Simulation Results
Predicts future race positions and trends using tire degradation, fuel burn, pace differences, and planned pit stops to forecast end results.
The Simulation Results plugin is a powerful predictive tool that analyzes current race data to project how positions and gaps will evolve throughout the remainder of the race. By incorporating factors such as tire degradation, fuel consumption, pace variations, and strategic pit stops, this plugin provides valuable insights for race strategy and position forecasting.
Basic Display
When initially opening the plugin, the display presents a graph with time scale on the Y-axis and lap number on the X-axis. Each driver is represented by a colored line using the style and color defined in the preferences section. The three-letter acronym (TLA) appears at the end of each line, displayed in the order of predicted finishing positions.
Driver Selection
The left sidebar controls which drivers are displayed in the results. Only drivers with a checkmark next to their TLA will appear in the simulation. The color coding for each driver's line is also visible in this section, making it easy to identify specific cars on the graph.
Calculation Method
The plugin uses several key parameters to calculate each car's trajectory for future laps:
- Pace offset
- Reference lap time
- Tire settings
- Weight effect
- Fuel
The interaction between cars in close proximity is managed through three Event Settings parameters: 'OvertakingGap', 'PaceDifferenceforOvertake', and 'MinimumGap'.
Safety Car and Flag Conditions
During Safety Car or Full Course Yellow periods, the affected laps are highlighted with a yellow background. Lap times under these conditions are calculated using the 'LapTimeUnderCaution' and 'LapTimeUnderFullCourseYellow' settings from Event Settings. This feature helps predict whether a race will remain lap-based or become time-based for series with such restrictions.
Red flag periods are similarly displayed with a red background highlight for the affected laps.
Bulk Selection Tools
The sidebar provides several options for quickly selecting or deselecting multiple drivers:
- Select All: Selects all drivers visible in the sidebar
- Unselect All: Deselects all drivers
- Manufacturer: Use the dropdown to select all cars from a specific manufacturer
- Select all Classes: Chooses all car classes for display
- Unselect all Classes: Removes all classes from selection
- Classes: Hover over this section to individually select specific classes from the right-side menu
Milestone Lines
The plugin displays milestone lines configured in Event Settings. To control visibility, right-click anywhere in the plugin and hover over 'Milestone Lines' to select which lines to display. Milestones appear with their configured background color from Event Settings. When hovering over a milestone line, the assigned label from Event Settings will be displayed.
Lap Information Display
Hovering over any driver's completed or projected laps displays the TLA and tire compound in brackets next to the driver identifier.
Right-Click Menu Options
Right-clicking in the plugin opens a comprehensive menu with the following options:
Export Strats
Copies a strategic summary to the clipboard containing drivers in sidebar order, their position at the midpoint between pit entry and exit on the pit lap, and the pit lap number.
Export Gaps
Copies gap information to the clipboard, showing each car's gap to the leader with car numbers as the first entry in each line.
Show Backmarkers
When activated, creates opaque lines using preference colors and styles to display rear-field cars above the leaders, helping anticipate traffic for leading cars.
Show ForwardMarkers
Moves front-running car traces behind cars that are nearly one lap down, projecting on-track traffic scenarios.
Driver Ref
Features a dropdown menu of all session drivers to select a reference driver. The selected driver becomes the baseline (0 on the time axis), with all other cars' times displayed as differences from this reference car's race time.
Class Ref
Provides a dropdown selection of all car classes in the session. The selected class becomes the zero-time reference at the finish, with other cars scaled accordingly.
Ghost Functions
FWD Ghost: Select drivers to display forward ghost lines with upward-facing triangles in the car's color, offset by the 'TimeLostInPit' value from Event Settings.
RWD Ghost: Creates rearward ghost lines with small circles below the actual trace line, also offset by the 'TimeLostInPit' setting.
Show FWD Ghost/Show RWD Ghost: Toggle these lines on or off without changing car selections.
Show Ghost Indicators (Blink): Provides visual indicators through white and car-colored blinking to highlight ghost line positions.
Tip: Select a driver as your reference and include them as your RWD or FWD ghost. As other cars approach this line, you can identify whether you'll be behind or ahead of that car.
Display Options
Dark Background: Toggles between white and black background themes.
Show Tyres: Displays tire compounds at pit exit triggers for both completed and future pit stops.
Show Attack Mode: Places purple triangular indicators when drivers activate attack mode, with light purple highlighting for the duration of the activation.
Show Legend: Opens an in-plugin legend displaying colors and line styles defined in preferences.