In Form racing, the chances of rising from the bottom of the pack to the top were low but definitely not impossible.
Factors like track structure, track length, and the number ofps contributed to making it possible for any driver who happened to drop down the leaderboard, or any driver who started at the bottom, to rise to the top positions.
Whereas factors like the same track structure, but now coupled with weather conditions andpetitive aura, yed a major role in making that drop permanent, slimming the chances of any driver in P12 and below from making it to a point-worthy position.
It wasn''t umon for a driver to face a predicament that relegated him to the bottom. It happened all the time, as any little thing on track could take away seconds—seconds from crossing the checkered g first or being among the top five to do so.
Aaronson once started at the back of the grid this season, Derstappen had dropped to the mid-pack before, as had Miles. And now, it was Luca''s turn.
Luca wasn''t sure if his own condition could bepared to theirs as he drove under the rain on low momentum, another driver overtaking him after ap-long duel they had.
[20th Position]
[12th Lap]
P20 was horrible.
This was, by far, the deepest he had fallen back in the pack, and he was just three positions ahead of being apped driver. This meant drivers in P23 to P30 were still in the 11thp, about to enter the 12th.
It also meant that the pack leaders—his rivals—were now technically chasing him in some way.
Luca cussed. Never before had he seen so many holographic numbers hovering before him, so many opponents to overtake on the path to victory.
[Tires showing wear, host. Grip levels highly reduced. Fuel level at 25%. DRS unavable. Engine temperature unstable. Brake wear at 29%.]
[Telemetry reports understeer developing. Aerodynamic efficiency still optimal. Consider full adjustments topensate for tire degradation.]
Luca had already discussed a pit stop with his team. A pit stop on the 13thp was early—tenps earlier than originally nned.
[21st Position closing in]
Luca had had enough of this. His eyes darted to his side mirrors, catching sight of a uniquely painted Dara closing in behind him. The colors—ck, gray, and white—belonged to Nimelsa Motorsport.
That meant the driver could only be one of two people: Niko Rassfeld, their seasoned main driver, or Leon Vessario, the 18-year-old youngster.
Either way, Luca refused to slip to P21. Was his fate in this French Grand Prix to tumble all the way down to P30?!
Marco Rossi had once started a race from P30 in this generation of Form racing. From deadst, he had carved his way through the field to im an unforgettable victory at the Canadian Grand Prix—an achievement that solidified his status as the Greatest of All Time in this era.
But that was different. Rossi had begun at P30 due to a DNF in the previous race—he hadn''t fallen there mid-race!
Two entirely different situations. Two entirely different challenges.
Luca could only pray his pit stop wouldn''t send him plunging even further down the leaderboard.
**Crew is very ready** Mr. Moritz informed this time around as Luca sliced down the Drop once more, getting used to the track structure and trailed along P20 into Turn 7 toplete the 12th Lap as quickly as he could.
[Operational Status: 45%]
Luca replied with a positive answer and gripped his wheel tighter. Perhaps, he could make some impact before heading into the pine, outpace as many drivers as he could to save himself from the hell of being in P30 or anything close.
[Analyzing Dara (F2 04) and host''s distance from 19th Position]
[You are 1.8 seconds away, host.]
[19] Hovered sorge before him as he dove out of Turn 8''s exit, making sure he didn''t nce at the spot that had caused him all this dismay.
Once the straight emerged, Luca''s finger left the brake bias, and he expertly switched to DRS, flicking it with confidence.
Whirrr... His rear wings opened for the first time in this race, resulting in an immediate, involuntary push of his car due to the wet track.
However, Luca managed to handle the car''s sudden burst of free, unrestricted drag and maintained control of his DRS-moving chassis now.
[DRS Engaged!]
He heard the crowd roar, but he was certain it wasn''t because of his move. Something must have been happening up front, where all the holographic numbers jumbled together.
19th Position tried to use his spray to block Luca, but Luca had anticipated it. Knowing how long the straight was, he simply shifted to the right and let his DRS propel him through, taking P19 expertly before Turn 9.
**Nice. You still have it in you!**
[19th Position]
[Overtaking Skill +1]
[Distributing Attained Point to Attributes involved...]
[Agility +1]
Your next chapter is on empire
[Strength and Intelligence are yet to reach level-up threshold]
[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 37.5%]
[Ding!]
[Slipsense & Rainborne Skill umting 1/6]
"Oh," Luca whispered, his brows shooting up. "I almost forgot about the skill that would help me battle this!" he eximed, briefly looking up at the sky as rain battered his helmet and visor.
"WOOOOHH!" The crowd roared again, making Luca wonder what exactly was happening and how far ahead his real rivals had gotten.
[20th Position closing in]
"Not a problem. Calcte the one before me. I''m getting him next."
[Analyzing Dara (F2 04) and host''s distance from 18th Position]
[You are 2 seconds away, host.]
Exiting Turn 10, Luca felt his worn-out tires threaten him, as if warning they could end his race at any moment they chose.
Just a few more turns and straights until the 13thp and the pine.
Now, one of the longest straightaways in motorsport historyy before him, and he nned on closing the gap between himself and the APX car in P18. Maybe on the home straight, he''d use DRS again to take P18.
Even though he''d box and lose the position, Luca was certain it was better than staying in P20. Moreover, Pitstop Prodigy would do its work, considering his Dara wasn''t too badly damaged.
[You are picking up speed]
Luca''s foot pressed harder on the throttle, and the engine roared in response. The Dara surged forward, wind resistance fighting against its sleek frame as he chased the APX car ahead with water-kicking tires. The slipstream effect kicked in, pulling him closer, millisecond by millisecond.
Then, Slipstream Mastery''s effect added to the normal slipstream advantage, making his approach visibly faster.
1.8 seconds....
[Speed Boosted!]
1 second....
0.8 second...
0.6 second...
While Luca barreled down the wet, long straight, the Trampos garage and paddock were alive once more with activity.
All pit crew members secured their helmets, adjusted their straps, and swiftly rolled out the necessary equipment to the pit box. Mechanics readied the tire guns, while the front jackman took position, anticipating the call.
Mr. Grant decided it was time to leave the viewing post for a while and head to the pine, just like some other Team Principals.
He informed Vallotton before stepping out, making his way out of the garage, where he could see everyone in Trampos'' red braving the rain and taking their positions at the pit box—some kneeling, some bent, all poised for Luca''s arrival.
Mr. Grant then walked to the paddock and took a seat, awaiting Luca''s car.
"...there is some movement going on in Trampos'' garage, Jon! Luca Rennick, now in P18, might be our first pitter today in this French Grand Prix!"
"...after what happened on the 7th Lap, it''s not much of a surprise, Steve. His car must be the most prone to understeer, a tire lock-up, or even suspension failure. Luca Rennick could be heading into the pits to prevent any of that."
"...and at the front of the pack, Sean Aaronson still leads this French Grand Prix!"
"WOOOOHH!"
"...Miles Bellingham in P2!"
"WOOOOHH!"@@novelbin@@
"...Oliver Kristensen holds P3!"
"WOOOOHH!"
[18th Position]
[550m Straightaway ahead]
The Home straight.
Luca heaved a sigh of relief after navigating Turn 11 that almost swept his car away. He swerved into Turn 12 with uncontrolled violence that everyone noticed.
**Hmm! Be careful, Luca** Mr. Ruben said through the radio with concern after seeing Luca''s rear tires tear up grass again before barely making it back on track.
[You are picking up speed!]
Luca pushed his Dara to its limit, tearing across the grid once more to officially begin Lap 13—one that the front-runners had already started.
Without hesitation, he veered into the pitne after confirming the call with his engineers.
The thick haze made it difficult to spot his team''s pit box, but the entire Trampos crew had their eyes locked on him—none more so than Mr. Grant.
"...Luca Rennick heads into the pine first!"
"WOOOOHH!"
As the mist cleared, Luca expertly guided his car down thene and came to a precise stop within the designated rectangle.
The crew sprang into action, moving with precision and urgency. Every second mattered. Lap 13, P18—if he wanted to salvage this race, miracles had to start happening now.
He felt the car lift as the team worked seamlessly around him. ncing toward the paddock, he caught sight of Mr. Grant, seated yet focused.
Luca raised a hand in acknowledgment.
Mr. Grant returned the gesture, a firm wave toward his helmeted driver. A silent message passed between them.
Whirrr...thud! Drop!
**3.7 seconds. Let''s go!**
[Pitstop Prodigy +1]
[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 50%]
New tires with optimal grip, extra fuel, and a newly reinforced side frame—Luca felt like he was the machine itself, revitalized and ready.
Zip!
The APX car—Conor Philips—roared past into Turn 1, reiming P18.
"..."
Luca scoffed, the realization settling in.
If he wanted to excel in this French Grand Prix, he needed to unlock Slipsense & Rainborne. And to do that, he had to umte six Overtaking Skill points.
Had he been leading the race, securing this Daily Quest reward would have been nearly impossible. Overtaking opportunities were rare at the front, meaning he could finish high—but not necessarily in P1.
But here, at the back of the grid... overtakes were everywhere.
A grin spread across his face as he powered out of the pitne, rejoining the race.
He could actually unlock this skill—and win the French Grand Prix with it...