Australian Grand Prix

[Host has skills to Overtake opponent]

"Chill, I can't just do it in a flash," Luca asked loudly, trying to hide his frustration that he had effortlessly given Aaronson third position, leaving him at the gnawing hoods of fifth position, Oliver Kristensen, Retona's team's racer.

Luca deftly tilted his wheel like a seasoned conductor, each adjustment synchronized with the natural rhythm of the car and track. Aaronson's rear stayed firmly in his sights as the pair approached the next bend—a daunting, tight left-right that could spell disaster with the smallest misstep. Typical of George Park Circuit, the dual chicanes were unforgiving.

His tires gripped the asphalt like a vice, Luca trailing behind Aaronson as though tethered to the back of his car and was being towed by Aaronson. He feathered the throttle, eyes locked ahead as he eased into the left turn, balancing just enough to maintain a perfect line. Aaronson, ever the predator, had taken a calculated defensive position, trying to close off any overtaking possibilities. But Luca, with precise timing, flicked the wheel right, skimming past the inside barrier as if the car knew exactly where the gap lay.

Having no time to adjust his wheel, the second set of left-right tight curves were just a few metres of rest. Luca hastily transitioned left, cutting a clean arc through the bend before snapping right with a graceful yet fierce determination. Any wrong move during that would have caused his car to skid out of the track. Lord knows what Mr. Grant would do to me.

Without missing a beat, Luca transitioned left again, his car hugging the bend, tires screaming against the track. The car's rear twitched violently, threatening to break loose, but Luca's grip was firm, and he corrected it instinctively. He sliced through the bend, snapping right with determination, and accelerated into the exit, pulling closer to Aaronson. There was no margin for error, not with Aaronson driving like he had something to prove.

And then came the straightaway—the shortest one on the entire circuit, barely enough space to catch a breath, let alone make a move. Luca had no choice but to push forward, knowing that DRS would be his only chance. As he activated the rear wing, he saw Aaronson do the same, his car preparing to launch forward like a missile.

The roar of their engines filled the track as they both fired down the straight. Luca's heart pounded in sync with the pulse of the engine, eyes narrowing as he closed the gap, inch by inch. Aaronson wasn't making it easy, staying in the center of the track to block any potential overtake. Luca pressed harder, knowing that the third lap would be decisive if he failed to grab 2nd.

**You better claim back P3, Luca. Gaffer is not pleased here**

Luca grumbled, his fingers caressing the buttons on his wheel's pad. He moved to the right line of the track, hoping to see some space through. However, Aaronson was well skilled at defending his line and others as well.

The roar of Kristensen behind him was daunting, creeping at his spine, but Luca managed to keep hold of his position, making it through the 3rd Lap as the crowd roared with life.

"...six minutes into Australia's Grand Prix, Jon. And I can tell you this, Trampos's lad did not start well. Handing a podium position so easily to a competitor like Aaronson is a mistake that might come back to haunt him as the race progresses..."

"...well, don't forget I said he would fall short, Steve. Luca Rennick was in the perfect position—right behind his teammate—exactly what a team aims for in strategy. But a second into the race, Aaronson showed him why he's a three-season veteran and a former champion..."

"...I get your point, Jon. Meanwhile, up front, Hahn and Addams are putting on a motorsport masterclass. It's clear Addams has taken the lead for now, but we'll let the leaderboard do the talking in the coming laps. Shifting our focus to the mid-pack and the back, the race is tighter than a wrench on a bolt. And let's hope we avoid any fatalities, no matter how minor. APX will be doing everything they can to break into the top 10 this time. Their zero-point finish in Germany has left them holding the championship table from the bottom..."

[4th Lap]

The roar of a car's engine pulled Luca out of his intense focus. He caught a glimpse of Retona's black-and-violet Dallara inching closer, creeping into his side view. Oliver Kristensen was pushing hard, his helmeted face locked in concentration as he attempted to squeeze into the narrow edge of the track just before the twisting left-right combination of George Park's next section.

Luca's instinct told him he could nudge his chassis just enough to block Oliver's slipstream. But then a more dangerous possibility flashed through his mind—if he blocked Kristensen, Miles, sitting in 6th position, might seize the opportunity on the open space Luca would leave. He could already envision Miles activating his DRS briefly, hitting the throttle hard, and gliding into view at the peak of the upcoming curve.

[Intelligence +1]

Luca swore on his contract he would never let such a thing happen.

Determined not to lose ground, he stayed tight on his racing line, forcing Kristensen into a bad position. He adjusted his angle with precision, making his car as wide as possible without overextending into the slipstream.

But Oliver Kristensen wasn't backing off. He roared forward, accelerating like a predator closing in on prey. For a brief moment, it seemed as if he would make the pass. Yet, just as the sharp bend loomed, Kristensen hesitated—continuing alongside Luca at such a precarious angle would surely send him skidding off-track. Realizing the risk, he conceded and eased back into the lane behind Luca, his front wing now aligned with Luca's rear tires as the curve bit into the tarmac.

[You successfully defended your position. Keep it up, host.]

Luca's grip on the wheel tightened until his knuckles turned white beneath his gloves. His body leaned instinctively with the bend, syncing with the car's smooth arc through the long, flowing corners of the circuit.