Max knew very well that Luca's reaction time and speed were exceptionally high, so he executed his move as fast as he could.
By capitalizing on Luca's slipstream without him noticing, he gained an extra burst away from Aaronson. And in that split second, Max expertly deployed DRS, breaking through the one-second delta between him and Luca.
"...Max Addams pulls alongside Luca Rennick before Turn 1!"
As soon as Max drew alongside Luca, Luca's system flagged Aaronson, who was now directly behind.
[Analyzing 3rd Position's distance from host and Dallara (F2 04)...]
[3rd Position is 1.5 sec away, host.]
**Addams will have the inside into Turn 1, cover your ground on exit. Don't leave the door open—can't lose two positions**
What Mr. Colt was practically telling Luca was to let go of P1 to Max and focus on preventing Aaronson from capitalizing on his lost momentum. If he stubbornly fought Max and lost, he could end up dropping two positions instead of one.
Luca understood the importance of protecting against a double overtake, but he still didn't see why giving up P1 to Max was a good idea. He could still fight—it wasn't over yet.
Colt, however, quickly clarified that Max and Aaronson weren't just battling Luca for rival-sake, but they were also racing against the pit clock. Since they were a pitstop behind, they were pushing hard to close the gap and match Luca's pace. Colt even suspected they'd be diving into the pitlane any moment now.
Luca wished Colt had soundly explained this sooner, maybe he wouldn't have attempted blocking an overtake that Max was already winning.
As they barreled into Turn 1, Max had the inside line and fully committed to the move. Luca, still holding his ground on the outside, braked late to stay in the fight.
But then—Luca felt contact he thought he'd completely evaded!
When Max slipped through in his blue Dallara, contrasting against Luca's red, his rear-left tire scraped against Luca's front-right wing.
"...Ohhh! There's contact! Max Addams takes the lead, but he clips Luca Rennick's front wing on the way through!"
"Tch—damn it!" Luca cussed as the jolt shook his hands on the steering wheel, sending a shiver of imbalance through his cockpit and the car itself.
**Front wing damage, Luca. Front wing damage. We see it**
Luca's hands instinctively adjusted to the impact, countering the subtle shift in steering. It wasn't catastrophic, but he could feel that his front-right downforce had taken a hit. His grip on right-handers wouldn't be the same.
"How bad is it?!" Luca asked, watching Max pull ahead into Turn 2.
**Minimal scrape on the right. The car will feel light on right-handers**
"...That could be damage! That could be damage to Rennick's car!"
"...Max Addams sorpassa Luca Rennick per conquistare la P1 in questo Gran Premio Mega d'Italia!"
"....Max Addams in P1, Luca Rennick in P2!"
Luca didn't bother hoping for Max to get a penalty because that definitely wasn't coming. He had already begun to feel the lightness in his front wing, and now he noticed sparks flickering out of the carbon fiber.
But Luca had no time to process it.
Because as soon as the contact happened, his mirrors were full of Aaronson.
[Analyzing 3rd Position's distance from host and Dallara (F2 04)...]
[3rd Position is 1 sec away, host.]
Luca instantly realized his vulnerability.
[Downforce Compromise Detected: Front wing damage affecting high-speed stability and cornering grip.]
[Aerodynamic Balance Shifted—Increased understeer expected in fast corners.]
[Recommendation: Adjust steering inputs to compensate; reduce entry speed and rely on mechanical grip through mid-corner phase.]
[Warning: Braking distances may increase—adapt accordingly.]
The damaged front right wing meant reduced downforce and compromised cornering stability which were exactly what he didn't need with a rival like Aaronson breathing down his neck.
His car felt different already, the usual precision in the steering was now dulled by the imbalance.
Luca tightened his grip on the wheel. If Aaronson capitalized on this now, it would be an easy overtake.
Aaronson, on the other hand, was thrilled. Another chance to force Luca into a DNF had presented itself. If he could strike fast and keep up with Max, who was already at Turn 3, he'd be golden.
"We might wanna add a wing to the pitstop."
**Of course, Luca. Of course. Focus on the race. If Aaronson pushes too much, it's not worth it**
"Okay," Luca replied before the radio dropped the dead, the pit crew now adding wings to the pitstop strategy.
Luca exhaled sharply as he dove into the steep Turn 3 with poor downforce caused by a damaged front wing, courtesy of Max Addams who was ahead, unbothered, and definitely pleased with himself for what he had done.
But Luca had bigger problems than Max right now.
Aaronson was swarming him like a damn fly—no, worse, a cockroach that refused to die.
With the reduced downforce from his damaged wing, Luca had to wrestle the car through Curva Grande, but Aaronson was relentless. He was right on Luca's diffuser, inching closer, refusing to give him any breathing room.
Every time Luca tried to stabilize his car, Aaronson twitched in his mirrors, feinting a divebomb, threatening contact.
This guy's trying to send me off.
Aaronson finally shoved his nose in aggressively, forcing Luca to tighten his line to avoid a crash. He was the last Trampos driver on the field and he had to keep it that way.
The runoff area he had taken before, loomed temptingly to the left with safer, straight, stable and unobstructed track—everything that defined an easy escape.
But at crucial times with almost 15 laps to go to end this race, Luca didn't want to be thrown back the pack with the time-killing feature disguised as a runoff track.
He gritted his teeth and held firm, keeping all four wheels on the main, steep track of Turn 3.
"...Sean Aaronson is all over Luca Rennick through Curva Grande! He's not letting up!"
"...he's forcing Luca into a compromised line, Jon. He might be practically pushing him off, right now! But Rennick's holding on, under massive pressure both from his rival and that damaged wing!"
Luca knew there was no point dogfighting with Aaronson when he had a damaged wing, for downforce was just as crucial as traction to execute Skills that he honed.
Moreover, according to Colt's analysis, Luca would be in P1 anytime soon when Max and Aaronson visit the pits.
Aaronson was disappointed when he realized that Luca wasn't going to battle for P2 and the brat had just accepted his fate. Aaronson knew if he kept pushing he'd be handed a penalty because it was obvious Luca had given up P2.
And then, just as they hit the straight after Turn 4—
Aaronson rocketed ahead, launching past Luca with DRS like a missile, seizing P2 with ruthless efficiency though he wasn't satisfied he hadn't taken it in a much brutal way.
"....Aaronson sorpassa Rennick per la P2!"
"...And there it is! Aaronson finally gets ahead of Luca Rennick after a brutal fight through Curva Grande and Turn 4!"
"...That front wing damage really cost Rennick as he just couldn't hold Aaronson back any longer!"
Luca sucked it in, his gaze fixed on Aaronson's black gearbox as his orange Dallara loomed ahead. His system quickly alerted him that he was in P3 now.
And that meant becoming the target for the driver in P4.
[Analyzing 4th Position's distance from host and Dallara (F2 04)...]
[4th Position is 3 sec away, host.]
"Good delta, I guess."
Calmly, Luca navigated Autodromo di Lombardia again, its turns and tribulations now veiled under the deepening evening sky.
The sun had long dipped below the horizon, leaving behind a dim, fading glow over the park. By now, track lights and floodlights blazed, illuminating the circuit. Even from a driver's view, the artificial brilliance was beautiful.
Shadows stretched longer, blending into the creeping darkness of late evening. The air had turned even colder—almost freezing—carrying the lingering scent of hot rubber and burning fuel.
Luca knew this was the perfect atmosphere for a championship celebration.
It was just a matter of who would be lifting the trophy.
He managed his car and its damaged wing into the next lap, where Max and Aaronson effortlessly handed him the lead, diving into the pits. Their Dallaras were panting out of exhaustion.
"All that, just to give me the lead again?"
"...Luca Rennick in P1!" The announcement boomed through the park, echoing past the now-calm sitting areas outside.
Velocità Jnr and Squadra Jnr fans fell silent.
But Trampos made sure they were heard.