Performance mod 2021 1.9 FINAL
Hello guys! This is my first attempt in creating a performance mod ever in my life as I want to reflect the values of 2021. Version 1.9 is the final one but I remain available for feedback and fixing anything wrong.
(Need help? Please use the "ask a question" section before giving bad grades in the review section, I will be more than glad to help you and discuss. Feedback is welcome as long as it is constructive!)
What does the mod do?
The mod rebalances car performances with my ideal 2021 performance mod according to real life. The base version features performance changes only, the second version wants to combine it with a mod inspired to realistic damage mod by StrongestFish + a little bit less drag under slipstreaming to gain advantage when following on a straight line but still keeping it somewhat realistic as I was disappointed in slipstreaming effect this year compared to 2019.The mod also features the Mercedes sound noise for McLaren as in real life for the copypaste version, shoutout to Kyerim for this permission and letting me implement his mod into mine!
Following the concept and edited lines from the improved dirty air mod by StrongestFish, I decided to keep dirty air the way it is (0.85 of your downforce when following) but decreased drag on the straights from 0.9 to 0.85 to slightly improve slipstreaming effect. If this mod is successful I can add more versions of it with different dirty air and slipstreaming or damage conditions.
Edited lines are: airdensityscalelift and airdensityscaledrag by searching them in the notepad.
Edited lines are: airdensityscalelift and airdensityscaledrag by searching them in the notepad.
The mod can be used with ParkYongLee's modular mods performance template, so either you can use it this way by getting his templates at this link: https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/modular-mods-base-files-modular-mods-requirement.40071/ which I do recommend because once you get used to it it's really easy to keep track of your active mods and switch between a mod to the other or even a livery to the other. Thank you ParkYongLee for making modding easier!
But I also included raw vtf files for manual installation using Ego ERP Archive and a copypaste version for those who don't use skin mods.
For a brief tutorial on installation, please check this link in the mod by StrongestFish, it is very explicative and I would like to thank him for the discussions and modding skills: Tutorial
Purpose of the mod:
- To balance Mercedes and Red Bull so they will have an even fight for the championship instead of a Merc 1-2 at every race (Honda engine increased as top tier).- Increased performance for Ferrari and McLaren to fight for 3rd force (Ferrari gets back its performance pre-patch + new improvements but keeps its lower tier engine; McLaren gets Mercedes engine).
- Increased AlphaTauri performance by giving them top-tier engine and modified aero and drag, so it will be more performant compared to the 2020 game.
- Decreased Racing Point/Aston Martin performance similar to a pre-patch level.
- Williams and Alfa Romeo slightly improved
- Haas decreased so they will be the last team.
Disclaimer: the mod does not change UI and graphics or performance charts in-game. "My team" vtf files and performance were only modified to reflect the damage mod and the modified slipstreaming, the engine and performance of myteam cars are intended as in the original game. As Williams and Alfa Romeo are slightly improved in this mod and Haas decreased, it's likely that the beginning of your "my team" car will be more difficult compared to the standard game.
The mod works in all single player modes except F2 and Classic cars. If you use this mod, You cannot play online. Please backup your files before doing anything!
How I did it and details explanation + current and previous performance charts
As per my discussion in the forum - https://www.racedepartment.com/thre...al-error-and-discussion.201879/#post-3378968- I decided to focus on rebalancing overall performance. My workaround consists in swapping lines for every sector/departments from a car to the other.
For doing so, I used the 2 engine tiers and performance files from the pre and post performance patch that came out in October 2020. My reference about values was this video from Alex Gillon that analyzed the modifications after the October performance patch.
The values I considered are therefore engine, downforce (the higher, the better), then drag and chassis mass (the higher the worse).
In the original game Red Bull has an engine value of 581,6, downforce 2.100, 740 chassis and 1.047 drag; Mercedes has the same aero, a little bit more drag at 1.050 but superior engine at 596.5.
How my overall is calculated: I add engine to downforce with no decimals, then subtract mass and subtract drag with no decimals.
So if Red Bull has 581.6 + 2100 - 740 - 1047 it gest an overall of 894,50 (almost 9 out of 10). Mercredes has 596.5 + 2100 - 740 - 1050 = 906.50.
1) How to make Red Bull just a bit stronger and keep Mercedes as a benchmark?
As per RedBull and AlphaTauri improvements I made Honda become a top tier engine. As per Alex Gillon's video, before the peformance patch there were 2 high tier engines (Ferrari and Mercedes with overall value 596.5) and 2 lower tier engines (Honda and Renault with value 581.6). So I gave to Red Bull and Alphatauri the same lines of the Mercedes engine - Including gearbox and fuel tank to make Honda engine top tier. To do so, I did copypaste the whole first part of the VTF file until the end of the fuel tank section. Fuel section is very important as only the higher tier engine feature the more powerful "fuel max" mode with a multiplier of 1.08 instead of the 1.07 of the lower tier engine.
2) How to improve Ferrari and McLaren?
As Ferrari's power unit and drag conditions improved in 2021 compared to last year, and as in my opinion the performance patch was too forgiving to the real engine and Ferrari performance, I decided that the lower tier engine did not need improvements or downgrades. I gave back Ferrari the stronger performance base they had before the October patch, so Ferrari now has 740 mass, 2.067 downforce (improved) and 1.060 drag instead of the current in-game 2.026 aero (still a good aero, in par with McLaren) and 1.092 drag (awful amount of drag, even more than Haas). But I did respect the fact that Ferrari has a lower tier engine now so I just switched the engine lines from the new Ferrari to the old one bringing it from 596.5 to 581.6. Upgrades was changed accordingly. So Ferrari should be performing well in technical circuits due to a good aero but will suffer on the straights against Mercedes and Honda engines.
McLaren had already a strong base with mass 746, drag 1.029 and downforce 2.026 so I just gave them Mercedes engine and made their mass 740 to put it on par with Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull. So McLaren will be stronger on the straights and in power-hungry circuits but Ferrari has a little bit more aero to balance other kinds of circuits where more downforce is required Overall McLaren should come out on top more than Ferrari, on paper.
3) Racing Point / Aston Martin get back near to the level they had before the patch, thus having a mass of 744 instead of 742, drag 1.052 instead of 1.060, aero 1.984 instead of 2.037. Engine remains Mercedes engine, nothing changed here. This aims to reflect the troubles Aston Martin had since the regulation changes which put them not in condition to fight for the 3rd place anymore.
6) In the low field, Alfa Romeo gets back its pre-patch performance + improved but keeps the Ferrari engine, has a mass of 746 instead of 750 and gets tweaks to aero and drag. Williams gets also improved a bit. Haas gets Williams in-game performance but with Ferrari engine, to reflect the fact they are the last force this year. This should put Williams only a little bit behind a very solid Alfa Romeo ready to score points given the right conditions.
FINAL VERSION PERFORMANCE CHART
Version 1.8 Performance Chart
Overall and performance chart for version 1.7
Versions 1.5 and 1.6 only for internal testing and not released or available.
Overall and performance chart for version 1:4
If you want to try version 1.3 or download it from the history section because you liked it more, this was the performance chart:
Version 1.2, still available from the history section
Original in-game performance (my calculated overalls differ from the official UI in game)
For doing so, I used the 2 engine tiers and performance files from the pre and post performance patch that came out in October 2020. My reference about values was this video from Alex Gillon that analyzed the modifications after the October performance patch.
The values I considered are therefore engine, downforce (the higher, the better), then drag and chassis mass (the higher the worse).
In the original game Red Bull has an engine value of 581,6, downforce 2.100, 740 chassis and 1.047 drag; Mercedes has the same aero, a little bit more drag at 1.050 but superior engine at 596.5.
How my overall is calculated: I add engine to downforce with no decimals, then subtract mass and subtract drag with no decimals.
So if Red Bull has 581.6 + 2100 - 740 - 1047 it gest an overall of 894,50 (almost 9 out of 10). Mercredes has 596.5 + 2100 - 740 - 1050 = 906.50.
1) How to make Red Bull just a bit stronger and keep Mercedes as a benchmark?
As per RedBull and AlphaTauri improvements I made Honda become a top tier engine. As per Alex Gillon's video, before the peformance patch there were 2 high tier engines (Ferrari and Mercedes with overall value 596.5) and 2 lower tier engines (Honda and Renault with value 581.6). So I gave to Red Bull and Alphatauri the same lines of the Mercedes engine - Including gearbox and fuel tank to make Honda engine top tier. To do so, I did copypaste the whole first part of the VTF file until the end of the fuel tank section. Fuel section is very important as only the higher tier engine feature the more powerful "fuel max" mode with a multiplier of 1.08 instead of the 1.07 of the lower tier engine.
2) How to improve Ferrari and McLaren?
As Ferrari's power unit and drag conditions improved in 2021 compared to last year, and as in my opinion the performance patch was too forgiving to the real engine and Ferrari performance, I decided that the lower tier engine did not need improvements or downgrades. I gave back Ferrari the stronger performance base they had before the October patch, so Ferrari now has 740 mass, 2.067 downforce (improved) and 1.060 drag instead of the current in-game 2.026 aero (still a good aero, in par with McLaren) and 1.092 drag (awful amount of drag, even more than Haas). But I did respect the fact that Ferrari has a lower tier engine now so I just switched the engine lines from the new Ferrari to the old one bringing it from 596.5 to 581.6. Upgrades was changed accordingly. So Ferrari should be performing well in technical circuits due to a good aero but will suffer on the straights against Mercedes and Honda engines.
McLaren had already a strong base with mass 746, drag 1.029 and downforce 2.026 so I just gave them Mercedes engine and made their mass 740 to put it on par with Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull. So McLaren will be stronger on the straights and in power-hungry circuits but Ferrari has a little bit more aero to balance other kinds of circuits where more downforce is required Overall McLaren should come out on top more than Ferrari, on paper.
3) Racing Point / Aston Martin get back near to the level they had before the patch, thus having a mass of 744 instead of 742, drag 1.052 instead of 1.060, aero 1.984 instead of 2.037. Engine remains Mercedes engine, nothing changed here. This aims to reflect the troubles Aston Martin had since the regulation changes which put them not in condition to fight for the 3rd place anymore.
6) In the low field, Alfa Romeo gets back its pre-patch performance + improved but keeps the Ferrari engine, has a mass of 746 instead of 750 and gets tweaks to aero and drag. Williams gets also improved a bit. Haas gets Williams in-game performance but with Ferrari engine, to reflect the fact they are the last force this year. This should put Williams only a little bit behind a very solid Alfa Romeo ready to score points given the right conditions.
FINAL VERSION PERFORMANCE CHART
Team | Engine | Mass | Drag | Aero | Chassis/base | Overall | Note |
Red Bull | 596.5 | 740 | 1.047 | 2.100 | original | 909.5 | |
Mercedes | 596.5 | 740 | 1.050 | 2.090 | original | 896.5 | |
McLaren | 596.5 | 740 | 1.029 | 2.037 | original | 864.5 | |
Ferrari | 581.6 | 740 | 1.060 | 2.067 | Old Ferrari | 848.6 | |
AlphaTauri | 596.5 | 744 | 1.037 | 2.016 | original | 816,6 | |
Alpine | 581.6 | 744 | 1.024 | 2.000 | original | 813.6 | |
Aston Martin | 596.5 | 744 | 1.052 | 1.984 | Old R.Point | 784.5 | |
Alfa Romeo | 581.6 | 746 | 1.052 | 1.974 | Old Alfa R. | 765.6 | |
Williams | 596.5 | 748 | 1.066 | 1.952 | original | 734.5 | |
Haas | 581.6 | 758 | 1.113 | 1.900 | Williams | 610.6 | + mass |
Version 1.8 Performance Chart
Team | Engine | Mass | Drag | Aero | Chassis/base | Overall | Note |
Red Bull | 596.5 | 740 | 1.047 | 2.100 | original | 909.5 | |
Mercedes | 596.5 | 740 | 1.047 | 2.100 | original | 909.5 | |
McLaren | 596.5 | 742 | 1.029 | 2.026 | original | 851.5 | |
Ferrari | 581.6 | 740 | 1.037 | 2.037 | Old Ferrari | 839.6 | |
Alpine | 581.6 | 744 | 1.024 | 2.016 | original | 829.6 | |
AlphaTauri | 596.5 | 744 | 1.050 | 2.000 | Racing Point | 802.5 | |
Aston Martin | 596.5 | 746 | 1.068 | 1.974 | Old R.Point | 756.5 | |
Alfa Romeo | 581.6 | 748 | 1.052 | 1.962 | Old Alfa R. | 753.6 | |
Williams | 596.5 | 748 | 1.060 | 1.947 | 735.5 | ||
Haas | 581.6 | 758 | 1.113 | 1.900 | Williams | 610.6 |
Overall and performance chart for version 1.7
Team | Engine | Mass | Drag | Aero | Chassis/base | Overall | Note |
Red Bull | 596.5 | 740 | 1.047 | 2.100 | original | 909.5 | + Engine |
Mercedes | 596.5 | 740 | 1.050 | 2.100 | original | 906.5 | |
McLaren | 596.5 | 740 | 1.029 | 2.026 | original | 853.5 | + Engine |
Ferrari | 581.6 | 742 | 1.037 | 2.037 | Old Ferrari | 839.6 | |
Alphatauri | 596.5 | 744 | 1.044 | 2.016 | Racing Point | 824.5 | + Engine, drag tweaked |
Aston Martin | 596.5 | 748 | 1.060 | 1.974 | Old R.Point | 762.5 | Drag tweaked |
Alpine | 581.6 | 750 | 1.066 | 1.984 | original | 749.6 | + Alphatauri Aero and drag tweaked |
Alfa Romeo | 581.6 | 746 | 1.052 | 1.953 | Old Alfa R. | 745.6 | Haas aero, drag tweaked |
Williams | 596.5 | 748 | 1.068 | 1.932 | Alphatauri | 712.5 | + Alfa Aero, drag tweaked |
Haas | 581.6 | 762 | 1.113 | 1.900 | Williams | 606.6 | + mass |
Versions 1.5 and 1.6 only for internal testing and not released or available.
Overall and performance chart for version 1:4
Team | Engine | Mass | Drag | Aero | Chassis/base | Overall | Note |
Red Bull | 596.5 | 740 | 1.047 | 2.100 | original | 909.5 | + Engine |
Mercedes | 596.5 | 740 | 1.050 | 2.100 | original | 906.5 | Not changed |
McLaren | 596.5 | 740 | 1.029 | 2.026 | original | 853.5 | + Engine |
Ferrari | 581.6 | 740 | 1.037 | 2.037 | Old Ferrari | 841.6 | |
Alphatauri | 596.5 | 745 | 1.039 | 2.016 | Racing Point | 832.5 | + Engine, drag tweaked |
Aston Martin | 596.5 | 748 | 1.036 | 1.974 | Old R.Point | 786.5 | Drag tweaked |
Alpine | 581.6 | 753 | 1.052 | 1.984 | original | 760.6 | + Alphatauri Aero and drag tweaked |
Alfa Romeo | 581.6 | 748 | 1.066 | 1.953 | Old Alfa R. | 720.6 | Haas aero, old RP drag |
Williams | 596.5 | 750 | 1.075 | 1.932 | Alphatauri | 703.5 | + Alfa Aero, drag tweaked |
Haas | 581.6 | 758 | 1.113 | 1.900 | Williams | 610.6 |
If you want to try version 1.3 or download it from the history section because you liked it more, this was the performance chart:
Team | Engine | Mass | Drag | Aero | Chassis/base | Overall | Note |
Red Bull | 596.5 | 740 | 1.047 | 2.100 | original | 909.5 | + Engine |
Mercedes | 596.5 | 740 | 1.050 | 2.100 | original | 906.5 | Not changed |
McLaren | 596.5 | 740 | 1.029 | 2.026 | original | 853.5 | + Engine |
Ferrari | 581.6 | 740 | 1.037 | 2.037 | Old Ferrari | 841.6 | |
Alphatauri | 596.5 | 747 | 1.039 | 2.016 | Racing Point | 826.5 | + Renault Aero |
Alpine | 581.6 | 753 | 1.024 | 1.984 | original | 788.6 | + Alphatauri Aero |
Aston Martin | 596.5 | 746 | 1.066 | 1.974 | Old R.Point | 758.5 | |
Alfa Romeo | 581.6 | 748 | 1.040 | 1.932 | Old Alfa Romeo | 725.6 | |
Williams | 596.5 | 750 | 1.089 | 1.953 | Alphatauri | 710.5 | + Haas Aero |
Haas | 581.6 | 758 | 1.113 | 1.900 | Williams | 610.6 |
Version 1.2, still available from the history section
Team | Engine | Mass | Drag | Aero | Chassis/base | Overall | Note |
Red Bull | 596.5 | 740 | 1.047 | 2.100 | original | 909.5 | + Engine |
Mercedes | 596.5 | 740 | 1.050 | 2.100 | original | 906.5 | Not changed |
McLaren | 596.5 | 742 | 1.029 | 2.026 | original | 851.5 | + Engine |
Ferrari | 581.6 | 740 | 1.037 | 2.037 | Old Ferrari | 841.6 | |
Alphatauri | 596.5 | 747 | 1.024 | 1.984 | Original | 811.5 | + Engine |
Alpine | 581.6 | 753 | 1.024 | 1.984 | AlphaTauri | 788.6 | |
Aston Martin | 596.5 | 746 | 1.066 | 1.974 | Old R.Point | 758.5 | |
Alfa Romeo | 581.6 | 748 | 1.089 | 1.953 | Haas | 697.6 | |
Williams | 596.5 | 750 | 1.040 | 1.932 | Old Alfa Romeo | 738.5 | |
Haas | 581.6 | 753 | 1.113 | 1.900 | Williams | 615.6 |
Original in-game performance (my calculated overalls differ from the official UI in game)
Team | Engine | Mass | Drag | Aero | Overall |
Red Bull | 581.6 | 740 | 1.047 | 2.100 | 894.5 |
Mercedes | 596.5 | 740 | 1.050 | 2.100 | 906.5 |
McLaren | 581.6 | 746 | 1.029 | 2.026 | 832.6 |
Renault | 581.6 | 745 | 1.008 | 2.016 | 844.6 |
Racing Point | 596.5 | 742 | 1.060 | 2.037 | 831.5 |
Alphatauri | 581.6 | 748 | 1.024 | 1.984 | 793.6 |
Ferrari | 581.6 | 740 | 1.092 | 2.026 | 786.6 |
Haas | 581.6 | 750 | 1.089 | 1.953 | 695.6 |
Alfa Romeo | 581.6 | 750 | 1.081 | 1.911 | 661.6 |
Williams | 596.5 | 750 | 1.113 | 1.900 | 618.6 |
Final considerations:
This performance mod should allow Verstappen to have even fights with Hamilton and Mercedes should not always come out on top. McLaren and Ferrari are supposed to have good fights for 3rd force and competing for podiums in the right conditions. AlphaTauri just below should hit strong point results with some exploits by Gasly. Midfield battles between Alpine/Renault and Aston Martin/Racing Point should finish the points sector, with Williams and Alfa Romeo ready to score 1 or 2 points given the right conditions. Haas should come out always last.Under the spoiler tag you will find the performance charts for all versions of the mod, so if you think they work better for you in terms of balance or individual car performance feel free to download them from the history section!
The damage mod makes it for realistic "anything can happen" races where you can get sometimes 0, sometimes 6-7 DNFS depending on the conditions.
The 0.85 drag under slipstream will allow to benefit more from catching the vacuum behind other cars, a thing that in my opinion the original game with its value of 0.9 lacked a bit.
Credits:
StrongestFish improved dirty air mod
StrongestFish damage mod
ParkYongLee modular mods template
ParkYongLee performance template for modular mods
Alex Gillon's video analysis.
Kyerim's Mercedes engine sound for McLaren