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This tutorial demonstrates how to visualize lap time distributions for multiple drivers using violin plots combined with swarm plots. This visualization helps compare driver consistency, pace, and tire strategy across the field. Lap time distributions for top 10 finishers in the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

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Setup

import tif1
import seaborn as sns
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Enable Matplotlib patches for plotting timedelta values and load
# tif1's dark color scheme
tif1.plotting.setup_mpl(mpl_timedelta_support=True, color_scheme='fastf1')

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Load the Race Session

# Load the race session
race = tif1.get_session(2023, "Azerbaijan", 'R')
laps = race.laps

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Filter Point Finishers

Get laps for the top 10 finishers (point-scoring positions) and filter out slow laps that would distort the visualization. 
# Get all the laps for the point finishers only
point_finishers = race.drivers[:10]
print(f"Point finishers: {point_finishers}")

# Pick quick laps only (filter out slow laps)
driver_laps = laps[laps["Driver"].isin(point_finishers)].copy()

# Filter out slow laps - remove deleted laps and pit laps
driver_laps = driver_laps[~driver_laps["Deleted"]]
driver_laps = driver_laps[~driver_laps["PitOutTime"].notna()]
driver_laps = driver_laps[~driver_laps["PitInTime"].notna()]

# Remove outliers (laps > 110% of fastest lap per driver)
def filter_quick_laps(group):
    fastest = group["LapTime"].min()
    return group[group["LapTime"] < fastest * 1.10]

driver_laps = driver_laps.groupby("Driver", group_keys=False).apply(filter_quick_laps)
driver_laps = driver_laps.reset_index(drop=True)

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Get Finishing Order

To plot drivers by finishing order, extract their abbreviations in the correct sequence. 
# Get three-letter abbreviations in finishing order
finishing_order = [race.get_driver(i)["Abbreviation"] for i in point_finishers]
print(f"Finishing order: {finishing_order}")

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Create the Visualization

Combine violin plots (showing distributions) with swarm plots (showing individual lap times). 
# Create the figure
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(10, 5))

# Seaborn doesn't have proper timedelta support,
# so we convert timedelta to float (in seconds)
driver_laps["LapTime(s)"] = driver_laps["LapTime"].dt.total_seconds()

# First create the violin plots to show the distributions
sns.violinplot(data=driver_laps,
               x="Driver",
               y="LapTime(s)",
               hue="Driver",
               inner=None,
               density_norm="area",
               order=finishing_order,
               palette=tif1.plotting.get_driver_color_mapping(session=race),
               legend=False
               )

# Then use the swarm plot to show the actual laptimes
sns.swarmplot(data=driver_laps,
              x="Driver",
              y="LapTime(s)",
              order=finishing_order,
              hue="Compound",
              palette=tif1.plotting.get_compound_mapping(session=race),
              hue_order=["SOFT", "MEDIUM", "HARD"],
              linewidth=0,
              size=4,
              )

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Enhance the Plot

Make the visualization more aesthetic and easier to read. 
# Set axis labels
ax.set_xlabel("Driver")
ax.set_ylabel("Lap Time (s)")

# Add title
plt.suptitle("2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Lap Time Distributions")

# Remove spines for cleaner look
sns.despine(left=True, bottom=True)

plt.tight_layout()
plt.show()

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Complete Example

Here’s the full code in one block: 
import tif1
import seaborn as sns
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Setup plotting
tif1.plotting.setup_mpl(mpl_timedelta_support=True, color_scheme='fastf1')

# Load race session
race = tif1.get_session(2023, "Azerbaijan", 'R')
laps = race.laps

# Get point finishers and filter laps
point_finishers = race.drivers[:10]
driver_laps = laps[laps["Driver"].isin(point_finishers)].copy()

# Filter out slow laps
driver_laps = driver_laps[~driver_laps["Deleted"]]
driver_laps = driver_laps[~driver_laps["PitOutTime"].notna()]
driver_laps = driver_laps[~driver_laps["PitInTime"].notna()]

def filter_quick_laps(group):
    fastest = group["LapTime"].min()
    return group[group["LapTime"] < fastest * 1.10]

driver_laps = driver_laps.groupby("Driver", group_keys=False).apply(filter_quick_laps)
driver_laps = driver_laps.reset_index(drop=True)

# Get finishing order
finishing_order = [race.get_driver(i)["Abbreviation"] for i in point_finishers]

# Create visualization
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(10, 5))

driver_laps["LapTime(s)"] = driver_laps["LapTime"].dt.total_seconds()

sns.violinplot(data=driver_laps,
               x="Driver",
               y="LapTime(s)",
               hue="Driver",
               inner=None,
               density_norm="area",
               order=finishing_order,
               palette=tif1.plotting.get_driver_color_mapping(session=race),
               legend=False
               )

sns.swarmplot(data=driver_laps,
              x="Driver",
              y="LapTime(s)",
              order=finishing_order,
              hue="Compound",
              palette=tif1.plotting.get_compound_mapping(session=race),
              hue_order=["SOFT", "MEDIUM", "HARD"],
              linewidth=0,
              size=4,
              )

ax.set_xlabel("Driver")
ax.set_ylabel("Lap Time (s)")
plt.suptitle("2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Lap Time Distributions")
sns.despine(left=True, bottom=True)

plt.tight_layout()
plt.show()

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Understanding the Visualization

This dual-layer plot provides rich insights:

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Violin Plot Layer

  • Shows the probability density of lap times for each driver
  • Wider sections indicate more laps at that pace
  • Shape reveals consistency and performance patterns
  • Symmetric shapes suggest consistent pace throughout the race

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Swarm Plot Layer

  • Each dot represents an individual lap
  • Color indicates tire compound used
  • Horizontal spread shows the distribution of lap times
  • Vertical position shows the actual lap time

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Insights from the Visualization

This visualization reveals several key aspects of race performance:
  1. Driver Consistency: Narrow distributions indicate consistent lap times
  2. Pace Comparison: Vertical position shows relative speed between drivers
  3. Tire Strategy: Compound colors reveal strategic choices
  4. Compound Performance: Compare lap times across different tire types
  5. Outliers: Individual slow laps are immediately visible

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Analyzing Specific Patterns

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Identifying the Fastest Driver

The driver with the lowest violin plot center typically had the best pace.

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Spotting Tire Degradation

If a driver’s dots spread vertically within one compound, it suggests tire degradation.

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Comparing Strategies

Drivers with more compound variety show different strategic approaches.

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Customization Options

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Adjust Plot Size and Style

# Larger figure for more drivers
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(14, 6))

# Adjust swarm plot marker size
sns.swarmplot(
    data=driver_laps,
    x="Driver",
    y="LapTime(s)",
    order=finishing_order,
    hue="Compound",
    palette=tif1.plotting.get_compound_mapping(session=race),
    size=6,  # Larger markers
    alpha=0.8,  # Add transparency
    edgecolor='gray',  # Add marker outline
    linewidth=0.5
)

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Filter by Specific Compounds

# Show only soft tire laps
soft_laps = driver_laps[driver_laps["Compound"] == "SOFT"]

sns.violinplot(data=soft_laps,
               x="Driver",
               y="LapTime(s)",
               hue="Driver",
               order=finishing_order,
               palette=tif1.plotting.get_driver_color_mapping(session=race),
               legend=False
               )

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Compare Different Sessions

# Compare qualifying vs race pace
quali = tif1.get_session(2023, "Azerbaijan", 'Q')
quali_laps = quali.laps

# Create side-by-side comparison
fig, (ax1, ax2) = plt.subplots(1, 2, figsize=(16, 6))

# Qualifying distribution
sns.violinplot(data=quali_laps, x="Driver", y="LapTime(s)", ax=ax1)
ax1.set_title("Qualifying")

# Race distribution
sns.violinplot(data=driver_laps, x="Driver", y="LapTime(s)", ax=ax2)
ax2.set_title("Race")

plt.tight_layout()
plt.show()

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Advanced Analysis

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Statistical Summary

Extract statistical insights from the distributions: 
# Calculate statistics per driver
stats = driver_laps.groupby("Driver")["LapTime(s)"].agg([
    ('mean', 'mean'),
    ('median', 'median'),
    ('std', 'std'),
    ('min', 'min'),
    ('max', 'max')
])

print(stats.sort_values('median'))

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Identify Consistency Leaders

# Find most consistent drivers (lowest standard deviation)
consistency = driver_laps.groupby("Driver")["LapTime(s)"].std().sort_values()
print(f"Most consistent driver: {consistency.index[0]}")
print(f"Standard deviation: {consistency.iloc[0]:.3f}s")

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Summary

This tutorial demonstrated how to create a comprehensive lap time distribution visualization that combines violin plots for density estimation with swarm plots for individual data points. This dual-layer approach provides both statistical overview and granular detail, making it ideal for comparing driver performance and tire strategies across the field.

Driver Lap Times

Single driver lap time analysis

Race Pace Analysis

Detailed pace comparison

Tire Strategy

Tire compound analysis

Plotting API

Plotting reference
Last modified on March 6, 2026