My Formula 1 System-Chapter 373: S2 Hungarian Grand Prix. 11

The F1 Hungarian Grand Prix had been estimated to end around 7 p.m. But from how things had just unfolded, it was already clear this event was going to stretch to late 7, maybe even tip over into 8 p.m.

What was meant to be a quick, no-fuss reset had ended up dragging way longer than anyone expected. And it had mostly come down to some madness that had just erupted inside Outback's garage. Luca couldn't even figure out the full story, but he caught enough flying words to sense there'd been an in-team blowup.

Whatever it was had burst out into the open. The argument spilled straight into the pitlane, and before long, Squadra Corse had gotten involved too. Both teams were exchanging heated words like the pitlane was a boxing ring. Clearly, the sting from Dreyer's horrific crash hadn't healed at all.

P4 — Luca Rennick

P5 — Antonio Luigi

P6 — Jimmy Damgaard

P7 — Hank Rice

P8 — Buoso Di Renzo

P9 — Elias Nyström

P10 — Alejandro Vasquez

P11 — Desmond Lloyd

P12 — Mark Derfflinger

P13 — Yokouchi Yūichirō

P14 — Mikhail Petrov

P15 — Javier Montez

P16 — Ansel Hahn

P17 — James Lockwood

P18 — Józef Konarski

P19 — Erik Haas

XXX — Luis Dreyer

Luca followed in the race resumption with a successful Grid Launch. Sometimes he wished he hadn't gotten to this stage in the system's progress. Such Buff at 75% now felt like an impossible task to complete.

[DATA DISPLAYED IN REAL-TIME:

-Speed: 200 km/h

-Heart Rate: 110 bpm

-Stamina: 85% (Good)

-Breathing: Calm & Steady

-Distance covered: 164000m

-Time: 50 min. ]

The car was really great now. It felt balanced, sharp, and ready to exert for the rest of the race. That pitstop during the red flag had come in handy. It wasn't part of the original strategy, but it had worked out. Tires fresh and aero tweaks done.

[Retrieving pitstop info...]

[Service Time: 1.85 seconds]

[Front Tires: Soft → Soft]

[Rear Tires: Soft → Soft]

[Nosecone: Replaced]

The only problem now was that taking on a stint starting just before Lap 40 all the way to the final lap—Lap 70—was a risk. A big one. He had already served two pitstops, which was technically fine, but the second hadn't come at the preferred stage in the strategy. That meant he could be staring at a very worn-out car toward the end, or worse, a late third pitstop that could tank his position.

The engineers had already briefed him about it. If things started going south, if tire degradation became heavier than what their simulations projected for a long 30-lap stint, then he'd simply have to box again. That third stop would fall exactly where the second one was originally meant to be.

Luca knew no F1 driver could hang on that long without significant, visible tire wear. Not unless they had miracle compounds or divine grip. It felt like Jackson Racing was beginning to put too much faith in him, maybe because of the recent spectacles he'd been delivering.

Still, even he was curious to see just how far his Tire Wear Management stat at (22) and Gripper at (15) could take him. Whether they'd keep him planted, or if they weren't high enough and could have him skidding out like a penguin on tile.

At least he wasn't alone in the situation. DiMarco had also boxed back then, and now he was running fresh and a bit wild up front just before him. So Luca made it a point to gauge his pace off DiMarco's. If they both burned out together, maybe he'd still survive the fall.

[Analyzing Ferrari (JRX-92B) and host's distance from 3rd Position]

[You are 1.5 seconds away, host.]

[Longevity +3]

[Aerodynamics +1]

[AERODYNAMICS & CHASSIS has moved from 115% to 140% ]

"Analyze Davide's pace. The car just ahead on P3. I think it's rocking," Luca said.

[Performance Metrics:

Top Speed: 282 km/h (282 km/h) (260—282 km/h in the last five seconds) (4.4 km/h each millisecond)

Acceleration: 2.8 sec (0—100 km/h) (24.39 km/h per second)

Max Power: 1070 HP ]

[Remark: Car struggles to maintain above 270 km/h on straights, sluggishly picks up and drops pace on exit]

**Luca, confirmed. Davide is faltering. He's not holding pace out of Turns 3 up to the chicane. Lost over four-tenths in the last sector. You're closing faster than expected**

Luca could see to too, and he was surprised. DiMarco's car, although wild, was still usually tidy and crisp in behavior. But now, Luca could see it twitching slightly on corner exits, little slips here and there. Not aggressive, but enough to make the car feel unsettled. The braking seemed later than usual, like DiMarco was compensating for something off in balance or traction.

There was a simple way to say it: he wasn't driving well. At least, not to Davide DiMarco's standard.

It didn't bother Luca what the cause might be. He was just happy this was a free overtake.

[Analyzing Ferrari (JRX-92B) and host's distance from 3rd Position]

[You are 1 seconds away, host.]

"…oh, out of the chicane. Not a very good one for Davide DiMarco. It seems he is struggling there, and that's not the position he would like to be with a driver like Rennick right behind…"

DiMarco in his cockpit had just realized it wasn't him, it was the car. He could feel the issue now. The rear was behaving strangely, swaying on the exits and stepping out when he demanded grip. It was the rear left wheel assembly. Something wasn't seated properly.

He swore and slapped the wheel as he slammed on the radio.

"What the hell is going on with this car?! Who the hell fixed that rear? It's not stable! What kind of stupid pit crew is this?!"

Velocità's radio cracked alive quickly, trying to settle the growing tension.

**Davide, calm down. Rear telemetry shows instability. Confirmed. There may have been a misfit on the left rear suspension link during the stop. Box next lap. Box, box. We'll check and swap if needed**

"…and something's definitely wrong with that Red Bull now. We saw it a lap ago but now it's visible in almost every turn. That's not just tire deg—that's mechanical…" frёewebnoѵēl.com

"…could be a loose suspension component or even an issue with the rear assembly from his last pitstop. The crew might not have fastened it properly. Whatever it is, he's bleeding time to Rennick—look at that gap shrink."

[Analyzing Ferrari (JRX-92B) and host's distance from 3rd Position]

[You are 0.8 seconds away, host.]

"…and this could be big. If he doesn't pit immediately, that's a retirement waiting to happen."

DiMarco's frustration spilled over. He shook his head angrily as he wrestled into Turn 8, the rear of the car kicking out again, like it had a mind of its own. Every correction cost him tenths, and he was losing more time to his greatest pest in the championship.

**Luca, this will be an easy one. Davide's bleeding pace. You'll slip out from Turn 9. He won't have the downforce to fight**

Luca lined up to the exit perfectly, staying close to DiMarco through the mid-section and conserving just enough grip for the burst. As they swept into Turn 9, DiMarco's car twitched on corner entry again.

Not hesitating, Luca darted out and boldly took the outside line. His car gripped and Gripper gripped even more, and at the apex, he planted his foot, releasing perfect torque to push himself forward and leave DiMarco.

**Position gained. P3 confirmed**

[3rd Position]

"WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!"

"...DAVIDE DIMARCO HAD NOTHING LEFT TO FIGHT THAT AS LUCA RENNICK TAKES P3...!"

"...you can tell the balance just isn't there anymore. Credit to Luca though, he smelled the weakness and pounced. That wasn't just pace—that was awareness, timing, and a car that's clearly handling better right now..."

P3— Luca Rennick ↑

P4— Davide DiMarco ↓