My Formula 1 System-Chapter 649: Rennick The Rocket

Luca was really proud when he finally heard for sure that Victor was moving up to pilot the JYX-81. It felt like a big deal, kind of like when you finish a hard level in a game and finally unlock the best gear. It felt like one part of the story was over and a new, cooler one was starting.

Luca understood the board wasn’t exactly happy with him, though. They were actually kind of annoyed when he told them he wanted to remain with his current model, the Z24. They like things to be simple, and to them, it didn’t make sense why the best driver wouldn’t want the newest car. Progression meant uniformity, and Luca’s refusal disrupted that neat logic.

But Luca didn’t care. He knew the Z24 worked perfectly for him, and he saw no reason to abandon a chassis that had carried him so far.

But when it came to Victor, Luca was totally sure. He really believed that putting Victor in a faster machine wasn’t just a good idea—it was something that should have happened a long time ago. With a better chassis, Victor could finally turn all his hard work into actual points and big headlines in the news.

Moreover, Luca saw the bigger picture. A stronger Victor meant a stronger Trampos. It wouldn’t just be Luca out there by himself anymore; it would be two red cars attacking the other teams.

Victor would not only get them back to the top of the standings, but also make them stay there till the finale.

Thinking about the possibility gladdened Luca. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Victory was satisfying, but continuity was exhilarating.

After the German Grand Prix, it was easy to see that Luca was heading for a really happy ending this season. If everything continued on its current trajectory, he’s probably going to win the Driver’s Championship, making him one of the best ever. Plus, if things keep getting better, Trampos Racing might win the Constructors’ Championship, too.

Getting both trophies in one year is the kind of thing drivers dream about when they’re just little kids racing go-karts.

Outside of the racing world, Mrs. Rennick was feeling better and recovering from inflammation caused by her illness. Also, Luca was going to be a dad soon, though he had no clue yet.

Isabella hadn’t told him yet because she was still grappling with it. Yes, she had strongly suspected the Big P ash her friend, Deborah, had proposed. But seeing the pregnancy test result had been one thing, and accepting it had been another. It was scary for her as reality crashed down, leaving her stunned and speechless. Even after reuniting with Luca in Berlin, she found herself unable to say the words.

Unaware of the big news, Luca kept living his life like a normal bachelor who loves taking risks.

When he noticed Isabella appeared uncomfortable, he decided to fly to the UK with her. He wanted to make sure she felt safe and warm, but that wasn’t the only reason. He also really needed to talk to Mrs. Hawthorne. A new problem had come up that he had to uncover, and it was probably the trickiest thing he had ever dealt with.

~~~~~~

Days earlier — Sunday, the German Grand Prix.

The stands were totally covered in red, black, and yellow colors. Banners were waving in the warm air, and drums were beating so loud that the sound bounced off the big towers.

Red flares smoked everywhere and the entire circuit smelled like burnt tires, gas, and winning. Fans were waving flags and chanting Luca’s name through megaphones like he was the king of the world.

Trampos didn’t just win by a little bit; they totally crushed everyone else. All the engineers were shaking hands and hugging because they knew they did a great job at their home track. The other teams just stood in their garages looking really mad and quiet because they knew they got demolished pretty badly.

Luca was the undisputed German Grand Prix winner. He finished way ahead of the second-place car, Antonio Luigi, his Ferrari carving through the track with unreal precision.

On his slow lap after the race, he swerved a little bit to wave at everyone and revel in the noise. The fans were cheering so loud it felt like the ground was shaking. Rival fans for the other teams felt so small and embarrassed that they actually started leaving early before the chequered flag, unwilling to endure the full spectacle of Trampos’ triumph.

After sharing the official podium with two grumpy rivals, there was actually a second, special podium waiting even higher up in the stands. It was on a big concrete deck right over the main straight. To get there, they had to walk up a long, curvy staircase right through the middle of all the frantic Trampos fans. There were huge TV screens on both sides and giant spotlights pointing at the sky like it was a coronation.

Luca walked up first, and Victor was right behind him with a few other Trampos team members. Every time they climbed a step, the crowd got even louder. When they finally got to the top, giant cannons shot out red and white confetti like a victorious snowfall.

They all shot their fists in the air and put their arms around each other, yelling along with the thousands of fans down below.

What a way of telling everyone that Trampos is the boss.

It showed that Luca is basically impossible to beat at home, and all the other teams just had to stand there and watch while Germany celebrated its champion right in front of them.

But the happy mood changed for Luca as he walked through the maze of VIP lounges to get back down to the bottom floor. The euphoria of celebration still littered him as he made his descent. The VIPs along the way were all smiling and proud to shake his hand, congratulating him personally. Luca played the role of a victorious star very well.

Then, he walked into a room that made him stop right where he was.

It was definitely a Red Bull VIP room. You could see their logos everywhere on the tall pillars and the big glass walls.

Luca immediately recognised Mr. Marchetti in the faces of the wealthy men.

The moment was weird because nobody looked mad at him; they were all just really calm. Smiling faintly, Luca got settled in enemy radar. He walked right into the middle of the room, still covered in sweat and confetti, grabbed a bottle of wine off a table, and took a big gulp.

The Red Bull elites simply stared at him, and one of them even laughed a little bit like they were impressed.

Minutes later, Luca could be seen sitting right on the edge of the middle table like he owned the place. He had one leg crossed over the other and looked totally relaxed. Even though he was still messy from the podium, he still looked like a winner. The Red Bull big shots were all seated and standing around him, telling jokes and acting like they were old friends. They were laughing about the race and teasing him about old fights he’d had. Everyone was clinking their fancy glasses and having a great time, and Luca was being really funny and charming back.

He knew exactly who these people were: rivals to Trampos, adversaries to Ferrari, and certainly no friends to Hawthorne. But he didn’t seem to care at all. He just fit right in.

From a short distance away, Mr. Marchetti watched him intently.

He was sitting on the larger couch nearby, slowly swirling his wine, and his eyes never leaving Luca as he tracked everything the Mazerunner did.

It was hard for Mr. Marchetti to reconcile this man with the young driver he had once eyed skeptically in F2, someone he had labeled as "too perfect to be real." And yet here he was: on the brink of becoming an F1 champion.

A strange thought settled in his mind.

Marchetti started believing that everything must be a movie, and Luca must be the inevitable center of the story. He could see how the room orbited him, flattering him, reacting to him, and even subtly being led by him.

Eventually, Mr. Marchetti realised something.

If Luca was the axis, then the only way to weaken their enemy, was to shake the foundation.

A cunning smile came across his face as an idea formed.

Luca was standing up, waving his hands around while he told a funny story about how absurd a physique test had been, when Marchetti leaned forward. He held out his phone like he wanted to show Luca something on it.

When Luca looked over, Marchetti looked him right in the eye.

"Here," he said in a really calm voice. "I thought you’d want to see this. It’s a picture of your father. You looked just like him in the moment, and it made me think of this."

Luca was a little confused, but he took the phone anyway. He probably thought it was just a nice, old-fashioned photo—like a compliment or something. But as soon as he looked at the screen, his face totally changed.

It really was a picture of his dad, Aldo Rennick.

The photo was vintage and a bit blurry, the way old pictures usually are. Aldo was celebrating after a race, with champagne flying everywhere and people cheering in the background. He was wearing bright red—the famous Nevada red—and he looked so happy to have won.

At first, Luca felt really happy. He didn’t have many pictures of his dad, especially ones where he looked so alive and like a hero. But then he looked closer and saw something he didn’t notice at first.

Aldo wasn’t by himself.

He was standing between two other people, likely wealthy. On one side was a man with chiseled features and a tailored suit, whom Luca didn’t really recognize. But it was the person on Aldo’s left that froze Luca in place.

A young, elegant woman.

Luca knew those eyes and that soft smile immediately. Even though she was younger in the photo, it was definitely her—the same blonde hair and everything.

Luca Rennick couldn’t believe his eyes because he knew exactly who that woman was!