Monaco Grand Prix 2

Aaronson didn't hesitate to defend his position early on, but Luca had already accelerated aggressively to his right, matching him nose to nose. Any direct cut-in by Aaronson would lead to an immediate penalty.

Luca's eyes flicked briefly to Ansel, who maintained the lead despite the early engine cluster, just before they approached the first turn that would mark the leaderboard's first record.

With his early momentum, Luca managed to slip behind Ansel, his tires raking over the track as he settled into his lane, displaying his rear to Aaronson.

"…Addams trying to steal that lead from Hahn, but Hahn is not giving it to him. He now has to shift focus to the Squadra driver just a second behind him. And my! Look at that! Rennick has thrown Aaronson behind him. We've seen many lights-out overtakes, but that's one to remember…!"

[4th Position]

[5th Position closing in]

[6th Position closing in]

[7th Position closing in]

As they rounded the curve, Luca's feet put pressure on the throttle, his car surging forward and his body jolting under the forces. He watched as his speedometer on his System interface sped up while he closed in on Miles' black-and-golden Dallara, still battling for a stable 4th with Kristensen, who aimed for higher. Aaronson had lagged early behind, but that didn't mean he still didn't pose a threat.

The blue-hued asphalt zoomed beneath their tires as the pack sliced through the first straightaway, made a turn through a street bounded by commercial buildings, weaved through four more turns, before sectioning into another straightaway that would then lead to the grid once more.

[You are gathering speed]

[2nd Lap]

[5th Position closing in]

[Host hasn't unlocked Skills to disclose opponent]

"This Kristensen is underrated," Luca muttered to himself, tilting his wheel to match the movements of Kristensen's Retona Racing car, the black-and-violet livery gleaming in his side mirror.

**Don't let him get close. If he does, you won't see him again**

"Understood," Luca responded, his foot firmly on the throttle, only easing up when necessary to navigate the curves. His car sliced through the darker bends of the street. Although his hearing was limited to the radio and the roaring of his own engine, he could still catch the faint whirring of a helicopter above, probably capturing the race from a bird's-eye view.

[12th Lap]

[Stamina +1]

[5th Position closing in]

[Host hasn't unlocked Skills to disclose opponent]

**Stay sharp. This is how Monaco has always been. Keep your consistency.**

**Han? Is Addams' pressure too much?**

**It is**

**You see, Luca, you both have defending to do. I'd give anything to see this race finish in the positions you're holding now. Let's not falter, eh?**

**Roger**

"Roger," Luca replied steadily, making a curve that he was eventually familiar with, the sparse cheers of the crowd behind the caged barriers were faint but still motivating.

[15th Lap]

[Track Awareness +1]

[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 12.5%]

[5th Position closing in rapidly]

[Host hasn't unlocked Skills to disclose opponent]

Ahh, C'mon man. Luca shook his head after glancing at his side mirror. The neon, fluorescent lights illuminating the track reflected off Kristensen's chassis, further painting a picture of a threatening beast to his P4. Moreover, Miles was significantly far ahead, leaving Luca in a vulnerable position.

"All these skills—when can I unlock them exactly? I'm still stuck with some basic stuff," Luca voiced his complaint to the System as he defended his line, he and Kristensen zipping past the screens, their section becoming the major focus.

[With these following:

–Leveling to the next Bundle by completing a Mission

–Maxing out a current Skill to 20

–Having all Attributes 20, 30, 40 or more]

[5th Position closing in rapidly]

[Host hasn't unlocked Skills to disclose opponent]

**Keep to the center, Luca. Do not drop speed. The driver behind you isn't planning on staying behind for long**

The high-pitched revving of Kristensen's engine filled the space between him and Luca. Luca could sense his rival's nose practically brushing his rear as they zipped through Stellar. He did his best as they approached the next bend, but Kristensen was too close, with Aaronson not far behind.

"... it's a game of inches for those two stars. Kristensen is ready to pounce on Rennick at any moment..."

Kristensen's car was basically attached to Luca's rear wing. Luca considered making a sharp drift at the next bend to force Kristensen off his line—maybe even off the track and into a soft crash.

[Intelligence +1]

[Track Span Analysis: 2.5 meters wide (outside lane available)] [Optimal Racing Line Calculated: 1.8 meters]

[Car Width: 1.9 meters] [Margin for Error: 2.15 meters (2 meters on the left side. 0.15 metres on the right)]

Luca flicked the gear and sharply tilted his wheel, the tires screeching and leaving a black arc on the asphalt, smoke billowing into the evening air.

[Calculating host drift exit...]

[.... successfully calculated]

Time seemed to freeze for Luca as he chose from three possible routes to direct his nose upon exiting the drift. He opted for the line that would cut ahead of Kristensen. The issue was that his rival, Kristensen, was drifting too.

"…they're both drifting! This is unbelievable! Look at the closeness—this could be catastrophic...!"

Both cars slid sideways, tires fighting for grip. Luca's direction was aiming to cut in left, while Kristensen could easily exit the drift through the right space Luca created. Luca cursed deeply, his choice of direction turning out horribly wrong as Kristensen was the one who found just enough traction to edge forward. With a deft maneuver, he nudged past Luca, making a very slight contact that sent a soft jolt through both machines.

[You made a 2.7 g drift, host.]

[Strength +1]

[5th Position]

"…Oliver Kristensen takes advantage of that intense moment, leaving Rennick to recover quickly if he wants to stay in contention...!"

[20th Lap]

Luca could hear Moritz's supportive clapping through the radio, but it only deepened his frustration at being overtaken.

Kristensen wasn't far ahead, the holographic number 4 now materializing above the violet Dallara in Luca's view, which his System quickly labeled as a leading opponent.

Stay calm, Luca. Overtakes happen all the time.

[Analyzing host and Dallara (F2 04) distance from 4th Position]

[You are 1 sec away, host.]

Luca didn't need a reminder that he wasn't too far back, and was determined not to let the straightaways widen the gap between him and Kristensen.

He adjusted his grip on the wheel, fine-tuning his steering sensitivity. A quick flick of his thumb activated the DRS, and he felt the slight change in drag as the wing opened up just as he rounded the next bend. His weight shifted, and his car responded to his command, the tires gripping the asphalt as he straightened out with Kristensen a prey in his visor.

Aaronson was just behind Luca, engaged in a fierce battle with Max Addams' teammate, Dani Walding, and the once-magnificent Albert Derstappen of Squadra Corse Jnr, all packed tightly in the 6th to 9th positions. But Luca's focus remained on offense. His mission in this race wasn't to be a passive, defensive prey; it was to create chaos among the rivals, giving Hahn a smoother path, thereby leaving just one opponent for his teammate to worry about.

[You are gathering speed.]

[Acceleration maxed.]

[DATA DISPLAYED IN REAL-TIME:

-Car Speed: 300 km/h

-Heart Rate: 115 bpm

-Operational Status: 80% (Fair)

-Breathing: Calm & Steady

-Distance covered: 64000 m

-Time: 38 min. ]

Luca was pinned to his seat by the powerful thrust as his car kept covering asphalt in mere seconds, making good use of the straightaway. He effortlessly danced to the slight curve of the track, riskily keeping his speed at a high value as the steel barricades blurred at his sides.

[Endurance +1]

[Host is closing in on 4th Position]

"Now, that's what I like to hear for a change, System," Luca muttered, briefly glancing at his full System interface for a self-conscious check himself. His eyes drifted to his side mirror, for another check of his position's safety.

The track resembled a dark river, illuminated by the blue glow from the towering buildings and the occasional lights positioned along the track. Most of the cars behind him, lacking holographic numbers above them, would regularly blend into the shadows before emerging into the lit sections. Over the course of 20 laps, Luca had noticed this phenomenon but had adapted to it, relying on the System's regular proximity warnings and any foreign engine roar that reached his ears.

The gap between Luca and Kristensen began to close as they rounded out the 20th lap and moved into the 21st. Luca kept to the right lane, fully aware that the upcoming street would be a right-hander. His eyes flickered to the interface for a moment, determined to make this turn count.

[DRS disengaged, host.]

[Analyzing optimal entry speed based on current velocity, tire traction, and curvature of the bend...]

[Tire traction: 78%]

[Recommended speed for maneuver: 140 km/h]

Luca angled his wheel, now close enough to Kristensen's violet Dallara to see the shimmering heat waves rising from its rear.

[You have ultimately reduced speed]

Luca adjusted his brake balance to shift more weight to the front tires now that the DRS was disengaged. Every ounce of downforce was crucial at turns, providing better tire grip. He felt the deceleration, watching Kristensen's car for any changes or signs of slowing down as well.

Nice, Luca thought, spotting it himself.

"...Addams is still hot on Hahn's tail. It's anyone's game as they hit the straight..!"

"...Bellingham is a few seconds behind Addams. Do not count him out, Steve, he could make a move at any moment. He's really shown us he's known for aggressive straight overtakes; you can bet he can capitalize on any mistake from those two veterans before him..."

"...as tight as it is at the lead, so it is everywhere, the tail, and even the middle. This is a reminder the Sprint Race was nothing like this, and we were having one car per section. Now they're more than a car per section, inching closer to each other. Even Rennick believes the battle for P4 isn't over; he's competing with Kristensen again in yet another bend..."

[Strength +1]

Luca welcomed the pressure of the G-forces as his tires dug into the asphalt, screeching loudly to Kristensen's side.

Kristensen panicked in his cockpit after sizing up his dashboard and car details for a potential pitstop. The momentum and sheer force he had used in chasing Luca throughout the 15th-20th laps had caught up with him, and his car was at an average Operational Status at the moment. Yes, he could manage and push to defend his line. However, Luca, who was exerting his car for the first time, had a much better car status, with the bend favoring him more.

"...Rennick is right alongside Kristensen at the apex of that dark corner. He's taking the outside line—this is a bold move to reclaim what he once had! Kristensen is feeling the pressure, and he's edging to the third line to keep Rennick at bay—but—no, they're exiting the bend and Rennick has his nose in first...!"

"...He had the superior grip. I'm not surprised he made the overtake stick. P4 is his once again...!"

[4th Position]

**Perfect, Luca! Let's go! Go grab that third! C'mon!**

[Overtaking Skill +1]

[Reflexes +1]

[SYNC BAR: [][][][] 37.5%]

[Ding!]

[Host has maxed Overtaking Skill!]

[Ding!]

[You have unlocked a Skill:

-Corner Chopping: 2 ]

Luca exhaled as he slipped back onto the asphalt after driving on the rigid curb for a few seconds. Glancing at his side mirror for reassurance, he could see Kristensen lagging, his dilemma for a pitstop evident.

"Corner chopping? What's that?" Luca asked, excitement brimming within him to use a new skill.

[Corner Chopping is a tactical maneuver used to effectively defend one's position while disrupting an opponent's racing line during corners. It disrupts their momentum by 5–25% and gives you a psychological edge by 5–20%]

"Uhmm, I'm still kinda lost here."

[Can you remember when System warns host hasn't unlocked skills to disclose an opponent?]

"Yeah?"

[You have unlocked one of the required skills, host. You can now disclose your opponents with a perfect execution of Corner Chopping]

A grin spread across Luca's lips as he chuckled softly.