Chapter 79: The Chase Begins

The crowd at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was a seething mass of energy, the grandstands shaking with cheers, chants, and the roar of engines. The battle for victory was reaching its boiling point, and Henry Calder was right in the thick of it.

Henry sat in P5, eyes locked onto Ayumu Tanaka's rear wing, the Invicta Racing driver pushing hard to stay ahead. Just ahead of them, Liam Hargrave clung to third, while Victor Leblanc sat in second, trying to reel in race leader Luca Moretti.

Commentator 1: "Henry Calder is hunting down Tanaka, and you can feel the tension rising here in Spain! He's not one to settle for fifth, and with just a handful of laps left, expect fireworks!"

Commentator 2: "He's been patient all race, but now's the time to attack. He'll want to clear Tanaka and Hargrave quickly if he has any hope of fighting for the win."

Henry adjusted his grip on the wheel as his F1 system flashed updates across his visor.

System Insight: "Points total: 47. Three more until Override is fully charged. You know what to do, Calder."

He smirked. Time to go to work.

As they barreled into Turn 1, Henry feinted left before cutting back right, forcing Tanaka to defend. The move compromised Tanaka's exit, allowing Henry to line up his attack down the back straight.

Lap 42, Henry engaged DRS, his ART Grand Prix machine rocketing forward. The crowd erupted as he pulled alongside Tanaka, the two cars nearly touching as they blasted toward Turn 1.

Commentator 1: "Calder is side by side with Tanaka! Neither driver is backing down!"

Henry braked late, just barely keeping control as he edged ahead through the apex. Tanaka tried to fight back on exit, but Henry had the better traction.

Laurent (Radio): "Nice move, Henry. P4 secured. Next target: Hargrave."

System Update: "+1 point for overtake, +1 for lap completion. Total: 50."

System Notification: "Override is now available for activation."

Henry grinned. Now it was just a matter of when.

Liam Hargrave was known for his aggressive defense, and Henry quickly found out why. Lap 45, he attempted a move into Turn 10, only for Hargrave to shut the door at the last second, forcing Henry onto the curb.

Commentator 1: "Hargrave is defending like his life depends on it! Calder's going to have to get creative!"

Commentator 2: "That was close! Calder had to back out, but you can bet he'll be back for another attempt soon."

Henry took a deep breath. He knew Hargrave's tactics well. He'd force his rivals into bad positions, making them take the longer route around corners.

System Tip: "Hargrave is overusing his rear tires. Wait for degradation to set in."

By Lap 47, Henry saw it. Hargrave's grip was fading. The ART driver stayed close through the final sector, setting up a move down the main straight.

Lap 48, Henry pounced. He braked late into Turn 1, going deep on the inside line. Hargrave tried to cut back, but Henry had him covered.

Commentator 1: "Brilliant move! Henry Calder is up to third!"

Commentator 2: "He waited, he studied, and he executed perfectly. That's the mark of a top-tier driver."

Laurent (Radio): "You're through! P3 secured. That's how it's done."

The crowd was on its feet, banners waving, voices screaming Henry's name. He exhaled, but there was no time to celebrate. Two more cars stood between him and victory.

Victor Leblanc sat ahead in P2, his pace beginning to falter as his tires wore down. Luca Moretti was still leading, but Henry could feel the momentum shifting.

Lap 50, Henry started closing the gap, Laurent's voice coming through the radio.

Laurent (Radio): "Leblanc is losing grip. Let him come to you. No need to force it."

Henry: "Understood."

Lap 51, the tension reached its peak. The commentators could barely contain their excitement.

Commentator 1: "We are entering the final four laps of the Spanish Grand Prix! Henry Calder has climbed to P3, but can he go any further?"

Commentator 2: "Luca Moretti leads, but Leblanc and Calder are closing in fast. This isn't over yet!"

Henry felt his heartbeat steady as Laurent came over the radio.

Laurent (Radio): "Henry… it's Hammertime."

Henry smirked, gripping the wheel tighter.

Henry (Radio): "Roger."

As he crossed the line to start Lap 52, he activated Override.

A surge of power coursed through him. His vision sharpened, his reflexes heightened, and suddenly, everything slowed down. The car became an extension of himself, every movement fluid, every input precise.

System Override Activated.

The final showdown was here.