As good as Max Addams was, the Bueseno Velocità Jnr driver had managed to hold off Luca for a solid eight laps. Even though Luca had decided to serve his penalty back on lap 23, giving Addams some breathing room, it was still impressive how well Bueseno Velocità Jnr had executed their strategy.
Their clever move had Max pit just as Luca served his penalty, a calculated risk designed to keep Max out of immediate danger. Meanwhile, Aaronson took his penalty on lap 25, serving the 5-second sanction handed to him. With that, all three cars were now clear of penalties, perfectly aligned on the track, and sharing a single straightaway.
Max was at a disadvantage now. Caught in the middle, he was Luca's target. Fresh out of the pits, his tires were still cold and needed time to reach optimal temperature. Luca, on the other hand, had hot, ready tires as they approached Turn 1. With the grip advantage firmly in his favor, Luca was primed to strike.
[Analyzing Dallara (F2 04) and host's distance from 2nd Position]
[You are 1 second away, host.]
Hehe, this is an easy one.
Luca subtly adjusted the brake bias, moving it slightly to the rear to give himself more stability under braking. His fingers flicked the gearshift, upshifting seamlessly as he accelerated, the car's engine growling in response. His left foot danced on the clutch, blipping the throttle to balance the revs for a precise downshift.
A quick glance at Max's rear tires gave him all the information he needed. Luca squeezed the brakes later than usual, feeling the car's immense grip as he steered cleanly into the corner. He shifted slightly in his seat, his focus razor-sharp, calculating the exact moment at the bottleneck to launch his attack.
**I see you in P2 already, make it real now**
[Track Span Analysis: 2.1 meters wide (inside lane available)] [Optimal Racing Line Calculated: 1.8 meters]
[Car Width: 1.9 meters] [Margin for Error: 2.15 meters (2 meters on the left side. 0.15 metres on the right)]
"...Max Addams can't defend that P2 anymore! It's a battle of pure skill and nerve here, folks. Luca Rennick is pushing hard, using every inch of that inside lane as they charge through Turn 2...!"
"He's very good," Luca murmured, admiring Max Addams' tenacity. The Bueseno Velocità Jnr driver had a remarkable ability to swiftly adapt, transitioning to the next optimal blocking position before Luca could fully commit to an overtake.
The crowd knew their duel wouldn't last much longer, especially with Straight 2 looming ahead, a long stretch that would test both drivers' precision and nerve.
Max realized this too. Even before they entered Turn 1, he clung to the faint hope that Luca's inexperience might cause a mistake—maybe a miscalculated hit or a wild skid. But as they exited Turn 3, reality set in. Max knew P2 was slipping from his grasp.
[500 meter Straightaway ahead]
"...and there goes Luca Rennick, activating DRS with no hesitation as they exit the chicane! Max Addams is fighting tooth and nail to defend, but Rennick is absolutely relentless...!"
[Speed Differential: 0.3 seconds faster than opponent.]
The gap between the two cars vanished in an instant. Luca's car sliced through the air, his grip on the wheel tightening as he surged alongside Max in milliseconds. The straightaway unfolded like a runway, and with precision, Luca claimed P2, deliberately staying to the right to deny Max any chance of benefiting from his slipstream.
**That was... that was wonderful, Luca**
A chuckle escaped Luca as he responded aloud, "I know, right? Let's keep it going!"
"...from P8 to P2, Luca Rennick has demonstrated exceptional skill, outpacing his teammate and two of the season's standout drivers! Jon, you've got to admit—this is nothing short of spectacular!"
"...absolutely! He's shown masterful composure under pressure. That climb from P8 to P2 isn't just luck—it's raw talent and determination. Luca Rennick has solidified Trampos' lead in the standings... unless he's planning to widen the gap even further by going for P1."
"...and it looks like that's exactly what he's aiming for..."
"...yup, Aaronson is in his sight, no doubt..."
[Host needs one more point to complete Track Awareness attribute]
[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 100%]
[Host, Sync Buff can now be used]
"That's wonderful," Luca whispered, glancing at his side mirror where Max Addams had begun gaining ground to reclaim P2. Judging from the energy radiating from the blue-and-black Dallara, Luca wasn't sure if he'd survive the veteran as a defender.
[3rd Position closing in]
But he had Sync Buff now. He could catch up with Aaronson by zooming at high speed through the turns without having to decelerate due to maximum reflex and control. This would also spit him out of Max's jaws.
"Calculate Aaronson's distance from me."
[Host hasn't unlocked credibility to refer to opponents by their identity.]
"Oh I forgot. 1st Position I mean, calculate how far he is" Luca corrected himself, casting a quick look at the glowing Sync Bar for assurance.
[Analyzing Dallara (F2 04) and host's distance from 1st Position]
[You are 6 seconds away, host.]
That's quite far, Luca mused as he mentally retrieved the notification to activate Sync Buff.
[ACTIVATE SYNC BUFF?]
[Strength: 16 »»»» 50
Endurance: 22 »»»» 50
Intelligence: 17 »»»» 50 ]
[You can only select three skills]
[Reflexes/ Overtaking Skill/ Track Awareness/ Pitstop Prodigy/Corner Chopping/Straightaway Chopping/Spatial Awareness]
Luca had to ponder closely for this one as he maneuvered through the curves, Max Addams regaining asphalt slowly.
[3rd Position closing in]
Luca dismissed Pitstop Prodigy without a second thought; the real dilemma lay between the Awareness and Chopping skills. He contemplated relying on his standard Overtaking Skill value, trusting that it would be enough while focusing on skills that would provide a broader advantage.
The rumble of thunder up in the sky infiltrated Luca's thoughts, reminding him of the general threat all drivers faced at the moment. The track was still wet, danger still lurking albeit there was a wrong move made. Luca didn't want to risk it, so he surely selected Track Awareness to heighten his senses of the slick track and prevent a DNF in all possible ways.
[Track Awareness selected]
With this skill selected, he felt more secure in navigating the treacherous Stadhaven conditions ahead. Moreover, he had only one driver in sight, and the Chopping skills would only work whenever he's ahead.
Luca shook his head and selected Reflexes next.
With Reflexes maxed, Luca knew he could instinctively correct any skid, swerve, or minor mistake, greatly enhancing his overtaking chances. Coupled with maxed Agility, he felt almost invincible, making it nearly impossible for anyone to force him into a DNF.
For his final skill, Luca selected Spatial Awareness without hesitation. He was curious to experience the full effect of this buff on the Skill. With Spatial Awareness at its peak, he would have a comprehensive sense of everything within a 4-meter radius from all angles of his Dallara, giving him complete control over his immediate surroundings. Luca reasoned that opting for Spatial Awareness over one of the Chopping skills would prevent any regrets if the strategy of one Chopping Skill didn't play out as intended.
[Successfully Selected!]
[Reflexes: 20 »»»» 50
Track Awareness: 19 »»»» 50
Spatial Awareness: 3 »»»» 50 ]
[INFUSION SUCCESSFUL!]
[You have 4 min. 59 sec left for Sync Buff]
He took a deep breath and accepted the instant effect it had on him. Luca's vision grew sharper in the musky haze of the clouds, the track as drafted and lined as never, subtle nuances of optimal lines available to him.
[Analyzing 1st Position's distance from host and Dallara (F2 04)...]
[1st Position is 7 sec away, host.]
[System's prediction: that value will change– in your favor due to Sync Buff.]
[You are picking up speed]
Luca hurtled down the straight at insane, unsafe speed, his senses tinged as though he was on the influence of a hard drug. All he wanted to do was meet up with Aaronson's hovering number 1 above his orange chassis.
[DATA DISPLAYED IN REAL TIME:
-Operational Status: 70% (Fair)
-Breathing: Slightly Elevated
-Distance covered: 65000 m
"...Sean Aaronson might be heading on to claim his third consecutive GP and set the record for this season. But Luca Rennick has fired up as usual, totally blasting himself away from Max Addams and dangerously eating up ground to get to Aaronson...!"
"...risky racing Luca Rennick has put on play today. Daring maneuvers, aggressive driving, and overtakes—if this is what makes one win, then Steve, I guess others might learn, and we would see it more often..."
**Go ahead. You're free to pursue the fastest lap; you need those two points too.**
Luca zoomed through the straightaway, the roar of his engine mingling with the collective gasps of the crowd. His eyes darted to the track map displayed on his dashboard, a blur of vibrant lights indicating positions. He was closing in fast on Sean Aaronson, the car in front almost within touching distance. His tires screamed on the slick asphalt as he pushed them to the limit, his foot pressing the accelerator with unyielding force.
The track ahead twisted sharply, and Luca's maxed Reflexes kicked in, allowing him to glide through the turn without lifting his foot from the pedal. His Spatial Awareness painted a vivid mental map of the immediate surroundings around his Dallara, making his maneuvers through Turns 1, 2, and 3 flawless.
Trampos Racing fans erupted in excitement as Luca Rennick's car shot past the cameras, hitting 300 km/h with ease. The deep rumble of thunder echoed above, barely masking the cheers from the stands, the resonating commentary, and the growl of his engine. Luca's heightened Spatial Awareness picked up something subtle yet urgent—the light single drop of rain on his car's body.
In a blink, the light droplets turned into a sudden downpour. Sheets of rain splashed across his visor and blurred the track ahead.
Stadhaven instantly transitioned to a storm site.
"…oh my goodness! Just like that, the heavens have opened up, and we're seeing a complete game-changer here in the British Grand Prix…!"
[Host hasn't unlocked weather-adapting skills]
Luca couldn't fully see the track, just like every other driver, but his System still provided him with calculations on the sheet-covered Stadhaven nonetheless.
[You have 2 min. left for Sync Buff]
[Analyzing Dallara (F2 04) and host's distance from 1st Position]
[You are 2 seconds away, host.]
"...Steve, this is unbelievable! One moment it's just overcast, and now—this! A downpour so heavy, visibility is dropping by the second!"
**How are we doing? Too thick, heh?**
"I can manage," Luca replied, eyes set on Aaronson's rear, which flashed red lights in the storm.
[Fastest lap attained! Good job, host]
"...look at the drivers scrambling to keep control! This is where skill and nerves of steel separate the contenders from the pretenders. And Luca Rennick?! Still charging down to the pack leader. Luca Rennick has Sean Aaronson in his jaws...!"
Luca couldn't hear the crowd's cheers again; the heavy rain had drowned them out. He wished he could hear them scream at the top of their voices as he edged past Aaronson. Pulling alongside the veteran, Luca gave himself a knowing exhale for reaching this far.
Aaronson was surprised, no doubt, and was determined to hold up, but Luca had more momentum and was a beast with Sync Buff.
They both hit the turn, and Luca effortlessly slipped his nose in before Aaronson, officially claiming P1 in the storm.
Frantically attempting to hold onto the position he had fought to keep, Aaronson tried cutting in before Luca could fully establish his line. But Luca's surged speed only left Aaronson jamming his car's front wing into Luca's rear instead.
"...and it's a contact...!"
Luca's rear skidded to the left, the result of Aaronson's desperate contact. The wheel in his grasp shuddered violently as he fought to regain traction on the wet ground. Luckily for Luca, his buffed Reflexes made the situation manageable. He braked sharply, bringing his car to a stop under the heavy rain.
Aaronson, however, wasn't as fortunate.
"...after a long journey, Sean Aaronson of Hatcherk Motorsport WILL NOT finish today's race! Unbelievable. Following a brief battle with the mazerunner himself, Aaronson's car spun out from the contact, skidding off the track and into the runoff area. He managed to avoid the barriers, but the rear suspension has taken a significant hit..."
"Fuck!" Aaronson cursed in his cockpit, watching Luca's Dallara slowly turn with drifting tires before resuming the race. His own car had suffered critical mechanical failure in the front suspension. Getting back on track wasn't an option.
Luca didn't celebrate his claim of P1 right away. His eyes darted to the clouded side mirror, catching a glimpse of Aaronson's stranded car. "Am I being penalized?" he asked over the radio.
[You have 30 seconds left for Sync Buff]
**No. You're all clear. You are completely clear. Get an extra lap before the safety car's out. This one's in the bag, c'mon!**
Ten laps left? Luca thought, taking a deep breath as he reclaimed the lead after the safety car did its job.
It was official—Sean Aaronson wasn't finishing the race in England. And Luca loved every second of it.
[Sync Buff has elapsed!]
[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 0%]
The rain reduced to a drizzle as Luca glanced at his 60% Operational Status. He had a commanding lead and didn't want anything to jeopardize it. He was actually going to win his first race—his first F2 Grand Prix.
[Analyzing 2nd Position's distance from host and Dallara (F2 04)...]
[2nd Position is 20 sec away, host.]
**Box, they can never catch up. Would need you moving over the grid with power**
Luca thought of speaking to Ansel about his P1 claim but decided against it. He couldn't pinpoint why; it just didn't feel right.
[You are reducing speed.]
Luca barreled down the pit lane, where the Trampos crew was already jubilant, preparing for his incoming victory.
Thud, wrench, pat—zoom.
[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 12.5%]
"…the forty-first lap is underway! Glad the rain has died down a bit—the track is clearer but still wet. At least now, everyone can see Luca Rennick claim his first Formula 2 Grand Prix…"
"…he's alone, isn't he?"
"…yes, he is! By a 15-second margin! Unbelievable! Max Addams in P2 is two sectors back. Luca Rennick has all eyes in England on him—he's on the final lap…!"
Luca couldn't believe that his first race victory would be at the Stadhaven Circuit, located in London—the very place where the most important moments of his life were based.
His mother was certainly watching, and she would witness him crossing the grid.
The checkered flag waved, and every fan clad in red was on their feet.
"…an effortless Formula 2 win for him. From P8 to P1...Luca Rennick HAS WON the British Grand Prix…!"