My Formula 1 System-Chapter 611: S3 Chinese Grand Prix. 8
As Luca’s pressure began to loom large in his mirrors, Di Renzo naturally made calculated decisions for his survival.
Securing a P4 finish from the most dangerous driver on the grid mattered more than a late-race hunt for the podium. So, the Italian tightened his lines and began defending with intent, reshaping his final laps against Rennick.
51 laps. Because of the tension, everyone had forgotten about the heat. The circuit was loud and electric, alive with pressure as the machines raced the complex once more. A race with zero DNFs, meaning the final positions were a battle to sweat over, even for the benchmarkers.
As the thirteenth race of the season, many said the Chinese Grand Prix held significant weight in the championship fight because, historically, this was the average point per season at which momentum usually hardened into destiny.
After all, this time last year, Luigi won the Canadian Grand Prix. He and Squadra Corse later went on to win the championship.
A third straight victory for Luca would stretch his advantage at the top of the drivers’ standings to something close to unreachable. Simultaneously, he’d give Trampos a commanding number-one advantage, too.
However, other teams and drivers arrived in Shanghai with ambitions of their own. No one was going to let one man turn July into his coronation.
**Your old friend’s still behind** warned JR’s pitwall. **He’s charging hard, so we only need clean exits till the finish line**
**Switch to quicker strats for short shifts, and protect the inside of the back straight. He’s fast there**
Surviving Shanghai with a top-five finish from one of their drivers would keep the season alive for Jackson Racing. They were sixth in the standings, time against them, but since Outback Performance, 5th place, had slipped into vulnerability, the Silver Stallions had a chance.
A 5th-place finish meant relevance, rewards, money, and proof to their supporters that they were only regrouping, not fading. Di Renzo carried this burden as the laps wound down. But hope attracts predators, and Rennick was anything but considerate of his rivals.
[Analyzing Ferrari (Scuderia Z24) and host’s distance from 4th Position]
[You are 0.5 seconds away, host.]
"...oh it’s too close to touch now! ON HIS TAIL, Rennick hunts Di Renzo as they surge toward Turn 4! No doubt, Rennick wants every gap he can get there. Di Renoz knows it. He’s at the dead center in defense. This is former teammates’ chess at 300 kilometers an hour!"
"WOOOOOOHHHH!"
SWOOOSH! SCREEECHH! 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
"...quick move! Rennick dives for the corner, tries to steal the inside, committing late! Oh! Di Renzo checks him off in time, close for a contact there..."
**Brake bias plus one click rear** came through the 97’s radio. **Tyres still alive. Keep it tidy. If he goes, he goes– but don’t gift!**
Di Renzo was as silent as a sphinx in his cockpit, not like it could improve his performance, but the focus helped him race competently. After all, he needed all he had when up against Luca, who was drunk in immersion with <Racer’s Ascendancy>.
"... on the exit, both cars crawl out. Listen to either Ferrari! The straight’s unfolded ahead! You have to say it: Di Renzo may not survive here!"
[Slipstream Status: ENGAGED]
[Overtake Window: Optimal]
Quickly, the opportunity opened for Luca, and he was already there to take it. Sliding neatly into the hole punched into the air by Di Renzo’s car, the Z24 in turn got wrapped by the flowing air current, giving Luca the necessary minimum drag which he also amplified with <Zero Drag>.
The crowd cheered at the racing feat, Di Renzo grumbling at the convenience he provided his rival. If they kept this formation up, Luca would be in P4 in a couple of seconds just from a single move.
**Get in there, Luca. Toggle back down to load power!**
His team’s enthusiasm got to him. Without hesitation, Luca switched from trailing to generating power, heavy on his throttle as torque surged through his engine. The ThunderKat could never match such an assault!
[DRS Engaged]
"...and he goes for it! Swinging out wide, full throttle, wings open, looking for the overtake on Di Renzo there in sector 1!"
"...the man in silver tires to defend, but Rennick is quicker! The gap is his! He tucks his Ferrari through, and it’s lights out for Di Renzo as Luca Rennick flashes past from his right....!"
"WOOOOOOOOHHHHH!"
"...Unreal Precision! The crowd’s on its feet! They hold grounds now, Rennick up ahead, putting every ounce of skill for P4...!"
[DRS Boost +0]
[Sync Multiplier Finished!]
[Turn type: Heavy braking right-hander (hairpin)] [Angle: 180°] [Braking Point: 120 meters before turn-in] [Recommended Entry Speed: 80 km/h] [Optimal Apex: Inside curb]
[4th Position]
Up in P4, yet the position was precarious. Luca could see the T5, a hairpin, and he recognized the disadvantage he had whilst at the outside line, the inside favoring Di Renzo despite him being a margin behind now.
Every millisecond counted, so Luca fought to fully slip in ahead, the crowd cheering, the cameras moving too fast.
Big, risky move from him. Di Renzo, unwilling to yield, lunged abruptly and aggressively, catching Luca’s <Spatial Awareness> off guard as he cut silver into his path.
CTCHAK!
"WOOOOOOOOOHHH!"
The crowd erupted as the two Ferraris made contact, very similar to Luca’s earlier brush with Marko in the pit lane. However, this one was mainly between their tires, leaving no shards of carbon fibre scattered or car parts loose.
But the were more severe consequences: the championship leader was spinning!
Luca’s grip vanished immediately his rear was shoved. The Z24 snapped sideways, the car rotating, and in seconds, he was spinning toward T5’s entry while his tires screamed.
[Traction lost]
’Not today,’ said Luca as he recouped mental control.
[Gripper +0]
[Sync Multiplier Finished]
Screeechhhh! Fwooosh!
[Traction Detected!]
"...As comfortable correcting chaos as he is creating speed—RENNICK SAVES IT! DI RENZO FAILS IN LAP 51 IN THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX! Rennick up in P4....!"
"WOOOOOOOHHHHH!"
**LUCA—YES! YES! That was world-class, mate! WORLD-CLASS!**
**Steering input was perfect, throttle modulation, too. Keep it together now**
As he gained stability into the rest of the lap, Luca checked his mirrors and caught a glimpse of Di Renzo, whom he was sure frustration hadn’t let go.
Luca didn’t dwell on it. Eventually, his focus turned inward as he decided to check on the condition of his tires after multiple black arcs he’d carved here in Shanghai.
<Wear Control> would be crucial for final laps like these, so he engaged the skill while also trying to regain focus for <Racer’s Ascendancy>. With luck, he could take the challenge to Ailbeart Moireach before the finish line.
