My Formula 1 System-Chapter 624: S3 South African Grand Prix. 2
[21st Lap]
SKRRRRR—GRAAAASH!
"...Oh! The champion’s in trouble—Luigi runs wide and dives into the runoff to save his race...!"
"WOOOOOOOOOOOHHHH!"
**GOOD CONTROL!** Squadra’s pitwall praised.
It all happened in a blink for Luigi. He could barely even respond, instinct overtaken by physics.
As he lurched off the racing line, the W12 kissed the Tecpro wall, so hard that the vibration alone threatened unseen damage, a brutal shudder rippling through the chassis and up his arms.
"Damnit," Luigi grunted, his hands clenched tight around the wheel as he fought for damage control. The tires skated helplessly across the runoff, gravel rattling beneath him.
"...swift racing correction, Antonio Luigi seeks to rejoin the race as quickly as possible...!"
00— Antonio Luigi
**Adjust for more balance and downforce***
**Steering is good. Throttle, just right. No panic**
Nothing catastrophic. The Mercedes was still fine despite bleeding carbon fibre at the intersection, though a faint scrape along the side suggested some suspension strain that Luigi would have to nurse carefully.
As the pilot, Luigi still felt like an incomplete car would always put up an imperfect performance, every subtle twitch in the steering reminding him to adjust his lines and throttle precisely.
Fortunately, the pit session was close, but had this happened a few laps later, it would have been better. Now, he feared the damage might not be superficial, and nursing it would affect his performance until the pit stop, forcing him to balance speed and risk simultaneously.
Behind his visor, Luigi steadied his breathing as the exit of the runoff opened into T6, gripping the wheel with the careful precision of a man balancing chaos and control.
"...bullied clean off the road by Ailbeart Moireach, Antonio Luigi rejoins with a limping pace—he did not see that coming from the Haddock driver, did he?"
"....No, he certainly didn’t. But the stewards did—Moireach is clean, Luigi was the one squeezing on exit."
"...Moireach still leads the race, but Luigi rejoins way down the order now... and look at this—pace coming from behind—this is happening right now.... and Buoso Di Renzo glides through effortlessly!"
"WOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!"
P2— Buoso Di Renzo ↑
P3— Antonio Luigi ↓
Jackson Racing fans erupted as Buoso Di Renzo settled into P2, silver stands shaking with happiness.
This was no fluke pace, no borrowed fortune. This was momentum.
After months of inconsistency, the Silver Stallions finally looked like a team rediscovering its spine, and even if it was too late for them this season, next year suddenly felt dangerous. Very dangerous for the grid.
And don’t forget, the FRC-91 remained untouched in their garage, a sleeping weapon everyone in the paddock always made sure to remember because Jackson Racing could choose to deploy it at any given time.
But the team has made no move for a year now.
When would the Silver Stallions unleash it again? 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
And whenever they did, how great would it be in the hands of Di Renzo, who was slowly becoming a world class driver in front of everyone?
As Luigi dropped to P3, he was frustrated, but he was also aware of this.
He watched Di Renzo closely, committing the image to memory.
Seconds later, he made the decision to blacklist him. If not this campaign, then the next one.
First Rennick. Now Di Renzo. Both Italians.
Could they be the next Luigi and DiMarco?
[Analyzing Ferrari (Scuderia Z24) and host’s distance from 3rd Position]
[You are 1 seconds away, host.]
Speak of the devil.
Luca Rennick was charging through the circuit with impeccable momentum, coming with confidence.
Trampos crowd sensed it immediately, erupting as their favorite car carved through Sector 1, leaving a trail of anticipation and whispered awe among even the most seasoned crew members.
Squadra’s pitwall alerted Luigi with a heads-up, but in truth, nothing could slow Luca. The Z24 was moving faster than the W12, carrying the unmatched precision of its pilot, every micro-adjustment amplifying his advantage. Luigi had to fight back.
By the time they hit through to Sector 3, Luigi was regaining composure, regathering his racing line and speed. But it was too late. Luca had capitalised. From the outside line, Luca cut back into the apex without coming close to even two meters from Luigi.
[Gripper +1]
[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 12.5%]
[Sync Multiplication applied!]
The calculated intrusion into the space left no room for resistance.
In no time, their positions switched.
Luca spared Luigi a quick glance for reverence. Good thing. Luigi was staring back.
P3— Luca Rennick ↑
P4— Antonio Luigi ↓
"...Luca Rennick into P3, Antonio Luigi shuffled back to P4, and not a touch between them. That is racing at its purest. Two champions in their terms, two eras overlapping on the same strip of asphalt...!"
"....Luigi didn’t fight it recklessly; he read the moment and lived to race another lap. This rivalry never needed fireworks to be electric. Sometimes, all it takes is one perfectly timed move to remind the world who’s rising—and who’s being chased....!"
[Overtaking Skill +2]
[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 12.5%]
[Sync Multiplication applied!]
As soon as Luca secured P3, his focus sharpened even more.
Other than just taking Luigi’s position, he had made a statement to the whole world that the title was slipping from the champion’s hand.
Now, primed and stimulated, Luca was alert to the shift in momentum in the top five. He could feel the opportunity breathing just in front of him just as the enemy behind was recuperating.
Perhaps, with just a few laps before pit time, an opening could poke its head, giving him the higher ground.
And just like that, the switch flipped for Luca.
His Resonance surged through him so sharply and clearly that he couldn’t believe he was capable of acquiring such an amount of focus.
He wondered if he could maintain this level of focus through the rest of the race, especially in the tense closing stages. It would be invaluable.
Ahead, Buoso Di Renzo and Ailbeart Moireach loomed. Could they hold their ground against this newfound edge? Or would Luca lose his mental grip quickly?
