With the arrangents made, and nothing big to do at ho, Lily, Snow and Leo packed their bags and headed to the venue of the upcoming race. Nikki Saint had made the introductions and when the team mbers heard it, they were excited. It just so happened, one of the drivers felt that he was close to the edge when driving these days, so he volunteered to give up his spot.
They just had to make sure that they win all the races that ca up and for that they had to ensure the best performance. Thankfully, their was still half the scene left for anything to be set in stone.
...
The race was being held in the Sakura Nation. They boarded the plane and Leo looked into the details of the track and found it to be a rather quick track. He took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair before he looked at Lily, who was busy playing on her tablet. He closed his eyes and began to simulate the situation and train how to drive.
Leo was not a natural, but he was smart enough to work his way to the peak. Lily and Snow didn't disturb him, the flight was seven hours long and when they landed on the tarmac, the company had already arranged the vehicles for them. They boarded the car, and then moved out heading to the hotel.
Nikki Saint had co to et them personally and he was waiting for them at the door. Leo was surprised to see the old man paying such attention to them. He greeted and said, "You didn't have to co out to receive us like this."
Nikki Saint shook his head and replied, "I am aware that you might not have been the one to personally seek out to manage the automobile division of the company, but regardless, I am thankful. This company had beco sothing that I have missed during my peak on the track. I started racing because I wanted the others to join , so that they could enjoy how liberating it is to drive. However, I could never connect with the people at that high level. Your company has and the custors all love our cars."
Leo smiled and replied, "It is all thanks your hard work and experience, I am rely playing a hands-off boss."
Nikki Saint smiled and then he noticed Snow and Lily behind Leo, he said, "I apologize for the tardiness, please co in, the presidential suites for you have been booked already."
Leo nodded and asked, "I wanted to ask, can I still participate in the qualifiers?"
Nikki checked the ti in his wrist watch and then he said, "No, we are already behind in terms of ti, also, even if you go, you would have to start the race from the last position. You are a new driver and a substitute, you just cannot jump in on the tournant. Unless you take the podium, you will be starting last."
Leo nodded and said, "I understand, it is only fair."
Nikki then said, "You can still take part in the evening sprint. This would be a chance for you to familiarize with the car and the staff."
Leo agreed, and then the family went to the room and they rested. Although the flight was fine, it was still travel, the human brain would not properly rest until it has actually rested.
…
In the evening, the trio was led by Nikki Saint and they drove to the Python Race Track. In the evening there would be a sprint that would give the teams a final chance to adjust and calibrate the cars to the best of their abilities.
They entered the stadium and soon ca to the paddocks. The team mbers were mostly the mbers who have worked with Leo earlier. They all were aware of his arrival but when they saw him, they cheered up and pro-actively greeted him. Lily and Snow took their seats near the monitoring units, and Leo went to the dressing room, and then he ca back dressed in his silver and pink racing suit.
The people looked at him and soone said, "Yo, Leo still got the looks at least."
The n chuckled and Leo replied, "Yo, if you couldn't keep up with the speed this ti, I will dock your paynt Matty."
He didn't put up any big image in front of these n, they were all his own people. After a few minutes, they all got ready before Leo entered the car, and then fit the steering. Lily rushed over with his helt and kissed Leo's cheek and said, "Godspeed."
Leo chuckled and said, "Thank you, my love. See you in a bit."
The car started and Leo moved the car outside the paddock and then to the starting line in the back of the pack. At this mont, a voice echoed in his helt, "Leo, do you copy?"
Leo replied, "Crystal."
Then a few minutes later, Leo watched the lights, and revved the engine a little. The lights turned off and the race was on. Leo launched the car and then he shot through the right side. Instantly he picked up three positions, and the race engineer said, "Good start."
Leo didn't reply, he wanted to extend his lead to an even better position. He weaved through each and every car before him and gained seven positions, he was now P10 and that was all before the first turn. As he moved through the crowd on the first turn he found that the crowd was thinning out as all the cars were moving ahead quickly.
The next mont, Leo asked, "Liam, how is Theo doing?"
The race engineer replied, "He is holding on to P1 but the Jin is following him hot on heals."
Leo replied, "I will catch up by third lap. Give queue for the DRS."
Liam smiled and replied, "Good, I will tell him."
Leo then began his own tactics. Every space that he found he would move through it.
…
Nikki Saint was sitting in front of the monitor and he was shocked looking at the data. After a few monts he said, "This guy is a genius, he is stomping the accelerator but repeatedly. Also, he is not breaking as hard as he should on the corners. Damn it! This is an exhibition."
The people looked at him and shook their heads after all, it wasn't the first ti for them to see sothing like this. Leo had already stamped his na in the books of the people.
…
Leo moved so quickly that it by the ti the comntators could get to describe the moves made by him, he had already moved up to the seventh spot.
"Here I was thinking that Leo Cardinal would be just here for show, but this man on the track looks like he is simply going for the first position. Look at that, making a move on turn seven and beating the second driver of the Henesi team."
Another comntator replied, "Henesi team is really having it tough at the mont. The Cardinal team."
…
After a few minutes, Liam, the race engineer said, "Leo, how is the car performing?"
Leo replied, "It is quite unbalanced on the right. Ride height can also be lowered by a milliter."
Liam replied calmly, "Yes, we can get this."
Lap after lap, the lap ti improved, after three laps, Leo was slipstreaming behind Jin, the driver in Henesi racing car. Suddenly, Leo asked, "Liam, how long before DRS?"
Liam replied, "Three seconds."
Leo clicked his tongue, and replied, "Jin will catch up to Theo with this DRS. Theo is faltering."
After a second, just as Leo has predicted, Jin got the DRS and he slamd the accelerator and dashed forward to catch up to Theo. Leo also waited and as soon as he got the DRS, he moved up quickly and then caught up to Theo as he said, "Liam, as him to give the position, I will chase Jin for the lap."
Liam passed the ssage and Theo agreed. He moved to the side and Leo dashed through the gap and he was riding flat out.
…
Nikki Saint shook his head and replied, "No, it is not possible for him to catch Jin at this gap. He has a four second lead and this is the last lap."
Lily replied, "Grandpa, you don't understand it, my Baba is a speed demon."
Nikki looked at her, and then he saw sothing that shocked him completely, Leo's teletry data showed that he was pushing the car to its max. The gear shifts, the braking, the acceleration, all of them seed to have beco a symphony composed by the driver and the car was singing.
…
In the comntary box, one person said, "Oh my god, are you watching this? Leo Cardinal is after Jin, and he made a fastest lap record in the chase. From a four second lead to a one second gap that too on the final straight. This is racing at its best!"
…
Leo caught up and took the first in the sprint.
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