What makes the game's AI so hard to deal with (especially at the harder difficulties), is the game's rubberbanding system. Games like Mario Kart are notorious for their over-generous rubberbanding, which makes it easy for someone in last place to make it to the front of the pack (use a Lightning Bolt, a Blue Shell, etc). However, WipEout has the exact opposite phenomenon. Perhaps it's more realistic, but those that are in first place tend to lead the pack more and more. If you're behind by 3 seconds in the first lap, it won't be uncommon to drop to 7 seconds the next, and then 15 seconds the next. Posting continuously improving lap times won't even help.