Chapter 80: The Final Showdown

The moment Henry Calder activated Override, the world around him sharpened. Every detail, every vibration through the steering wheel, every minute shift in tire grip—became vividly clear. The roar of the crowd dulled to background noise, his focus narrowing to the singular objective ahead: Victor Leblanc's rear wing.

Laurent's voice crackled in his ear. "Alright, Henry Do your thing."

Henry flexed his fingers on the wheel, breathing steadily. "Copy."

Victor, just ahead in second place, was driving a flawless defensive race. Henry knew Leblanc wouldn't hand over the position easily, he'd have to force the issue.

Henry got the perfect exit out of Turn 3, inching closer into Turn 4, but Victor positioned his car expertly, cutting off any chance of an inside dive.

Commentator 1: "Calder is relentless! He's hounding Leblanc, but the Campos driver is defending masterfully."

Commentator 2: "Henry is currently driving at peak form. His reactions are at peak efficiency, but can he find a way past? Leblanc isn't exactly making it easy."

Henry stayed patient, keeping his car within half a second of Victor through the next few corners. The system chimed in with an insight.

System: "Leblanc is losing grip in the rear out of Turn 9. Exploit on next lap."

Henry smirked. "Got it."

Taryn watched from the paddock, fingers gripping the railing. "Come on, Henry… find a way."

Henry knew Victor was expecting a standard DRS pass down the main straight, so he had to improvise. As they barreled down towards Turn 9, he feinted to the outside.

Victor took the bait, shifting slightly to cover, but Henry flicked the wheel left at the last second, sending his car darting inside.

Tires screeched. They came within millimeters of contact.

Henry kept his foot down.

Commentator 1: "HERE HE GOES! Calder dives inside....AND HE'S DONE IT!"

Commentator 2: "That was INSANE! Calder just pulled off one of the boldest overtakes of the season!"

The ART garage erupted in celebration. Taryn gasped before breaking into a cheer. Back home, Emily screamed, "Let's go!"

Victor, realizing he'd been outmaneuvered, held steady to avoid contact, but the move was done, Henry was through.

Laurent's voice rang in Henry's ears. "P2 secured! That's how it's done, kid!"

Henry had only one lap left, but Luca Moretti was too far ahead. Rationally, he knew there wasn't enough time. But that didn't stop him from trying.

He pushed harder than ever, Override still engaged, shaving tenths off Luca's lead with every sector.

Commentator 1: "Calder isn't giving up! He's taking chunks out of Moretti's lead!"

Commentator 2: "It's too late, surely. But this, this is why fans love Calder. He never stops fighting."

Laurent, with a calm yet commanding tone, came over the radio. "Henry, the gap is too big. Just bring it home."

Henry exhaled sharply, finally relenting. "Understood."

The checkered flag waved.

Luca Moretti crossed the line first.

Henry Calder followed in second.

Victor Leblanc in third.

As the cooldown lap began, Henry pulled up beside Luca, nodding in respect before giving a small thumbs-up.

Luca chuckled over the radio. "Not bad, Calder. Almost had me."

Henry, grinning: "Almost."

Victor, still processing the overtake that had sealed his fate, radioed his team. "P3… damn. He got me good."

Henry parked his car in the P2 slot, stepping out to an immediate wave of cheers. The ART team engulfed him, Laurent pulling him into a firm pat on the back.

"Hell of a drive," Laurent said. "You're getting dangerous out there."

Olivia and Marcus joined in the congratulations, but Henry's eyes found Taryn in the paddock. Without thinking, he strode toward her, lifted her slightly off the ground, and kissed her.

"Nice move," she teased as they pulled apart. "Both of them."

Henry smirked. "Had to make sure I won somewhere today."

Minutes later, he stepped onto the podium, flanked by Luca and Victor. Luca playfully elbowed him. "Try harder next time."

Henry just grinned. "You know I will."

As the champagne sprayed and the roar of the crowd washed over him, Henry took a deep breath.

This was just the beginning.

F2 2025 Season Standings (After Round 3 - Spain GP)

🏆 Drivers' Championship Standings (After 3 Rounds)

Position Driver Team Points

1st Henry Calder ART Grand Prix Racing 69 🏆

2nd Luca Moretti ART Grand Prix Racing 63

3rd Victor Leblanc Campos Racing 41

4th Ayumu Tanaka Invicta Racing 39

5th Liam Hargrave Invicta Racing 33

6th Roman Stanek MP Motorsport 21

7th Leonardo Fornaroli Campos Racing 19

8th Richard Verschoor Prema Racing 17

9th Arvid Lindblad Hitech TGR 15

10th Dino Beganovic Dams Lucas Oil 12

11th Sebastián Montoya Dams Lucas Oil 9

12th Josep Maria Martí MP Motorsport 8

13th Luke Browning Prema Racing 6

14th Oliver Goethe Hitech TGR 6

15th Gabriele Minì Rodin Motorsport 5

16th Jak Crawford Rodin Motorsport 3

17th Christian Mansell Trident 2

18th Joshua Dürksen Trident 1

19th Kush Maini AIX Racing 0

20th Ritomo Miyata AIX Racing 0

21st Cian Shields Van Amersfoort Racing 0

22nd Liam Parker Van Amersfoort Racing 0

🏆 Constructors' Championship Standings (After 3 Rounds)

Position Team Points

1st ART Grand Prix Racing 132 🏆

2nd Campos Racing 60

3rd Invicta Racing 72

4th MP Motorsport 29

5th Prema Racing 23

6th Hitech TGR 21

7th Dams Lucas Oil 21

8th Rodin Motorsport 8

9th Trident 3

10th AIX Racing 0

11th Van Amersfoort Racing 0