F1 2017

Turn off all assists and set the lap count to the minimum of 3. Vehicle should not matter although I used a 2017 car rather than a classic. For circuit I would recommend picking Austria due to the short lap, long straights and large run off areas or one of the 4 new short circuits.

2 additional theories if you are struggling:

I had flashbacks on (although I didn't use one) so it might be the case you can use them if you spin/crash.

You could likely drive slow enough to complete your first lap once the AI has finished race (allowing them to lap you twice) reducing the need for you to drive 2 extra laps.

Hope this help still someone.

I know this is an old game and that I'm very late to the party, but for those of you who are coming back to play these older F1 games, I thought I would give you a heads up with this achievement in particular.

I've written this guide in a way which I hope players who are new to racing games can understand.

To unlock this, all you have to do is complete any race without using any assists.

Head to "Grand Prix" from the main menu, select any team and driver. Although I would probably choose Mercedes & Lewis Hamilton because it means when we disable Qualifying, we are more likely to start higher up the starting grid (or even on pole/first position).

Circuit Selection
I would either select a "Short" circuit variation such as Japan due to the shorter track length/lap times, or Italy as you will be able to completely cut the first corner if you follow the rest of this guide whereas the AI drivers will follow the racing line.

Next, Weekend Structure.
Leave the Weekend Tyre Allocation alone.
Practice Type: None
Practice Length: Greyed Out
Qualifying: None
Formation Lap: Greyed Out
Race Starts: Assisted
Race One Distance: 3 Laps
AI Driver Level: 0 (Very Easy)

Then hit to move onto Race Settings.
Flashbacks: On
Parc Fermé Rules: Off
Vehicle Damage: Off
Safety Car: Greyed Out
Rules and Flags: Off (Ensure this option is set to OFF if you are choosing Italy and want to cut the first corner.)
Corner Cutting Stringency: Greyed Out
Formation Lap: Greyed Out
Race Starts: Assisted.

Then hit to move onto Assists.
Leave Driving Proficiency as is, it will change to Custom by the end of this list.
Braking Assist: Off
Anti-Lock Brakes: Off
Traction Control: Off
Dynamic Racing Line: Off
Dynamic Racing Line Type: Greyed Out
Gearbox: Manual
Pit Assist: Off
Pit Release Assist: Off

Then hit to move onto Weather & Time of Day.
Quick Weather: Clear (This is to eliminate rain from the race as that would make this achievement much harder than it already can be.)
Leave Customise Weather alone.
Session Start Time: Midday
Leave Customise Session Start Time alone.

From here, press to advance to the race.

General Guidance
When the red lights start appearing on the screen, do not start revving the engine as this will just cause wheelspin and you will most likely spin the car. When the lights go out gently press down the throttle () to start moving forward (some cars will probably overtake you.), Gradually pull the trigger all the way in and once your revs hit the max, press to go up a gear.

Move out of the way of the other cars as they start to brake for turn 1 while you carry on going forward and smash through the arrow boards in front of you. Take this line on each lap if you need to get ahead of other cars.

When braking for a corner () use the same procedure as moving forward, pressing gently and gradually pulling all the way in. Once at the corner you can probably go down a few gears by using and then use to go up a gear once you need to.

As you have Flashbacks enabled, feel free to use them as much or as little as you like!

Go around the track 3 times and finish the race in any position to unlock the achievement.

For this achievement to unlock, I suggest using Monaco. I know, it's not the easiest track, but it is one that gives you more than enough time. I also suggest using the 3-lap race option, as to make the achievement quicker. It does not require you to do 25% or more, unlike other achievements for this game.

The highest gear you need to go into is 3, maybe 4. Shift down in slow corners, as you won't make a lot of Monaco corners in 3/4.

You don't need to win, you don't need to score points, just bring the car home.