My Formula 1 System

[20th Lap]

By the 20th lap, most drivers began considering pit stops as their soft tires were clearly worn out. Luca, having pitted early, was relieved—he now had the chance to close the gap that Ansel and Aaronson had created while they made their stops.

Luca, however, had been lost in thought after losing P3 in rapid succession. And in motorsport, every second counted. With engines like the SomberCore, Ansel and Aaronson had disappeared into the horizon before Luca snapped back into focus.

[Stamina +1]

[Agility +1]

Ansel had P3, and Sean Aaronson was basically still at P4 after all that chaos he managed to cause Luca. Aaronson himself was just glad he got Luca out of the lead and the podium, and Luca was directly behind him on the leaderboard but significantly far away on the track.

**Aaronson is pitting. Move faster**

This was how fast a SomberCore could go—300 km/h.

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

[You are 8 seconds away, host.]

Sean Aaronson's pit stop took 6 seconds—a solid but average time for an F2 crew. By the time he entered the pit lane, it became clear that Luca might clash with him at the intersection. But Luca was having none of it.

[Trajectory Assessment: Straight lane disadvantage detected. Line integrity at risk from 4th Position's approach.]

[Recommended Action: Enter at full throttle; maintain straight apex trajectory. Anticipate 4th Position's intersection.]

[Risk Factor: High (collision potential with 4th Position). Adjust for overreach at exit to regain position.]

"...Luca Rennick dives in with full force, taking the inside as he cuts off Aaronson's planned entry. A perfect blend of timing and skill! Sean Aaronson regains balance, but not where he wants to be...!"

[4th Position]

"...Luca Rennick se lo arrebata a Aaronson! ¡Ahora en P4, Luca Rennick...!"

"WOOOOOHH!"

**Good job. He's still at you, but good job**

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

[You are 7 seconds away, host.]

It was hard to believe the kind of gap Ansel, Derstappen, and Max Addams had created over time. And this calculation was just Ansel's delta. Luca wondered how far Max, the pack leader, really was. Almost two sectors ahead, P1 and P3—Max Addams and Ansel Hahn—finally visited their pit boxes.

Trampos' pit crew wasn't as efficient as Bueseno Velocità Jnr's. Both had average pit times for an F2 team, with Max Addams spending just 5.8 seconds in the box, while Ansel lingered for 6.6 seconds.

The two shot out of their respective pit lanes moments later, still holding P1 and P3, but the gap had significantly reduced. To emphasize how enormous the gap was, Max and Ansel were still confident and focused on themselves and Derstappen, who had tried to snatch P1 during Addams' pit. After all, this was the first time in four GPs that Ansel Hahn might come head-to-head with Max Addams if he managed to outpace Derstappen. Trampos fans cheered wildly at the prospect.

[25th Lap]

Luca's System gave a quick calculation that ignited his hunger as he steadily approached the front trio over the stunning circuit's laps. The crowd's chants echoed in his ears for minutes on end.

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

[You are 2 seconds away, host.]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Good, Luca thought, his grip tightening on the wheel. He couldn't believe how hungry he was, especially with his teammate's hovering number glowing green instead of blue. Ansel's rear wing was within reach, and Luca could already feel the reduced drag effect around his front wings as they maneuvered through Turns 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Luca's car kissed the curbs in perfect harmony as his heart raced, though not with panic, but with a steady, determined rhythm. His eyes locked on Ansel's positioning, his focus unshaken, until he felt the smooth, exhilarating pull of his teammate's slipstream.

[Speed Boosted!]

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

[You are 0.5 seconds away, host.]

"...Oh my! Luca Rennick almost bumped into Ansel Hahn over there! Good control! He's right behind! A straight is far away, but Luca Rennick could make these bends count!"

Ansel's focus shifted immediately. Alerted by his engineer's frantic call, he abandoned his pursuit of Derstappen's P2 and began making precise defensive adjustments to his chassis as they barreled into Turn 7's bottleneck.

A small smile crept across Luca's face. He knew Ansel better than anyone, and one thing he was certain of was Ansel's weakness in defense—a topic that had sparked debates among the crew and fans alike. Having spent so much time with him, Luca could confidently say that Ansel's defensive skills were solid but far from exceptional.

To dominate the leaderboard, score high points in every Grand Prix, and potentially secure the championship, defense was just as crucial as offense. While Ansel excelled in offense, often using it to great advantage, his reactionary, "question-and-answer" style of defense left gaps that opponents could exploit. This was why Mr. Grant often assigned Luca the role of fending off rivals whenever Ansel held the lead.

As Ansel made a series of defensive step-sides, attempting to block any opening, Luca shook his head, his grip tightening on the wheel. It was time to make his move. He nosed his car in aggressively, testing the limits of the line Ansel was trying to hold.

[3rd Position]

[4th Position]

Turn 8 loomed ahead for the two Trampos drivers just as Derstappen zoomed through the arc unchallenged, still pushing hard for P1 to earn crucial points for Squadra Corse Jnr.

Luca feinted a move to the outside, forcing Ansel to adjust. The moment Ansel committed, Luca seized the opportunity, cutting sharply to the inside and diving into the gap.

[3rd Position]

"...Y Rennick lo intenta!"

Ansel quickly swerved to cover the inside line, his tires screeching under the strain. Undeterred, Luca switched back to the outside as they barreled into Turn 9. Both narrowly escaped the dangers of Turn 8.

[4th Position]

Well. This is quite some good defense, though, Luca thought, not knowing Ansel was giving all his best, determined not to surrender P3 to Luca, his teammate.

Luca's outside trajectory gave him the perfect line into Turn 10, bringing him alongside Ansel.

"... brilliant switchback by Luca Rennick! He's got the momentum now, and Ansel Hahn is struggling to keep him behind!"

[3rd Position]

[Reflexes +1]

[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 62.5%]

At the apex of Turn 10 that opened up to the long straightaway, Luca and Ansel found themselves locked in a tight corner that left no room for hesitation. They both carried enough momentum out of their turn, and their frames brushed against each other, the contact audible even over the roar of the engines.

"...CONTACTO entre Rennick y Hahn!

"WOOOOOHH!"

The kiss of metal wasn't harsh enough to send either off-track but it was enough to disrupt both drivers' balance. The slight collision forced Luca to quickly counter-steer, his heart pounding as his tires screeched to regain grip. Ansel, on the other hand, veered slightly wide, his own line momentarily compromised.

**Are you fucking kidding me, Luca?!** Ansel boomed over the radio.

**That wasn't supposed to happen, boys. You two messed up!** Mr. Moritz spat as Luca and Ansel came to a safe halt at the start of Straight 3 to regain composure.

The cars were fine. They were fine. But the tension was palpable.

**Well, that's the fucking strategy you gave us nah, isn't it?!** Ansel snapped, shooting a glare toward Luca's Dallara, heat radiating from his rear wings as his fury boiled over.

The crowd erupted in a frenzy as both Trampos-colored Dallaras stayed stationary for a moment, all cameras zeroing in on them.

"... they definitely need to regroup after that close call at the end of Turn 10. That almost spelled disaster! The crowd roars, probably wishing it was worse!"

[Operational Status: 60%]

Luca remained silent even as Sean Aaronson effortlessly zoomed past both cars, claiming P3 without breaking a sweat nor bumping into anyone.

"WOOOOOHH!"

**Focus, guys! Focus! Get back on the damn track! Don't sit there another second!** Mr. Moritz practically shouted, his voice laced with frustration. He exchanged concerned glances with his fellow engineers.

Mr. Grant swallowed the huge lump that had formed in his throat. He remained quiet even as the whole crew in the paddock grumbled and complained as soon as Luca and Ansel touched each other. Even Ms. Vallotton cussed silently and her toes twitched once the contact resonated through the track.

**Whoever is behind gets to defend whoever is ahead! That is the strategy! When you're together, you face off fairly! No touching!**

Miles Bellingham zoomed past on the straight, snagging P4 with ease.

"...Y Miles Bellingham está ahora en P4!"

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"WOOOOOHH!"

**Whatever** Ansel said. **I'll box in a few laps. My back tires took some damage.** With that, he tilted his wheel and rejoined the race, his tires spinning as smoke kicked up behind him.

Luca remained silent all through this while, taking in deep breaths of the stuffed confines of his helmet. From the corner of his eye, he watched Ansel slowly peel back into the asphalt and rejoined the race.

[6th Position]

[Strength +1]

Once Ansel's car got a 2–second lead, Luca quietly swerved back into the track.

[DATA DISPLAYED IN REAL TIME:

-Car Speed: 70 km/h

-Heart Rate: 110 bpm

-Operational Status: 60% (Fair)

-Breathing: Hiked

-Distance covered: 145000m

-Time: 40 min.]

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A/N: Merry Christmas to you all. Thank you for 1000 Privilege Chapter Unlocks and 100 Golden Tickets. There's poor network and electricity in my hometown which has been limiting the number of chapters this festive season.