Head Down, Race Hard
As Hunt did his usual morning routine, he thought about the events of the day before. Today's a new day, and a new day comes with new chances. Breakfast was porridge with strawberries and blueberries with some toast. Wasn't the most flashy thing, but it met all of his food requirements, plus it was easy to make, so who was he to complain?
As he left his apartment he was met by George at his door. "I saw your crash yesterday, looked pretty bad, you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, a little sore, but more or less ok."
"Good to hear. If it gets worse, don't be afraid to tell someone about it, something really small can spiral out of control quickly."
'Yeah, I would know' Hunt deadpanned to himself 'It was something really small that caused me to crash anyways.'
"Alright," Hunt replied.
As Hunt and George arrived at the garage, their team members greeted them.
"Good morning you two!" The team boss said cheerfully. "Hope you're all excited for this race!"
"Hunt, I need to speak with you for a moment," Mark said.
Hunt moved closer to Mark and said "Go on."
"Your crash yesterday caused some damage to your engine, we've taken new parts into our car, but that means we'll be starting from the pit lane."
Hunt nodded. 'Great. As if I wasn't feeling bad enough.'
"Alright, let's get going, we've got a long day ahead of us."
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Race Time
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(Anything in "" is commentary)
"Welcome one and all to the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Jeddah Corniche Street Circuit is one of the fastest circuits ever introduced to the calendar, featuring 27 corners, and over 50 laps. Drivers here average about 158mph with top speeds of around 205mph. Let's introduce the grid. On pole position is the Red Bull of Max Verstappen, followed by Perez, Bottas, Sainz, Vandoorne, Leclerc, Russell, Riccardo, Ocon, Norris, Gasly, Alonso, Vettel, Stroll, Tsunoda, Latifi, Aitken, Raikkonen, Schumacher, Illot, Mazepin, and Hunt" Croft announced.
Mark: Ok. Since we are going to be dead last, we want to run long the hard tire and go long for the first stint. Pull as big of a gap as possible and then put on a set of mediums or softs, it depends on how long we can go with the hards.
Hunt: Ok.
"An interesting story, rookie, William Hunt, has taken new engine components following his crash yesterday during Qualifying. He will be one to watch as he makes his way back into the points."
Mark: No pressure, just keep your head down and aim high.
Hunt: Gotcha.
"As the formation lap draws to a close, and the drivers line up on the grid, let's make sure, we're all aligned, don't want to pick up any penalties. As the drivers wait, the lights, one by one they'll turn red. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. And it lights out and away we go here a Jeddah! Verstappen off well, Perez off better, and as they go into turn one, PEREZ GOES DOWN THE INSIDE! Verstappen fights back, out of turn two, neck and neck as and they go into the fast left-hander, Verstappen is forced to concede the position."
While the two Red Bulls kept duking it out for the top spot, Hunt had started his way up the field. He had gotten past the likes of the two Haas cars and the Sauber of Illot with ease. Into turn 13, Hunt was tasked with getting past the other Sauber of Raikkonen. It wasn't easy. Being as experienced as he was, Raikkonen quickly blocked off the inside and forced Hunt the long way around. The two exited the corner side by side, a battle that was eventually won by Hunt.
Mark: That's P16. Next up are the two William's cars. 0.4 seconds ahead. Good work
"Just pointed out, the Jaguar of Hunt is up to P16 that's 4 cars in about 2 laps. He's making great progress, he'll be back into the points soon."
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Lap 12
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Mark: Norris appears to have an engine issue, he'll be going slowly. Norris is 1.5 seconds ahead.
Hunt: Copy.
Hunt was closing in on Norris rapidly, and as they reached the final corner, Hunt was in DRS range.
"Hunt is closing in on Norris! Closing! Closing! Closing! And he is just too far back. But now, as the two barrel down the main straight, Hunt will have another chance. Closing, closing, and he alongside the Mclaren as they race past the line to start the next lap. Will Hunt get the move done? Yes he will, as they go down the straight, the DRS advantage is simply too much, and Hunt breezes by."
Mark: Good stuff, next cars ahead are Ocon and Riccardo and they're fighting pretty hard. Both are 2.4 seconds ahead.
Hunt: Copy.
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Lap 20
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Mark: All the medium tire runners are pitting in for hards. Let's start pushing, and pull a gap to the field.
Hunt: Copy.
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Lap 30
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After being overtaken by some of the front runners, the team called Hunt into the pit.
Mark: Box. Pit Confirm.
Hunt: Ok.
"Hunt, on a different strategy from the rest of the grid, now comes in for his stop. Off come his hards, on come to his mediums. He'll be going to the end on this set of tires. Out of the pit lane he comes, where's he going to filter out? Looks like P8! What a brilliant strategy from Jaguar, giving Hunt, the best shot at moving up the field."
Mark: You are P8. The next car ahead is your teammate, Russell.
Hunt: YES! Great strategy guys! Good work!
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Lap 34
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Eight laps later, Hunt was right behind Russell. Turns out, the difference between the mediums and the hards was really big.
Mark: Russell has been told to concede the position to you. Be ready for him to let you by.
Hunt: Copy.
As Russell moved off the racing line and let Hunt through into the following corner, Hunt bolted off into the distance to chase after Leclerc.
Mark: You are currently P7, next cars up are Leclerc and Vandoorne, both are fighting each other for track position. 5 seconds ahead. Head down, lets push.
Hunt: Gotcha
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Lap 50
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Even with the two cars ahead battling each other, Hunt found it difficult to close up to the two, and by the time he had caught up, it was the final lap of the race.
"Leclerc and Vandoore, battling down the main straight! Onto the final lap! Who's going to come out ahead? And look who's caught up! William Hunt lurking in the background waiting for his opportunity to arrive. Dives down the inside of Vandoorne, Vandoorne with the inside line for turn two just barely holds on as the two exit the corner side by side! Now onto the fast sector two, who is going to concede? Neither! Leclerc understeer straight into the side of Vandoorne's car!. Both drivers go sliding off the track with damage to their cars!"
Mark: Caution. Leclerc and-
Hunt: Yeah I know man, it happened right ****ing in front of me.
Mark: Ok. Currently P5. George will move up to P6.
"Rounding the final corner, it will be Max Verstappen that takes the checkered flag followed by his teammate Sergio Perez with Valtteri Bottas finishing the podium."
Mark: That is P5. P5. Good work. Great Job
Hunt: YES!
LETS GO! Awesome work guys. Great strategy calls.
Jeff (Russell's Engineer): That's P6. P6. Good Work. Hunt is P5.
George: Thanks, good calls by the team. Congratulate Hunt for me, please.
Jeff: Okay.
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BONUS (Remember this?)
Jaguar F1 Team
Power: 70
Grip: 60
Aero: 70
Reliability: 90
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