Luca was eager to begin his new training program and absorb everything he could about racing, striving to become an all-rounder.
Getting up from bed, he noticed the spring had begun to show its effects. The mornings were now strikingly cold, dark, and damp, while noon brought a bright, clear sky with a warm sun.
To begin his Daily Routine, Luca got dressed in a tracksuit, strapping his wrist with a Catapult wristwatch, and securing a headband across his temple. He stepped out of his accommodation, ready to seize the day.
However, his plans took an unexpected turn when he received an impromptu call to Mr. Fisher's office. Luca couldn't help but wonder why Mr. Fisher and the other members of management wanted to see him. Was it another round of congratulations for helping the team secure massive points early in the season?
As he pondered, Luca made his way to the office and was ushered in with a touch of formality. Inside, Mrs. Doyle was seated, along with a few others. This made Luca question the nature of the meeting—it didn't seem celebratory anymore. Could it be a reprimand for something he hadn't realized he did?
His suspicions were wrong. It was neither praise nor scolding.
The board started by acknowledging the outstanding results at the Monaco Grand Prix, expressing their hope for similar outcomes in the future. Then, they moved on to the more pressing topic which was Luca's benching in the next two races.
The decision, made by the Team Principal, seemed odd, especially considering the synergy between Luca and Ansel. As the discussion unfolded, Luca could sense a divide among the board members that some were clearly against the idea of benching him.
In fact, many were against it.
Luca couldn't believe his ears when Mrs. Doyle read out complaints sent by fans and other notable figures in the motorsport community regarding Trampos Racing's decision. As soon as the announcement became public, there was significant backlash, as the majority seemed to favor Luca Rennick's unique driving style.
However, the board wanted to explain the rationale behind their support for Mr. Grant's decision, having thoroughly discussed it with him beforehand.
The primary reason was the structured team strategy associated with the decision, which aimed for long-term success. Trampos Racing had a contractual obligation to Erik Haas, requiring the German to participate in at least two Featured Races each season. This obligation had been fulfilled every season, and Trampos had no intention of making this year an exception. After all, Haas wasn't a terrible racer.
Mr. Grant believed it was best to utilize Haas early in the season to allow ample time to recover any points lost later. Additionally, the decision factored in technical and strategic considerations, including the experiment of testing Ansel and Haas' compatibility on the track.
The final reason caught Luca's attention. He was pleased to hear that Mr. Grant acknowledged their scouts had discovered a true gem in him. Mr. Grant expressed his desire to personally nurture Luca into a formidable driver, shaping him into the epitome of racing excellence. His ultimate goal was to indoctrinate Luca with his racing philosophy, gradually grooming him to become Trampos Racing's number one driver. If fate led to Ansel's departure someday, Mr. Grant wanted Luca to be ready to assume the mantle.
Luca thanked the management wholeheartedly, showing his understanding. His heart felt unexpectedly lighter, realizing this was not just beneficial for the team's long-term success but also carried significant merit for him personally. He wondered how packed his upcoming schedule would be, juggling the System's Racecraft program, his usual routine with Amir, and whatever additional training Mr. Grant would likely draft for him.
Leaving the boardroom, Luca walked down the glass-lined hallway, a sense of relief washing over him. He exchanged polite greetings with a few men and women in suits, likely waiting for their own briefings. Soon after, he headed out toward the gym, joining a stream of team crew members also making their way into the training hub.
"You are late, my friend," Amir greeted him with mock sternness as Luca entered. "Explain yourself, or I'll make you do burpees until you can name every song on my workout playlist."
Luca chuckled, tossing his bag onto a nearby bench as he stretched his fingers for relief. "I went to see the board. They had some important things to share," he explained, clapping his hands together with renewed energy. "Let's get to work! I want to make the most of every second I have."
"Before we start," Amir interjected, raising a slim file in his hand, "the clinic approached me. They're concerned about this 'abdominal injury' you had. You never told me about an abdominal injury, my friend."
Luca, mid-way through lacing his trainers, raised his brows in surprise. "That's because there's none," he said casually. "My sides feel fine. It's just a precaution. The doc told me he'd follow up in about a month."
Amir nodded thoughtfully, locking eyes with Luca for a moment before clicking his pen and marking something off the file. "Fair enough. Moving on," he sighed, flipping through the papers. "You, my friend, have a hefty week ahead of you—well, ahead of us. Here's the plan. Your Team Principal has approved the difficulty level."
Pausing his arm stretches, Luca sat on the bench and took the file Amir handed him. He studied the contents carefully. The outlined tasks were exactly the kind of hands-on, practical training Luca had been hoping for. It wasn't just endless hours of race study or watching old tapes—it was real, tangible work that would put him behind the wheel. Satisfied, he nodded in approval.
"Let's start today," Luca said eagerly, placing the file aside.
To kick things off, Luca began his routine exercises, starting with burpees. It took him ten solid minutes to complete the set, barely breaking a sweat by the end. Amir smirked in admiration and congratulated him, respecting the discipline Luca maintained. Luca then excused himself to grab a quick shower and breakfast before diving into the first stage of the new training program under Amir's watchful guidance.