Ford Mustang GT3

TYRES

• Slick – Medium compound, Front 27.8 PSI, Rear 27.3 PSI (cold set), optimal window 85–105°C for peak grip, blankets set to 80°C. Aggressive style and Portimão's elevation changes load the front-left and rear-right hard — monitor against overheating past 110°C on long runs; race stint pressures may creep +2–3 PSI once in window.

ELECTRONICS

• TC1: 5
• TC2: 3
• ABS: 5
• Engine Braking / Brake Magic: Medium-High (diff coast dominant, see below)
• Brake Bias: 54.5% front

SUSPENSION

• // FRONT
• Ride Height: 55 mm
• Wheel Rate FL / FR: 190000 N/m / 190000 N/m
• ARB: 120 N/m
• Brake Torque Multiplier: 100%
• Brake Bias: 54.5%
• // REAR
• Ride Height: 60 mm
• Wheel Rate RL / RR: 175000 N/m / 175000 N/m
• ARB: 145 N/m
• Diff Preload: 55 Nm
• Diff Coast: 0.5
• Diff Power: 0.7

DAMPERS

AERO

• Front Splitter: 4 clicks (medium-aggressive)
• Rear Wing: 6 (of 10) — balanced for Portimão's high-speed Turns 1, 5 and 15
• Downforce Level: Medium-High
• Brake Ducts: Front 4 / Rear 3 (aggressive braking generates heat, needs cooling margin)

KEY SETUP NOTE

• Portimão's blind crests (Turns 1, 8, 9) unload the Mustang's heavy front end mid-corner — running slightly higher front ride height (55mm vs typical 50mm) and a touch more coast diff prevents snap oversteer on entry when you're trail-braking aggressively over elevation changes.

TRACK GUIDE

• Turn 1: Brake late but straight-line only before the crest — trail braking over the blind rise unsettles the Mustang's front end violently.
• Turns 5-6 (Curva do Boxes complex): Carry momentum, sacrifice some entry speed for a cleaner rotation — V8 torque rewards early, straight-wheel throttle application out of Turn 6.
• Turn 8-9 (uphill esses): Use aggressive curb riding on the inside but keep inputs smooth — this is where diff power lock setting pays off, preventing inside wheelspin on exit.
• Turn 15 (final corner): This is the lap-defining corner — late apex, get the power down early despite the car's tendency to squat, as the long main straight punishes any hesitation.
• Tyre management: Rear-right takes the most abuse from the high-speed right-handers (1, 5, 15) — in race trim, slightly conservative entry speed here on in-lap after the tyre window is established saves 2-3 laps of usable rear grip late-stint.

THEORETICAL BEST LAP

• 1:40.800 — composite optimal sector lap, dry track, low fuel, fresh tyres, LMU Ford Mustang GT3 reference pace.

REAL WORL