My Formula 1 System

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TARGET: LUCA RENNICK // #21 //

AGENT: Mrs. Coastfield | TEAM: ████████ | CIRCUIT: Circuit du Soleil

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DRIVER ASSESSMENT – PAST AND CURRENT OBSERVATION

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—Raw Prowess: 95—98

—Racecraft: 85—95

—Fortitude: 90—95

—Speed Science: 97—99

—Tacticality: 95—97

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➡ OVERALL DRIVER SCORE: 90—95

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Similar to how Max underwent yearly evaluations by Bueseno Velocità's senior team, Squadra Corse regularly assessed Albert Derstappen in the same manner.

There was even a time, just two seasons ago, when Derstappen was on the verge of becoming an F1 driver for Squadra Corse. However, things didn't go as planned, and the opportunity slipped away.

Still, these evaluations remained consistent, and now, his teammate Miles found himself under the same scrutiny, his performance noted on the team's clipboards as well.

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TARGET: MILES BELLINGHAM // #73 //

AGENT: Mr. Yılmaz | TEAM: Squadra Corse | CIRCUIT: Circuit du Soleil

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DRIVER ASSESSMENT – PAST AND CURRENT OBSERVATION

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—Raw Prowess: 80—82

—Racecraft: 70—75

—Fortitude: 80—85

—Speed Science: 70—72

—Tacticality: 75—80

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➡ OVERALL DRIVER SCORE: 75—82

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Miles, in P3, had been holding good ground since this French Grand Prix. But with Luca in P4, sharing the same section with have now totally stripped away the acknowledgement of his efforts.

Now it seemed losing P3 to Luca at this stage—51st Lap—might attract some reprimand... and also affect his drafting.

Devastated that Luca closed the gap effortlessly and pulled next to him ahead of Turn 9, Miles had no option than to ponder at the brink of committing a heavy penalty or just watching like a dummy as Luca took P3.

This mental dilemma led him to scream loudly in his padded helmet as he glanced at Luca. "Damn you, Luca! Look at me!"

Luca didn't spare him a glance.

He had no time. Sync Buff was expiring faster than he had predicted and he really needed to make it to P1.

Though he did feel Miles' outburst, it was the last of his concerns as he slipped into the apex of Turn 10, claiming P3. After all, he'd heard him yell a lot in high school.

[3rd Position]

"WOOOOHH!"

**YES!! YESS!!! YES, LUCA! You've got P3! Incredible work, mate! Incredible! Keep this pace—P2 is just ahead!**

Even Mr. Grant couldn't believe it. This could surely go down as one of the historic climbs in motorsport! His very own 19-year-old Luca Rennick!

"...Unbelievable! Luca has done it! He's climbed to P3 in the most dramatic fashion imaginable! HOW IS LUCA RENNICK IN P3 IN THIS FRENCH GRAND PRIX?!"

"...oh my word, Steve. From the moment his name slipped in P10 I had a feeling about this! A comeback! In the best way possible! Moving at a high speed! Luca Rennick throws Miles Bellingham out of podium contention!"

"...not good for Squadra, Jon! This might affect their chance at the championship trophy!"

"...Luca Rennick in P3, Miles Bellingham in P4!"

"WOOOOHH!"

Frustrated were Squadra Corse Jnr's engineers, especially their top head engineer. Their own corresponding Mr. Ruben.

After all his attempts, relaying important info for Miles under the rain, Luca now made it all seem like casual chatter rather than team strategy being discussed.

He flung his headset away and glanced at the live feed where Luca's red-and-black Dallara still moved at a speed and momentum under the wet conditions which no one could comprehend and understand.

Many prayed he spun out and crashed. Many believed he was just lucky, and speed was actually the jackpot.

Perhaps if other drivers zipped through the circuit at the same speed Luca was using, maybe the wet track and its deadly features wouldn't affect them?

Hehe...No chance, Luca thought.

**A round of applause up in the hospitality suites** Mr. Moritz informed Luca.

"For me?" Luca asked.

**Yes! You are amazing! Awesome driving!**

"What about Erik?"

**P10**

"Okay," Luca said silently.

He tried to listen for the applause, but he couldn't. The relentless patter of the rain and the whine and roar of the SomberCores drowned everything out.

Maybe when he overtook Max, he'd force their soft, corporate hands to clap louder—maybe even earn a standing ovation.

[Analyzing Dallara (F2 04) and host's distance from 8th Position]

[You are 2.5 seconds away, host.]

With his outstanding vision through the rain, Luca could see Max was making effort—almost a duel now—for P1 against Aaronson.

They were approaching the last chicane, ready to begin the 52nd Lap.

Luca had to give credit to Aaronson. He was exceptional today, and in many ways, deserved P1.

Luca wasn't sure if Aaronson had lost P1 earlier in the race, but the fact that he still held it with the race nearing its conclusion showed he'd put on a spectacular performance.

And for that, Luca was grateful. Aaronson's driving had kept Max firmly within competition range. If Max were in P1 already, Luca doubted he'd have a real shot at it.

[You have 55 sec left for Sync Buff]

Less than a minute! Damn it! I have to push harder—even if it's just for P2!

"...And here we are, folks, on the edge of our seats as the championship takes an electrifying turn! Aaronson still clings to P1, but Max is breathing down his neck, turning this into a fierce battle at the last chicane!"

"WOOOOHH!"

"...Sean Aaronson has been nothing short of brilliant today. Holding onto P1 this late in the race—on a track this treacherous—shows why he's one of the best. But the question is, can he fend off Max for just a few more laps?"

"... Steve, don't forget who's in P3! Luca Rennick is closing in! The young man with a vision like no other in this downpour is now a growing threat to the top two!"

"WOOOOHH!"

"...Luca has dismantled every challenge thrown at him today, and now he's within striking distance of Max. The championship standings are at stake here."

**Rennick is coming in fast, and he's eating into your gap like it's nothing** Velocità Jnr engineers alerted Max. **You need to prioritize defense. Forget Aaronson for now, or we'll lose P2 altogether. Hold your line and make it impossible for the lad to pass**

Max frowned, taking his gaze to his side mirror just to see the very colors he loathed since this season.

**Max, do NOT engage Aaronson in the next lap. Stay sharp. Hold off Rennick.... force him to slide**

Max nodded, muttering under his breath, before easing off from Aaronson just as they hit the home straight.

Luca noticed his defensive movements immediately and understood what was happening. If it were him, he would also prioritize keeping P2 against a bigger rival rather than gambling everything for P1.

However, if Max had yet to grasp the massive difference between a Sync Buffed Luca and an ordinary driver like himself, he was about to learn it the hard way this afternoon.

[Straightaway ahead], Luca's system announced belatedly, just as he entered the straight.

Without hesitation, Luca began aligning his car, the wet track offering no resistance and his visibility at an all-time high. Expertly, he deployed Slipstream Mastery, positioning himself perfectly behind Max, who struggled to navigate through the water with his usual precision.

[Analyzing Dallara (F2 04) and host's distance from 8th Position]

[You are 2 seconds away, host.]

[Speed Boosted!]

[Analyzing Dallara (F2 04) and host's distance from 2nd Position]

[You are 0.5 seconds away, host.]

"...AND LUCA RENNICK MAKES IT TO MAX'S SIDE BEFORE TURN 1!"

"WOOOOHH!"

**Wonderful slipstream use, mate!**

[Slipstream Mastery +1]

[Ding!]

[Power-up failed!]

[Sync Bar is currently being used]

[You have 30 sec left for Sync Buff]

It felt like a predestined overtake and no matter how much Max Addams executed his A-class defence, Luca's ascent to P2 was mentally termed unpreventable and fated by the spectators especially those with pen in their hands.

They were at the edge of their seats, ready to capture every subtle move made by the two powerhouses.

Max managed to hold on by DELIBERATELY PLACING HIMSELF IN SPOTS WHERE LUCA COULD HIT HIM!

This was called the Bait Block tactic.

It's a psychological and strategic move where a driver deliberately positions their car in a way that tempts the pursuing driver to make contact. The aim isn't to crash but to provoke a situation where the trailing driver touches the lead car or makes an overly aggressive move, risking a penalty for themselves.

In Max's case, by placing his car in these risky positions, he hoped to frustrate Luca, forcing him to either back off or make a reckless move that the stewards would penalize.

And Luca, eager to make it into P2 before Sync Buff expired, might just fall into Max's trap.

But Luca was smarter than this! His system had helped him grow in so many ways he anticipated Max's desperate move.

[Intelligence: 28]

In front of a Sync Buffed Luca, Max took the inside line at the apex of Turn 6, determined to stay ahead.

Luca, who was tired of being forced to stay behind him, darted for the outside lane.

There was a hydroplane there, and he was certain that was one of the reasons Max went for the inside lane.

Luca rounded the outside with finesse, leaving Max awed on how he easily zipped over the hydroplane.

[Track Span Analysis: 3 meters wide (outside lane available)] [Optimal Racing Line Calculated: 2 meters]

[Car Width: 1.9 meters] [Margin for Error: 0.6 meters (0.25 meters on each side)]

The outside lane worked to Luca's advantage and FINALLY, Luca was able to slip into P2!

"WOOOOHH!"

[2nd Position]

**YESS!!!!!!** Mr. Ruben screamed on top of his voice, his face red and veins bulging in triumph.

" .... LUCA RENNICK IN P2!"

"WOOOOHH!"

"...Luca Rennick in P2!"

"WOOOOHH!"

[You have 10 sec left for Sync Buff]

Max didn't slam his fist on his wheel yet. He still had a chance to reclaim P2 if he just drove well.

Out of Turn 6, the track widened largely to welcome the drivers to the Drop. The same Drop he hoped to blind Luca with his spray—not like Luca would be with Slipsense & Rainborne at 50.

Now, if Max didn't take his chance, Luca would be the one spraying him just like before!

"WOOOOHH!"

"...MAX ADDAMS IS STUNNED, FRANCE IS STUNNED AS TRAMPOS HAVE THEIR DRIVER AT P2!"

"WOOOOHH!"

[3rd Position closing in]

Luca knew there was no time to celebrate now, and this system notification was no surprise. Luca knew firsthand how relentless Max.

Even with the Drop... Max Addams actually wanted to race down the track side-by-side with Luca!

Big Mistake!

[Side-by-Side King +1]

[Ding!]

[Power-up failed!] Discover hidden stories at empire

[Sync Bar is currently being used]

[You have 5 sec left for Sync Buff]

~....enabling you to force opponents into less optimal racing lines or.... PRESSURE THEM INTO ERRORS~

When Max realized his mistake, he could already feel his rear lifting up to the sky.

At that moment, the hatred Max felt for Luca—and the overwhelming, almost suffocating aura that seemed to radiate from Luca's car whenever they raced side by side—reached its peak.

Luca had just forced Max to brake at the Drop.