My Formula 1 System

Luca had watched races from the grandstands and on screens, but never had he experienced a race from the paddock. It was a whole new experience—a heart-wrenching one at that.

The start and the first few laps were okay, but as the race progressed, Trampos wasn't exactly where they had planned to be. The P2 Luca had secured for Haas was totally lost; the 21-year-old was battling in P5, barely holding onto it as the 15th lap concluded.

Luca forced himself not to think much about Ansel, despite being utterly disappointed. He tried to console himself with the fact that his friend must be having a hard time out there. Yet again, the heaviness in Luca's heart was palpable when everyone witnessed Sean Aaronson, whom he had feared the most today, outpace Ansel after a grueling duel.

Aaronson currently held the fastest lap. His rise from P7 to P1 was something worthy of the history books, with Hatcherk Motorsport's fans wild with chants. Luca could even hear Steve Cole's voice resonating through the circuit, proclaiming the artistry and precision with which the Australian executed a street bend to take the lead.

Luca was frustrated but also frightened for Ansel. He knew very well how easy it was to lose momentum after being overtaken. It was like a dam breaking, opening the floodgates for other rivals to zoom past. Each driver was hungry for the opportunity, and once the lead slipped away, it became a relentless battle to regain it. Luca vented his anger on his bubblegum, watching as Ansel made a bend, his number displayed on the screen. Miles was behind him, only seconds away, and was surely hungry to reclaim P2.

Luca glanced to his left, peering through the crack of the telemetry room's door. There he could see Mr. Moritz speaking commandingly into the radio, his expression clearly unsatisfied with the current results.

"...on the 20th lap..." Luca heard the announcement echo through the grandstands. The information was confirmed on the screen he was watching, his teeth sore from chewing too hard on his gum.

Occasionally, he would glance up at the track whenever Ansel zoomed past the lane closest to their garage. Eventually, one of Ansel's approaches brought him into the pit lane for a pit stop, the 25th lap forcing him to refresh his car.

All the Trampos individuals in the paddock, including Luca, rose to their feet as Ansel barreled toward the pit lane, his tires visibly worn. Once he boxed, the pit crew executed their work smoothly and seamlessly, granting him a quick turnaround to rejoin the race.

With Ansel's car so close during the pit stop, Luca couldn't resist quickly commanding the System to analyze it, hoping to discern Ansel's performance trends over time.

[Vehicle Specifications:

Brand: Dallara

Model: F2 04

Engine Type: Mercedes-AMG M239 Hybrid Power Unit (SomberCore)

Weight: 740 kg ]

[Performance Metrics:

Top Speed: 300 km/h (70 km/h) (250—0km/h in the last five seconds) (20km/h each millisecond) Experience tales at empire

Acceleration: 4.0 sec (0—100km/h) (25 km/h per second)

Max Power: 620 HP

Aerodynamic Efficiency: 1.5 ]

[Operational Status:

Fuel Level: 80%

Tire Condition: Used

Telemetry Status: Active

DRS Availability: Not Engaged ]

Luca joined in on the claps as Ansel zoomed back onto the track, still holding P2.

Sighing, the team returned to their seats, slumping back into them while picking up their water bottles for a drink. By the 30th lap, Haas had fallen to 6th, with Max Addams and Miles Bellingham closing their duel dangerously close to Ansel. Meanwhile, Aaronson was significantly far ahead, making any chance of catching up seem almost impossible.

The race was grueling to watch, every bend becoming a disappointment and ultimately detrimental to Trampos Racing.

By the 45th lap, the situation seemed hopeless, the paddock filled with grunts and murmurs of discontent. Luca cursed under his breath, his frustration bubbling as he heard the chants of rival supporters growing louder. He glanced at the pit wall, watching as Ansel struggled to fend off the aggressive pressure. The gap to Aaronson remained insurmountable, and just as the final lap began, Max Addams made his move, slipping ahead of Ansel into P2.

Everyone in the paddock rose to their feet in protest, but it was futile—the checkered flag was already waving, signaling the end. A heavy silence fell over the team as they sank back into their seats, watching the cars come to a stop at the cooldown lane.

"...Sean Aaronson makes Baku count! Hatcherk has finally claimed first in this season's championship! Ansel Hahn failed to capitalize on his pole position, and not only did the Australian veteran take advantage, so did reigning champion Max Addams, who edged in for P2...!"

"WOOOHHHH!"

The Trampos Racing fans offered hollow cheers, their disappointment evident despite Ansel managing to secure a podium finish. It had been an hour and fifteen minutes of watching a downward spiral and a clear degradation in performance. The cheers that filled the grandstands were reserved for Aaronson, who proudly celebrated with an Australian flag, waving it triumphantly to the crowd. Some applause was directed at Max Addams, who had likely started a new podium streak after his stumble in Monte Carlo.

The mood in the paddock shifted dramatically as the team jumped into action, a tense silence permeating the space despite the bustling crowd. Luca spotted Ansel exiting his Dallara, pulling off his helmet. Luca immediately focused on his teammate's expression—it was exactly what he had hoped for and was glad there was no hint of satisfaction. There was absolutely nothing to be satisfied about. The team had squandered significant points after starting with their drivers in pole position and P2.

Luca maneuvered through the cluster of Trampos personnel, hoping to intercept Ansel before he reached the garage. The distant chants of the crowd provided a dramatic backdrop to the tense atmosphere. He nearly collided with Mia, a crew member frantically jotting notes about the race, which slowed him just enough for Ansel to enter the telemetry room first. As he followed, Luca noticed team members offering Ansel supportive pats on the back.

Upon entering the telemetry room, where Mr. Grant, Mr. Moritz, and several engineers were already gathered, Luca could feel the pressure hanging thick. He stood behind Ansel, who was bracing himself for the debrief—whether it would be stern or supportive was yet to be seen.

Luca's simmering frustration began to cool when he caught sight of Ansel's expression. He looked more displeased than anyone else in the room, even more so than Haas, who had stumbled in moments earlier, visibly exhausted after finishing 7th. Ansel seemed on the verge of snapping at anyone who dared remind him of the grueling 50 laps he had endured. Luca decided it wouldn't be him. Instead, he sank into a chair, quietly observing the discussions taking place.

The glaring issue for Trampos Racing during this event had been the distance between their two drivers for most of the race. While teammates don't often race in unison, the strategic advantage of running close together—visually reinforcing their presence—can sometimes prove beneficial, even if marginally so. Today, however, it was evident to Luca that Erik Haas hadn't been a strong enough teammate for Ansel, at least in his opinion.

Moreover, after thorough review, Mr. Moritz voiced his concern, highlighting that Ansel himself hadn't been at his best during the race. The telemetry data revealed telling signs of his uncertainty and lack of confidence during the race, illustrating his erratic throttle applications which cost him precious time on the track.

Ansel's frustration was evident as he absorbed the feedback, his cold gaze fixed on the screens in reluctant acknowledgment. Mr. Moritz shifted the discussion to the car's suspension settings, pointing out how Ansel's struggles in cornering were clearly reflected in the data. By contrast, Haas' performance needed no detailed analysis—it had been subpar from the start, with little to review beyond the glaringly poor results.

Ansel appeared ready to defend himself, but the call for the press cut the briefing short. Alongside Mr. Grant and Haas, he left for the tunnel. Afterwards, the podium was set and the traditional celebration was ought to begin. Though Ansel and Trampos weren't at the position they hoped they'd be, it was still obliged that he mounted the podium. And Ansel did just that, Hatcherk Motorsport's fans cheering wildly for Aaronson who pumped his fist with pride and joy.

Luca observed Azerbaijan took the day's race as a ceremonial annual event. They say its Grand Prix was always a spectacle, with fans spilling into the streets, fireworks lighting up the skyline, and festivities stretched late into the evening. Most of which Ansel wasn't interested in participating in. He hopped off the stage and returned to the team as they got ready to leave the circuit early on, allowing Aaronson and Hatcherk Motorsport to revel in their well-deserved glory. As a team with no seniors in F1, one could say Hatcherk Motorsport did very well solo.

Inside the garage, the mood was markedly different from the festive air outside. The engineers and support staff moved methodically, packing up equipment and dismantling the temporary setups. The garage, which had buzzed with activity just hours earlier, was now filled with the sound of metal clanking and the rustling of tarps being rolled up. Luca decided to join the effort and give Ansel some time to refresh. His own mind was still replaying the race highlights, particularly the distance that had plagued Ansel and Haas throughout.

Trampos Racing disassembled their cars and equipment before loading their trucks. Leaving the vibrant atmosphere of Baku National Circuit behind, they rolled out an hour later to their designated accommodation.

Luca could only glance at the team standings after this.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

PROVISIONAL TEAMS' CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (TOP5) Scroll for more.

Position | Team | Points

-------------------------------------------------

1. | Trampos Racing | 128

2. | Bueseno Velocità Jnr. | 96

3. | Hatcherk Motorsport | 63

4. | Squadra Corse Jnr | 59

5. | Retona Racing | 12

Luca could see the gap between Trampos and Bueseno was still acceptable, at the very least, and Hatcherk still had a long way to prove a reasonable threat to them. But still, if the day's race had gone in Trampos's favor, the gap would have been much bigger, giving them a more relaxed mind and greater flexibility for pardoning mistakes in the long run.

Luca had no intention of staying long in Azerbaijan, much less touring around. The country had a strikingly different language he was sure he would never get to understand in a lifetime. The unfamiliar sounds and characters seemed to mock his attempts at communication, as well as the results from the other day, while the country's capital kept buzzing with motorsport.

Luca made time to watch Formula 1 the next day and was glad that he did. He was able to watch as a spectator with a bag of chips in his hand, witnessing Nevada HanSama claim first, Squadra Corse take second, and Bueseno Velocità claim third. It was a wonderful race in his opinion and one of the few things he enjoyed in Baku, along with the sprawling landscapes and historical sites.

Apart from that, Luca yearned for their return to Berlin. The air and the familiarity of their headquarters' track would surely put the team back into focus for the possibilities ahead.

The flight seemed shorter than when they came, and Luca was able to strike up conversations with Ansel once again, deliberately keeping the race out of them.

Bahrain Grand Prix

Location: Sakhir, Bahrain

Date: Apr 21

Track: Bahrain International Circuit

Hmm, another unpopular country? Luca wondered to himself. He pondered how many points Trampos would have after Bahrain, with him being in the paddock once again.