Shift in Nature
The last three race weekends passed like a whirlwind, a blur of heat, adrenaline, and podium finishes. Each location offered its own flavor of challenge, but for the drivers, especially the top contenders, it was about momentum, strategy, and mental strength.
Morocco GP: Sukhman kicked things off with an explosive performance on his home turf. The crowd was electric, the support overwhelming. Having Omar Irani as a native Moroccan helped the team acclimate better to the conditions. Omar even guided several drivers through the cultural nuances and track-specific quirks.
It was during this GP that Vaayu Racing stunned the paddock. The upgrades, funded by a surge of new sponsorship deals following Sukhman's dramatic win in São Paulo, made the car more aerodynamic and boosted acceleration out of corners. Sukhman clinched first place. Ayanda finished second, and Callum came in third.
Cape Town GP: Another strong showing. Ayanda pushed hard in her home race, determined to claim victory. But Sukhman, building on confidence and superior car performance, edged out the win in the final laps. Ayanda again secured second, with Finn managing a strategic third.
The leaderboard was tightening. With two consecutive wins, Sukhman was back in the title conversation.
Qatar GP: Under the lights of the desert night, the race turned chaotic. Callum had a disappointing run, barely scraping points. Sukhman couldn't keep up with Finn's perfect execution, finishing third. Finn celebrated his first GP win with a mix of pride and surprise. Ayanda, ever consistent, bagged another second-place finish.
Current Leaderboard:
1. Callum & Ayanda – 118 pts (Tied)
2. Sukhman – 105 pts
3. Finn – 99 pts
4. Lukar Meier – 71 pts
5. Ryan Brooks – 55 pts
6. Isabella Romano – 49 pts
7. Daan Vermer – 29 pts
8. Omar Irani – 17 pts
9. Charlotte Reid & Luciana Fernandez – 14 pts
10. Ming Jao – 8 pts
11. Thiago Martins – 5 pts
12. Aiko Fujimura – 2 pts
13. Dafydd Morgan & Amelia Foster – 1 pt
14. Jakab Lewandowski, Wei Zhang, Diego Montoya, Yuki Sasakai – 0 pts
---
Despite the points success, all was not well within the Vaayu camp.
Siddharth sat alone at a quiet corner cafe, away from the bustle of the paddock. The warm sun beat down on Marrakesh's dusty avenues outside. Across from him, Charlotte Reid stirred her espresso with unhurried elegance. Her piercing eyes watched him coolly.
"Hmm... okay. It's your internal matter," she said finally. "Why asking me, huh?"
Siddharth sighed, glancing around to make sure no one was within earshot. "Because I don't know who else to turn to. And... I think you might understand."
She leaned back, folding her arms. "Is this about Sukhman?"
He nodded slowly. "He's changed, Charlotte. The São Paulo win, then the Morocco back-to-back... he's gotten attention, sure. The new sponsors, media. It's gotten to his head."
"You sure it's not just confidence?"
"It was. But now? He's spending too much time with Diego and Thiago—non-stop parties. He argues with me over race strategies like he knows better. And last press conference? He straight-up said we're going to win the championship."
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "A little bravado isn't new."
"It is for Sukhman," Siddharth said, quietly. "He used to be grounded. Grateful. Now he's... brash. Almost dismissive."
She took a long sip of coffee. "And you can't talk to your team principal?"
"Yudhvir had to go back to India. Family emergency. And if I go through someone else... Sukhman will know. It'll damage our bond. He trusts me. I'm scared of ruining that."
Charlotte regarded him silently. "And his friends?"
"They're part of the problem. Amelia and Omar are too close to him. Ayanda, Finn? They wouldn't care. Daan… he's still trying to find his footing."
He met her eyes. "That leaves you. You've talked to Sukhman alone before. I saw it."
Charlotte didn't flinch. "I was giving him a challenge. A one-on-one duel. Brisbane."
Siddharth almost laughed at the absurdity of it. "Only you would casually throw down a duel invite in private."
"He took it well," she said, a small smile creeping in. "Said he'd think about it."
Silence hung for a moment before Siddharth spoke again, voice softer. "Please. He respects you. And if he hears it from you... maybe it'll help him see what's happening."
Charlotte studied him, then looked down at her cup. She seemed to wrestle with something.
"Alright," she said at last. "I'll talk to him. But on my terms. No interference."
"Deal."
---
The team returned to their headquarters in preparation for the upcoming Brisbane GP. The pressure was mounting. Sukhman, still riding the high from his recent success, walked through the paddock with a swagger he hadn't shown before.
At the garage, he tossed his helmet onto a bench, laughing at something Thiago said beside him. Diego offered him a drink from a cooler. "Party tonight, yeah?"
Sukhman smirked. "Always."
Siddharth watched from the sidelines, conflicted.
Later that evening, as the sun set across the tarmac and cast long shadows over the empty track, Charlotte intercepted Sukhman alone in the corridor behind the hospitality tents.
"Hey," she said.
He stopped, surprised. "Charlotte? What's up?"
"Walk with me."
They strolled in silence for a few minutes, the air cool and filled with the buzz of insects. Finally, she spoke.
"You're winning."
"That I am," he said, flashing a self-satisfied grin. "Two out of three. Not bad, huh?"
"But at what cost?"
He frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Your engineer's worried. You're cocky in press, skipping technical meetings, partying more. Sound familiar?"
He stopped walking, turning to face her fully. "Seriously? You came all the way out here to lecture me?"
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "I came because someone had to. You're changing, Sukhman. And not in a good way."
He scoffed. "So now you're a psychologist too? Look, I've earned this. I've been grinding in obscurity, I didn't even knew I would get to racing among you guys still after all this years, when I finally get my chance to show what I have, suddenly everyone wants to police how I act?"
"There's a difference between confidence and arrogance," she said, her voice cold. "You used to listen. Now you argue with your own engineer like you know better than the people who got you here."
He stepped closer, frustration tightening his jaw. "You think I don't know what I'm doing? That this success just happened by accident? Maybe I've grown because I'm not afraid to take charge now."
"No," Charlotte snapped. "You're letting the hype get to your head. You think the podium gives you immunity from mistakes. It doesn't. You keep this up, and you'll crash harder than anyone."
Hearing this Sukhman's blood boiled he stared at Charlotte as if he would burn her with his naked eyes. "How dare you! You don't know a thing about me."
"I know enough," she said. "I've seen talent spiral before. And right now, you're on that path."
Sukhman's mouth twisted into a bitter smirk. "Well, thanks for the unsolicited advice, 'veteran.' But maybe worry about your own standings before critiquing mine."
Charlotte's expression didn't waver. "Maybe I will."
They stood there for a moment—locked in silence, tension vibrating in the air—before Charlotte turned sharply and walked away without another word.
---
Back in his hotel room later, Sukhman threw his cap onto the desk and sat down heavily on the bed. The echoes of Charlotte's words played in his head, but he pushed them down.
His phone buzzed. Messages from Diego and Thiago popped up.
> Rooftop bar party! Let's gooo
Girls from the paddock are coming. It's gonna be sick.
Sukhman didn't hesitate this time.
> On my way.
He grabbed his jacket, ran a quick hand through his hair, and walked out, the hotel door clicking shut behind him. He needed to clear his head—and tonight, that meant loud music, drinks, and forgetting the weight of someone else's judgment.
Let them talk. He is still winning.