AiM Race Studio 3 Driver Comparison Guide: Comparing Laps Fairly

Comparing two drivers, or the same driver across two sessions, is one of the most useful things you can do in AiM Race Studio 3. It's also one of the easiest ways to draw the wrong conclusion, if the sessions being compared aren't actually comparable.

Before You Compare Anything, Check the Context

A lap time difference or a trace difference only means something once you know the two sessions are on a level footing. Before drawing any conclusion, check:

• Same track and layout. Confirm both sessions used the correct track map and the same configuration if the circuit has multiple layouts.
• Similar conditions. Track temperature, weather, and grip level change lap time independently of driver input.
• Same or comparable vehicle setup. Gearing, tyres, fuel load, and any mechanical changes between sessions affect the comparison.
• Fuel load and tyre condition. A heavier car or worn tyres will be slower regardless of driver input.
• Session purpose. A qualifying push lap and a race management lap are not the same thing.

If any of these differ significantly between the two sessions, treat the comparison as indicative only, not conclusive.

What to Look at When Comparing Drivers

• Overall lap time as the headline number, but not the only number.
• Sector and mini-sector splits to find where the time difference actually occurs, rather than assuming it's spread evenly around the lap.
• Speed trace through braking zones, corner minimum speed, and exit speed.
• Throttle and brake traces to see how early or late each driver brakes, how progressively they apply throttle, and how much time is spent on the brakes.
• Steering trace for smoothness and correction, which can indicate confidence or a car balance issue rather than pure pace.
• Track map overlay to see exactly where on track the time gain or loss happens.

Common Mistakes When Comparing Drivers

• Comparing a push lap to an out lap or in lap. Always confirm both laps are representative, ideally each driver's best clean lap from a similar point in the session.
• Ignoring fuel and tyre state. A driver on old tyres or a heavy fuel load will look slower even with equal or better inputs.
• Assuming the faster driver is right everywhere on the lap. They may be faster in some sectors and slower in others; look at the full picture before changing anyone's approach.
• Treating a single lap comparison as the full story. Look at a few representative laps from each driver, not just their single best lap, to separate consistency from a one-off good lap.
• Comparing across different track maps or corrected versus uncorrected maps. An inaccurate factory track map can distort sector splits independently of driver performance. See our Track Maps Guide if you're not confident your local circuit's map is accurate.

A Practical Comparison Checklist

1. Confirm both sessions are the same track, layout, and use an accurate track map.
2. Select representative laps, not just each driver's single fastest.
3. Check fuel, tyre, and setup differences before comparing.
4. Look at sector splits first to locate where the difference is.
5. Use speed, throttle, brake, and steering traces together in that sector.
6. Draw a tentative conclusion, then check it against another pair of laps before treating it as settled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I compare a driver's lap from a different day?

You can, but treat the result cautiously. Track temperature, grip, and conditions can change materially between sessions on different days.

Why do two drivers show different sector times but the same lap time?

Different driving styles can trade time between sectors. One driver may carry more speed into a corner and lose it on exit, while another brakes earlier and gets back on the throttle sooner.

Should I average multiple laps or just use the fastest?

Both have value. The fastest lap shows peak potential; a small set of representative laps shows consistency, which often matters more over a race distance.

Continue Your Race Studio 3 Learning

Return to the AiM Race Studio 3 Knowledge Hub for installation, data analysis, maths channels, and track map guidance.