Chapter 69
The next day was a near copy-and-paste of the previous one for Luca, though he managed to fit some time in the simulator into his schedule.
After settling into the cockpit-like seat, Luca strapped on the required gear and immersed himself in the virtual track. His goal was to sharpen his reflexes and decision-making under pressure, replicating the intense environment and conditions of a real race. While doing this, he also practiced responding to real-time instructions from his engineering team, who provided crucial feedback on tire choices and driving strategies.
Amusingly for Luca, the simulator’s team engineer voice sounded exactly like, if not identical to, the ones from the video games he had played. This made the simulation feel less foreign and even more entertaining, as it felt more like he was on a mission rather than just racing for victory.
The computer-generated opponents were coded with advanced algorithms to mimic real racers, making decisions based on specific conditions and generally putting up a tough fight. For nearly an hour, Luca pushed himself against these virtual rivals while Ansel and Haas trained on the track.
After completing two virtual races, Luca was surprised that his System didn’t reward him with even a single point for all the hard work he had put in. Sighing in slight disappointment, he exited the simulator and went on to finish the rest of his Daily Routine. By that time, Mr. Grant would likely have completed the session with Ansel and Haas, ready to focus on Luca as planned.
Returning to his accommodations, Luca refreshed himself with a satisfying breakfast before heading out, leaving little time to check his phone for important messages. Jogging to the uniform building, he donned Trampos’s colors and made his way to the track.
Mr. Grant had just finished a session with Ansel and Haas, the three of them conversing just beside the track. As Luca approached, helmet in hand, he had the distinct feeling that they were discussing something important. And these conversations was the kind he l Iiked to be part of.
Ansel stood up from his single-seater as Luca arrived, and everyone exchanged greetings. Mr. Moritz, ever boisterous, threw an arm around Luca’s neck, jerking him playfully but with enough force to make Luca wince. “I hope you’re feeling fresh! We’re upping the difficulty today!” Mr. Moritz sneered. He glanced over at Haas and Ansel. “Would you two like to stay and watch me torture this lad?”
Haas shook his head and began to unzip his suit, the crew jogging toward them to roll their cars out. “Not for me,” he said, giving his car one last pat before walking off. “I would rather go home.”
Luca humbly stepped aside, giving Haas enough room to pass.
Ansel sighed, as though exhaustion was something entirely new to him. He locked eyes with Luca and shrugged.
Luca wasn’t about to beg anyone to stay and watch him train. In fact, he preferred fewer spectators. “No problem,” he said calmly. “Go get some rest.”
Ansel approached Luca and leaned in to whisper, “I don’t get it, man. You’re not even driving in the next races. Why’s your schedule so tight, huh?”
“You’ve seen it,” Luca replied, his frown betraying his frustration.
Ansel chuckled deeply like an old man, tapping Luca heavily on the shoulder before ambling away toward the uniform building.
“Alllrrright!” Mr. Moritz bellowed, his voice echoing across the facility. “Let’s get these cars cleared out and bring in a fresh one ASAP!”
Two minutes later, Luca’s Dallara was towed to the track, its sleek frame as appealing as a perfectly sculpted work of art.
‘Ready to go,’ his System confirmed, and without hesitation, Luca climbed into the cockpit to begin his session. Read new adventures at empire
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By 4 PM, the day had ended for most, but Luca was still deeply engrossed in the telemetry data books. It felt like deciphering a complex, cryptic formula—dense with variables—yet somehow, Luca found clarity. Understanding the patterns made him feel like a choreographer, as vivid images of race strategies played in his mind.
Even after speaking with Mr. Mallow, Luca returned to this newfound obsession. Mallow had dropped by to check on him—not because Luca needed supervision, but because Mallow wanted to pat him on the back and commend him for his radiant charm.
Luca had unintentionally attracted the endorsement of Felicity Hawthorne, the wealthiest cattle ranch owner in England. Mallow had acquired her contact through Luca and began speaking with the charismatic woman immediately, sharing Luca’s journey into motorsport and highlighting his progress. Mallow believed this was an essential setup for a potential endorsement and was keen to take a measured pace before diving into the finer details.
Luca, amused by Mallow’s enthusiasm, laughed off the praise, had lunch with him, and saw him off before returning to his routine.
Now, Luca’s eyes were sore—not from exhaustion, but from hours of poring over data. Yet, he wasn’t ready to stop. His eyes ached from staring at pages filled with insights and strategies, but his determination pushed him forward.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and he prepared to wrap up the day after a refreshing shower and dinner, Luca settled into bed. Underneath a warm blanket, his laptop screen cast a soft glow in the otherwise dark room.
Navigating to his first choice, Luca double-clicked and tapped the spacebar. The screen momentarily darkened before illuminating with the familiar logo of Formula 1, accompanied by last season’s iconic theme song that built anticipation.
The F1 logo quickly transitioned to the F2 emblem with a zap mimicking the speed of a single-seater.
“…Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Austrian Grand Prix…!”
The voice of Steve Cole, Formula 2’s seasoned commentator, crackled through the speakers as the screen displayed Austria’s circuit teeming with cheering fans and glimpses of Vienna in the background.
Luca sank further into his bed, eager to binge-watch the race until sleep claimed him.
The championship standings appeared on the screen, followed by precise data designed to help viewers catch up on the season’s developments.
The film quickly skipped to the electrifying starting grid. Luca’s gaze locked on Trampos’s colors, easily picking out the familiar designs among the other teams.