My Formula 1 System

The race began strong and solid, the roar of all twenty engines echoing throughout the expanse of the circuit as Luca, the pole sitter, shot off the line with perfect power to conquer, leading the grid into the opening corners of the seventh race of the season.

It was a bright afternoon above George Park, full of life and vibrance, the crowd cheering and applauding, a sea of varying colours and waving flags saluting the spectacle of pace and valor.

Luca did activate Grid Launch to effectively blast off the line in that flawless, explosive manner that many drivers often aim to perfect. And thankfully, the Sigma held itself together without any hiccup like the kind that plagued him in the Canadian Grand Prix.

The power delivery was smooth, and it functionally matched the RVM of the A-level engine. As a result, grip bite was perfect, not a second was lost, and Luca’s mechanical doubts immediately vanished with the smoke that was disgorged from his Pirellis.

This was simply Luca reaping what he had sown.

After the Canadian GP, he didn’t just neglect the anti-stall problem, hoping Trampos would upgrade their engineering overnight; Luca put some of the matters into his own hands at least.

After all, it was quite his responsibility, since the anti-stall wouldn’t have been a problem if his starts weren’t so aggressive off the line using Grid Launch.

On the sidelines, he had dedicated some precious time to mastering the balance of his Grid Launch. The objective was to learn how to ease the eruptive nature just enough to avoid triggering the anti-stall, while still keeping his car sharp and effective off the line with the same Grid Launch.

So far since then, through drills and repetitions, Luca had done his best to master this regulation of self-control over the skill.

Gradually, he learned that he actually possessed the ability to hold back the full burden of any skill in his arsenal when needed.

It was a strange discovery, but after realizing that Grid Launch didn’t always have to be unleashed at the maximum value of 20+, Luca was satisfied and encouraged.

With this awareness, he could consciously apply only a portion of its force—effectively enough, but just as restrained too—to keep the Sigma steady.

From his guesses and drilled data, that would often be around (10 to 15) of Grid Launch’s value. To consciously do this required Intelligence, but thankfully, Luca wasn’t lacking in that area at all.

And this revelation worked for every skill too, not just Grid Launch alone, giving Luca new hope in them after he had chosen to temporarily stop activating them. These backfiring skills like Side-by-Side King, Corner Chopping, etc., could be mitigated if he just put his mind to it!

The mental load would be extreme while racing, but Luca knew he could handle it.

In the race’s action, a Grid Launch of about 14 was still very powerful as stated, but the margin was decreased, nearly balancing the Z24 to the level of the RBioL, piloted by none other than Jimmy Damgaard.

Out of all the supercars, it was known that the upgraded RBioL was the second most volatile after the undisputed W12. However, in situations like lights out, it was recorded that the RBioL’s innate surge response, and its ability to convert ignition torque into instant thrust, was superior to its High-Intensity Combustion rival.

So, this meant that in the first few metres, just like Luca often did, the RBioL almost always leapt forward cleaner than its rivals, as if it had an innate Grid Launch skill of its own.

Perhaps, one of its engine features?

"Urgh."

A painful grunt escaped Jimmy Damgaard’s lips at lights out, caused by unexpected G-force he thought he could handle.

Even though it felt like a black hole had just materialized in his chest, Jimmy thought it was worth it in the end. He had made sure Luca didn’t get fully out of reach, staying right in the slipstream.

Luca might have confidently led into T1, but he had no breathing room or comfort in that sought-after P1 as Jimmy’s machine loomed for contention at any time.

Both drivers knew this Australia GP was going to be their stage.

**Great launch, Jimmy. You’re right on him. Keep the pressure on**

The commendation floated into Jimmy’s ears from his team’s pit wall, nourishing his pride and morale to keep charging. It was already his third race as a super driver, and he was becoming almost just as good as DiMarco within a short time.

Finazzi’s administration believed they hadn’t lost full hope in the championship race, albeit DiMarco’s recovery was still a mile ahead. All hope now rested on Jimmy’s promising shoulders, just as the Norwegian had always wanted.

Being in 5th place below Outback Performance and 40+ points away from the standing leaders, Bueseno Velocità had their sights set on a late campaign comeback. A comeback where they would snatch all the points from their drivers, rewrite their fate, and etch a new Chapter on their crest.

Even with Jimmy Damgaard’s potential to help them fight for championship gold, the team still had a drawback.

Matteo Bianchi.

Just once. Only once had the young Italian managed to finish inside the top ten, and that had been in the very last race—the Monaco Grand Prix!

This stat was poor for Velocità, and if such form carried on, Matteo’s contribution to the standings would be of little to no use in the grand scheme of the championship.

Matteo was fully aware of his underwhelming contribution to the team, poles apart from what was expected after the team’s effort and investment in his rise through the academy.

Determined not to let that promise go to waste, he sought to sharpen himself and deliver results before the season reached its halfway point, and also before the inevitable return of DiMarco, which would undoubtedly push him aside to where he once was.

P11— Matteo Bianchi

Starting in P11 for the Australian Grand Prix marked Matteo Bianchi’s best qualifying result since his dazzling debut in Austria, where he had stunned the world with a remarkable P3. Many would never forget the hype.

That early flash of brilliance, however, had turned into nothing for him and his team, making this return to the edge of the top ten feel like a small but crucial step for the rookie.

But right ahead of him was a clump of solid rivals who either had better machines or better driving skills and racecraft.

P7— Luis Dreyer

P8— Max Addams

P9— Albert Derstappen ↑

P10— Desmond Lloyd ↓

P11— Matteo Bianchi

Just like Matteo Bianchi, even Albert Derstappen understood he too had expectations to deliver for his team. After crashing and accumulating a total of ZERO points in two races for himself and Jackson Racing, Albert Derstappen’s eyes were red and veined with hunger.

At the opening lap itself, he wasted no time in demonstrating just how hungry he was. With sharp reflexes, he pounced at the very first opportunity that revealed itself from the rival ahead—Desmond Lloyd.

Right from the moment Q1 was completed and the top 10 was solidified, Albert Derstappen had since then planned how to screw his way from P10 to P9 as quickly as possible, because Desmond Lloyd, the Velox Hispania driver, appeared like easy prey.

Fortunately for him, he wasn’t wrong. Desmond Lloyd’s qualification was impressive, his best in a while, but his launch off the start was just like any other—unideal.

Albert Derstappen was given enough validity to dive down the inside of his rival into the opening corners, utilizing late brakes and his throbbing determination. It was Ferrari against Mercedes. Even though not of the best crests, the opposites elbowed each other from Turn 1 to Turn 3.

Eventually, the superior, Derstappen, muscled his way ahead, completing the overtake before George Park’s true treachery began. It was the first overtake in the top 10, and the crowd cherished the ambition with a 4 km cheer.

"...Straight into Sector 1, Albert Derstappen finds a gap on Desmond Lloyd, late on the brakes, and that’s a spectacular overtake in the opening corners. He’s wasting no time at all...."

"...After two consecutive DNFs, you can sense the urgency here from Derstappen. He’s hyperactive straight from the start, not hanging around, and you can understand why—he needs redemption, and he’s going for it right away..."

"....That’s the message for Jackson Racing— it’s never too late. A clean, decisive overtake in Sector 1, and if Derstappen keeps this up, they can still rescue something from what has been a difficult opening to the season....!"

Jackson Racing as a whole was truly walking on thin ice now, after such a horrible start to this campaign following the departure of their star, Luca Rennick, and the indefinite suspension of their other star, Marcellus Rodnick.

Their management, their board, backers, etc., had begun to contemplate whether a complete shake-up was needed for the team. A purge? A flush of administration?

Most likely, the drivers wouldn’t be touched, because Derstappen and Di Renzo were 5-star F1 drivers in their own sense. But the higher-ups were certainly scrutinizing the leadership and managerial structure.

There could be a new Team Principal, a new administration, and a fresh direction for the Silver Stallions if things didn’t change soon.

Although Mr. Matthews hadn’t been told a single word about these deliberations, he believed he could sense something unfortunate looming ahead for the team and their points tally.

What he didn’t realize, however, was that this shadow of melancholy approaching wasn’t coming for the team in general or the drivers. No. It was aimed precisely at him.