Huh, that was quite a race.. Check the replays, me and vale, last stint was just epic.. managed to lost my position several times, last time on 6corners before the finish line but i knew from the fights before that i got the edge on the last two turns. Really bited my lip and didn't go to fast in to the turn to last straight and got a optimal exit, then really late brakes, stuck the nose inside and passed on the last corner, vale was about half car behind. Went over the line him on tow. Congrats to Vale, i almost gave you a present but then couldn't give that one away.
2 stop felt really good, most likely it's the fastest option. For me and vale, we should've definitely be on different strategies, now we only proved that we were pretty close in pace (huh, that's was a relief, haven't raced in a while, didn't even practice a lot, about two stints worth...). There was a bit of luck as i gt to the really really good setup at the practice tonight. In the half way mark, i even swerved close to pitwall, just to thank the mechanics.
Vote for 2 x tire wear but maybe we'd better test this again just to be sure?
Qualy: Wonderful, i vote for this option. Just a minute longer on a tracks that go close to 1:50. I went out at 1 minute mark to clear air, it was perfect slot. Had only Nico close in front. But couldn't do 2 attempts, 200m before finishline, half a sec green on delta screen and then.... "next session"
Was a bit bummed as i definitely went out early enough and didn't save outlap but went for it... But the format works, i think it's that 7 minutes, (8 at Spa, 6 in Hungary)
I don't mind one or two tracks to be two attempts if you're lucky, one if you want guaranteed clear air.
If we use "live" qualy, we need to respect pit red/green lights so no one can start at -30s. It would be nice to see that queue forming in the replays, some with rad1 and engine getting hot..
More immersion, imho. We all need to dial qualy fuel, some may like to change wings and rad too, there's 30s on the clock for that. That add 1 minute max is you want clear air and still have time for max two attempts and you got really spend a lot of time in the pits either. I got off from the seat after practice start 3 discussion was over. Went for a small tinkle probably around 40 seconds spent there, slotted back in to the seat, changed fuel and went on track and couldn't go outlapx2hotlaps.. IMHO, that was at the last moment but still well within the time limit and what is reasonable. .
All in all, equipment worked perfect, i did zero spin race, had fights all the way thru. First with one stoppers and Vale, at the last stint there were lappers and Vale.. I had one scare with Dino as i was really sure that you were completely one car width off. It seemed like a half-tow and the you reslotted back very late. I decided to pull to the right just before brakes, so i could brake earlier and let him go. It was touch and go, most likely i should've just trusted that Dino brakes early enough if he's 1cm from my rearwing
There were no other problems with letting people go, i think Sean got held up as i was .2 behind Vale after several laps of trying to catch him. Had to let him past anyway, lost .7 there, no biggie. Vale lost more in total, he was kinder than i...