Fuel strategy basics for sim racing: A method you can trust

Fuel strategy sounds intimidating until you realize it’s just a system. You don’t need perfect math — you need a method you trust.

The simplest fuel strategy method

1) Find fuel per lap

Run a short practice stint at race pace and record the fuel used per lap (or per minute). Use a few laps so one mistake doesn’t skew the number.

2) Multiply by race distance

Multiply fuel per lap by the number of laps you expect to run.

3) Add a safety margin

Add extra fuel for:

• Formation laps
• Extra laps if the race time extends
• Traffic and battling

Pro tip: The goal is not “minimum fuel”. The goal is finishing without panic.

Common fuel strategy mistakes

• Using practice numbers from slow laps (race pace consumes more).
• Forgetting out-laps and in-laps in longer races.
• Chasing the perfect number and under-fuelling by accident.

Fuel strategy becomes stressful when you’re scrolling menus while driving. That’s where macros and a simple control layout help.

Related guides

• Pit stop practice: Entry, speed limiter and not losing 10 seconds
• ACC setup basics: View settings, tyre pressures and a simple improvement plan
• Shared sim rig setup: How to make one cockpit fit multiple drivers
• iRacing beginner guide: What to buy, how to practice and how to progress