high level driver doesn't mean success

Well, the game has changed a bit over the last year, Tyres got an update.  I've only been a member since Feb or March but the summer was hard on the tyres.  I always look at the temp of the track in race prep.  If it's above 25C and a high wear track, you'd be lucky to get Softs to do the whole race if your stints are longer than 11 laps.  I've not used Med tyres for race in some time.  Right now I'm putting on softer tyres than my Tech Dir says but I'm also doing 3 stoppers more than I did before and also attending the races and managing the push levels too.  otherwise tyres go too cold or too hot.

Yes, I notices that about softs: me being no competetive with mediums when DT says to use it (the temp ssugests that). We'll see man, thanks a lot for the info :)

Yes, Softs and Meds sometimes just because of the heat.  A 'High' wear track with over 25C temp is a good one to consider Meds, but depends on your Tyre supplier.  I use Donelots which have a smaller operationg range and lose performance when they get too hot whereas others have a larger range allowing you to push and maybe put on a softer tyre in high heat conditions, but have less grip rating.

what is better, more grip or more operating range? I use donelots too, i feel how they go hell when I push too much...

Gotta disagree with this one. My two drivers are about even in skill (almost exatly the same physical, Jimenez is a bit lower in everything except mental than Lins, but Jimenez has 5 more talen) but Jimenez was SMOKING Lins in both qualy and race pace...until i trained Lins ONCE in Defense. That one training gave him +3 focus (something also trainable via Mental) and now he and Jimenez are nearly neck and neck. It is clear now that Talent is what separates them, previously the only reason I could conclude Jimenez was faster than Lins was that her Mental and Defense were higher, and assuming that Defense doesn't help much with either single lap pace, or attacking/overtaking (kinda the opposite of the definition of Defending...), the only other factor left is Mental.

Not saying to train mental like crazy, but I'm SERIOUSLY doubting that training it will make your driver slower.

If you give it a shot, I think you'll find you're faster if you stick to running softs and super softs only. As CRAZY as it sounds to an F1 fan, since you are allowed to refuel in the pits in iGP, it is often MUCH quicker to run 7 or even 8 stints on the S or SS than running even 3 on M/H tyres. 

Just an observation from someone who has researched a lot of race strats and who races in a very competitive league. I've tried 'undercutting' by running one less stint than my opponents more often than I can count. It has never—not ONCE—paid off.

Robert

Just sharing my experience.

Seems as though you think you've had a different experience but on 'Training' I fail to see how you have found anything different.  Defense and Metal have a overlap of 1 attrib but other Managers say 'never to train mental' as the other attribs increasing that only Mental touch do not help.

I'm training Physical, Speed, attack and defense in that order and it seems to be working so far.  100% health seem important too.

I just want to share my experiences as well. I had a driver (link below) and he was really fast, even though his talent is only 12. I myself is only level 6 still, so I only trained him on speed and physical so far. I don't employ him anymore (not sure if it was wise to do so). 

https://igpmanager.com/play/?url=team-driver/66744

If you like this driver you can employ him, he is very quick for his level.