My Formula 1 System-Chapter 363: S2 Hungarian Grand Prix
Unfortunately for Luca, his plans to dominate the eighth round's qualifier did not go as planned. He aimed for pole, but at the end, settled beyond the top five, more than a bitter pill to swallow.
Luca knew the 92B used to be the seventh-fastest car on the grid—and sixth when Nevada was banned—but ever since he had upgraded it to the fifth fastest, surpassing Ailbeart's Renault, Luca always anticipated qualifying in the top five with confidence.
These were currently the top five OFFICIAL fastest cars in the F1 competition at the moment:
—Mercedes (AMG F1 W09) piloted by Antonio Luigi/ Squadra Corse
—Ferrari (JRX-97) piloted by Marcellus Rodnick/ Jackson Racing
—Red Bull (RBioL) piloted by Davide DiMarco and Jimmy Damgaard/ Bueseno Velocità
—Mercedes (W15R BlackHalo) piloted by Marko Ignatova/ Squadra Corse
—Renault (R.S.16) piloted by Ailbeart Moireach/ Haddock Racing
But since Luca's notorious tweaks to his car using his system, he had unofficially overtaken Ailbeart Moireach in that number five spot. So, in a full-on speed test, he would be faster than Ailbeart in all possible ways, especially since he also took the best racing lines.
But the same Ailbeart Moireach had somehow qualified above Luca on the grid. Luca thought race control could have done better because he vividly recalled seeing Ailbeart drive beyond the white track line at some point.
That infraction was overlooked, but his wasn't. Regardless, Luca knew that wasn't the reason for not getting the lap time he wanted. Traffic on Hungaro Ring was very bad on Thursday, even Jimmy Damgaard who won pole, his lap time was significantly slower than Ailbeart Moireach's pole qualifying lap time in Hungary last year.
P1— Jimmy Damgaard
P2— Marko Ignatova
P3— Antonio Luigi
P4— Davide DiMarco
P5— Ailbeart Moireach
P6— Luca Rennick
P7— Desmond Lloyd
P8— Hank Rice
P9— Luis Dreyer
P10— Alejandro Vasquez
P11— Buoso Di Renzo
P12— Mark Derfflinger
P13— Yokouchi Yūichirō
P14— Desmond Lloyd
P15— Javier Montez
P16— James Lockwood
P17— Mikhail Petrov
P18— Józef Konarski
P19— Ansel Hahn
P20— Erik Haas
Di Renzo's first qualifier since the US Grand Prix landed him P11. It was a favorable position, halfway through the grid with beneficial advantages for strategic overtakes. Luca was curious to see how he would make good use of it in the race, eager for Jackson Racing's redemption.
Alpine had reshuffled their lineup, and Józef Konarski had retaken his place beside Yūichirō for this race. Even Haddock made similar changes because Denko was seen seated in their paddock while arrangements for lights out were ongoing. Derfflinger was back in action with Ailbeart.
Luca wondered if all these changes were tied to the fact of Rodnick's absence. Maybe this was a strategic play by rival teams to exploit Jackson Racing's weakened lineup, or the timing and simultaneity were just strange.
Before the race, many drivers were asked to share their thoughts on Rodnick's absence and the effect it might have on the race and the championship battle.
Some gave the expected courteous answer, like Luigi, who said, "It's unfortunate what happened to Marcellus, and I hope he heals up quickly."
In fact, Squadra Corse, who were the team that would benefit the most out of Rodnick's absence, were quite empathetic about the issue. Luca wasn't sure if it was all fake care, but if it was, then both drivers should be given Oscars because Marko had said, "You never want to see a rival go out like that. It changes the grid dynamics, for sure."
Hank Rice was the only one whom Luca felt was all real. He personally knew Rodnick, just as he knew Marco Rossi back then. He said, "He's strong. He'll be back. I wish him good recovery," with a steady voice and genuine warmth.
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However, moving on to Ailbeart: "It's motorsport. One man's misfortune is another man's opportunity. We're all here to win," he stated bluntly with eyes of ambition.
When it came to DiMarco's and Damgaard's interviews, their words were enough to make Rodnick clench his right fist in anger and wish for a faster recovery so he could shut them up.
DiMarco chuckled at the interviewer's question. "To be honest, Thursday felt quieter without his Ferrari's roar," he said as he clicked his tongue. "When will he be back?" he asked the reporter, truly curious about Rodnick's return date.
"There hasn't been an official statement from Jackson Racing on a return date. All we know for now is that he'll be out for this round at least, and it could extend beyond that depending on his recovery progress. Nothing's been confirmed."
"He should take his time and heal fully," DiMarco finished before giving space for Damgaard, who came in explaining how Rodnick's absence had some advantages because now, other drivers had a shot.
Sitting on the grid, Luca was determined to show them when a Stallion loses a leg, its brother doesn't graze, it charges twice as hard.
"...Welcome to the Hungarian Grand Prix, ladies and gentlemen, under the blazing evening lights of Hungaro...!"
"...The grid's a powder keg, ready to explode! Jimmy Damgaard starts at pole for the first time this season—forth in his career to lead the pack with a Red Bull! P2 and P3 belong to Squadra, held by Ignatova and Luigi. Luigi, the championship leader, gleams with confidence at that third box!"
"WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!"
"…And P6, Luca Rennick, Jackson's firebrand, ready to charge from mid-grid, he is ready for redemption here in Budapest after that unfortunate incident in Stavelot, where a chiseled wing from Luigi's Mercedes shredded his tire. Luckily, all cars are now fully inspected by the cameras, and there are no signs of danger, thankfully, ensuring a fair fight tonight…"
That was the only outcome from what had happened to Luca: a crosscheck on every car for a sharpened wing, now standard before lights out.
There were no punishments given to Luigi nor Squadra. After a very brief investigation, the FIA came out with no true proof but the accusation of sabotaging a team. Squadra had claimed their wing was damaged in a prior kerb strike, not deliberately sharpened, their telemetry and footage convincing the stewards for a 100% belief of no foul play.
The FIA could not dig any further as everything was in place. Mr. Campanella was cunning to have done that when the season wasn't at its fevered peak. If it was, the investigation would not have been so easily buried, leaving shadows of doubt to fester.
Luca didn't know how to react to the "dropping of investigation" because he wasn't truly sure Luigi's wing was deliberately weaponized. So, he vowed to boost his Spatial Awareness to its zenith, eradicating the risk of such treachery striking again. All he wanted was extreme vigilance.
But even though he took his mind away from it, he felt like some guilty souls were actually walking away free here.
"...Down to P12 Mark Derfflinger, P13 Yokouchi Yūichirō, P14 another Lloyd, and beyond to P20 Erik Haas, the pack's ready to battle through 70 grueling laps...!"
"...the reigning champion is absent from competition after a crash in team training. Buoso Di Renzo replaces Marcellus Rodnick this evening as we wish him a speedy recovery. The pride of Jackson Racing rests on
Rennick's shoulders now. The lights are dimming!"
