My Formula 1 System

The Bahrain Grand Prix would forever go down as one of the most dramaturgic season openers Formula One had ever seen in its entire history. The event delivered a weekend so indelible that no team, fan, or driver could ever forget it.

The FIA had held a few doubts about scheduling a track like the Bahrain International Circuit as the opening venue. The Bahrain Grand Prix, in general, had always been skeptically viewed when it came to being a suitable curtain-raiser for the season. The hot climate, the cultural traditions of the host country, and the tricky, abrasive layout of the track itself were all factors many decried as unfitting for the very first race of the year.

But after what happened on Sunday, it was widely believed that this was one of the greatest season openers in history. Many claimed it easily deserved a place in the top three. The chills and shivers from the thunderous atmosphere during the Grand Prix still coursed through the veins of fans and professionals alike even after the chequered flag had fallen. Discussions, debates, and outright arguments erupted across the motorsport world.

But one major thing that left everyone still stunned, even almost a week after the race concluded in Sakhir, was the winner of the Bahrain Grand Prix itself: Luca Rennick.

How did a man who had been involved in not one, but two catastrophic, race-defining incidents including a ferocious clash with Davide DiMarco that brought out a full red flag, still manage to climb the top step of the podium?

Even with DiMarco DNFed, there were still other super drivers active in the race, like Antonio Luigi and Ailbeart Moireach. They had perfect S-level engines and championship-worthy machines, untouched by chaos. And yet, it was Luca, the man whose body had been burnt just five months prior, and whose car was supposed to retire back on Lap 22, who stood tall and raised the Bahrain Grand Prix trophy that late afternoon.

How did Luca manage to do it?

Truthfully, from the very start of the season, Luca had already precociously placed himself as the winner of the F1 season opener for the second year in a row.

He had 7 Catalysts and 5 Wrenches with him. This stack was more than enough to even fill a Sync Bar twice, but since tools expire upon any Sync Buff activation, Luca had to spend all 12 tools in one cruise.

Also, 7 Catalysts and 5 Wrenches were enough to activate a Sync Buff from the start of the race. However, that would've been unsmart. Even though the boost from the Sync Buff would carry him to the very front of the grid, fifty laps was more than enough time for the super drivers to throw him back easily.

Hence, Luca waited patiently in the Bahrain Grand Prix, waited until the 55th Lap before he stupefied the entire world again and showed them he was way above their ridicule.

"…Antonio Luigi's throwing everything at this! He's losing time behind as Rennick is flying into the final sector this afternoon!!"

"WOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!"

"…WHAT IS IN THAT CAR?! WHAT IS IN THAT FERRARI?! The answer is LUCA RENNICK! Through the final turn now… he's dragging that machine to the finish line…!"

"...take the win, LUCA!!"

"...TAKE THE WIN!"

"WOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH?"

"...Luca Rennick WINS the Bahrain Grand Prix...!"

Was Luca surprised? No. He would've been bummed if he didn't win a race after spending all those tools.

But he was still happy that he won the first race of the season, with 25 points to his name and extra for claiming the fastest lap at Lap 49.

"…Trampos Racing wins their first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix! Look at them celebrate…!"

"…Antonio Luigi P2—Ailbeart Moireach P3. What a way to begin the season. What. A. Way...."

To the surprise of many, Luca didn't perform his trademark celebration of standing atop his car to raise his fist into the air. Trampos fans were the most disappointed because they had planned for it, holding onto a banner just in case he won the race by chance.

So, once their beloved Messiah crossed the finish line, hundreds of fans in the main stand revealed the banner with tears in their eyes, raising it high above their heads, with their mouths echoing loud Trampos chants.

Luca saw the heartwarming banner, but he didn't feel like engaging after the win. Fireworks were blowing, but he simply waved around before moving into the arms of the crew, who rushed him with cheers and embrace.

The crash had done more to him than he was letting on.

Even though he had restored his Strength and Endurance through the Exchange reversal, those values only dictated his current capability, not his cellular condition. The replacement simply meant he wouldn't accumulate new damage under the weight of post-collision fatigue, but the trauma from the earlier impact still lingered inside due to internal bruising.

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Final Race Standings – Bahrain Grand Prix

🏁 Top 10 Finishers:

P1 – Luca Rennick 🇮🇹 (Trampos Racing) 🏆 +25pts (+1FL)

P2 – Antonio Luigi 🇮🇹 (Squadra Corse) +18pts

P3 – Ailbeart Moireach 🇬🇧 (Haddock Racing) +15pts

P4 – Luis Dreyer 🇪🇸 (Outback Performance) +12pts

P5 – Jimmy Damgaard 🇩🇰 (Bueseno Velocità) +10pts

P6 – Marko Ignatova 🇷🇸 (Squadra Corse) +8pts

P7 – Elias Nyström 🇸🇪 (Nordvind Racing) +6pts

P8 – Hank Rice 🇬🇧 (Iberia Grand Prix) +4pts

P9 – Buoso Di Renzo 🇮🇹 (Jackson Racing) +2pts

P10 – Denko Rutherford 🇬🇧 (Haddock Racing) +1pt

▾Remaining Finishers:

P11 – Albert Derstappen 🇳🇱 (Jackson Racing)

P12 – James Lockwood 🇬🇧 (Nordvind Racing)

P13 – Max Addams 🇨🇦 (Outback Performance)

P14 – Yokouchi Yūichirō 🇯🇵 (Alpine Swiss F1)

P15 – Alejandro Vasquez 🇪🇸 (Velox Hispania)

P16 – Desmond Lloyd 🇬🇧 (Velox Hispania)

P17 – Józef Konarski 🇵🇱 (Alpine Swiss F1)

P18 – Mikhail Petrov 🇷🇺 (Iberia Grand Prix)

⨉ DNF (Did Not Finish):

P18 – Davide DiMarco 🇮🇹 (Bueseno Velocità) – Crash

P19 – Victor Surmann 🇩🇪 (Trampos Racing) – Crash

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****

Five days later, the entire paddock had scattered just the same way they all gathered to participate in the Bahrain Grand Prix, the season opener. The feeling of this dispersion reminded everyone what the true hustle of an F1 campaign was.

Most drivers were back in their home countries, resettling into routine after the chaos of Bahrain. One of these drivers was Luca.

He was back in Germany five days later, safe and sound, and he had been medically catered for concerning his complaints about the implications the collision with Davide DiMarco had caused to his health.

Everything had healed up as both the reports and his system confirmed. Even if he hadn't received affirmation from those sources, the absence of pain alone told him there was no longer any damage. And he was so thankful he wasn't bedridden, not even for half a day.

It was early morning in Germany. The dim sunlight seeped gently through the curtains of his quiet, big home that stood in the middle of nowhere. Although everything inside was still and silent, Luca knew it was the complete opposite on the outside.

He could already imagine the kind of headlines that would be flooding every TV, radio, social media, and newspaper. Especially after what happened with DiMarco.

He knew it would all be there—the crash, the red flag, the aftermath, the win.

But Luca didn't feel like turning on the TV. Screens weren't good for mornings. So, he decided to head out to the post to get the morning paper, a very long walk away from the house's structure itself.