Chapter 296
[1ST POSITION]
“…Under the lights of a city that never sleeps, in the soghts of thousands who have witnessed history unfold, under the sheer weight of expectation…LUCA RENNICK HAS DONE IT! HE WINS THE SEASON OPENER IN SPECTACULAR FASHION…!”
The checkered flag waved proudly, a triumphant banner signaling the end of a breathtaking race as the remaining drivers thundered across the finish line.
By then, Luca had already unstrapped himself, climbed out of his cockpit, and banged the body of his Ferrari 92B twice as a gesture to acknowledge his own victory, his own steed.
After that, he lifted his arms high into the air and clenched his fists in victory. Fireworks followed and exploded across the night sky, painting it with different colors to celebrate the end of the season opener.
All rivals eyed Luca’s back as they zipped past the grid, sealing their positions.
“…6th Place, Luis Dreyer…!”
“WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!”
“…7th Place, Elias Nyström…!”
“WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!”
“…8th Place, Mark Derfflinger…!”
“WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!”
“…9th Place, Desmond Lloyd…!”
“WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!”
“…10th Place, James Lockwood…!”
“WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!”
“…What a drive! What an ABSOLUTE MASTERCLASS from Luca Rennick! From strategy to overtakes, from relentless pressure to that phenomenal final charge—he has conquered this track in a way no one expected…!”
“…debut Formula 1 race for the young Italian, first formula 1 win for the young Italian! A marvelous way to introduce yourself to the competition…!”
“… Welcome to Formula 1, Luca Rennick…!”
[Congratulations, host. You have made a podium]
[You have been reward with (2) Wrenches]
Luca was busy waving to the fans high on the buildings that he didn’t pay attention to the system’s gift. It eventually faded away, and he continued with his celebrations.
Jackson Racing’s crew was filled with happiness, Mr. Matthews jumping into Mr. Berry’s arms. The engineers and strategists were even more ecstatic than the pit crew, who only cheered and clapped as they walked out of the pitlane and onto the track to celebrate with Luca.
Rodnick brought his Ferrari to a stop in the cool-down lane. He let his hands rest on the wheel longer than necessary before he exhaled sharply.
“…4th Place, Marcellus Rodnick…” the announcement had rang then.
P4. P4 wasn’t a bad finish—not by any means—but it wasn’t what he wanted. Not when a podium had been within reach. Most especially, not when he was the reigning champion and had to defend his title.
Rodnick had watched when Luca wasted no time climbing out of his car, banged the side of his 92B twice, before throwing his fists into the air in triumph.
He shook his head and unbuckled his harness before pulling himself out of the cockpit. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he unlatched his helmet and removed his balaclava as well.
The night air was very cold making it feel like it was an entirely different world from inside the heat of his car.
Jackson Racing crew had already spilled themselves onto the track to celebrate Luca. So Rodnick moved himself to join them, running his hand through his damp hair.
——
Final Race Standings – Monaco Grand Prix
🏁 Top 10 Finishers:
P1 – Luca Rennick 🇮🇹 (Jackson Racing) 🏆 +25pts (+1 Fastest Lap)
P2 – Marko Ignatova 🇷🇸 (Squadra Corse) +18pts
P3 – Antonio Luigi 🇧🇷 (Squadra Corse) +15pts
P4 – Marcellus Rodnick 🇺🇸 (Jackson Racing) +12pts
P5 – Ailbeart Moireach 🇬🇧 (Haddock Racing) +10pts
P6 – Luis Dreyer 🇪🇸 (Outback Performance) +8pts
P7 – Elias Nyström 🇸🇪 (Nordvind Racing) +6pts
P8 – Mark Derfflinger 🇩🇪 (Haddock Racing) +4pts
P9 – Desmond Lloyd 🇬🇧 (Velox Hispania) +2pts
P10 – James Lockwood 🇬🇧 (Nordvind Racing) +1pt
▾Remaining Finishers:
P11 – Alejandro Vasquez 🇪🇸 (Velox Hispania)
P12 – Ansel Hahn 🇩🇪 (Trampos Racing)
P13 – Yokouchi Yūichirō 🇯🇵 (Alpine Swiss F1)
P14 – Javier Montez 🇪🇸 (Outback Performance)
P15 – Józef Konarski 🇵🇱 (Alpine Swiss F1)
⨉ DNF (Did Not Finish):
P16 – Hank Rice 🇬🇧 (Iberia Grand Prix) – Car Suspension
P17 – Davide DiMarco 🇮🇹 (Bueseno Velocità) – Crash
P18 – Jimmy Damgaard 🇩🇰 (Bueseno Velocità) – Tire Delamination
P19 – Mikhail Petrov 🇷🇺 (Iberia Grand Prix) – Tire Delamination
P20 – Erik Haas 🇩🇪 (Trampos Racing) – Crash
—–
The first round of the season was officially over, and Jackson Racing had taken an early lead in the Constructors’ Standings.
With Luca securing 26 points for his win and fastest lap, and Rodnick adding 12 points from his P4 finish, the team totaled 38 points which was five points ahead of Squadra Corse’s 33 points which they earned through Marko Ignatova and Antonio Luigi finishing P2 and P3.
In the Drivers’ Standings, Luca now led the pack, surpassing Marko Ignatova. A rookie, on his first-ever F1 race, topping the championship? Unreal. But after the performance he displayed tonight, no one could call it undeserved.
When Luca received his trophy that night, he was momentarily lost in the loud cheers of the spectators and the jubilant Jackson Racing crew.
Below the podium, his 92B—his partner in battle—stood still, as if looking up at him, bearing the marks of a hard-fought victory. Beside him, Luigi and Ignatova stood on the lower steps, frowning and trying to keep their expressions neutral.
Luca believed this was just the first of many podiums to come. This realization was a bit too revealing. He now understood he was now an F1 driver and this was his profession. His job, work, occupation, whatever you might call it.
Every day, every week, every month, all he would think about is the goddamn track.
He pumped his fist into the air once more before reaching for his champagne.
Luigi and Ignatova wasted no time leaving the podium, unwilling to celebrate with a rival, the man who had denied them victory.
Luca had no one to spray the champagne on, so he directed his target at his Ferrari, refusing to let the bitterness of his rivals ruin the ecstasy of his victory.
“…A rookie, in his very first Formula 1 race, has defied the odds, dominated the grid, and crossed the line as the season opener’s victor…!”
“…Luca Rennick has arrived in the world of motorsport, and if tonight is anything to go by, he’s here to stay…!”
The podium celebration was just like any other podium celebration in F1.
The victor stood in glory, while the others were wandering around their garages, eyeing him.