Professional Motorsport World
  • News
    • A-E
      • Bodywork
      • Business Services
      • Chassis
      • Circuit News
      • Data Capture
      • Driver Safety
      • Electric Motorsport
      • Engine Technology
    • F-N
      • Karting
      • Legislative
      • Logistics
      • Materials
      • New Competition Car
    • O-S
      • Off Road
      • R&D
      • Race Series News
      • Safety
      • Show News
      • Simulation
      • Single Seaters
    • T-Z
      • Team News
      • Tin Tops
      • Tyres
      • Transmissions
      • Workshop
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • October 2024
    • September 2023
    • 2022
    • September 2021
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • PMW Expo
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Testing
  • Autonomous Vehicle
  • Automotive Powertrain
  • Tire
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Instagram
Subscribe
Professional Motorsport World
  • News
      • Aerodynamics
      • Bodywork
      • Business Services
      • Chassis
      • Circuit News
      • Data Acquisition
      • Driver Safety
      • Electric Motorsport
      • Engine Technology
      • Karting
      • Legislative
      • Logistics
      • Materials
      • New Competition Car
      • Off Road
      • R&D
      • Race Series News
      • Safety
      • Show News
      • Simulation
      • Single Seaters
      • Team News
      • Testing
      • Tyres
      • Transmissions
      • Workshop
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. October 2024
    2. September 2023
    3. 2022
    4. September 2021
    5. April 2020
    6. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    9th October 2024

    In this Issue – October 2024

    Online Magazines By Lawrence Butcher
    Recent

    In this Issue – October 2024

    9th October 2024

    In this Issue – September 2023

    21st September 2023

    In this Issue – 2022

    4th October 2022
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • PMW Expo
LinkedIn Facebook Instagram YouTube
Subscribe
Professional Motorsport World
Features

The importance of DIL simulation during racing’s enforced break

Lawrence ButcherBy Lawrence Butcher19th June 20204 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

The use of DIL simulators has never been more important to race teams with such equipment, thanks to the current minimal on-track action. In the case of the BMW i Andretti Motorsport team, it has been relying heavily on its simulator capability during this enforced pause in the Formula E season.

Before the start of the current break, it was the same ritual before every Formula E race weekend with engineers and drivers from the BMW i Andretti Motorsport team preparing together in the simulator for the pending event.

With practice sessions, qualifying and the race on the same day, the teams have barely any time remaining for test and development work. That all has to be done in advance. Chief engineer Valentino Conti coordinates both race and simulator operations for the team. The current break in racing offered the opportunity for him to explain the process behind the simulator work and its goals, and why it is essential for success in Formula E.

“If we did not have the tests in the simulator beforehand, we would be lacking a lot of performance,” noted Conti, adding, “Any knowledge you don’t acquire in the simulator is very difficult to catch up on at the circuit.”

Preparations for a simulator session begin with planning meetings and a functional test for the software, which supplies the simulator with the respective circuit and car data. “Around 95% of the engineers are usually involved in the preparations, plus a few people who are responsible for the operational process in the simulator,” said Conti.

“I like to have as many people as possible at the simulator tests, whether it be engineers or drivers. In my opinion, that is imperative. The whole team arrives at the racetrack with totally different knowledge and experience. It is very difficult to convey this knowledge on-site to someone who was not there during the preparations.”

The itinerary for the simulator test sessions are based on a clear plan, which is determined in advance. It starts with a comparison of data gathered at previous races, which is followed by many short sim runs, the aim of which is to try out different setups and configurations of the car’s drivetrain.

When it comes to correlating simulator and track performance, Conti said, “We have a high rate of success. We have even had situations where we have been able to implement the energy management strategy we developed in the simulator on a 1:1 basis in the race.”

However, he was also keen to play down this success. “That success rate obviously fluctuates. There are always certain surprises at the circuit. However, thanks to being well prepared, we are generally able to react to them very quickly.”

When real racing is allowed, the team’s track walk plays a very important role in being able to check for any differences to the version they had driven in the simulator. For example, has the radius of a corner changed? Can a driver cut the curbs, or are they possibly too high?

On a live race weekend, “The shakedown is really nothing more than a functional test,” Conti explained, “but we also use it to compare the grip conditions to those that we had simulated in advance. We then discuss whether we may need to change things, before we prepare our plans A, B and C for the race day to be able to react as flexibly as possible. It is one thing after another on the Saturday and there is no time for any major discussions.”

How good a job was done in the simulator is revealed by the first practice session on the morning of race day, if not beforehand in the shakedown. Any major issues encountered make life difficult. “On the odd occasion, even we can get the setup wrong,” admitted Conti. “You can catch up, but it is difficult: the competition, who may arrive better prepared, are improving all the time, which means you must improve faster than they do.”

Conti highlighted the opening round of Season 6, in Saudi Arabia last November, as a positive example of this kind of fightback. “We were surprised by the extremely low grip levels there, which we had not predicted in the simulation. However, we were able to react to that quickly and claimed two pole positions and victory in the Saturday race.”

It remains uncertain when Formula E will return to the real racetrack. When that time does come, however, Conti and his teammates want to be ready. To ensure that is the case, they are regularly in the simulator to run through their processes: “Just to stay in training,” said Conti.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleMercedes engine head Cowell to step down
Next Article Brabham explains its weight-saving approach on BT62

Related Posts

Features

Hypercar and LMDH technical hub: Updated

12th June 202585 Mins Read
Features

How WRC lost its hybrids – and what this means for 2025

9th April 20255 Mins Read
Features

Why Toyota is perfecting the rally to road relationship. PMW speaks to Jari-Matti Latvala

25th January 20255 Mins Read
Latest News

Toyota Gazoo racing unveils liquid hydrogen-fueled GR LH2 Racing Concept

16th June 2025

MoTeC unveils FIA-integrated carbon-fiber racing wheel

16th June 2025

Honda CR‑V e:FCEV to become first hydrogen vehicle in Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

16th June 2025

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Supplier Spotlights
  • AVL RACETECH
Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us / Advertise
  • Meet The Editors
  • Download Media Pack
  • Free Weekly E-Newsletter
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
RELATED UKI TOPICS
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Testing
  • Autonomous Vehicle
  • Automotive Powertrain
  • Tire
  • Media Pack
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Notice & Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie records the user consent for the cookies in the "Necessary" category.
elementorneverThe website's WordPress theme uses this cookie. It allows the website owner to implement or change the website's content in real-time.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

CookieDurationDescription
OAGEOsessionOpenX sets this cookie to avoid the repeated display of the same ad.
OAID1 yearCookie set to record whether the user has opted out of the collection of information by the AdsWizz Service Cookies.
test_cookie15 minutesdoubleclick.net sets this cookie to determine if the user's browser supports cookies.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE5 months 27 daysYouTube sets this cookie to measure bandwidth, determining whether the user gets the new or old player interface.
YSCsessionYoutube sets this cookie to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages.
yt-remote-connected-devicesneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt-remote-device-idneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt.innertube::nextIdneverYouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.
yt.innertube::requestsneverYouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

CookieDurationDescription
CONSENT2 yearsYouTube sets this cookie via embedded YouTube videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
vuid1 year 1 month 4 daysVimeo installs this cookie to collect tracking information by setting a unique ID to embed videos on the website.
_ga1 year 1 month 4 daysGoogle Analytics sets this cookie to calculate visitor, session and campaign data and track site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognise unique visitors.
_ga_*1 year 1 month 4 daysGoogle Analytics sets this cookie to store and count page views.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

CookieDurationDescription
__cf_bm30 minutesCloudflare set the cookie to support Cloudflare Bot Management.

SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by