In this project we will talk about: “Can an AI coach be the key to faster lap times in sim racing, and how does it actually improve driving performance?”
What is sim racing?
Sim racing refers to racing games designed to realistically simulate real-world motorsport, including factors like fuel use, tire wear, damage, grip, and suspension. To be competitive, players must understand advanced driving techniques such as threshold braking, controlling a car when traction is lost, and taking corners efficiently. This focus on realism sets sim racing apart from arcade-style games, which emphasize speed and simplified handling.
Because of the complexity and realistic physics, sim racing generally requires more powerful hardware, and benefits greatly from using a steering wheel and pedal setup instead of a controller. While many sims now exist on consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, a wheel still provides a more immersive experience. Online racing and AI opponents allow players to compete in realistic conditions, and even real-world racers use simulations for practice. As physics engines and hardware improve, the experience continues to become more lifelike.
What is an AI coach?
An AI coach in sim racing is a digital assistant that helps drivers get faster and more consistent on the track. It studies your laps, compares them to ideal ones, and shows where you’re losing time. The coach looks at braking points, throttle and steering inputs, gear choices, and your racing line. It can highlight mistakes like braking too late, turning in too early, or not using all the track. Some AI coaches give real-time tips while you drive, others provide feedback after the session. They often generate optimal laps or ghost cars for you to follow. The goal is to make learning easier without needing a human coach. With an AI coach, you can understand tracks quicker and improve lap times more efficiently. It’s especially useful for beginners but also helps experienced drivers find small gains. Overall, it’s a powerful tool to level up your sim racing skills.
Can I use AI to drive faster in an F1 simulator?
Achilles’ experience
I trained in sim racing using Trophi AI (trophi.ai) to improve my driving and achieve better results. During this process, I noticed that my car was sliding a lot in the corners. However, the AI was only able to help to a limited extent, as it mostly gave very general advice, such as braking earlier or later, getting on the throttle sooner or later, or turning in earlier or later. Unfortunately, it did not clearly explain what I was doing wrong or why the car was losing grip.
In my first laps, I also did not have much time to practice because I had installed new pedals on my sim rig, especially a new brake pedal. At the beginning, I had to learn how to properly control the brake pressure and get used to the new pedal feel. As a result, my driving was inconsistent at first, and the car was difficult to control. As I became more comfortable with the new pedals, my braking became more consistent, which gradually had a positive effect on car stability, corner control, and lap times. Achilles
Decisions and lap times: time and decision (Excel Download)
Lap on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Linus’ experience
Can I use AI to drive faster in an F1 simulator? In short: yes. I tested the experiment myself in the Formula 1 video game and was able to drive more than 1.5 seconds faster through AI-assisted optimization of the setup. An F1 setup is the individual fine-tuning of the Formula 1 car for a specific track in order to find the optimal balance between aerodynamics, stability and handling, enabling the driver to go faster and control the vehicle better. I filmed the experiment and linked it.
How do F1 drivers stay fit?
On TV it might not look like it, but during a qualifying lap, the drivers are exposed to forces that most people would find unbearable after just a few seconds. The drivers therefore have to be very fit, as they are exposed to an extremely high heart rate over a long period of time. The drivers need high physical endurance, excellent mental strength and lightning-fast reflexes. The three most important points are fitness, heat resistance and nutrition.
Fitness
The fitness section is divided into four sub-chapters: strength training, endurance training, reaction & coordination training, and mobility.
Formula 1 drivers must be in top physical shape because they are exposed to unique stresses, such as the large G-forces. That’s why the neck muscle is trained very often and very intensively. Thanks to a GS harness, the neck muscle can be trained easily and almost anywhere. Endurance is just as important. Many drivers spend hours on the bike because it simulates the cardiovascular load of a race very well. Reaction ability can mean the difference between life and death, which is why it is a very important part of training. Exercises with light boards and quick coordination drills are very suitable for this. A commonly seen exercise is catching tennis balls as quickly as possible. Mobility plays a bigger role in the cockpit than you might think at first. One reason is that space is limited.
Heat resistance
Formula 1 drivers are often exposed to these extreme conditions for more than 1.5 hours. Because the temperature in the cockpit can rise to over 60°C, the drivers have to wear cooling vests from a heat index of 31°C outside temperature. Heat resistance can be trained excellently in a sauna.
Nutrition
Nutrition is strictly structured. The reason for this is the advantage of a lower body weight, because this reduces the overall weight of the race car, which in turn leads to more weight reserve.
Reflection
Next time, I would gather information earlier, form the group sooner, and stay active throughout the project. I would also start testing laps earlier in Assetto Corsa Competizione and begin working with Trophi AI sooner, while carefully reviewing my laps and data from the beginning. Achilles
Authors
Linus Andrin Schweizer
Achilles Merz
(reviewed by Jael Locher)
Sources
Content: Wikipedia, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Trophi AI, ChatGTP.
Pictures: Trophi AI screenshots
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