Chapter 77: "Claiming the Lead"

The tension on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was palpable as the Spanish Grand Prix roared into its second phase. With ten laps down, Henry Calder sat in P2, less than a second behind his ART teammate Luca Moretti, who was driving a flawless race. The crowd buzzed with excitement, the grandstands awash with the colors of team flags and signs bearing driver numbers. Chants of "Cal-der! Cal-der!" began to rise in the air as the race approached its turning point.

I locked my gaze on Luca's rear wing, my hands steady on the wheel. Each turn, each sector, I gained a fraction of a second. Laurent's voice crackled through the radio.

"Gap to Moretti: 0.7 seconds. Maintain pressure. Let him feel it."

The system chimed in, its cool voice contrasting Laurent's calm urgency.

System Insight: "Moretti's braking into Turn 4 is inconsistent. Exploit this."

I applied the advice, adjusting my line slightly. Through the next few laps, I could feel the gap shrinking ever so slightly. The crowd noticed too, the chants for ART's rookie growing louder.

Behind me, Ayumu Tanaka was fighting for his life. The Invicta Racing driver was under siege from Campos Racing's Victor Leblanc, their cars battling mere inches apart. Sparks flew as they hurtled down the main straight, Leblanc nosing ahead momentarily before Tanaka muscled back into third.

Commentator 1: "Tanaka's holding on, but barely! Leblanc is relentless, and it's only a matter of time before he makes a move stick."

Commentator 2: "Meanwhile, Calder is closing in on Moretti. You can feel the energy building in the grandstands, they're waiting for that lead challenge."

I tuned out the chaos behind me, my focus on Luca. He was fast—there was no denying it—but I felt the advantage tipping my way. My system confirmed it.

System Update: "Tire wear optimal. Moretti is losing two-tenths per lap in Sector 2. Maintain this pace."

By Lap 16, the gap between Luca and me had shrunk to 0.5 seconds. I was right on his gearbox, my tires gripping the track like glue. Laurent's voice was steady but encouraging.

"Sector 2 is yours, Henry. Stay tight. He's feeling the pressure."

I could see it too. Luca's lines were a touch wider, his braking just a fraction later than it should've been. It was subtle, but it was there. I bided my time, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

It came on Lap 20.

We approached Turn 10, a tricky downhill corner that required absolute precision. Luca went in a hair too hot, his rear wheels slipping just enough to compromise his exit. The door opened, and I didn't hesitate. I darted to the inside, my car brushing the curb as I made the move.

"Clear!" Laurent shouted over the radio.

Commentator 1: "There it is! Henry Calder takes the lead after a rare mistake from Luca Moretti!"

Commentator 2: "Incredible precision from Calder. You don't see Moretti make mistakes like that often, but Calder was ready to pounce."

The grandstands erupted as I crossed the line in P1 for the first time in the race. Fans waved banners and flags, their cheers deafening. Even from inside the car, I could feel the energy.

System Update: "Overtake completed. Points earned: +1. Current total: 21."

"Good move, Henry," Laurent said. "Now, let's consolidate."

Being in the lead was one thing; keeping it was another. Luca wasn't going to let me pull away easily. He stayed within DRS range, using the slipstream down the straights to stay close. I focused on managing my tires, ensuring I had enough grip for the long race ahead.

The system continued its steady stream of advice.

System Insight: "Adjust brake bias for Turn 7. Optimal balance will improve cornering speed."

I followed its guidance, maintaining a small but consistent gap to Luca. The crowd's chants shifted to a mix of "Cal-der!" and "More-tti!" as fans rallied behind their favorites.

Further back, chaos unfolded in the midfield. On Lap 22, Dino Beganovic and Sebastián Montoya tangled in Turn 6. Beganovic locked up, clipping Montoya's rear tire and sending him wide.

Commentator 1: "Trouble in the midfield! Montoya and Beganovic come together—this could shake up the order."

Commentator 2: "That's a costly mistake for Beganovic. Montoya recovers, but he's lost valuable time."

Meanwhile, I kept my focus forward, listening intently as Laurent outlined the pit strategy.

"Luca will pit on Lap 28. We're sticking to Lap 30 for you. Fresh tires for maximum attack in the final stint."

"Copy that," I replied. "Let's make it count."

The laps ticked by, each one feeling like a small victory. The system chimed in with an update as I crossed the line to end Lap 25.

System Update: "Points earned: +1 for lap completion. Current total: 26."

The pit window was fast approaching, and the real battle was about to begin. I tightened my grip on the wheel, ready for whatever came next.