Pre-US Grand Prix

Luca was happy throughout the week. He actually imposed this happiness on himself, despite the DNF in China, because he understood he couldn't let DiMarco's dense actions and words infiltrate his life outside racing.

This yoke of happiness he put on himself was shattered on the first practice day ahead of the US Grand Prix.

Mr. Matthews made sure he appositely divulged the information to Luca in a manner that didn't allow him to feel disappointed or sad immediately but rather commiserative and supportive of the team's plans and progress.

The US Grand Prix would be Luca's first absent Formula 1 race. He would not participate in the Qualifiers, and he wouldn't race in Neonway.

The reason wasn't the one Luca dreaded—concerning a bad performance—but because Jackson Racing's strategists believed he was too much of a target so early into the season.