He had never driven the circuit before. No testing. No hired car. Just around 10 hours of structured simulator prep. He went on to win the round.
Modern driver simulators are no longer just for entertainment. In professional motorsport, they are becoming a core part of race preparation. We sat down with Ollie from Focus Driver Performance to see how high-level sim training is being used to prepare drivers for events like World Time Attack.
Focus operates on Assetto Corsa Pro, a professional-grade platform used by race teams rather than the consumer versions most enthusiasts are familiar with. Tracks and vehicles are built in-house to match real-world data, including surface detail, kerb profiles, elevation changes, and vehicle behaviour.
Preparation goes beyond turning laps. Drivers review braking traces, steering inputs, throttle application, and lap overlays just like a real test day. This allows targeted refinement of technique and strategy before arriving at the circuit. In categories where track time is limited and travel is expensive, that preparation matters.
Accurate simulation, structured coaching, and objective data analysis can significantly shorten the learning curve and improve confidence on arrival. If you have ever questioned whether simulator training translates to real-world performance, this conversation explains how professional teams are using it as a genuine competitive advantage.
Follow Focus Driver Performance here:
WWW: focusdriver.com.au
Instagram: focusdriverau
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Winning A Race With Only 10 Hours Of Simulator Prep
0:32 - Why Modern Driver Sims Are No Longer Just Games
1:05 - What Makes Assetto Corsa Pro Different
1:48 - Building Accurate Track And Car Models In-House
2:30 - Why Surface Detail And Kerb Profiles Matter
3:12 - Using Telemetry To Analyse Driving Technique
3:58 - Overlaying Braking, Steering, And Throttle Data
4:41 - How Pros Use Simulation Differently From Amateurs
5:22 - Preparing For Limited Track Time And International Events
6:08 - Scenario Training And Race Craft Development
6:52 - Structured Coaching Inside The Simulator
7:36 - Shortening The Learning Curve Before Race Day
8:18 - Translating Sim Confidence Into Real-World Performance
9:02 - The Role Of Data In Continuous Driver Improvement
9:40 - Final Thoughts On Simulation As A Competitive Advantage
