The game simulates tire temperature also. You can’t go 100% the first lap around on cold tires, by mid 2nd lap or even the 3rd lap, depending on how you are driving, you’ll find a lot more grip.
I ran the first race last night, I climbed to 1st from 4th and held it for a few laps until I overshot the same corner Mike did to give me 1st and he took it the rest of the race. I was just too tired to run Hockenheim.