My Formula 1 System

Eventually, Ailbeart Moireach's Renault R.S.25 was no longer just a back-end tale for those in the top ten, but had become an adverse reality as Ailbeart careened his S-level engine, the one named XY-99 Combustion Unit, into top ten premises. Just as previously mentioned, Haddock Racing had failed to nickname the engine, so for easier reference, Luca decided to give it the same nickname as the earlier model, but added a succeeding figure—2—to distinguish it from the normal Rotterbad, which Mark Derfflinger now had in his grasp.

So, Ailbeart Moireach = Rotterbad 2 according to Luca. And from his system analysis, the Rotterbad 2 was actually a very good S-level engine. Or was it just because all of them were fabulous, that's why they were categorised S-level in the first place? Because honestly, from Luca's analysis, the Tempesta MkII clapped it real hard in comparison. In Luca's view, it would be fair to place the Rotterbad 2 as the least impressive HiCE in terms of potential and output.

Yes, Mercedes had yet to introduce theirs as promised, but of course, Luca trusted any Mercedes product to either be the best or at the very least, the second best. Both Mercedes and Squadra couldn't afford to be mediocre here, because even beyond the race itself, these manufacturers were locked in a battle of their own, one that extended far beyond the tracks, over who could produce the best overall machine.

Luca doubted Audi would enter this medley, since both teams powered by them weren't financially strong enough to not only acquire and fund but also maintain a High-Intensity Combustion Engine.

And so, Ailbeart was steadily eating up the positions of inferior rivals. Even though he had lost control in the Qualifiers, his car wasn't the most explosive or aggressive among the other supers, which made him the most likely to quickly regain full control and get a solid grasp on how to handle both his chassis and his engine with confidence.

Elias Nyström failed woefully in his attempt to defend against Ailbeart, and Luis Dreyer succumbed like a rat to rat poison. The Haddock Racing crowd, who had come to this iconic, memorable circuit in great numbers, roared and cheered Ailbeart on even as he engaged with his own teammate. It was Renault versus Renault, and that was where everyone saw the sheer difference this Unrestricted Power Era had introduced.

The R.S.16 used to be a very good car, one that always entered debates with even the 97 and the AMG. And the Rotterbad, with its impressive ability to harvest energy from motion and heat, had earned its status as one of the best. But the way Ailbeart Moireach just wasted Derfflinger and the car had everyone questioning if the car was ever really good enough to begin with.

"... P7, Ailbeart Moireach...!"

"WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!"

"...That's an incredible rise through the ranks! Ailbeart's carving up the field like it's nothing. Can you believe he started way back, but now he's already breathing down the neck of the top six...!"

[Downforce +1]

[Aerodynamics +1]

[Analyzing Ferrari (JRX-97) and host's distance from 2nd Position]

[You are 3 seconds away, host.]

Luca noticed the drop in delta between him and DiMarco. Damgaard was right on his tail, forcing Luca to push his car to great limits just to remain in P3, so Luca assumed that might be the reason he was closing the gap—either that, or DiMarco and Rodnick must have made contact again, slowing each other down.

Ailbeart was advancing too, promptly inculcating a sense of urgency into all drivers from P5 to P3. At first, they had thought it'd take a while before he picked up that unreal momentum again, but the way everyone's adrenaline spiked the moment Ailbeart overtook Luigi without even a breath of hesitation!

P6— Ailbeart Moireach ↑

P7— Antonio Luigi ↓

"...Ailbeart Moireach just keeps rising through the field like a missile—absolutely relentless stuff from the Scotsman...!"

[Analyzing Ferrari (JRX-97) and host's distance from 2nd Position]

[You are 2.7 seconds away, host.]

At this stage, Luca felt something was wrong somewhere. He entered the chicane, trailed by Damgaard, who was moving with burning haste and clear impatience.

[Turn Type: Two-Turn Chicane (Right → Left)]

[Approach Width: 7.2m → Tightens at Apex: 5.4m → Widens at Exit: 6.3m]

When Luca exited Turn 4 of the chicane and faced Turn 5's right-hander, he was shocked to see only a brief blur of DiMarco's car vanishing behind one of the buildings that Sector 1 aggressively wound through.

Luca's eyes widened with instant alert. Luckily, his system had a habit of automatically analyzing random things in the race—most times, things he was already focused on—and right then, Luca got a reading of DiMarco's Red Bull. It was moving abnormally slow, with both speed and acceleration performing at about -170% of what they should have been.

Of course, this wasn't a mistake. DiMarco was deliberately slowing down, and there were a couple of reasons for it, but ultimately, everything was strategy in the end.

At this point of the race approaching the 25th Lap, tire wear had already begun creeping in as a significant factor. It was a manageable issue for the majority of the drivers, but a growing problem for those equipped with the super cars. So, while slowing down to manage his tires, DiMarco also knew Rodnick wouldn't pull further ahead either, since he actually had the worst wear among the super drivers.

As the fastest accelerating car in the entire grid, Rodnick's tire condition at this stage was already bad enough to prompt Jackson Racing to begin prepping the pit crew and everything else needed for a quick stop.

So, DiMarco didn't stress it. He reduced speed and fell into a neutral tempo, maintaining steady control. His eyes kept darting to the mirrors, anticipating Luca's arrival. Oh, he couldn't wait to trap the young Stallion in the heat of his beast and end his race early.

Davide DiMarco knew of the Thermal Ion Flux radiation.

Davide DiMarco loved the idea of the Thermal Ion Flux radiation.

Davide DiMarco wanted to use the Thermal Ion Flux radiation.

"Son of a bitch," Luca hissed, as he figured it out too within seconds of layered thought.

He glanced at his mirrors, only to see another set of Velocità colors advancing fast.

[Analyzing Ferrari (JRX-97) and host's distance from 2nd Position]

[You are 2 seconds away, host.]

DiMarco's car was now clearly within reach, and Damgaard was closing in.

Luca couldn't believe it. Was this all planned?!