Yes, did that after my previous post, mapped throttle to the right stick, here's how it went:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C5SIRMzcHo
Spoiler alert, i beat the challenge on my very first attempt, even though it wasn't even a good lap. I severely overshot the braking point on the first big corner due to not being used to the "new" top speed and felt overall a bit uncomfortable with this input, but it was still enough to come in under the required time.
It's amazing what a difference a different throttle input made. Now i wonder for how long this has been holding me back and how much better i could have done on some past tour events and challenges. Just the other day i was going to mention that i don't understand people saying this tour was too easy, because it felt harder to me than the last few. Besides Channel Hopping, i've also struggled with a couple of other events (California Games and the first race of the 04 German Sports series in India both gave me quite a hard time and i needed a good number of attempts to beat them). Can't say i'm a fan of throttle on right stick though, so this won't be a permanent solution for me.
It'll soon be a year since i bought my PS4, so i'll see if i can get the controller replaced before that, but i fear the store will just send it off and i'll be out of a controller for a few weeks until they sort it out. I see you can also get replacement rubber pads on ebay, but i'll check my other options first.
Anyway, thanks for your help, this could've gone on for who knows how long and i would have been none the wiser.
Glad I spotted it for you I remember it happening to me it's apparently a fault with the controller and sony should actually repair or replace out off warranty I think but not 100% sure, it won't effect games like cod etc only racing games really, but glad you got it well done