That's most likely something to do with the Japanese broadcasting rights/protection/processes, you need permission for filming places/persons as the main focus. Not requiring it from foreigners could be because the bureaucrats who wrote the law forgot, didn't care, or thought the legal process would be troublesome, aka they couldn't be bothered.
bduddy
"All Gr.3... Pretends to be shocked. Really these are all the same tracks we always see in Manus too, with the possible exception of Sardegna A in reverse instead of forwards like usual. Come on, PD, 39 locations and we get maybe 15 of them over and over again? We just ran the Nurburgring last week!!! And it looks like similar settings too..."
Likely they bias the track choice based on what BoP is calibrated against. I expect that they work out the BoP based on certain tracks, and on those, it's "fairly valid". The further away from those tracks you are (in terms of track characteristics), the more likely you'll get odd results with cars being too fast/slow.
Anyway, I did some strategy testing of the rounds:
Round 1 Nurburgring Endurance:
You have enough fuel and tyres to no-stop the race in the dry. Burn Fuel. HOWEVER there is a mandatory 1-stop.
Optimal, Dry: Pit end of Lap 2, get fresh tyres. I think the fresh rubber will more than offset the time lost changing them. Especially lap 4 and 5 can be a bit rough if you don't change to fresh rubber.
Safe, Dry: Pit end of Lap 3, get fresh tyres, repair if needed. Since there's a mandatory stop, keep it up your sleeve if you have to pit for damage. The extra lap helps safeguard against that, so you get to use the pit-stop like everyone else, but get a chance to repair 'for free'. You can pit end of Lap 1 if you have damage and still be alright to get to the end.
Wet: Pit as you need to, if you need to change tyres. Your tyre life will depend on the conditions on the track. But here it's better to be safe than sorry, especially the last 1/3 of the track and the big brake at the end of the lap. Wrong tyres there and you're in big trouble.
Ferrari: Not pitting during the race gives a 60-second time penalty, which is longer than the pit loss time, so remember that you actually
do have to pit. Don't forget, set a reminder if you have to.
Round 2 Interlagos:
The Mediums will get to the end of the race, as will fuel. Burn fuel. There really isn't any strategy here.
Optimal: No-stop on mediums. Make sure you're in P1 at the end of the race and you'll win. Try not to get damage.
Round 3 Barcelona Good:
The Mediums will get to the end of the race, but you have to use Hards too. Burn Fuel.
Optimal: 17M + 1H or 1H +17M. Depending on where you start, getting ahead or getting out of traffic could be wise. Tyres and fuel will last to the end.
Any damage you get will
ruin this strategy.
Safe: 3H + 15M. This should get you a few laps into the race and put the highest risk of damage behind you. If you are damaged, use the pitstop to get onto the Mediums and repair. This strategy helps cover off the risk of damage that comes with the Optimal strat.
Ferrari: Make sure you use both Mediums and Hards at some point, and check for plank wear, otherwise you will be DSQ.
Round 4 Spa:
The mediums will go more-or-less the entire race if you need them to. Mandatory Pit Stop! Fuel will get you about ~18 laps, more if you save. Might, maybe, be possible to do it without refueling, saving time in the pits.
Optimal: 9M + 11M (or close to that). Refuel a little to get to the end. This is the best most even use of the mediums. You have a lot of leeway to undercut or overcut if you want, to get out of or follow the traffic.
T1 Bowling: If you have damage you can pit on Lap 2, fill up, get fresh mediums, and safely make it to the end using the mandatory stop to repair. Damage Lap 1 might be harder, you could need to shortshift a little to make up the extra lap. But you won't need an extra stop.
Round 5 Sagradegno A Backwards:
I hate this track, abandon ship lol.
Round 6 Suzuka:
Haven't tested yet.
