car always tells you what it doesn't like. A racer's job is to hear it before it ends up in the gravel.
How this section works: the mechanics are described in general terms, without numbers or ties to a specific game. In arcade racers these effects are softened; in simulators they come through in full.
Mechanics
Six phenomena that define how a car behaves on track.
Braking point
The spot where you start slowing down before a corner. You find it gradually: first with a margin, then a little later each time, as long as the car still turns in confidently.
Weight transfer
Under braking, weight shifts forward and loads the front wheels; under acceleration, it shifts back. That's why a light touch of the brake helps the car turn, while a stab of throttle unloads the front axle.
Understeer and oversteer
With understeer, the car goes straight even though the wheel is turned: the front tyres have lost grip. With oversteer, the rear lets go and the car spins. Smoothness and the right entry speed help.
Tyres and temperature
Tyre grip depends on temperature and load. Cold rubber slides, overheated rubber quickly loses bite. Take the first laps out of the pits more carefully.
Fuel and wear
In long races the car changes as the race goes on: it gets lighter as fuel burns off, while worn tyres grip less. Plan your pace and pit stops with this in mind.
Car setup step by step
Start with the default setup
Drive a few laps on the baseline settings to understand exactly what's holding you back.
Define the problem
Work out where the car misbehaves: on entry, mid-corner or on exit.
Tyre pressure
Pressure affects the contact patch and how the tyres warm up. Change it in small steps and watch how the tyres respond.
Downforce
More downforce means more stability in fast corners but lower top speed on the straights. The balance between front and rear wing shifts the car towards understeer or oversteer.
Gear ratios
Short gears give punchy acceleration, long gears a higher top speed. Set them for the longest straight on the track.
Change one setting at a time
After each change, drive a few laps. If lots of things change at once, you won't know what actually helped.
Related sections
- Guides
Step-by-step guides: wheel calibration, career mode, qualifying, wet tracks, crash-free online races. Plus our article catalogue.
- Glossary
A racer's dictionary: track and driving, car and setup, game and online.
- Reviews
What to look for in a racing game and how to tell fact from the author's taste in someone else's review.
- Updates
What patches to racing games usually change and how to make sense of patch notes.
What we rely on
- Motorsport driving school training materials on driving technique
- User manuals and developer help pages for racing games
- Fair play rules of online services
We describe the general principles of racing games. Menus, modes and online racing rules in a particular game may differ and change with updates — check the developer's help pages.