My Formula 1 System-Chapter 489: The North Remembers

The next venue was already set, and it was Qatar. It would mark the first Grand Prix of the month of March, kicking off the third round in what had already shaped into a gripping F1 season! And after Qatar came Stadhaven—Britain’s Grand Prix—a fan-favorite and one of the biggest races on the calendar that everyone always looked forward to.

With the Austrian Grand Prix now fully concluded, the standings had begun to form with more clarity. A rising pattern could now be observed, not just a random shuffle anymore. A definite shape of points had emerged, portraying early championship front-runners and spotlighting the names of possible title contenders. The grid was beginning to speak for itself!

In the Driver’s Championship, it was Luca Rennick holding 1st. Few people ever envisioned he’d be here after just two races, especially not while with Trampos. Behind him in 2nd was Ailbeart Moireach, a position that came as no surprise to anyone. And following closely in 3rd was Antonio Luigi, who had now secured back-to-back second-place finishes.

The midfield, as expected, promised to become the true battleground. There were equal points, tight gaps, and even tighter rivalries forming. And by the time the grid descended into the desert lights of Qatar, no one would want to lose even a single position.

PROVISIONAL DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (TOP10)

Position | Team | Points

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1. | Luca Rennick | 41

2. | Ailbeart Moireach | 40

3. | Antonio Luigi | 36 (+1)

4. | Jimmy Damgaard | 20

5. | Marko Ignatova | 20

6. | Luis Dreyer | 16

7. | Denko Rutherford | 9

8. | Buoso Di Renzo | 8

9. | Elias Nyström | 6

10. | Hank Rice | 4

As for the Constructors’ Standings, the reigning champions were leading and all because of Luca, Trampos Racing suddenly appeared as a contesting team with eyes on the final gold. Unbelievable. No Jackson Racing in the top five, and just like that, Haddock Racing had risen to become more than just elites. No longer were they competing in the shadows of Squadra Corse, Velocità, or their fellow English team, Jackson Racing. They were now giants in their own right!

PROVISIONAL CONSTRUCTORS’ CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (ALL 10)

Position | Team | Points

--------------------------------------

1. | Squadra Corse | 56

2. | Haddock Racing | 49 ↑

3. | Trampos Racing | 40 ↓

4. | Bueseno Velocità | 20 ↑

5. | Outback Performance | 18 ↓

6. | Jackson Racing | 8 ↑

7. | Nordvind Racing | 6 ↓

8. | Iberia Grand Prix | 5 ↓

9. | Alpine Swiss F1 | 0

10. | Velox Hispania | 0

Details for the Qatar Grand Prix had already been publicised. The race was much closer than many initially thought it would be, so arrangements were immediately set in motion, and teams didn’t hesitate to resume drills and training sessions to regroup and revamp themselves for the next battle.

Qatar Grand Prix

Location: Lusail, Qatar

Date: March 10

Time: 6 PM

Track: Lusail International Circuit

Track Length: 5.4 km

Total Laps: 55

Track Type: Permanent race circuit

Lap Record: Antonio Luigi 1:25.994

Luca nodded his head after confirming that the Qatar Grand Prix would be the first night race of the season. Fortunately, with the dry desert climate, there was no need to worry about a catastrophic wet-plus-darkness combo if rain happened to fall on the evening of the race.

Luca switched off his phone after noting the details, then relaxed back into his seat. He was on a plane, coasting through the skies. However, this wasn’t his return flight from Austria back to Germany, nor was it a trip to England—if, perhaps, he had planned to briefly see his mother.

Luca was heading to neither of those destinations. In fact, he was currently flying away from Germany, up the globe to an unfamiliar country.

The Netherlands.

Ever since Mallow told Luca the story of Robert Jakobsen and how DiMarco had shattered the young man’s career with a permanent injury, Luca hadn’t been able to shake it off.

He kept wondering just how deep the impact must’ve gone on Jakobsen’s life, not just his racing career. The more he thought about it, the more the story haunted him. A ruined spine wasn’t something you simply walked away from... literally. It wasn’t a comeback story waiting to be written; it was an absolute full stop.

Jakobsen’s ambitions, his daily movements, maybe even the way he slept or got out of bed, had all been permanently altered because another driver miscalculated or acted with reckless intent. Just to think that someone else, sharing the same paddock, breathing the same oil and fuel, could be the reason your entire life spiraled into disability... it made Luca breathe a little heavier.

It was this exact reality Mrs. Rennick feared 24/7. And here her son was, entertaining the thought of throwing himself into more risks, because he’d unlocked Silent Restore.

Luca had rewatched the Singapore Grand Prix more than once. His mind remained filled with the horrific image of Jakobsen’s Mercedes being mercilessly compressed, as though it were crumpled paper. DiMarco had lunged into an impossible gap on a wet track, driven by nothing but ambition and a desperate hunger to prove something.

Now, that same DiMarco was in medical rest. And Luca couldn’t help but wonder—would Jakobsen feel any kind of satisfaction from what had now befallen the man who ended his career? Was this karma? Was this justice?

Maybe, when he arrived in the Netherlands, he would find out.

After the injuries he sustained at that fateful Singapore Grand Prix, Robert Jakobsen had left Italy and returned to his homeland in Friesland. Since then, no one had really heard much of him. His pitiful story had eventually faded from headlines, becoming just another piece of old paddock gossip.

Luca had reached out to Jakobsen’s agent back then. And having connections, Luca was able to pull the necessary strings with his influence. He got the agent’s contact, and eventually, he was able to contact Robert Jakobsen, the spineless!

This was why he was coasting north across Europe’s skies, far away from any race weekend or championship buzz. Jakobsen had replied him with a homely tone and kind words, and even accepted his request for a visit to his residence in Friesland.

Luca, who had reached out first, couldn’t believe how smoothly things had gone. He quickly organized this sole flight, and in a jiffy, he was already on his way, intending to return to Berlin just the following day.

Luca’s flight touched down at Groningen Airport Eelde a few minutes past noon. The skies over the northern Netherlands were layered with soft, overcast clouds, gently swaying to the tune of a mellow wind. The flight had made him drowsy, so he had slept most of the way. Once off the craft, customs and baggage were swiftly handled since it was a smaller, quieter airport.

Prior to the flight, Luca had arranged his hotel through Manuela. The reception was warm, they were more than happy to receive Luca Rennick, and they made sure all his needs were catered for. Luca had lunch afterwards, and then a rich dinner, before he pulled the bedsheets over himself.

By morning, he was dressed neatly and approachable in a milk quarter-zip sweater and grey pants with sneakers. He understood this was the best kind of dressing to meet with Jakobsen—something relaxed, not formal.

After getting ready, he exited the hotel and stepped into a waiting SUV. It was a deep blue Volvo, a car brand he’d almost forgotten existed. The driver didn’t speak more than was necessary as he turned on the engine and began the drive to their destination.

It was a peaceful and blissful journey, with scenes of roads that curved through flat fields, wind turbines, and cows grazing. The Netherlands was full of farmlands and countryside. It was a beautiful place, worthy of being called paradise.

Eventually, the car rolled down a pebble path that led to a property at the end. The house was quite big—mostly wide and made of red wood. Luca noticed even more cows in this area too.

Before the driver could slow to a stop at the slim-barred gate, the gate clicked open, shocking Luca with its deceptive technology. Perhaps, it could even electrocute someone if they attempted to climb over, because the gate didn’t even obstruct the full sight of the house in any way.

The gate opened, and Luca’s driver rolled in. Under the shade that the house provided, two members of Jakobsen’s family were already waiting outside to welcome him.

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