Why Lewis Hamilton HATES the Simulator
Summary
TLDRThe video script delves into the use of driving simulators by Formula 1 drivers, contrasting Lewis Hamilton's minimal engagement with the tool against Max Verstappen's extensive use. It explores the benefits of simulators in car development and driver training, while acknowledging the sensory limitations compared to real-world driving. Hamilton's perspective is highlighted, suggesting that while simulators are valuable for car tuning, they might not enhance his actual racing performance due to the lack of physical sensations like G-Force. The script also touches on the potential impact of simulator training on a driver's race strategy and setup preferences.
Takeaways
- 🏎️ Lewis Hamilton admits he barely uses the Mercedes simulator, unlike Max Verstappen who has a simulator in his motorhome and uses it extensively.
- 🌟 Simulators are beneficial for drivers as they help in learning circuits, racing lines, and in car development aligned with the driver's preferences.
- 🔧 Teams rely on simulators for making crucial decisions regarding car development, setup changes, and race strategy.
- 🎮 There are driver-in-the-loop simulators and computer simulations, with the former providing a more realistic driving experience.
- 🤔 Hamilton has reservations about simulators, believing that the differences between sim and real-life driving could affect his actual performance.
- 🎢 Simulators can't fully replicate the sensory inputs and details that a real-world driver experiences, such as G-Force and the feeling of the car's movement in the body.
- 👀 In an interview, Hamilton explained that vision is one of the last sensors used in real driving, but it's the primary one in simulators.
- 🛠️ Hamilton views the simulator more as a car development tool rather than a driver development tool, focusing on ensuring the right tests are conducted for the Mercedes.
- 🏁 Despite his aversion to simulators, Hamilton revisited the Mercedes simulator to help with car development when they realized they didn't have a competitive car.
- 💡 The script suggests that Hamilton's extensive experience in F1 might make simulators less beneficial for improving his driving, as he already knows how to adapt his style and understands the circuits well.
- 🌐 The video also promotes a sponsor, Brilliant, which offers courses to learn about the forces behind motorsport and other STEM fields.
Q & A
Why does Lewis Hamilton avoid using the Mercedes simulator?
-Lewis Hamilton believes that the simulator does not accurately replicate the real-world driving experience, particularly the sensory inputs and G-Forces that a driver feels, which are crucial for his performance.
What are the benefits of using a driving simulator according to the script?
-A driving simulator can help drivers learn circuits, racing lines, and contribute to car development and setup changes. It also allows teams to make important decisions about car development and race strategy.
How does Max Verstappen utilize the simulator compared to other drivers?
-Max Verstappen uses the simulator extensively, preferring to do it himself rather than relying on a test driver. He believes in aligning the car's development with his own driving style and preferences.
What are the differences between driver-in-the-loop simulators and computer simulations?
-Driver-in-the-loop simulators involve a driver actively driving, while computer simulations run laps without human input, analyzing data and performance at a rapid pace.
Why might a driver not want to spend time practicing on a simulator even with multiple World titles?
-A driver like Hamilton might feel that the simulator does not offer the same sensory experience as real-world driving, and thus, practicing on it might not improve or could even hinder his real-world performance.
What is the main issue Hamilton has with simulators in terms of replicating real-world driving?
-Hamilton's main issue is that simulators cannot replicate the G-Forces and the physical sensations that a driver experiences in a real race car, which are essential for his driving performance.
What additional hardware can be used to enhance the realism of a driving simulator?
-Additional hardware such as more responsive steering wheels, better pedal feedback, and devices that simulate bumps, curbs, and engine vibrations can enhance the realism of a driving simulator.
How does Hamilton view the role of the simulator in car development?
-Hamilton views the simulator more as a car development tool rather than a driver development tool. He believes in working with test drivers to ensure they are working on the right aspects to develop the Mercedes car properly.
What is Hamilton's strategy for conserving energy during a race weekend?
-Hamilton focuses on maintaining his energy throughout the race weekend to ensure he is at his best during the actual race. He avoids activities that he feels waste energy, such as extensive simulator use.
Why might a driver choose not to use a simulator despite its potential benefits for car development?
-A driver might choose not to use a simulator if they believe it does not accurately reflect the real-world driving experience and could potentially train their brain to react in a way that is not optimal for an F1 car.
How does the script suggest that Hamilton could improve his use of the simulator?
-The script suggests that Hamilton could improve his use of the simulator by focusing on car development, ensuring that the test drivers are working on the right aspects to tailor the car to his driving style.
Outlines
🏎️ Lewis Hamilton's Stance on Simulators
In this paragraph, the script discusses Lewis Hamilton's minimal use of the Mercedes simulator, contrasting it with Max Verstappen's extensive use of his own simulator. It highlights the importance of simulators in car development and driver training, with Verstappen personally taking part in simulator sessions to ensure the car is developed according to his preferences. The paragraph also touches on the limitations of simulators in capturing the full sensory experience of real-world driving, particularly the lack of G-Force and other physical sensations that are crucial for drivers like Hamilton.
🤔 Hamilton's Simulator Dilemma: Advantage or Disadvantage?
This paragraph delves into Hamilton's perspective on simulators and their impact on his driving performance. It contrasts Hamilton's approach with that of a dedicated sim racer, emphasizing the potential benefits and drawbacks of simulators in terms of car development and driver training. The script mentions Hamilton's brief return to the Mercedes simulator to aid in car development when the team faced challenges. It also explores the idea that Hamilton's extensive experience in F1 might make simulators less beneficial for his personal driving development, suggesting that his focus on conserving energy for race weekends could be a factor in his limited simulator use.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Simulator
💡Lewis Hamilton
💡Max Verstappen
💡Car Development
💡Driving Style
💡Driver in the Loop
💡Setup Changes
💡Race Strategy
💡G-Force
💡Brilliant.org
💡Energy Conservation
Highlights
Lewis Hamilton admits to rarely using the Mercedes simulator, unlike Max Verstappen who has a simulator in his motorhome.
Simulator use is not just for learning circuits and racing lines but also plays a significant role in car development and setup decisions.
Max Verstappen's dedication to using the simulator reflects his commitment to car development aligned with his driving style.
Driver-in-the-loop simulators are contrasted with computer simulations, with teams relying heavily on simulators for critical decisions.
Lewis Hamilton's reservations about simulators are discussed, highlighting the differences between simulation and real-world driving.
The limitations of driving simulators, particularly the lack of G-Force and other sensory inputs, are explained.
Hamilton's perspective on simulators as a last resort for car development when the real car isn't performing well is mentioned.
The importance of a driver's focus during race weekends and Hamilton's approach to conserving energy is discussed.
Hamilton's extensive experience in F1 and his understanding of car setup and circuits, which may reduce the need for simulator practice.
The potential benefits of simulators for driver development and car setup are weighed against the risks of adapting to a different driving style.
Max Verstappen's status as one of the top three Sim drivers in the world is highlighted.
The video suggests that Hamilton could benefit from more simulator use for car development, despite his reservations.
The transcript discusses the role of test drivers in simulator sessions and the importance of their work in car development.
The differences between the sensory experiences in a real F1 car and a simulator are detailed, emphasizing what simulators cannot replicate.
A call to action for viewers interested in motorsport to understand the forces behind the sport, with a recommendation for a learning resource.
An offer for viewers to get a discount on a premium subscription to a learning platform is presented.
Transcripts
I hardly ever drive the simulator back
in 2021 Lewis Hamilton admitted he
barely uses the Mercedes simulator which
seems bizarre surely a seven times world
champion would be doing anything he
could to find an advantage Max literally
has a Sim in his motorhome and Lewis
isn't touching one and that's a bit
weird right I I have no interest in this
thing so why does Lewis avoid the Sim
and is it hurting his performance let's
get into it so first things first why is
a simulator good for a driver you might
think it's about learning circuits and
racing lines but there's so much more to
it than that the Staffing who uses the
Sim more than any other driver does a
huge amount on the simulator it doesn't
even use a test driver for this
simulator work he says I don't want a
test driver to take over the simulator
sessions like other teams do I want to
do it myself because everyone has their
own driving style and that seems fair
enough I think that speaks highly of
verstappen's dedication and the fact
that he knows it's important to have a
car developed in line with his own
preferences he's definitely willing to
put in the grind and if there's
performance to be gained he'll put the
hours in we know there are driver in the
loop simulators where there's a driver
well driving and also computer
simulations where the computer just runs
lap after lap really fast what's
interesting to me here is that the teams
really rely heavily on the Sims to make
important decisions about developing the
car and also setting it up so if the
teams are using the Sims to make big
decisions about their car development
setup changes and race strategy surely
there's a benefit to the drivers using
them as a driver why wouldn't you want
to spend time practicing even if you
have seven World titles well Hamilton
has his reservations about using the Sim
and to be fair he's kind of right by the
way if you haven't yet entered our
competition to drive Kim's F1 car at
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left you can enter by using the link
below so there is a difference between
the Sim and real life we have a great
driving simulator here at driver 61 HQ
definitely not Mercedes F1 spec but
decent nonetheless so how does a good
sin actually feel compared to real world
driving well the steering wheel feel is
actually very realistic wheel loads up
as it would do in real life and you can
feel understeer and oversteer really
well too the throttle pedal and the way
it responds mostly feels the same as a
proper car as well however the brake
field typically isn't great it's often
difficult to know when you're about to
lock up you can also feel bumps curbs
and engine vibrations with some extra
Hardware as well but it is hard to get a
feel for roll dive Squat and importantly
G-Force and these are all the things
real world drivers absolutely love and
need to feel to perform at their best
and that is Hamilton's problem now I
know you may have seen the videos of
motion Sims The Sims that are set up on
loads of hydraulic Rams the driver being
thrown around the inside of a warehouse
but there's no way you're realistically
simulating the feeling of turning into
cops at 190 miles an hour so imagine
you're sat in a Sim you turn into a
corner but you're going a little bit too
quickly and you start to lose is the
rear what sensors are you using to
detect this in the Sim the first thing
that you use is Vision you see the
Horizon move slightly faster than it
should then you might feel it in the
steering wheel or hear the tire audio
but here's the issue in an interview
Hamilton explained his problem with the
SIM basically Lewis said that in the
real world one of the last sensors you
use to react to what the car is actually
doing is your vision and that's compared
to it being the first thing in the Sim
and he's absolutely right in race car
you have so many sensory inputs and
details that you don't have in the Sim
with the main one being the little
gyroscope in your backside you feel the
car beginning to slide in your stomach
you can feel the yaw in every detail of
course you also feel this through the
steering wheel you hear it through the
changing engine tone and you see the
direction change ever so slightly all of
which can be reproduced extremely well
in the Sim the most important one at
least to a real world driver is that
feeling in your body and it's simply not
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so Hamilton chooses not to use a SIM all
that much and I get that the Sim is
driving but it's driving in a slightly
different way and Hamilton's argument is
that if it is different it's not
improving his real world driving in fact
if he's having to adapt to the Sim even
a little bit it could even damage his
driving now I have an admission to make
when I first started in the Sim I wasn't
all that good I can jump into most race
cars and figure it out pretty quickly
give me 5 or 10 laps and I'll be on the
pace and it wasn't because I knew I
could just hit the reset button it was
because I was missing the most important
information my mind and body needed to
allow me to drive quickly all of that
feeling but with time and approaching it
like I would any Motorsport I learned to
be quick and Driver 6-1 now actually
works with some of the world's best Sim
racing coaches and we have of course
helping Sim drivers so if you do want to
get faster in the Sim check out and
masterclass course which I'll link below
anyway of course Hamilton could be
incredibly fast in the Sim but really
what's the benefit for him using the Sim
is a choice for a driver and there are
positives and negatives of course it
will help develop lip of the car it will
help the driver's Focus but it could
train your brain to react in a way that
isn't best for an F1 car so is not using
the Sim affecting Hamilton's performance
well Hamilton actually Revisited the
Mercedes simulator last year once he
realized they didn't have a great car
underneath them he said I just went in
to try and see if there's any way I
could try and help the team just be
better prepared there's been a couple of
good things from it but nothing
life-changing I'll continue to work with
them we've got drivers there that do a
lot of work I think just working on the
processes of how we communicate with
them on their program so we're getting
the right things tested so that sounds
like Hamilton is viewing this thing more
as a car development tool rather than a
driver development tool he wants to make
sure the test drivers are working on the
right things to develop the Mercedes
properly You could argue that if he was
that concerned about developing the car
in the right way he'd just do it himself
like the Stefan or you could argue that
he's better off saving all of his energy
and focus for race weekend ends
something that he speaks a lot about but
I found that was just wasting energy
yeah so my weekend's all about keeping
energy and and maintain it so I can do
the job I'd say that Hamilton's done so
much driving through so many different
areas of F1 that this Sim isn't really
going to improve his driving he knows
how to adapt his driving style he
understands setup incredibly well and he
knows all of the circuits like the back
of his hand however I can't really see
why he wouldn't do more car development
in the Sim if he wants the car to work
for him for his driving style then
surely he should be doing the lapse to
get it exactly how he wants Max
verstappen is one of the top three Sim
drivers in the world if you want to see
why check out this video just here
thanks for watching and I'll see you
next time
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