I think the reasrch is broken if it is going up for you Dan with no focus on it. It does go up on its own with testing laps but otherwise should require designers to be looking into it.
I think the research staff numbers must be aimed at poor teams with bad designers as a means to improve the research levels. Otherwise its the main designer who does the bulk of it.
And maybe there is a hidden counteractive value that too many cooks spoil the broth. ie, adding too many researchers AND having a superb designer being a hinderance?
Those with superb designers try sitting back and let them do their thing with no researchers. I can't be the only one?
its the testing that is raising the levels - mine went up this week too after i did 2 big runs with three drivers - last week i fell foul of the testing bug and i saw no change (only drop with development)
Testing has a very very minor impact though. If you are at the top of a research level for a part (say Okay) then a few hundred laps will perhaps tip you up to a 'Good' level for that part.
I know that Frank has set the reduction of levels to a minimum this season but will review next season and perhaps increase the speed. Given that all new starters can only develop/research 5 items at a time I think we may see it taking quite some time to build good cars. My tip, get building some facilities quickly!
Does anyone know if your research level needs to match the potential of a part in order for it to me reached? In other words if you have Okay research level and upgrade something with Very Good potential will it just stay at the ok level?
Thanks James, that suggests that the research level just dictates the beginning stat of the part. Useful to know as i have some parts with good potential that i will probably focus on for next season.
The way my research levels are going, it's pointless me developing brand new parts. E.g. I've got an all Superb part, but my research level is only at 'Good'. Under the way the system seems to work, why would I ever make a 'brand new' part?
