F1 2020 French GP Setup - Dry: Qualifying & race setup for Paul Ricard


The French Grand Prix returned in 2018, and while the real-life racing has been a bit dull at Paul Ricard, the virtual track provides a lot of entertainment.

From bizarre corner-cutting challenges to crazy wheel-to-wheel battles, you can do it all at Paul Ricard, but you have to be quick.

French Grand Prix Setup guide

The nearly-completely flat circuit takes away any worry about sharp elevation unsettling the car. It's also a circuit with low kerbs, that while you will ride won't do much to unsettle the car either.

And then there is the long Mistral straight, where top speed is required.

Let's look at how you should set up the car for France.

Aerodynamics

There is a big, big need for speed around Paul Ricard. With several long straights you need to trim wing.

F1 2020 France Aero
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As a result this 2-7 setting has been our go-to. It will keep the rear planted when you carry speed through the sweeping curves and keep your front end.

Transmission

There are a few big traction zones on this lap, and tyre life is at something of a premium.

F1 2020 France Transmission
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As a result, we've gone with the classic 50% on-throttle differential to look after the tyres a bit more and provide some more predictable traction.

The 65% off-throttle will keep the rears driving you through the corners.

Suspension Geometry

One of the tricker parts of the setup to understand, this is all about how the wheels are aligned with the body of the car. Fortunately, there is one OP setting you can always fall back on.

F1 2020 France Suspension Geometry
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Push those cambers all the way to the right with the -2.50, -1.00 settings and bring the toes all the way left with 0.05, 0.20.

This can stress the tyres a little, but you get back more in overall performance.

Suspension

Suspension is the most track-specific and driver-specific part of the setup.

For France it's all about a stiff rear and low ride height.

F1 2020 France Suspension
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We've gone with 3-7 suspension. This provides a touch more predictable acceleration.

The 4-11 anti-roll bars may look extreme, but it creates a solid rear end that will always be planted firmly and ready to push you out of corners.

The 2-3 ride height will make you a missile down the straights. With only one large kerb to avoid it's a pretty easy way to make pure gains on this track.

Brakes

This is all about stopping power. With the Mistral chicane being the best place to overtake you'll want as much of it as possible.

F1 2020 France Brakes
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We've gone for the max 100% brake pressure. This will increase the chances of lockups, but to counter that we've got 50% bias on the brakes.

If you find this locks up too much then drop the brake pressure down to 90% and then move the bias forward until you start locking up again.

Tyres

Traction and tyre preservation, we've got it!

F1 2020 France Tyres
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By taking all the air out, or at least as much as possible you spread the heat around more of the tyre and create better traction.

Some of this benefit is taken away in a greater "rolling resistance" at top speed, but that is negligible compared to the gain.

The 21.0 psi on the fronts and 19.5 psi on the rears will be a big help.

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