Mission successful with Sync Buff for Luca. He was able to go from P6 to P3 within two laps, bringing himself back in podium and victory contention.
The jump from P6 to P3 wasn't the biggest leap he had made with Sync Buff, but that was only because the system had randomly generated a shorter duration, cutting it by more than a minute from the usual five-minute window.
Even so, Luca found satisfaction in what he had achieved. Overtaking his main rivals in a single file was a statement that he couldn't ignore, no one could ignore, not even his rivals or the spectators in the grandstands. And with a rival still struggling far behind in P8, Luca had all the more reason to be pleased.
The feeling of knowing they could see your gearbox, the very sight of your rear wing taunting them was satisfying.
Luca believed this was it. The race had crossed its midsection and was gradually heading toward the end. If he could defend well against those behind while also pushing for openings against Taubert and Kristensen ahead...
At the moment, Luca and Trampos had the upper hand. If the leaderboard stayed this way to the very end, his P3 points would make him the F2 Drivers' Champion over Max's P4 points.
So, Luca needed to mentally divide his defense and offense into a ratio—something like 70:30.
[DATA DISPLAYED IN REAL TIME:
-Operational Status: 55% (Fair)
-Breathing: Calm & Steady
-Distance covered: 225500m
[Tires are in less than ideal condition, host. Fuel level at 50%. DRS is unavailable. Engine temperature slightly heated. Brake wear at 65%.]
[Telemetry reports smooth handling. Aerodynamic efficiency optimal. Recommend maintaining current pace. However, a pit stop is strongly recommended immediately to refresh your tires and maintain performance for the race.]
"What do you think? Could this be my last pit stop of the race?" Luca asked his system.
Luca was aware the team had initially planned for three to four pit stops, but Luca hoped he could defy expectations and get away with just two. He didn't want to waste time in the pit lane or the pit box.
While his rivals would be committing to their third or fourth stops, Luca intended to stay out, building and extending gaps between them. If he could make it work, he'd increase his chances at the trophy.
[Projecting strategy feasibility...]
[Margin for tire degradation uncertain. External variables such as track temperature and tire wear fluctuation may necessitate one more pit stop before the end of the race.]
"One more. Hmph." Luca glanced at his Sync Bar.
[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 12.5%]
Sync Buff was the major reason his tires had this much wear by the 45th Lap. If not, Luca would have needed just two pit stops in this race when others would be having three or four.
Now, back in the 39th Lap, Luca got a double notification Skill level-up for Reflexes and Track Awareness after he almost sabotaged himself on the track.
He had unintentionally pushed a little too hard at Turn 9 when it seemed Benjamin Taubert was strangely getting away from his range. His back end snapped out, and his car spun a full 360, causing a wild drift of smoke and a screech of his tires.
Luca didn't panic like the entire Trampos spectators and crew did. He had managed a 360 before in Le Castellet and in simulations, so he could do it again to save his race.
His hands moved fast to counter-steer, and his footwork was flawless as he managed the throttle, snapping the car back into alignment with barely any loss of momentum.
The two notifs came right after that, and his Sync Bar began to fill up once again.
This made Luca wonder if he'd be able to pull off two Sync Buffs in one race. It was something he'd never done before, and it'd be a game-changer if he managed it.
Additionally, it'd further confuse and throw off the suspicions that were still lingering because no one was used to Luca becoming astonishingly better than his usual good on two occasions in one race.
If the first three minutes didn't confuse them enough, this one would. So, Luca grew determined to complete this second Sync Bar, both for this very reason and also to make it to P1 and remain there!
**Rear degradation is too high. You'll be losing a lot of time without you even knowing**
"Understood," Luca replied. "One last push into 46."
**Copy. We're all set. Keep it clean on entry. We need a perfect stop**
"On it. You know me."
"...the pit lane has been a hive of activity over the past few laps! We've seen a flurry of stops as teams scramble to get their strategies right in this quarter of the race. Fresh rubber going on, mechanics working at lightning speed, every second counts at this stage of the race!"
"...Sean Aaronson sorpassa Albert Derstappen!"
"...Sean Aaronson in P5, Albert Derstappen in P6!"
Aaronson's overtake on Derstappen wasn't Luca's problem. As long as he was still ahead of them, that was what mattered. And it seemed none of them planned on visiting the pits very soon. So once again, he'd be the earlier pitter amongst his rivals.
Surprisingly, after making it down the home straight, both Taubert and Kristensen diverted into the pits. And as if it had been planned, Luca followed suit.
Kristensen had a second's lead over Taubert, and Taubert had a second and a half over Luca. Based on his calculations, with Pitstop Prodigy, he'd definitely leave the pits ahead of Taubert, snatching his position.
Kristensen, though? That was uncertain. They might end up fighting for who'd exit the pit lane first to rejoin the race.
Kristensen was already seated in his Retona box, his crew working around him at full speed. Taubert, meanwhile, had just reached his APX garage.
Luca coasted past them toward Trampos' pit with a determined air, the hostile tension between them almost tangible. He swore nothing would jeopardize this chance to take the lead. Pitstop Prodigy was his key to getting out first!
"System, please tell me you've got something like a skill that helps battle cold tires waiting for me to unlock."
[System has a variety of skills that support tire performance by increasing grip and reducing wear probability.]
[However, these skills are available in the Professional and Top Driver Bundles, where the system grants physical skills that directly affect the car rather than non-physical skills, which host currently possesses.]
"So the Professional Bundle has skills that enhance the car, not me?"
A brief pause as Luca rolled to a stop in his pit, hoping to break the record they had already set today.
[System detects classified information not yet attained.]
Luca sighed, gripping the wheel tightly as the team got to work, lifting the car in a flawless motion.
His focus locked onto his side mirror, watching for any sign of the others leaving their pits. He failed to notice Haas seated solemnly in the paddock or the other crew members cheering on.
"You're good, mate!" McCauley yelled. "Three seconds, baby!"
"...LUCA RENNICK ENTERED THE PIT LATER, BUT HE'S LEAVING FIRST! TRAMPOS HAVE JUST EXECUTED ANOTHER BRILLIANT PIT STOP!"
It didn't break the record, but it was fast.
[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 25%]
Luca slammed the accelerator, his car jolting forward. It was time to take the goddamn lead in this Mega Prix.