My Formula 1 System

By evening, as the sky began to darken, Luca was visited by three people—his Team Principals, Mr. Grant and Ms. Vallotton, and Trampos' head doctor, Mr. Ammermann.

Luca was surprised to see them, and they, in turn, were relieved to find him awake and in good health. To Mr. Grant and Ms. Vallotton, he looked completely fine—perhaps too fine for someone who had just suffered a DNF in the championship at the very moment he was about to make a decisive move to overtake Max Addams in the standings. Yet, despite everything, Luca smiled as if nothing had happened.

The three adults stepped closer to Luca's bedside, standing on either side as they greeted him. They informed him that his agent and PA had arrived at the hospital with them, but due to the strict access regulations in Saudi Arabia, only family members, Federation medical staff, hospital personnel, and Trampos' key executives were allowed near his ward.

Ms. Vallotton reassured Luca not to worry that she had already instructed Mallow and Sara to head to his hotel room. They would pack his belongings and handle anything else he might need, ensuring he had nothing to stress about.

Luca nodded in appreciation before the conversation shifted to the real reason for their visit, beyond just checking on his condition.

It was Mr. Ammermann who took the lead, getting straight to the important matters. He had already been briefed on Luca's diagnosis and treatment plan, and now it was time to discuss the next steps.

In summary, Ansel's front wing had struck Luca's car, denting the frame, which then smashed into his rib, breaking one of them. It was a serious injury, affecting essential bodily functions. Given the rib's proximity to the lungs, any sudden strain or excessive movement could lead to further complications—a punctured lung or internal bleeding. Even something as routine as taking a deep breath or twisting his torso could result in sharp, debilitating pain.

But the most concerning aspect was how this would affect his driving.

Driving at high speeds required a driver's body to endure tremendous G-forces, especially during sharp turns, rapid accelerations, and hard braking. These forces would directly impact Luca's rib cage if he drove, amplifying the discomfort. The persistent ache could lead to hesitation during critical moments, whether overtaking or navigating a high-stakes corner. Racing demanded consistency, and any distraction, no matter how small, could mean the difference between victory and failure.

Mr. Ammermann cleared his throat and interlocked his fingers, his expression serious. "I've been informed that your recovery timeline was initially estimated at twelve weeks—three months," he began. "However, the hospital has noted your exceptional response to treatment. The duration has now been reduced to two months and could even be just one month if your recovery continues at this impressive pace."

Luca felt a wave of relief wash over him. Three months away from the championship was a scenario he couldn't afford. Fortunately, his system had expedited his recovery by an incredible 67%, bringing the timeline down to just one month. Missing an entire season with his current points tally would have been disastrous; his rivals would have easily surpassed him over three months, especially with three critical GPs remaining. But now, missing only one race seemed manageable. It wasn't ideal, but it was a far cry from catastrophic.

It was a big bummer as Luca remembered he wouldn't have been in this condition if not for Ansel.

As if sensing his thoughts, Mr. Ammermann continued, glancing at Mr. Grant and Ms. Vallotton, who had remained silent until now.

"This could have been a much simpler fracture," he said, his voice measured. "Luca wouldn't be in this condition if not for an incident six months ago—when he was struck by a car. I still have the medical scans from the time he was signed into Trampos."

Ms. Vallotton raised an eyebrow. "So, you're saying this is related to an old injury?"

"Yes, in a way," Mr. Ammermann replied, nodding. "What I mean is, injuries like this never truly heal to one hundred percent. The previous trauma to his ribs made them more susceptible to damage. While this fracture will heal, Luca will need to exercise caution with his ribs for the rest of his life. It's what we call a chronic vulnerability—a condition where, even after healing, the area remains prone to reinjury."

Shi...it.

Mr. Grant shook his head, frustration growing from the deepest of his core. He loathed every word that was spoken in the room because none of them were meant to be uttered, just as his star driver wasn't supposed to be in this condition. Luca missing one Featured Race was like telling a pack of wolves to go hunt without the alpha. Trampos have completely adapted to Luca, and at crucial times like this, this was more than a predicament—this was a plague.

Mr. Ammermann assured Luca he'd be up and running very soon in the next two weeks and a few days, and he'd begin to self-treat and also rest. He even made a remark about Luca needing rest after being so close to winning his fourth consecutive Grand Prix.

From the start of tomorrow, the medical department would take over, ensuring Luca's recovery remained on track.

Meanwhile, Mr. Grant and Ms. Vallotton informed him that they had made arrangements for him to stay in Riyadh until he could walk very well without issues. Only then would he take a commercial flight back to Berlin.

Luca and Mr. Grant rubbed their temple at the same time. Mr. Grant paused when Luca asked about Ansel. "What about Ansel?"

"Ansel's safe. He's unscathed, he's alright. He's eager for your recovery, we all are," Ms. Vallotton replied with a soft smile. She turned to Ammermann. "Anything else?"

"Yes," Mr. Ammermann said, moving forward to give Luca the clipboard he had in hand. "I would like you to see the routine you'd have to adapt for a quicker recovery."

Luca glanced at the clipboard, noting the structured regimen laid out in meticulous detail.

But before he could dive deeper, the hum of his system activated in his mind—overlaying the information with its own enhancements.

[SYSTEM ONLINE...]

[System is analyzing and retrieving routine program issued to host.]

Read new adventures at empire

[DAY 1—7: Rest and Recoveryn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Complete rest: The first week would focus on allowing his rib to heal and avoid any strain. Strictly no physical exertion.

Daily medications: Painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and supplements for bone healing (calcium and vitamin D).

Breathing exercises: Five-minute sessions, three times a day, to strengthen the ribcage and maintain lung capacity. ]

[DAY 8—14: Initial Mobility Training

Physiotherapy sessions: Light guided stretches and exercises to prevent stiffness and promote mobility.

Hydrotherapy: Low-impact exercises in water to support gentle movement without strain.

Low-intensity cycling: Stationary bike sessions for 10 minutes to maintain cardiovascular fitness. ]

[WEEKS 3—4: Strength and Endurance Training

Core stability workouts: Resistance band exercises to rebuild strength in the abdominal and chest regions.

Cardio progression: Gradual increase to 30-minute cycling sessions, focusing on endurance.

Simulator training: One-hour sessions in the racing simulator to stay sharp mentally and familiarize himself with track layouts. ]

[Ding!]

[Successfully Retrieved!]

[System would embed and edit host's Daily Routine]

Luca took a deep breath, his lungs straining as the very broken rib strained his abdomen. He looked up at the three adults glaring down at him with expectancy. "Uhmm. I'm sure I can do it," he said, handing Mr. Ammermann back the clipboard.