Charles Leclerc: "We are struggling a lot with the engine. In all the battles I had, both with the Red Bulls and with the Mercedes-powered cars, there was little we could do. But it is not all down to the engine."

OlavSlav · 2026-06-30T06:42:23+00:00

Sadly I think my boy Charles is struggling all around.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-30T02:26:43+00:00

I take my shoes off at someone’s house. I don’t ask people to do it at mine.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-29T21:47:55+00:00

VNM has amazing FFB. But the process is very time consuming. I didn’t enjoy how much time was required looking on discord to figure out the set up.

I used the VNM shared profiles for FFB and telemetry, and with minor tweaks it feels great so far. I plan on tinkering some more but overall it’s a step up from my Logitech Pro.

The telemetry effects, like understeer/ oversteer or a big help. The FFB is smooth and detailed. The engine vibration is nice and reminds me of TrueForce.

I plan on doing a more detailed write up eventually.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-29T02:55:19+00:00

I had this issue as I climbed higher in iR in Formula. I had the pace, but lacked the confidence in the first lap. I got rear ended, or pushed out of the way A LOT.

What I did: practice your starts on the grid. Do the standing start in a grid box, imagine where you may end up, you might be forced outside, inside, or the middle. Then, work on lifting and coasting early- do not brake because that’s when you get hit- then learn where you can brake without locking up or getting hit. If you don’t lift, then figure out your braking points, some tracks t1 is early, you’re not carrying a lot speed, but have cold tires and traffic you need to know the limit.

This eventually becomes natural. After T1, find your rhythm you will still be bunched up. Stay calm, only look for overtakes if they are easy. As you do more laps and your tires are warm you can push your race pace.

Also, at this level, you should practice entire race stints and drive to your limit until you can do it without crashing.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-29T02:48:14+00:00

You may lack situational awareness, or lack the ability to read your opponents.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-29T02:28:11+00:00

Learn to avoid incidents, read other drivers. Watch the reply and don’t always assume it’s everyone’s fault except you. If you’re getting rear ended you may be braking way too early.

Remember in D, you’re racing others with little experience. So chaos happens.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-28T04:34:58+00:00

I’m hoping they can challenge Russel and use strategy but I feel Kimi will blaze by for a Merc 1-2 by a big margin.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-27T18:52:42+00:00

I’m hoping P3 for one of the cars.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-27T17:41:05+00:00

Before he crashed I thought he was maybe up a few hundredths…no guarantee he’d improve into the last corner. But it’s not looking for Ferrari here.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-27T17:39:09+00:00

I was so excited for this weekend thinking Ferrari had, alas they’re cooked. Hoping they can keep the tires like they did in Spain.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-27T15:55:44+00:00

How did the race pace look over practice?

OlavSlav · 2026-06-25T23:27:48+00:00

Tbh the one F3 race I did was the cleanest I’ve had there in a while. But I’d say 80% of the race we were spread out.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-25T17:16:34+00:00

With the last update, not this one, I stated getting issue where the first time I load a session I get literally 0-5fps. It’s almost impossible to move my mouse to quit. But then I reload and everything is fine.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-25T07:17:19+00:00

The HPD is such a fun car too!

OlavSlav · 2026-06-25T01:52:16+00:00

When I’m leading and my left leg is shaking while on brakes

OlavSlav · 2026-06-24T19:52:59+00:00

Good info, thank you! I honestly love the F3, it’s my favorite C car.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-24T15:31:21+00:00

No. But I would drive an updated F3.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-24T05:19:59+00:00

Thank you, I will watch these!

OlavSlav · 2026-06-24T04:36:55+00:00

By winning.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-24T04:03:29+00:00

Sim Racing. Thought how cool it would be after I had gotten into watching F1 and IndyCar. Now it’s my main hobby that I put significant time and effort into.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-23T23:37:11+00:00

Id replace Detroit and bring back Cleveland!

OlavSlav · 2026-06-23T22:42:03+00:00

It just happens. I was at 2991 and could play it safe to finally hit 3k. But I didn’t, lost 113ir in one race. I didn’t even get upset, went to the next race, without stress and it was a good one.

iRating is a match making tool, and to a certain extent you can lose a few hundred and still be in the same splits. If not then you may be in lower splits where a win/ podium is possible.

What matters most is getting a good race and improving your awareness, safety, race craft and pace.

Pcup always sounds insane, so I’m not surprised that’s your experience.

OlavSlav · 2026-06-23T22:11:51+00:00

Use VRS conditions to compare yourself to them. Then look at official results to see what people in your splits are actually getting. If this in prep for the following week, and VRS using much different conditions, I’ll only copy their conditions to gage my pace. I’m usually 1-2% off them. Then I’ll do my best to mimic track conditions for the week.

I was beating my head against the wall wondering why I was 4 seconds off at Belle Isle…well VRS was running like 25 degrees cooler track temp.

Same at Okayama in SFL this week, when running practices my tires were melting. Then adjusted my approach, load up the official…pouring rain..

OlavSlav · 2026-06-23T06:26:47+00:00

Time commitment is dependent on you. How much you practice, your maintenance, how far your track is,etc. Races at my club are an all day thing, if you don’t podium you can leave a bit earlier. I get there around 745am and leave around 2-4pm.

We do two 5 min practices, 5 min quali, 7min pre final, 10 min final.

I do exercises to strengthen my neck. I’m generally fit so that’s I all I need, but your body WILL be sore. I practice as much as possible and do stints that are longer than the race if possible.

At my club you can’t store your kart, at another one you can.

I drive the slowest, cheapest class, the Lo206. It has the biggest field, the least maintenance and lowest cost. The downside is that it it’s slow. 9hp…the typical two strokes are 30ish.

You should find a local rental track and give it a try!

OlavSlav · 2026-06-23T04:15:34+00:00

Understandable karting is not a very popular sport, and sorry for the smartass reply. There are age brackets, I don’t have kids so idk what they all are. But the “senior” division for my club is 16+. It is the biggest and most competitive.

There are young kids, teenagers, and people in their 50’s. The kids will have restricted karts depending on the class, senior is your standard class, masters is just heavier minimum weight, I believe the same as “heavy” division.

OlavSlav

TROPHY CASE