Track Throttle Map

Throttle maps show where and how much throttle drivers apply around the circuit. This visualization reveals driving style, traction zones, and areas where drivers can push the car to its limits. Track throttle map showing throttle application percentage

Loading the session

import tif1
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from matplotlib.collections import LineCollection
import numpy as np

# Load session
session = tif1.get_session(2023, 'Silverstone', 'Q')
fastest_lap = session.laps.pick_fastest()

Getting throttle data

Throttle values range from 0 (no throttle) to 100 (full throttle).

# Get telemetry
telemetry = fastest_lap.get_car_data()

# Extract position and throttle
x = telemetry['X']
y = telemetry['Y']
throttle = telemetry['Throttle']

Creating the throttle map

# Prepare segments
points = np.array([x, y]).T.reshape(-1, 1, 2)
segments = np.concatenate([points[:-1], points[1:]], axis=1)

# Create plot
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(12, 10))

# Color-coded by throttle
norm = plt.Normalize(0, 100)
lc = LineCollection(segments, cmap='RdYlGn', norm=norm, linewidth=4)
lc.set_array(throttle)
line = ax.add_collection(lc)

# Colorbar
cbar = plt.colorbar(line, ax=ax, label='Throttle (%)')

# Format
ax.set_aspect('equal')
ax.axis('off')
plt.suptitle(f"{session.event['EventName']} {session.event.year} - Throttle Map")
plt.tight_layout()
plt.show()

Complete example

import tif1
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from matplotlib.collections import LineCollection
import numpy as np

# Load session
session = tif1.get_session(2023, 'Silverstone', 'Q')
fastest_lap = session.laps.pick_fastest()

# Get telemetry
telemetry = fastest_lap.get_car_data()
x = telemetry['X']
y = telemetry['Y']
throttle = telemetry['Throttle']

# Prepare segments
points = np.array([x, y]).T.reshape(-1, 1, 2)
segments = np.concatenate([points[:-1], points[1:]], axis=1)

# Create plot
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(12, 10))

# Color-coded track
norm = plt.Normalize(0, 100)
lc = LineCollection(segments, cmap='RdYlGn', norm=norm, linewidth=4)
lc.set_array(throttle)
line = ax.add_collection(lc)

# Colorbar
cbar = plt.colorbar(line, ax=ax, label='Throttle (%)')

# Format
ax.set_aspect('equal')
ax.axis('off')
plt.suptitle(f"{session.event['EventName']} {session.event.year} - Throttle Map")
plt.tight_layout()
plt.show()

Analyzing throttle patterns

Green sections: Full throttle on straights
Yellow/orange: Partial throttle through fast corners
Red sections: Minimal or no throttle in slow corners
Gradients: Show how smoothly drivers apply throttle

High-speed corners with partial throttle indicate where drivers balance speed with traction limits.

Tutorials

Track Throttle Map

Loading the session

Getting throttle data

Creating the throttle map

Complete example

Analyzing throttle patterns

Next steps

​Loading the session

​Getting throttle data

​Creating the throttle map

​Complete example

​Analyzing throttle patterns

​Next steps

Loading the session

Getting throttle data

Creating the throttle map

Complete example

Analyzing throttle patterns

Next steps