F1 2013

From the Main Menu, go into 'Proving Grounds' and then Select Time Attack. There are 6 tracks which are: Melbourne, China, Canada, Spa, Austin and Brazil. For each track you will have to set a lap that beats a pre-set time. The Time Attacks are formatted in the same way the Time Trials are, so you will have a clear track, with everything at its optimum. After you have beaten all of the times and have consequently earned a Gold Medal for all of them, there is one more track and it is kind of hidden. Go back to the Main Menu and go into 'F1 Classic'. There will be a Time Attack option, also there will be a few more available to you depending on what edition of the game you have, but for this trophy you only have to do the Jerez one.

This is without a doubt the hardest trophy in the game. It will test all of your skills and it will show no mercy if you make a mistake. Here are some factors when attempting a lap you may want to be aware of:

• Adhere to the track's boundaries. Things like extending the track or corner cutting will immediately void your attempts. The Warning System is hypersensitive, the slightest touch of a wheel going outside the track's boundaries may result in you getting a warning. Once you do get a warning, your time will be invalid and you will have to start again.
• Do not use flashbacks. If you do it will invalidate your lap.

Gold Medal Guide

There are a few tips which can be applied to all Time Attacks. Which are:

• If you can use Manual Gears, do so. Compared to Automatic, it can be up to 3 or 4 tenths faster depending on the track.
• After selecting or restarting a track, you will have to complete the last 2 or 3 corners before you start your lap. Make sure these corners are nailed perfectly and that you use all of your KERs before crossing the start line.
• Always stick to the Racing Line. This is not necessary because it is the best line to take around a track, but because the line offers the most grip and therefore it is faster. So when applying full throttle, it will be more effective if you are on the Racing Line than it would be if you were not. When you are off the line, applying full throttle may result in you losing car control and therefore costing you time.
• Be fully alert and up for this. This may sound irrelevant, but if you are tired and not awake this could lead to sudden rages of anger and therefore cause lapses of concentration – which inevitably leads to mistakes.

Melbourne
A really technical track, with a lot of emphasis placed on driver skill. Be sure to use all KERs before you cross the line. I tend to prefer to use the majority of KERs upon exiting Turn 2, but I know some people save most of it coming out of the last turn before the pit straight. Remember to use DRS on the pit straight and the straight after Turn 2.

China
With a really technical 2nd sector, a lot of time can be made there. For Turn 1, brake as late as you can, if you have enough speed you should be able to guide the car round the snail-like corner, without applying any throttle. Make sure you are flat out on the right-hander before the long straight. Switch the brake bias to Front to optimize braking for the last two turns. Remember to use DRS on the Pit Straight and the long straight before it.

Canada
A track which everyone loves. You can afford to be down by 3 or 4 tenths after the first 2 sectors. It is the final chicane at the end where you will make all of your time. Get your braking point right, then attack the apex of the chicane and midway through it, go full throttle. You can easily gain half a second over the AI. KERs can be used in many places, I prefer to use half coming out of Turn 2 and the rest coming out of the Hairpin before the DRS Zone. Be sure to use DRS on the Straight before the Chicane and on the Pit Straight.

Spa
A track where you have got to have good rhythm in order to produce a good lap. You really do have to be smooth in Sector 2 and be cautious when applying the throttle. Time can be found straight after Sector 1, if you really attack the curbs for the 3 corners at the start of Sector 2. Also in the chicane right at the end, if you get your braking point right, more time can be found. Use KERs coming out of Turn 1 and use it coming out of the final corner of the lap.

Austin
The best tip to find time around here, is cutting the fast corners in the middle of Sector 1. KERs can be applied liberally round the track, but I tend to use most of it coming out of the corner on the straight where the DRS Zone is.

Brazil
A very tricky track to master, especially because of the wet conditions. I personally found most of my time during Sector 1, really attacking the first 2 corners and using half of my KERs coming out of it - I would sometimes find myself 4 tenths up! Now in the middle of Sector 2, there are two left-handers where you go downhill. Be sure to pussyfoot with the throttle, do not be too aggressive as you may lose car control and therefore time. Use the rest of your KERs at the very start of Sector 3.

Jerez
A real challenge this one. It may take a few laps just to get used to the car. It is very edgy and when applying the throttle, you have to be smooth with it. It is kind of like driving a 2013 car in the wet, you just have hardly any downforce or confidence in its security. However, target Sector 2, this is where a lot of time can be found. It may take a while to perfect, but if you really attack the curbs you can gain a significant amount of time.