My Formula 1 System

The US Grand Prix concluded in a fashionable manner, fresh flags waving, and a different set of spectators found their voice.

It was a close P1 finish for Luis Dreyer, but he managed it, speeding right when necessary and securing the win over Rodnick, who finished in P2.

It was anything but a photo finish, yet the moment Luis Dreyer crossed the finish line with his Red Bull, the entire crowd erupted as if a jackpot had just hit on the Strip.

In Jackson Racing's garage, however, the atmosphere was anything but celebratory. Mr. Matthews and the entire crew were frozen in disbelief. Even Luca couldn't believe how Dreyer had managed to escape Rodnick in the final turns, maintaining P1 even after Rodnick used his slipstream.

The team and Rodnick had expected a different outcome—a more dominant one, like in China. But Dreyer had outpaced him when it mattered most.

**We let that slip!**

"...P2, Marcellus Rodnick...!"

"WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!"

"...P1, Luis Dreyer...!"

"WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!"

**YOU DID IT, LUIS!!! YEAH! HAAHAA!**

Luca hadn't realized just how much the United States backed Outback Performance F1. He had always assumed that, being an Australian team, their loudest cheers would come from Melbourne or Sydney. But here, in Las Vegas, it felt like a home race for most of them.

Maybe some of Outback's ownership were American, or maybe, it was Dreyer, who had once raced in IndyCar before leaping to F1. Perhaps, the American fanbase had followed him with unwavering loyalty. Luca couldn't really tell the reason.

Whatever the reason, this was no ordinary celebration. It was a full-blown festival to celebrate their first Grand Prix claim in a while. Montez had finished in P9, so this was quite the third round of the season for them.

During the post-race celebrations, Luca found himself walking up to Dreyer to offer congratulations. It hadn't been his original plan—he had no real interest in exchanging words with the Outback driver—but when he spotted Dreyer speaking to the press while making his way through one of the tunnels inside the building complex, Luca figured it would be the right thing to do.

After all, he hadn't raced today, so there was no immediate frustration or rivalry clouding his mind. Plus, with the cameras rolling, a public show of sportsmanship would only reflect well on him.

However, the moment Luca stepped forward, he regretted it. The interaction was brief—as intended—but the tone of it was something else entirely.

"Hello, Luis?"

"Ohh... hello, Luca?"

A firm handshake followed.

"Congratulations on your win. It's a big one," Luca said.

Dreyer's eyes moved up and down with a bleak expression, except for the subtle hint of disdain in the way he took in Luca's height advantage. "I know, thanks," he replied. "Exactly what you missed out on."

Luca didn't need a translator to figure out what Dreyer was implying. The jab was obvious. Outback had fought to sign him, and he'd indirectly turned them down. Now, Dreyer was making it sound like he'd missed his golden opportunity.

Luca only chuckled, not bothering with a response. He walked away, leaving Dreyer to his moment.

But as he did, he caught the reporters' expressions. They were all sharp, clever and knowing. They had clocked it instantly.

Seriously? One win, and Dreyer thought he had something over him? Like Luca was supposed to be kicking himself for not signing with Outback?

That was ridiculous. He had his own P1 finish this season, and last he checked, one victory didn't crown a champion.

Only now did Luca begin to truly grasp Mr. Matthews' words on suffocative hostility. He decided to focus ahead because his rivals now had the upper hand with points.

------

Final Race Standings – Chinese Grand Prix

🏁 Top 10 Finishers:

P1 – Luis Dreyer 🇪🇸 (Outback Performance) 🏆 +25pts

P2 – Marcellus Rodnick 🇺🇸 (Jackson Racing) +18pts

P3 – Hank Rice 🇬🇧 (Iberia Grand Prix) +15pts

P4 – Antonio Luigi 🇮🇹 (Squadra Corse) +12pts

P5 – Ailbeart Moireach 🇬🇧 (Haddock Racing) +10pts (+1 FL)

P6 – Elias Nyström 🇸🇪 (Nordvind Racing) +8pts

P7 – Davide DiMarco 🇮🇹 (Bueseno Velocità) +6pts

P8 – Buoso Di Renzo 🇮🇹 (Jackson Racing) +4pts

P9 – Javier Montez 🇪🇸 (Outback Performance) +2pts

P10 – Marko Ignatova 🇷🇸 (Squadra Corse) +1pt

▾Remaining Finishers:

P11 – Desmond Lloyd 🇬🇧 (Velox Hispania)

P12 – Alejandro Vasquez 🇪🇸 (Velox Hispania)

P13 – Jimmy Damgaard 🇩🇰 (Bueseno Velocità)

P14 – Denko Rutherford 🇧🇬 (Haddock Racing)

P15 – Józef Konarski 🇵🇱 (Alpine Swiss F1)

P16 – Alejandro Vasquez 🇪🇸 (Velox Hispania)

P17 – Ansel Hahn 🇩🇪 (Trampos Racing)

P18 – Mikhail Petrov 🇷🇺 (Iberia Grand Prix)

P19 – Yokouchi Yūichirō 🇯🇵 (Alpine Swiss F1)

P20 – Erik Haas 🇩🇪 (Trampos Racing)

-----

Fortunately, there were no crashes in the US Grand Prix, so no one was boosted by the downfall of other drivers. This was the final leaderboard of a standard, safe F1 race.

DiMarco had earned his first points of the season—6. Luigi finished in P4, unable to overtake Rice, with Ailbeart pressing behind him. And finally, Di Renzo, said to be Luca's sub, finished in P8.

Just like Luca said, he wished he had been part of this race. He saw many openings in the top five that only a driver like him could have seized. That was why Hank Rice barely moved from his position throughout the race.

Great news finally came Luca's way upon their return to London.

After much consideration, it was believed that it'd be best for the team if Luca got back on track with his exceptional driving skills. So, this meant he would drive in Bahrain!

Such wonderful news to Luca—he literally lifted Isabella to the ceiling when he received the call from Mr. Matthews.

The Bahrain Grand Prix? Wow.

Luca remembered missing out on the race in Sakhir last year when Trampos fielded Ansel and Haas, due to Haas' contract stating he had to participate in two races minimum in one season.

This year, Luca wasn't going to be sidelined. He was going to take on the 50-lap race. It had been 44 laps before, but the recent construction had just stretched it to a standard 50.

Bahrain Grand Prix

Location: Sakhir, Bahrain

Date: May. 3

Time: 3 PM

Track: Bahrain International Circuit

Track Length: 5 km

Total Laps: 50

Track Type: Permanent road course

Lap Record: Davide DiMarco 1:30.126