Formula One Grand Prix

CHEATS

Slip into the pits after your first lap and then simultaneously hold down the keys that make up the word "PALIR" and press the fire button. Not only will you be unable to crash but the game will not react as though you have pressed F4.

Race a non-championship race and keep driving until the last lap. Then enter the pits and drive to your pit-crew. Wait for the message "Race over". This way you will always win the race.

On the last lap go into the pits, apply your brakes and press ESC to quit the race. Accelerate the time, and you should, if you were close enough to the leading pack, win the race.

TIPS

INTERLAGOS: BRAZIL

Length Of Circuit ------- 2.699 Miles/4.325 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 71
Total Distance ---------- 190.848 Miles/307.075 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 16.392 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 19.089 Seconds

A circuit that demands a great deal from the transmission with numerous gear changes. The long left handers can also make it very exhausting for the drivers who have to fight the strain on their neck muscles.

It's important to be quick on the two long 200mph straights, cars can be set up with very little downforce. However, this makes the inner sections of the track more difficult to drive with the wheels losing some grip and the cars feeling jumpy and twitchy.

From the pit straight, flat out in 6th at 200mph, you sweep left and then right for Curva 1 and Curva De Sol then wind up for the long curva 2 left-hander and accelerate past Reta Oposta in 6th gear at 190mph. Two slight left handers after curva 3 and storm through the 4th gear Feradura. From here you need to get into a good rhythm to take you through a series of slow winding bends: Laranji (2nd gear, 55mph) then Prinhearinho, Bico Do Pato (2nd gear 55mph) and finally, Merghulho, Curva 4 taken in 2nd or 3rd gear, a bumpy slow left hander.

This corner is important in that, taken properly, it can put you in a good position to approach the long left hander that leads to the pit straight Arquibancadas. Winding up through Subida it's quite possible to line yourself up to "get a tow", slipstream a car in front of you and overtake.

IMOLA: ITALY

Length Of Circuit ------- 3.132 Miles/5.040 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 61
Total Distance ---------- 191.075 Miles/307.440 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 21.877 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 26.531 Seconds

A bumpy, bruising anti-clockwise circuit where the cars run little wing and are often struggling for grip or clipping the kerb.

From the grid, you roar towards Tamburello, a long, fast 6th gear left hander that pushes you into speeds in excess of 170mph.

Accelerating into Rettifiolo, the cars can reach 200mph before they brake for Tosa, an off-camber tight left hander that's taken in 2nd at 60mph. Here you have a good chance of getting on the brakes late and overtaking but it's not easy. Double back up the hill to a fast left at Piratella, flat out in 4th, then change into 5th just as you leave the bend.

Next, down the hill into the long left hander towards the Acque Minerale chicane. The appoach is off-camber and blind; you have no view of the S until you are in it in 2nd at 50mph. Here, there is a tendancy to bounce from one side of the track to the other and many drivers spin off on this corner. Then flat-out through the small chicane at Variante Alfa and down towards two bumpy left handers, Rivazza, that shake the car so much you can hardly see where you are going.

Back in 5th, you approach Bassa, a right hand chicane that leaves you a bit blind with no idea where the apex is, then weave through Traguardo and back into the finishing straight.

MONACO

Length Of Circuit ------- 2.068 Miles/3.328 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 78
Total Distance ---------- 161.332 Miles/259.584 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 20.344 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 24.368 Seconds

The Qualifying laps for this circuit are very important because it is practically impossible to pass anybody here unless they make a driving error or crash.

The cars are set up for maximum downforce and suspension is a little softer to deal with the many bumps on the course.

After the mayhem of the first bend at Sainte Devote, when the field tries to squeeze through, you pass Roses Bar flat out in 6th at 170mph, great uphill straight but full of dips, bumps, and manhole covers that make the car judder and thump.

Then to Casino, hard through the left-hander and quickly right downhill, off-camber, almost brushing the barrier as the road gets narrower, slippery and very bumpy.

Mirabeau next; a tight simple, second gear bend. Accelerate sharply then brake practically to a standstill for Loews. This is a first gear, 40mph, hairpin that needs maximum lock (many drivers increase the lock on the car for this race). Often, there is a procession of cars here and if you're not in the first 6 then you have to wait your turn.

Accelerate gently through Portier then flat out into the Tunnel, 3rd, 4th and 5th. The improved lighting in the tunnel means that it's not so much of a shock coming from the daylight but you have to be careful; the dirt, grease and oil does not get washed away by the rain and this is not the place to skid. Roar out in 6th at about 175mph, stay well out to the right and line up for the Nouvelle Chicane. Take this fast in 4th, left-right zigzag but this narrow section needs to be driven with utmost precision. One touch of the kerb and you're out of the race.

Out of the chicane, flat out in 5th, the road widens and you head for Tarbac and the Swimming Pool complex. In 3rd, 2 esses, accelerate briefly, brake hard and almost touch the barriers with the right hand side of the car. La Rescasse next, than in 2nd for Antony Noghes, accelerate out of this bend, roar through the gears and then in 6th head for the finishing straight.

MONTREAL: CANADA

Length Of Circuit ------- 2.753 Miles/4.430 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 69
Total Distance ---------- 189.975 Miles/305.670 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 19.837 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 22.077 Seconds

A fast circuit comprising of a succession of hard braking and accelerating. Drivers take off downforce which make the slower sections much more difficult and emphasises the uneven surface.

From the start, the cars proceed into the slow left/right 1st gear Island Hairpin, taken at 45mph. The drivers get a lot of wheelspin as they leave this corner and build up to the long extended S bend which they can approach in 5th at 160mph. Then it's flat out in 6th, 180mph to 185mph along the back straight before slamming on the brakes for the 1st gear, 40mph Pits Hairpin. It's very important to get a good, fast exit out of this bend, then right, left, through what is thought to be the most dangerous part of the circuit with high concrete walls on either side of the track. Past Old Pits and into 6th gear, than accelerate through the straight at 175-195mph. This is the fastest section of the track and leads to one of the least favourite corners among many drivers, down to 5th, 160mph, a quick right-left. It's very easy to clip the kerb and spin off here either on entry or on the apex, but if you come out of it well, it sets you up for a charge down the finishing straight.

MEXICO CITY: MEXICO

Length Of Circuit ------- 2.747 Miles/4.421 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 69
Total Distance ---------- 189.584 Miles/305.049 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 16.696 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 16.788 Seconds

A hard, bumpy circuit, which needs lots of gear changes but generally very fast. The cars require little downforce and because of the high altitude almost 20% of power is lost but this is compensated for with a reduction in drag. Concentration is vital on this course. Drift off-line and you find dusty parts of the track with little grip. Mexico can also have vicious bumps that can cause a lot of damage to the car and knock the breath from your body.

After a long straight, the fastest on the course in 6th at 190mph, and one of the best places to overtake, you brake hard into the 1st corner, down to 55mph in 2nd or 3rd. Right, left, right into the shorter straight flat out towards a long series of bends, the Esses. It's easier if you can get into a rhythm because they are very similar. Then you hit the back straight in 6th and head for Peralta, a notorious corner taken in 5th at 160mph and a challenge to any driver, exit on a kerb then accelerate to 170mph past the grandstand.

MAGNY-COURS: FRANCE

Length Of Circuit ------- 2.654 Miles/4.271 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 72
Total Distance ---------- 191.120 Miles/307.510 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 14.559 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 19.168 Seconds

This is a new course in the World championships. Smooth and challenging, doubling back on itself, with fast 4th/5th gear corners and 1st gear hairpins as well as a long top speed straight, Magny-Cours has been built to appeal to the Formula One spectators and TV crews alike.

The circuit has several constant radius corners but the cars are set up to carry less downforce. The 5 fast straights mean that acceleration and top speed are more important than the fraction of a second to be gained at corners when carrying more downforce.

After the pit straight, you roar into a fast left hander which changes into a slow left hander at Big Bend. Taken in 4th or 5th, this propels you into a slow left hander then turns into a long sweeping right hander, Estoril Bend. Taken in 4th or 5th, this propels you into the long back straight, past the Golf Course Bend, in top at 190mph.

After the fastest point, brake hard for the 1st gear hairpin at Adelaide Bend and turn into the infield part of the course. Swing into the 2nd or 3rd gear Esse then a short straight before Nurburgring, a slight right, then a sweeping right, then a sweeping left which turns into a double-apex 180 degree bend that throws you into another short straight almost parallel with the previous one.

Next, a 5th gear left handler, Imola, which leads into the fast 4th gear bend at Chateau d'Eau then another short straight, under the bridge and into the chicane before you take a good line sharp right into the Lycee Bend, then flat out across the finishing line.

SILVERSTONE: BRITAIN

Length Of Circuit ------- 3.202 Miles/5.153 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 60
Total Distance ---------- 192 Miles/309.180 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 20.939 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 26.379 Seconds

The circuit has been altered for the 1991 Championship because it was considered far too dangerous. A bend such as Club corner taken in 6th at 185mph with no run off track being particually hazardous.

Copse is a 4th gear corner that pushes you into a fast straight leading to Maggots, where you swing into the S shaped Beckets in 2nd or 3rd. This slows the cars down and provides a better spectacle for the crowd. Then the cars roar away from Chapel along the Hangar Straight, under the bridge, towards the double apex right-hander Stowe; taken in 3rd or 4th at 100mph.

After the Vale complex you have to take Club a, 3rd gear, left-hander that throws you into the Abbey straight, a favorite overtaking stretch. In 6th, at 185mph sweep into the Farm Straight and a fast right under bridge towards Priory and Brooklands.

Two second or third gear left-handers followed by two right-handers ending at Luffield, then its flat out along the fast Woodcote and through the finishing straight.

HOCKENHEIM: GERMANY

Length Of Circuit ------- 4.227 Miles/6.802 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 45
Total Distance ---------- 190.236 Miles/306.900 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 37.087 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 43.569 Seconds

There are 3 chicanes on the circuit, one fast and two that have to be taken slowly. The rest of the course is a series of straights.

This means that to have good top speed almost all downforce is taken off, and the cars are a horror to drive with no grip and twitchy on any bend. From the start you take a 4th gear right hander at 140mph, then put your foot down till you hit 6th at 200mph for the fastest part of the course. Brake hard for Chicane 1 which hooks sharp right and can be taken in 2nd at 50mph but if you drive a bad line you may be forced to drop to bottom gear. Up through the gears again, flat out, 200mph for the sweeping right-hander then brake again for another chicane which you take in 2nd at 50mph, come out of that and roar into Ostkurve, one of the fastest bends of any championship course, take it in 6th, 200mph. Slow down for Chicane 2, drop to 4th or 3rd, then flat out for the rest of the straight until Agipkurve. this is the most difficult part of the circuit and tends to wear out tyres prematurely. Drivers don't build up any rhythm on the bends and all concentration is lost on the long straights.

Approaching Sachskurve, slip to 4th, line up the car into the right-hander, foot down, sweep round, then second gear to take the hairpin, speed up, line up the car for the tight right-hander, brake lightly and roar out of Opelkurve in 3rd towards the finishing straight.

Hockenheimring is a good overtaking circuit but the slow chicanes require brutal braking and brakes tend to cool off on the long straights making them less efficient. Most drivers find it difficult to establish a satisfactory rhythm on this course.

BUDAPEST: HUNGARY

Length Of Circuit ------- 2.466 Miles/3.968 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 77
Total Distance ---------- 189.851 Miles/305.536 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 16.147 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 21.547 Seconds

A tough but relatively slow circuit with a large number of corners and a few straights. It's difficult to overtake on this course so you have to be quite patient, waiting for the right moment. Cars are usually set up for more downforce to gain the advantage of good grip on the numerous bends.

Roaring away from the start, downhill, flat out in 6th at 185mph, the pit straight is the main overtaking point on the course. Then through the first of several constant radius corners at 130mph in 4th, a short back straight, then a double-apex left-hander leading to a long sweeping right. Accelerate to 165mph in 5th, sweep left then go into another double apex bend. Slow down for a 2nd gear chicane, then drive hard into a whole series of fast corners before the constant radius Pit Lane bend throws you into the long finishing straight.

The twisting up and down nature of the track means that average speeds are quite low, about 105-110mph and tyres wear out quickly as the drivers lose patience and try to exit corners faster than the tyres will allow. Most teams find that drivers come in for a tyre change much earlier than planned, if only to get away from the queues that develop on this circuit.

SPA: BELGIUM

Length Of Circuit ------- 4.313 Miles/6.940 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 44
Total Distance ---------- 189.747 Miles/305.560 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 47.811 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 55.087 Seconds

Fast, challenging and exilerating, Spa is a favourite among Grand Prix drivers. It successfully combines fast 5th and 6th gear corners with good 1st gear hairpins and 2nd gear chicanes. Generally cars are set up with little downforce.

From the start line, there is a short space of time before the cars reach the 1st gear, 45mph La Source hairpin, the scene of many opening lap shunts, as 26 cars brake from 160mph to 45mph while trying desperately to overtake each other. Then, it's a race up through the gears, downhill in 6th at 180mph, you drop into the Eau Rouge dip, a slight left, then sweep right uphill past Reidillon. This is one driving line you cannot afford to get wrong, one error and you're off the circuit!

Speed up through Kemmel and into a long straight, flat out at 195mph, weave through Les Combes and then take Melmedy in 2nd.

This is a tricky 180 degree corner, downhill and off-camber. Pouhon is next; an extremely difficult left-hander that starts off in 6th, then drops to 5th at 150mph. Through Les Fagnes and Stavelot then brake hard for the Bus Stop Chicane. Bus Stop is the drivers least favourite corner, to be quick you have to run over the shallow kerbs, which is always a risk.

The weather is always a big factor at Spa-Francorchamps and it is invariably wet which results in small, hazardous streams crossing the circuit, making drivers adjust their driving line.

MONZA: ITLAY

Length Of Circuit ------- 3.604 Miles/5.800 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 53
Total Distance ---------- 191.009 Miles/307.400 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 21.114 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 26.061 Seconds

Monza is always full of screaming, hysterical crowds, marshalled by even more hysterical officials. The drivers absorb the atmosphere and are spurred on to perform to their utmost, especially if they are driving an italian car.

The cars run little wing to take advantage of the very fast start/finish straight, Rettifilo, which is crossed at speeds in excess of 200mph. The track has been modified to make it safer including the introduction of the 2nd gear Variante Goodyear, a chicane that leads into the famous 5th gear Curva Grande.

Flat out towards Lesmos in 5th there is another 2nd gear chicane: Curva della Roggia before the double right-hander Curva do Lesmos corner. You take the first part in 4th gear then power up to take the 2nd part flat out. These corners have to be taken just right, any slight error will slow you down considerably and put you in a bad position for the 180mph back straight, Curva del Serragilo.

Then it's a tricky 3rd gear chicane, Variante Ascari, come out of this in 5th and change down Rettifilo Centro at 190mph in top and brake hard for the famous Curva Parabolica, a fast, 180 degree right-hander that's taken in 4th at 140mph. Accelerate to 160mph out of the bend, then storm through the finishing line with your foot down in 6th.

ESTORIL: PORTUGAL

Length Of Circuit ------- 2.703 Miles/4.350 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 71
Total Distance ---------- 191.951 Miles/308.850 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 18.751 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 22.837 Seconds

Estoril is a tough, tiring circuit with several long, constant radius and some very bumpy straights. If the car is starting from near the front of the grid then it's wise to run a lot of downforce to cope with the long bends, but it you are starting low down in the order then you must use less downforce, otherwise you'll find it very difficult to overtake.

The start/finish line is in the middle of the circuits longest straight. Cars accelerate to 190mph in 6th before Turn 1, trying to overtake each other, before braking into 4th gear corner. Turn 2 is another sweeping right-hander, then it's up to 5th for the short straight, brake hard for turn 3, the Martini Bridge Bend, a tight double-apex right-hander. Its important to drive a good line through the infield at estoril, avoiding the kerbs and the sandy, greasy edges.

Turn 4 is almost a mirror image of the previous corner. Take the left-hander in 2nd at 45mph, then race up through the gears, swing through the slight right-hander, turn 5, then flat out in 6th at 180mph. This is probably the best place to overtake on the whole circuit. Through turn 6, a corner that begins tight then opens out, foot down for a short straight and into the long series of fast bends, turns 7-10. It's important to maintain a good rhythm through these bends, keep concentration, change up, change down, brake hard.

The final corner before the pit straight, turn 11, is a real challenge for any Formula One driver. it's a long, constant radius sweeping bend that you enter in 4th and leave in 5th, accelerating all the way, ready to get in position to overtake.

Estoril is a circuit that's not only hard on gears and tyres but also tough on tyres; the long sweeping bends often mean that many drivers return to the pits earlier than planned as the heat and rough surface take their toll.

BARCELONA: SPAIN

Length Of Circuit ------- 2.950 Miles/4.747 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 65
Total Distance ---------- 191.768 Miles/308.555 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 18.751 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 22.837 Seconds

A new circuit that has a wide range of corners from slow, 2nd gear, to fast, 4th/5th gear, and includes a very long 200mph overtaking straight. In shape it's very similar to Estroril but the surface is much smoother.

Drivers will have to compromise between downforce needed for the many bends and the speed required for the pit straight. Most will opt for little downforce and try to nurse their cars through the infield section.

From the start, accelerate through the gears, flat out in 6th heading for Elf, a slow left hander. if you are not in the lead, this gives you a good opportunity to overtake by under-braking. Then, it's a slight left before a long sweeping 4th gear right-hander that you leave in 5th and speed up for the short straight to Repsol; a corner which turns back on itself but whose angle progressively widens. Next, a short burst of speed into seat, brake, drop to 2nd at 45mph, accelerate, then slight left, slight right before taking Wurth in 4th and roaring off to Campsa, a fast, 3rd/4th gear right-hander.

After that its right and left through Nissan and flat out, up to la Caxia. This is another corner that starts tight and opens out. Steer in, get on line early and as the corner widens, move to the outside of the track. There is no time to put your foot down before you reach the Banc Sabadell, a long constant radius bend.

Next comes the approach to the straight. Sweep right, foot down, then right again take Renault in 3rd, change to 4th and charge out in 5th before hitting 6th, flat out, past the finishing line.

SUZUKA: JAPAN

Length Of Circuit ------- 3.641 Miles/5.859 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 53
Total Distance ---------- 192.952 Miles/310.527 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 36.996 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 43.506 Seconds

An interesting, undulating course and the only figure of eight in the Grand Prix. Tough 6th gear corners combine with 1st gear hairpins to make tyre stops essential. Little downforce is set because of the 3 long straights and the cars generally feel sluggish in the corners.

The pit straight is a 6th gear, 190mph, charge where it is perfectly possible to overtake, then its down to 5th for the first curve. You drift the car to the left side of the track, down to 4th and race out of the corner.

Next you come to a series of 4th gear bends (The S curve). Drive as tight a line as possible through these, you leave Dunlop Curve with your foot down in 5th, go uphill and blind for the oncoming left-hander. The car feels light as you roar over the bumpy crest and come down hard for the 2 right handers, Degner Curve and Crossover.

You now pass under the circuit and approach at a slow 40mph for the 1st gear Hairpin Curve. This corner can play havoc with your rear tyres if you try to exit too quickly and overspin the back wheels. Now line up the car for the long double apex left hander. Enter in 4th but slow down for the 2nd part of Spoon Curve, it's quite easy to spin off here.

Next you get one of the fastest straights, 6th gear, 180mph, sweeping left with both hands on the wheel, ease your car carefully through the slow Casio Chicane then storm through flat out past the finishing straight.

ADELAIDE: AUSTRALIA

Length Of Circuit ------- 2.349 Miles/3.780 Km
Number Of Laps ---------- 81
Total Distance ---------- 190.292 Miles/306.180 Km
Lap Record (Qualifying) - 1M 15.671 Seconds
Lap Record (Race) ------- 1M 18.203 Seconds

A hard, unforgiving street circuit that requires numerous gear changes and is very tough on brakes and tyres. The last Grand Prix venue of the championship season and always very exciting as teams try to finish the year off with a win. Adelaide has been responsible for deciding the outcome of several championship, the most famous being Nigel Mansell's blow out in 1986. Again, there is a need to compromise; you'll meet a lot of 90 degree bends but you will also need speed on the Jones and Brabham straights.

After the start, you come to a fast 4th gear chicane at Wakefield Road, take this at about 140mph then flat out towards the Finders Street complex. The road is very bumpy here and the occasional manhole cover will knock the breath out of you. Brake hard for a difficult 2nd gear 90 degree right hander then left 90 degrees and right 90 degrees. Through East Terrace and a fast off-camber left-hander, drop down to 2nd gear and steer a good line to hit Jones straight in 5th. Foot down, then a slight right and into Brabham, under the 2 bridges flat out, 200mph in 6th.

Next you step on the brakes to take the tricky 1st gear 40mph hairpin and speed up into 3rd for a deceptive tightening corner stay wide as long as possible hit the apex late, brake, change down, take a line on the outside and follow the curve of the bend to give you the smoothest possible exit angle. Past Pits and right through racecourse, brake hard, change down into 2nd for a good fast exit into the finishing straight.