Chapter 29: A New Routine

As Henry woke up to another crisp morning in France, the system greeted him with its familiar ping.

Daily Tasks

1. Endurance Run: Complete a 5-kilometer run at a sub-5:00 per kilometer pace (+1 Stamina).

2. Reaction Training: Perform 15 minutes of light reaction drills with Marcus (+1 Reflexes).

3. Simulator Session: Spend one hour analyzing telemetry and practicing on a simulated track (+1 Race Craft).

4. Track Study: Memorize the layout and characteristics of an upcoming F2 track (+1 Strategy).

Season Tasks

• Win the battle for the second ART Grand Prix driver seat.

• Build trust with Laurent, the race engineer.

• Achieve a podium finish in at least one preseason test.

Henry smirked as he glanced over the tasks. The gamified system added a unique flavor to his training, making him feel like he was in a racing RPG. It wasn't just about ticking off a checklist, it was about growing into the best driver he could be.

At 11:45 a.m., Henry arrived at the ART Grand Prix facility, where a receptionist guided him to a sleek conference room. Camille, the team principal, was waiting.

"Good to see you again, Henry," Camille said with her characteristic calm but authoritative tone. "Let's start with Laurent, your race engineer. He'll be your closest ally on the team."

She led Henry to the engineering bay, where a man with graying hair and sharp eyes greeted him.

"Laurent Allard," he said, shaking Henry's hand firmly. "I hear you're the fighter who clawed his way through the academy."

Henry grinned. "That's me. Looking forward to working together, Laurent."

Laurent nodded, a hint of a smile breaking through his professional demeanor. "The feeling is mutual. Let's get you up to speed quickly."

Laurent escorted Henry back to the conference room, where three other drivers were waiting.

The first was a tall, muscular man leaning back in his chair with an air of smug confidence. "Damon Steele," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Been with ART for three years. Let me guess, you're the new guy who thinks he can compete with us?"

Henry smiled politely. "Henry Calder. Nice to meet you."

Damon rolled his eyes. "We'll see how long you last."

Next was a wiry man with a sharp, angular face who looked equally unimpressed. "Matteo Ricci," he said curtly. "Two years on the team. I've got my eye on that second seat, so don't get too comfortable."

The last driver, however, was a breath of fresh air. He extended a hand with a warm smile. "Luca Moretti. Four years on ART, and I'll be heading to F1 next season. Don't let these two rattle you, they've got egos the size of the grid."

Henry laughed, shaking Luca's hand. "Thanks, Luca. Congrats on the F1 seat."

"Thanks. It's a long road, but you'll get there too if you put in the work," Luca replied.

Camille entered the room, her presence commanding immediate silence.

"Let's get down to business," she began. "Luca's seat is secured as our lead driver for this season. The rest of you will battle it out for the second race seat. Preseason training will last eight weeks, during which time your performances will be evaluated across multiple parameters: speed, consistency, teamwork, and adaptability."

She glanced at each of the three drivers in turn. "At the end of the eight weeks, the driver who impresses the most will secure the second race seat. The other two will serve as reserve drivers. There's no room for complacency here only results matter."

Henry nodded, feeling the weight of the challenge. Damon and Matteo exchanged smirks, clearly confident in their chances. Luca remained neutral, offering Henry an encouraging glance.

After the meeting, Henry headed straight to the gym for his session with Marcus.

"All right, Henry," Marcus said, clapping his hands together. "We're focusing on endurance and core strength today. You've got a lot to prove, and I want you physically ready to outlast those other guys."

The workout was brutal sprints, planks, rowing, and weighted squats but Henry pushed through, his determination fueled by the stakes of the competition.

By the end, he was drenched in sweat but felt a renewed sense of focus.

"Great work today," Marcus said, handing him a towel. "Keep this up, and you'll be untouchable".

After the gym, Henry spent an hour in the ART simulator, practicing on the Silverstone circuit. Laurent had provided telemetry data from past ART drivers, and Henry analyzed every corner, brake point, and overtaking zone.

Later, he studied the Bahrain International Circuit, familiarizing himself with its unique characteristics, including its high-speed straights and heavy braking zones.

With his tasks complete, the system pinged:

Daily Tasks Complete!

+1 Stamina

+1 Reflexes

+1 Race Craft

+1 Strategy

In the evening, Henry sat down with Olivia to go over his schedule for the week.

"Here's what we've got," Olivia said, tapping her tablet. "Simulator sessions in the mornings, fitness training in the afternoons, and media training every other day. You'll also be shadowing Luca during some of his F1 prep sessions to learn from his experience."

Henry nodded. "Sounds good. Let's stick to it."

Olivia smiled. "You've got this, Henry. Just stay focused and don't let Damon or Matteo get in your head."

As the day wound down, Henry reflected on the journey ahead. The road to securing the second seat would be tough, but he was ready for the challenge.