My Formula 1 System-Chapter 385: Pre-S2 British Grand Prix. 2
Race Day: June 22, Stadhaven Circuit , London, England.
"...welcome to Stadhaven! Welcome to London! Welcome to the ninth race of the F1 calendar! Welcome to the British Grand Prix...!"
"WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!"
"...The fans have packed in from every corner of the world, draped in flags, ponchos, and passion—despite the persistent drizzle that's become almost a tradition here at Stadhaven..."
"...And what a follow-up to Hungary we have on our hands! Emotions were raw, tempers high, and stakes even higher in Budapest. That post-race drama is still fresh in everyone's memory! The energy here is absolutely electric. You can feel the buzz from the paddock to the grandstands. Everyone knows this is not just another stop on the calendar—this is the BRITISH GRAND PRIX...."
On Thursday, Luca's personal resumé in the system received a notable update:
[Pole Positions: 5]
Mr. Grant couldn't have been more spot-on when he remarked that grip would be no issue for Luca. With a stunning flying lap in Q3, Luca secured pole position, gliding around the slick track with the speed and grace of a jet boat slicing through water.
That qualifying session stood out as one of Luca's finest, a moment he'd be replaying in his mind for a long time.
[Congratulations, host. You have claimed pole,] the system announced, followed by a rewarding popup.
[You have been rewarded with:(1) Wrench]
Earning (1) Wrench was a significant prize, but Luca didn't rush to use it. Instead, he tucked it away in his inventory, saving it for the race. His plan was to deploy the Wrench strategically, potentially boosting his chances of making Sync Buff by applying it to a Skill.
"...The track layout's been extended this year—now a full 6 kilometers with an increased lap count of 55. That means more technical demands, more overtaking zones, and more room for chaos. The drizzle had ceased, but it might take some while for the track to fully dry. So, expect tire strategy, pit drama, and a few bold moves...!"
"WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!"
"...Ladies and gentlemen, may we have your attention, please."
"...We are honored to welcome distinguished members of the British Royal Family to this season's British Grand Prix at Stadhaven."
"WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!"
"...Please rise to acknowledge the presence of Their Majesties, King Thomas and Queen Catherine."
"...Joining them are Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince James and Princess Eleanor, along with their children: Prince Oliver, Princess Amelia, and Prince Henry."
"....Also in attendance are His Royal Highness, Prince David, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Her Royal Highness, Princess Margaret, the Princess Royal."
"...Their presence today underscores the enduring connection between the monarchy and the nation's cherished sporting traditions."
"...We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Their Majesties and Their Royal Highnesses for gracing this event with their presence."
"WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!"
"... FORMULA 1 IS TRULY IN LONDON...!"
P1— Luca Rennick
P2— Luis Dreyer
P3— Antonio Luigi
P4— Davide DiMarco
P5— Yokouchi Yūichirō
P6— Mark Derfflinger
P7— Elias Nyström
P8— Buoso Di Renzo
P9— Mikhail Petrov
P10— Desmond Lloyd
P11— James Lockwood
P12— Marko Ignatova
P13— Hank Rice
P14— Desmond Lloyd
P15— Ansel Hahn
P16— Alejandro Vasquez
P17— Javier Montez
P18— Józef Konarski
P19— Erik Haas
P20— Ailbeart Moireach
For the second time this season, Ailbeart Moireach faced disqualification from qualifying due to a crash, relegating him to the back of the grid. It was far from the starting position he'd hoped for, especially on home soil. To avoid repeating this setback, Ailbeart would need to sharpen his skills on slick tracks, particularly when pushing for that fastest lap at high speeds.
Ailbeart's misfortune stood in stark contrast to Luca's triumph. While Ailbeart languished at the rear, Luca reigned at the front, basking in the glory of pole position. It was the ideal spot to soak in the electric atmosphere of racing on home turf.
For the first time this season, the Italian crowd was noticeably smaller. There was no sea of hostile banners, no defamatory chants, no rival cheers piercing the air. Luca could hardly believe this was the kind of serene confidence Rodnick was used to racing in every British GP. With such a flawless setting, he couldn't help but wonder what could possibly keep him from starting in P1 and crossing the finish line in P1.
[SYNCHRONIZING HOST....]
[SYNCHRONIZATION COMPLETE]
[Host is now synced with Ferrari (JRX-92B)]
Luca's trusty car, the 92B, was poised to carry him to victory, just as it had consistently done throughout the season so far.
The JRX-97, after its devastating crash, had been meticulously repaired and rebuilt. It had undergone all necessary processes—rigorous inspections, testing, and fine-tuning—and was now fully fit for competitive use.
This left Jackson Racing with two JRX-97s currently sidelined, tucked away in the depths of their garage at headquarters. Meanwhile, Luca and Di Renzo continued to pilot their reliable 92Bs, ready to hit the track.
Jackson Racing was nearly torn apart by internal debates when the decision about the JRX-97 was finalized. Numerous petitions pushed for Luca to take the wheel of a 97 in Rodnick's absence, while a handful supported Di Renzo for the role. Ultimately, the core argument was about having at least one driver switch to the 97, while the other continued with the reliable 92B.
In the end, no changes were implemented. After heated discussions, Jackson Racing concluded that "there was no pressing need for this decision." Sitting comfortably in 1st place in the standings, the team saw no urgent reason to rush into leveraging a spare 97 for just one race. Their driver contracts, particularly Rodnick's ironclad "golden seal" agreement, clearly outlined which machines each driver would operate.
With the team leading the championship and Rodnick expected to return fully fit for the next race, the final call was to avoid stirring unnecessary conflict or appearing opportunistic. Making a hasty switch risked fracturing team trust, especially with Rodnick, and Jackson Racing wasn't about to jeopardize their harmony for a fleeting advantage.
So, at the end of it all, here was Luca, sitting at pole in his 92B, the first red lights blazing and Stadhaven's wide-open track stretching out ahead. He could sense Luis Dreyer's fiery rage in the car beside him, the memory of their Hungary clash with Luigi still vivid, and he knew this was going to be one intense race.
