Calculate the amount of fuel needed in racing or simracing depending on the number of laps or race time, fuel tank capacity, and fuel consumption per lap.
This fuel calculator is compatible with real world racing as well as simracing games like Automobilista, Automobilista 2, Assetto Corsa, Assetto Corsa Competizione, and iRacing.
To use it, select whether you want to provide the Number of Laps in the race or the Race Time. Then, fill in the fields and get your results and an example pit stop strategy.
The heavier your vehicle is, the slower it will be on the track. Because of this, when racing, you should calculate how much fuel you need so you don't carry too much fuel that unnecessarily increases the vehicle's mass.
To calculate the amount of fuel needed, you need to know, among other things, the number of laps in the race.
If the race does not have a specified number of laps but a time limit, you need to calculate it.
For example, if the race lasts 20 minutes and the average lap time is about 2 minutes, you will likely complete 10-11 laps.
Additionally, you need to check how much fuel the car burns on average lap at race pace. The best way to do this is to simulate the race and check the average fuel consumption, for example, over about 10 laps.
Then, simply multiply the number of laps by the average fuel consumption per lap. Make sure they are in the same units.
For example, let's say the car is consuming 5 litres of fuel per lap and the race is set to 10 laps.
Remember that you can add a bit of extra fuel (e.g., for 2 additional laps) just in case because it's better to arrive at the finish line a bit later than not to arrive at all. To do this in this calculator, simply choose the "Show Recommended Fuel" option above your results.
It's also worth looking into fuel-saving tactics (such as lift and coast), which will allow you to manage fuel consumption once you realize it's not enough. It will also allow you to pour less fuel into the tank than necessary (this is a common in some racing series, considering that, for example, a safety car may come out during the race, resulting in lower fuel consumption).
In our calculator, you will also see an example strategy showing on which laps to pit, but remember that this is such a dynamic matter that it cannot be planned in advance every time
A lot depends on possible damages, tire condition, or just the situation on the track.
Typically, it's advantageous to pit when the car's performance starts to degrade due to tire wear or when strategic opportunities arise, such as during a safety car period or when you are stuck behind other vehicles you struggle to pass, so you are losing time anyway.
Additionally, teams may opt for early or late pit stops based on weather forecasts or to gain a strategic advantage over competitors.