My Formula 1 System

The Qualifiers for the Bahrain Grand Prix kicked off as a tactical chess match, with every team, including Jackson Racing—and Luca himself—playing their part.

Luca's choice to go out early in Q1, hoping to clock a fast lap before the rising heat degraded the tires, proved successful, giving him a solid performance before the track conditions worsened.

To his surprise, he not only secured but held the fastest lap in Q1!

1. Luca Rennick ⬩ 1:36.867 (+0.000)

2. Ailbeart Moireach⬩ (+0.032)

3. Davide DiMarco ⬩ (+0.171)

The drivers eliminated from Q1 weren't new names. It was still the same group, the ones who always seemed stuck at the back, unable to break free from the cycle. No matter how much they pushed, how hard they tried, it was always the same outcome.

It was a bit depressing.

Since Qualifiers weren't about overtaking and real race action, the difference between chassis capabilities was on full display. The raw distinction was exposed, the very reason they would end up as backmarkers most of the time.

16. Alejandro Vasquez⬩ (+1.781)

17. Jacob Jakobsen ⬩ (+1.842)

18. Ansel Hahn ⬩ (+1.997)

19. Józef Konarski ⬩ (+2.131)

20. Erik Haas ⬩ (+2.451)

Alpine had substituted Yūichirō with Jakobsen. The reason was definitely for a better strategy to get points. But it was a strange substitution in Luca's eyes. According to statistics, although both Alpine Swiss F1 main drivers were anything but spectacular so far this season, Yūichirō was still better over Konarski.

It wasn't Luca's place to judge anyway.

Into Q2 back on Thursday, Luca didn't attain the fastest lap, but he did survive elimination. It was Rodnick who hit the fastest lap, seconded by DiMarco and Jimmy Damgaard.

Rodnick had taken a different approach, waiting until later in the session to make his mark. The track had improved by the time he set his lap, and Rodnick took full advantage of the fresher tires, ultimately claiming P1 for Q2.

A stunning crash from Petrov had him disqualified, and on Sunday, he was set to start at the back of the grid.

When Q3 began, Luca had thought he wouldn't have a competitive flying lap score because of the way he had begun. Traffic wasn't on his side, forcing him to lift off the throttle at critical moments. His tires, still needing the perfect temperature, weren't biting into the track the way he wanted.

His first attempt was scrappy, a little bit decent but not enough to threaten the top spots. The pressure mounted, and with time running out, he knew he had to nail his final lap.

He eventually found his rhythm as the hot track cleared slightly. With the help of the system, he threaded the needle through the corners, took on the straights and by the time he crossed the line, the timing board flashed a result far better than he had expected.

1. Luca Rennick ⬩ 1:35.561 (+0.000)

**Pole freaking position! C'mon! Good job!**

[Good job, host. You have secured a pole position]

Luca's heart raced when he realized that it was his first-ever pole position in Formula 1. A wave of triumph surged through him knowing this was an achievement, or even better—a reward.

The thought of starting the race from the front was a huge confidence boost. Pole position meant control, and control meant he could dictate the pace right from the beginning.

Using Grid Launch to begin the race would also add to this advantage. Early throttle, get as far as possible from Moireach who qualified for P2, and then switch to the best defense F1 would ever see.

P1— Luca Rennick

P2— Ailbeart Moireach

P3— Davide DiMarco

P4— Antonio Luigi

P5— Jimmy Damgaard

P6— Elias Nyström

P7— Marcellus Rodnick

P8— Marko Ignatova

P9— Denko Rutherford

P10— Desmond Lloyd

P11— Hank Rice

P12— Luis Dreyer

P13— James Lockwood

P14— Javier Montez

P15— Alejandro Vasquez

P16— Jacob Jakobsen

P17— Ansel Hahn

P18— Józef Konarski

P19— Erik Haas

P20— Mikhail Petrov

Luca wondered just how much his Pole Position securement vexed his rivals, especially Davide DiMarco.

Imagine deliberately crashing your rival to "teach him a lesson". He misses one round because of your actions—a win for you—but returns the following round and claims pole. Such a backhanded slap!

Luca was sure DiMarco would do anything to have both of them square one-on-one again since he was going to start in P3, not so far away from pole.

Other notable rivals were Luigi at P4, Rice at P11, Marko at P8, Dreyer at P12. We shouldn't forget Rodnick too, who qualified for P7 on Thursday.

Luca loved the statement one F1 analyst uttered about him. "A rookie in Formula 1 isn't supposed to bend the veterans to his will. But Luca Rennick is kneeling them, one by one."

"...WELCOME TO THE FORMULA 1 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX...!"

"WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!"

The Bahrain International Circuit—one of the most technologically advanced racing venues in the world—was alive with energy. It had always been an impressive venue, but with its recent expansions pushing the seating capacity from 80k to a staggering 100,000, the sheer scale of the crowd was overwhelming.

The roar of the fans reverberated across the desert, merging with the sounds of single-seater-related machinery humming from all the garages.

Chants grew, chants died. Luca could hear every single one of them as he replied to questions from the press.

They all wanted to know what he was going to execute this afternoon with his first F1 pole and after a race absence following a drastic crash and controversy.

"Would you like to respond to Davide's words?"

Respond? Why is everyone saying things against me? I don't even know of this one!

Luca took a deep breath and placed his hands on his hips. "What did he say?" he asked.

The reporter, sensing an opportunity for a headline, adjusted his mic and cleared his throat. "Back in China, after your crash, Davide was quoted saying, 'I was just testing out the strength of his chassis, y'know. I guess it's not that tough, cheers.'"

Luca's expression didn't change immediately. He processed the words, replaying them in his mind, dissecting their arrogance, their sheer lack of remorse.

Fucking cunt, he cussed inwardly.

"Luca? Are you still there?"

Luca nodded. "Yes. Yes I am."

"So, any response?"

Luca shook his head. "No, not at all. I only let my driving speak for me," he said and turned down other questions before leaving the booth.

He exhaled sharply and flexed his fingers as he stepped out into the open wild air of flags and banners. His system's interface suddenly covered his view. When Luca glanced at the sun, it was almost invisible.

[Ding!]

[Daily Quest has been Issued!]

Luca squinted his eyes to read the rest.

[-·-EMERGE FIRST OUT OF THIS 50-LAP RACE-·-]

[DURATION: nil]

[Rewards....