Still sweating, Luca entered the main hall with the crew member. The main hall was crowded, as all staff of Trampos Racing were present, representing every department crucial to the team's operations. The management team, the engineering and technical team, the marketing and PR staff, the hospitality and support staff and even the medical crew were all present.
Luca wondered what would prompt such a gathering now that Trampos Racing was bigger in staff size. He silently followed the crew member, greeting others before sitting with her and some others.
Once everyone was settled, Mr. Grant called for order and quiet as he began the meeting, starting with acknowledging the presence of their team's President and general board. He then went on to greet the entire crew, curtly recognizing every department present.
After the greetings, Mr. Grant wasted no time and went straight to the subject at hand, announcing why they were all gathered. New and Crucial Changes, he called it, motioning for Ms. Vallotton to join him at the podium. Once she arrived, they began addressing the team together, emphasizing the importance of the moment and explaining that Trampos Racing was about to undergo a significant, perhaps... permanent shift.
Before delving into the specifics, they took a moment to recognize and commend the team's efforts under the previous structure. Mr. Grant and Ms. Vallotton congratulated everyone for their remarkable performance so far this season, highlighting the collective excellence that had propelled Trampos forward ever than before.
Luca and Ansel received special praise for their impressive achievements on the track, showcasing resilience, skill, and an exceptional ability to adapt to challenges. Their contributions had been pivotal in improving and maintaining Trampos' competitive standing in the season.
The pit crew's fairly outstanding coordination and efficiency during crucial moments also earned recognition. They always tried their best under pressure and their ability to execute flawless pit stops often made the difference between success and setback.
Equally vital was the engineering team, whose relentless innovation and dedication to maintaining the cars' peak performance ensured the drivers had the tools they needed to excel. The rest of the support team wasn't left out, as their behind-the-scenes efforts kept everything running smoothly. From logistics and strategy to data analysis and morale-boosting, everyone had played a part in Trampos' success, proving their value time and again.
An applause followed as everyone collectively clapped after their recognition. Mr. Grant resumed once more, continuing with how this would all play out. They were going to inform the team about the Tiered Pursuit strategy and how Luca and Ansel would have definite roles.
Mr. Grant started with the disadvantages of the Dual Advance strategy so everyone could understand why these changes needed to be done. He also highlighted that the Dual Advance strategy would likely prevent massive points per GP, even though Monte Carlo told a different story. However, it wasn't just right to keep on using it.
After Mr. Grant was done outlining the demerits of Trampos' current structure, Ms. Vallotton followed up, stating the opposite of those demerits and how it would help the team better. These opposites were in turn, the merits of Tiered Pursuit strategy, but Ms. Vallotton took it slowly and steadily.
The entire Trampos team sat in attentive silence as Mr. Grant and Ms. Vallotton addressed them. Even when Ms. Vallotton casually mentioned terms like "Player A" and "Player B," the implications didn't immediately register. It wasn't until the Team Principals delved deeper into their explanation that the full weight of their announcement became clear that Trampos Racing would officially adopt the Tiered Pursuit strategy moving forward.
Though no one reacted outwardly, the atmosphere shifted. Minds began to churn, and silent reflections passed through the room. For a team deeply ingrained in the nuances of motorsport, the meaning was obvious. The Tiered Pursuit strategy wasn't a groundbreaking concept, even a preteen motorsport fan would understand. Many teams, particularly at the higher echelons of F1, had employed it with varying degrees of success. Jackson Racing and Bueseno Velocità were notorious practitioners, and even Velocità's junior F2 team had adopted the model as well.
At its core, the Tiered Pursuit strategy was simple and direct: Player A takes priority over Player B. In practice, this meant the team's focus would center around one lead driver, aligning resources, strategies, and decisions to maximize that driver's success. Player B's role, while still significant, would inherently become more supportive, ensuring that Player A had the best chance of delivering results.
This could be seen for example; Max Addams to Dani Walding. Another example; Marcellus Rodnick to Buoso Di Rienzo. Even Davide DiMarco to Jimmy Damgaard was an example, that's why it was a big surprise Damgaard won the F1 Spanish Grand Prix.
As Mr. Grant and Ms. Vallotton continued their address, they reassured the crew that this strategy wasn't about diminishing anyone's role. It was about maximizing the team's potential and adapting to the demands of a fiercely competitive season. Every member of Trampos Racing would still have a critical part to play, and the success of the strategy would depend on their unity and shared determination.
The room remained silent, but the energy had definitely shifted. Luca himself couldn't believe what he was hearing. He sat frozen, processing the announcement that would place him as the main driver for Trampos, with his race finishes prioritized.
Instinctively, his eyes scanned the hall for Ansel, eventually finding him seated quietly in the front row. Luca studied his teammate, searching for any sign of disappointment, frustration, or even subtle resentment—but Ansel remained calm, his expression unreadable.
For a moment, Luca considered the implications of this shift in dynamic. They had worked side by side all season, sharing triumphs and setbacks alike. Yet now, this new hierarchy would inevitably create a divide, no matter how professional they tried to remain.
Luca adjusted in his seat, a knot tightening in his stomach as Mr. Fisher came to address his team.
Luca wanted to believe Ansel would take it in stride, but the reality of being demoted to "Player B" wasn't something any competitive driver could easily accept—not even him, if he'd be honest.
Ansel, for his part, sat motionless, his posture upright and composed.
"I would really love to see how this goes," Mr. Fisher said. "Yet again, if it doesn't work out for us, we'll always make new plans. Thank you everyone, for gathering here."
Shuffling filled the hall as the team rose to their feet to leave. No one really spoke as they took the information calmly to resume their work for the day. Luca himself had no idea on what to do but head to his accommodation to resume his Daily Routine.
His mind raced about it all as he took his bath, ate a good breakfast and got dressed for training. Luca wondered if Ansel had any strong feelings about the announcement. If he did—he hid them well more than Luca in fact.
Silence reigned Trampos Racing that afternoon as the Dallaras were rolled out and everyone donned their gear. Luca met up with Ansel in the dress room, and they actually managed to speak.
"Look, man. This is definitely not how I thought things—" Luca was saying when he was cut off.
"Don't worry, I saw this coming. Get your Veststar on, let's get used to this new structure," Ansel said stoically.