Race 2 . I am happy with my progress to my ultimate F1 game so far; the robots were working well, the random events needed some love and I haven't even thought of the campaign aspect yet. Hopefully 2 more races and then I could start to feel comfortable with a game and system. So on to the great north.
It was a sunny weekend as BMW went to my teammate's home country. Alonso, fresh from his win in Spain took pole with a 2 stop strategy. Ferraria seemingly had their troubles figured out taking second and third postions with Schumacher and Massa. They would also be running a 2 stop strategy. I had a 66% chance of keeping my skill [ shortened pitting] which I did so 2 stop was in the offing for me. I upped my card by 1 which brought me to 5 but still ended up in 6th behind both a surprising Rosberg and Raikkenon.
The track courtesy of Bennington at BGG. Thank you sir!
Gentlemen, start your engines! [ I am in 6th position in BMW colors. The tire chips function as softs for the robots. they will go soft, hard, soft.] I start on soft tires and chose chase as strategy since that worked well in Spain and I am in the upper third of the start. By poor Canadian teammate starts 13th!
Not too much to speak about for the first 10 laps except Rosberg in his slow robot slowly loses ground. [Slow robots who pit before turn 8 don't have to do a 2 stop strategy. Frankly they are going to lose anyway.]
Lap 17 Alonso, who has been leading the whole race starts to open up on Ferrari. I cling to 5th but can't seem to gain any track cards. Should have chose balance as the track is wide open for me.
Lap 27 I am at "L'Epingle"and Montoya and Fisichella [not Fisherella!] decide to contest. I block...
I keep the Italian behind me but the aggressive Columbian clips me going inside. It damages my tire and I have to pit several laps early!#$%%$#. I change to mediums but will have to be careful to make them last. I could have tried save tires but chose balanced as a strategy. I am now 10th.
Lap 30 Alonso pits, Raikkonen takes the lead, Alonso manages 2nd followed by Schumacher. I have moved up to 9th.
Lap 31 Barachello, running in 5th for Honda has to retire when his clutch fails; heartbreaking.
Lap 56 Everyone on 2 stop strategy pits. This includes Alonso, Schumacher and Massa. Raikkonen takes the lead by default. The big question is, will his tires hold up till the end? I change to supersofts and keep balance.
Right before I pit, I have been battling Montoya and Fisichella for most of the middle race trying to move from 7th to 5th. Of course now we all will have new tires for the final push...
Lap 59 Schumacher guns it by the pits to pass Alonso into 2nd place!
Lap 59 Revenge time! On L' Epingle it is time for me to challenge Montoya and that sneaky Couthard. Okay, so I only pass Couthard. Boy, Montoya is good.
Lap 70 Using corners Raikkonen manages to hold off Schumacher, Alonso and Massa despite worn tires and damaged wing. People are already calling Raikkonen's defense the last 5 laps one of the greatest drives in formula 1. Alonso makes it past Schumacher's damaged car to take second. Schumacher takes third and Massa 4th. Fisichella is 5th. On soft tires I pass Montoya for 6th after holding off Couthard for the last 5 laps!
An amazing race! The most fun Race 90 game I have ever played. My contest rules really livened it up and having some robots 2 pit makes for variety. There was a battle for the front and though I didn't get to battle for the front this time I was in a battle for 6th most of the race. For BMW that seems appropriate.
I like my robot rules. The only change will be for aggressive bruisers instead of 3 cards for contests I think I will try drawing 3 cards and taking the best two. { Thanks Peter from BGG!} Still need them taking more ETs and LBs. Will work on that. Also more work on my random events.
Still great game that played even quicker; about 2 hours this time.
Alonso is in the lead after 2 races with 18 points. Raikkonen has 15 and Fisichella has 12. I have 7 which puts me 7th; not bad. For the constructor Renault is crushing everyone with 30 points; Mclaren and Ferrari both have 19.
Next up, China!
Enjoy
Joe
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