My Formula 1 System

[12th Lap]

**We'll take that pit now, Luca. The crew's ready**

Luca acknowledged the pit instruction with a curt, "Got it," and prepared for the turn into the pit lane as he exited Turn 16. He still held P2. He, Moritz, and Colt had already debated and decided he'd box, even though Derstappen was close behind.

[Analyzing 3rd Position's distance from host and Dallara (F2 04)...]

[3rd Position is 4 sec away, host.]

[System's prediction: That value will decrease, and not in your favor due to the pitstop.]

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Falling back to third was worth the risk; carrying worn-out tires into the most tense laps of any race would only spell trouble.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The roar of the crowd faded momentarily as he guided his Dallara onto the pit entry, navigating the speed limit zone.

Trampos' pit crew waited in formation, and as Luca came to a stop, they sprang into action as fast as they could, aided by Luca's Pitstop Prodigy skill. However, it was never going to be fast enough to keep Derstappen from zooming past effortlessly with zero competition.

[3rd Position]

**You're clear. 3.1 seconds**

[Pitstop Prodigy +1]

[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 25%]

Luca pressed hard on the throttle, his car leaping out of the pit box and into the pit lane. His fresh tires immediately began to heat up as he rejoined the race in P3, his system providing precise calculations of both opponents ahead and behind.

[Analyzing Dallara (F2 04) and host's distance from 2nd Position...]

[You are 5 seconds away, host.]

Not bad, Luca thought, fully aware that Derstappen would pit within the next few laps. He would close the gap then. Patience was all he needed.

[4th Position closing in]

[Analyzing 4th Position's distance from host and Dallara (F2 04)...]

[4th Position is 2 sec away, host.]

Luca glanced at his side mirrors as he ascended the uphill of Turn 4, preparing to tackle the cliff-like approach of Turn 5. The climb offered him a reflective glimpse of Aaronson's orange-and-black Dallara, still trailing at the base of Turn 4.

"He's coming for me again," Luca muttered, hoping his tires would heat up faster to handle the turns ahead optimally.

"WOOOOOHH!"

Luca's heart skipped a beat at the sudden thunderous roar from the crowd. His mind raced, wondering what could have sparked such a reaction. Quickly, he activated the radio comm.

**A driver just spun out of the track. His car is glued to the barriers. Really bad. Not a rival, not our problem. Safety car's coming out.**

Luca didn't like the idea of a safety car now. Not at all.

He had tires to warm up, and the safety car's restrictions would ruin that. The reduced speed meant he couldn't generate the necessary heat to maximize grip, leaving him vulnerable once the race resumed. Worse yet, Aaronson was closing in behind him. The safety car would erase the gap entirely, putting his rival right on his tail with tires already in optimal condition.

He quickly outlined the issue to Mr. Moritz, who calmly replied that there was nothing Luca could do except manage the situation as best as possible.

**Safety car deployed. Maintain position**

"...this is surely going to compress the field, Jon. One driver out just at Lap 12. I have this clawing feeling that we'd have more counts..."

"...it's likely. Max Addams has P1 with the safety car, Derstappen behind, a cold Luca Rennick at P3 with Sean Aaronson at P4. And don't forget, Steve, Aaronson might have a bone to pick with Luca Rennick. With cold tires, it might be a breeze for the Australian..."

"...Safety Car en pista. Los pilotos reducen velocidad. Incidente en curva 9 está siendo despejado...!"

[Operational Status: 87%]

After the safety car's deployment and leave, the bunched up drivers began to tense as Max Addams led the way back toward the grid, yellow flags lowering in anticipation of the restart.

Luca weaved his car from side to side, working to build heat into his tires. As Derstappen moved ahead, he was obliged to do the same to open gaps between all drivers.

When Max Addams crossed the grid and blasted down the home straight toward Turn 1, Derstappen surged ahead a second later. Luca, in P3, pressed the throttle, but his cold tires forced caution through the opening sector.

[13th Lap]

[4th Position closing in]

"...Max Addams extends his lead effortlessly, but at P4, Sean Aaronson smells blood from Luca Rennick. He's on DRS, and Luca can't deprive him of his slipstream. They are alongside each other now!"

[Tires are at optimal heat now, host.]

[Straightaway Chopping had failed due to cold tires.]

[4th Position closing in]

[Analyzing 4th Position's distance from host and Dallara (F2 04)...]

[4th Position is 0.3 sec away, host.]

Aaronson grinned devilishly behind his helmet as he nosed alongside Luca heading into Turns 2 and 3, a short straight ahead leading toward the uphill and cliff curves. The Spanish Hatcherk Motorsport crowd erupted in cheers, urging Sean Aaronson to seize the overtake. Yet Luca remained resolute, keen to defend his position.

[5th Position closing in]

Not far behind them was Ansel, running unchallenged with no immediate rivals in his way. Miles, sitting in P6, lagged an entire sector back, still completing the 13th Lap along with the rest of the pack. Ansel, benefiting from the clear track, was steadily closing the gap to Luca and Aaronson, aiming to exploit their potential battle for an easy double overtake.

Often glancing at his side mirror to study Aaronson's front rear movements, Luca spotted Ansel not too far away. In fact, he was close enough for a good outpace albeit a perfect straightaway came. Realizing this, joy sparked in Luca's heart as he figured Ansel would mount the pressure on Aaronson, putting the Hatcherk Motorsport driver between the two Trampos cars, forcing him into a defensive struggle.

Luca clicked on his radio. "Could we do something about him?"

It took Ansel a moment to respond. **Like what?** he asked grimly.

Luca briefly considered suggesting a team boxing strategy to corner Aaronson but dismissed the idea. Sean Aaronson was too experienced for such a textbook maneuver; it wouldn't work against him. Moreover, the idea of all three cars tightly packed as they navigated the uphill section, the curved cliff, and the narrow Turn 6 was far from appealing.

Ansel, now edging even closer toward Aaronson and Luca, sucked in Luca's silence over the radio. **Nothing to do, mate. We drive. Good luck**

"...the pressure is on Luca Rennick as orange gets beside him, his fellow red not too far away. Ansel is closing the gap now, possibly lining up for a three-wide showdown!"

[Analyzing 5th Position's distance from host and Dallara (F2 04)...]

[5th Position is 1 sec away, host.]

The system updated Luca on Ansel's delta the moment the radio went silent. He steeled himself, sharing P3 with Sean Aaronson as they barreled down the straight toward the hill, Ansel clearly benefiting from the dual slipstreams.

Luca wished his tires could just clamp with Aaronson's, forcing Aaronson to spin out while he still remained on track. But deliberately making someone else crash without being penalized was a very difficult thing to do. Moreover, Luca didn't want to have such a desperate, loser mindset.

He had no Skills to fend off someone beside him, and couldn't chop Ansel behind because the steps to the Chopping skills involved a swift brake. And braking was something he wasn't supposed to do at this moment.

"...Ahora en la curva 5, Luca Rennick y Sean Aaronson!"

[4th Position]

**C'mon, Luca**

At the bottleneck approaching the uphill section, Luca regained P3 due to the track's structure, but it also allowed Ansel to slide into the gap between him and Aaronson.

[3rd Position]

[Spatial Awareness +1]

[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 37.5%]

**Keep good distance, Han. Don't touch with Luca**

**Noooo problem** Ansel replied.

As they emerged from the sloped cliff, the trio reached Mandalora's tightest curves. Luca clung to the inside line, Ansel occupied the middle, and Aaronson was forced wide on the outer lane. In the shuffle, Ansel officially claimed P3.

[Analyzing optimal entry speed based on current velocity, tire traction, and curvature of the bend...]

[Tire traction: 80%]

[Recommended speed for maneuver: 120 km/h]

Luca made his turn, Ansel followed, Aaronson, cutting in before them both.

[Trajectory Assessment: Inside lane disadvantage detected. Line integrity at risk from 3rd Position's approach.]

[Recommended Action: Enter at 20% throttle; maintain straight apex trajectory. Anticipate 3rd Position's outside pressure.]

[Risk Factor: High (collision potential with 3rd and 4th Positions). Adjust for momentum loss at exit to regain position.]

You have to be kidding me. Luca had no choice but to put his foot softly on the brakes.

[5th Position]

Aaronson's rear wings fishtailed dangerously as he drifted through the curve, leaving thick smoke and black arcs on the asphalt. Reacting quickly, Luca tilted his wheel sharply and adjusted his trajectory as Ansel moved ahead. Seizing the opportunity, Luca went for the next inside lane while Ansel hugged the outer edge.

[4th Position]

[Overtaking Skill +1]

[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 50%]

Aaronson, recovering control of his SomberCore, surged forward to rejoin the battle, his acceleration drawing deafening cheers from the crowd as the three cars came within inches of each other.

**You don't have to be tough, Luca. Just hold P5 for a bit. It's not that bad**

Luca tried to process Ansel's words as the two veterans edged past him when Turn 7's track structure relegated him behind them.

[5th Position]