F1 Manager 24 - Car Development Guide - Understanding Design, Expertise, and Research

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to help you understand how to effectively upgrade your car in F1 Manager 2024. With the right strategies and knowledge of car components, you can enhance your vehicle's performance and compete for the championship. This guide will break down essential aspects of car development, including performance metrics, design choices, and research strategies.

Chapter 1: Car Analysis and Engine Breakdown

• Accessing Car Performance: Start by navigating to the car analysis tab to view performance metrics for each component.
• Evaluating Powertrain: Focus on powertrain only when necessary, such as at the end of the season or when starting a new team.
  • Powertrain Choices: Consider Mercedes for reliability, Ferrari for fuel economy, Renault for a balance of performance, and Red Bull for peak power.
• Chassis Examination: Review chassis components which include:
  • Drag Reduction
  • DRS Cooling
  • Airflow Efficiency
• Component Comparison: Use the analysis tool to compare your car's components with those of competitor teams to identify areas for improvement.

Chapter 2: Introduction to Development

• Designing Car Parts: In the design tab, focus on specific components based on your performance goals.
  • Engine Cooling: Prioritize engine cooling by investing in chassis and side pods.
• Target Performance Percentages: Aim for at least 60% in tire and engine cooling percentages for optimal performance.

Chapter 3: Special Component Goals

• Tire Preservation: Ensure your car's design supports tire preservation to prevent overheating and lockups.
• Engine Cooling Importance: Upgrading engine cooling is crucial for maximizing fuel modes without risking engine wear.

Chapter 4: CFD and Wind Tunnel Units Explained

• Understanding Units: CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and wind tunnel hours are vital for developing car parts.
  • Experience Gain: Each unit used increases your engineer's understanding of the car part, enhancing future designs.
• Balancing Time and Knowledge: While urgent designs may tempt you to rush, longer development times yield better understanding and gains.

Chapter 5: Metrics to Prioritize

• Key Metrics: Focus on low, medium, and high-speed cornering capabilities, as well as engine and tire cooling.
• Lifespan Management: Consider the trade-off between performance and component lifespan when designing parts.

Chapter 6: Part Breakdown and Optimization

• Side Pods: Best for engine cooling; prioritize this component first.
• Chassis: Focus on drag reduction and airflow for improved cornering speeds.
• Rear Wing: Concentrate on drag reduction and DRS effectiveness.
• Underfloor: Maximize downforce for overall aerodynamic efficiency.
• Suspension: Key for tire preservation; enhance low-speed cornering.
• Front Wing: Best for low-speed cornering and airflow efficiency.

Chapter 7: Research and Regulation Changes

• Monitoring Regulations: Stay updated on mid-season regulation changes that may require adjustments to your car parts.
• Strategic Voting: Participate in voting for regulations that impact your car's performance.
• Effective Research: Allocate your CFD and wind tunnel time towards research for maximum impact during regulation changes.

Conclusion

In F1 Manager 2024, successful car upgrades hinge on thorough analysis, strategic design choices, and effective research. Focus on key metrics like engine cooling and tire preservation, utilize your engineers wisely, and adapt to changing regulations. By following these guidelines, you can build a competitive race car and improve your championship standing. Happy racing!