Hi EA/Codemasters and the forum,

I have written several times on the subject in the past, sometimes even in the bug section, unfortunately today I think AI has given its worst in Singapore. Let me explain why.

I'm racing GP mode (Ferrari - Leclerc), my strategy was S-M-M, I managed to save a new set of (S) in Qualifying starting in P4.

All around me with (M) but I focus on Verstappen race who was in P1.

-- I did my pit stop after 13 laps (S->M), I was in P2, around 5 seconds behind Verstappen in P1, who continued with (M).

-- Verstappen pit stop (M->M) two laps later

-- After 37 laps my 2nd and last pit stop (M->M), I was in P2 around 7,5 s. behind Verstappen who continued with (M) once again.

(my comment: at this point he should choose one of the following: 1. cover my undercut with (H) to end the race, (S) not possible, or 2. continue with (M), probably lose position but having (S) in the last 10-12 laps or the like), here instead what he did:

-- Verstappen pit stop after 44 laps (17 to go) from M to H (after 29 laps with M!!!), he loses position being behind me around 4 second. Not the best move possible really, pit too late. But still a bit of fight was possible cause he was probably slightly faster than me as pure performance, my (M) tyres were 7 laps older so while I gained a little bit in the first part I lost something until lap 54 also because of lapped cars, so at lap 54 I was 3,8 s. ahead.

- but it wasn't enough, Verstappen did another pit stop after 54 laps (7 to go) from H to S, back on track almost 30 seconds behind !!! BTW same for Sainz and the two Mercedes, as you can see in the picture below:

This last totally senseless pit stop only to lap 1-1,5 s. seconds faster for 7 laps, impossible to gain back time, race thrown to the nettles!

The report code of this race:

Final considerations: the behavior of the AI on the track is overall very good, but everything is frustrated by meaningless strategies (which weren't there in past years!), so I sincerely hope that things like this don't happen again in F1 23.

Sincerely,

Nuv