Kapitel 13: Dominating
With confusion about his future decisions, Senna believed as long as he performed good opportunities would come to him. So forget this contract issue for now and begin to prepare for the next Grand Prix
It can be noted that Senna had just returned from a whirlwind experience at Milan Fashion Week, where he had the unique opportunity to model for Armani as he is the spokesperson. The photoshoot, set against the glamorous backdrop of Milan's most iconic locations, was both exhilarating and exhausting. Senna had always been passionate about racing, but this foray into the fashion world gave him a new perspective on discipline and presentation. . Striking poses under the intense gaze of the camera, the meticulous attention to detail from the stylists, and the sheer grandeur of representing a brand as prestigious as Armani—it was a stark contrast to the adrenaline-pumping world of motorsports.
Now, back in the paddock, Senna walked to the maintenance area with a sense of dual accomplishment. He helped Sui Wentao and the others sort out some sundries, then moved around beside his racing car, ready to switch gears—literally and figuratively—from the runway to the racetrack. After putting on his equipment, Senna entered his racing car, mentally preparing himself for the upcoming Grand Prix.
Senna spent the entire day on Thursday inside the Mercedes team headquarters. Due to his role in the simulator department, many people in the F1 team knew Senna well. In addition, his outstanding performance in F2 last week and his identity as a Mercedes junior driver meant that no one was surprised to see him in the Mercedes work area. Some Mercedes technicians even invited Senna to go out for dinner in the evening. However, Senna politely declined, knowing he had another F2 practice and qualifying race tomorrow. He was determined to stay focused.
On Friday, Senna woke up early, driven by his internal clock. He completed his morning routine of washing up and having breakfast. After a brief rest, he proceeded with his daily basic physical training, ensuring he stayed in peak condition. After finishing his routine, Senna arrived at the paddock. The atmosphere was already buzzing with activity as many F2 team staff members had begun working in the temporary P room. Senna's presence was no surprise to anyone. The contract he signed the day before and the associated change of identity did not alter his mindset. He remained focused and dedicated to his work. Senna preferred to showcase his abilities through performance rather than flaunting his identity. As usual, he headed to the team's temporary P room to start his tasks for the day.
Senna's workload today was relatively light, as most of the tasks had been completed the previous week. This week's tasks mainly involved the maintenance and inspection of Senna's car. The primary objective was to ensure that Senna's car did not suffer from any mechanical failures during the race. The team avoided making adjustments to the tuning and debugging settings. Senna's configurations from last week were already in an ideal state. Without field data, random fine-tuning could potentially disrupt the settings that Senna found comfortable. Leaving the settings untouched seemed the best course of action at this time.
After everything was prepared, there was still a considerable amount of time before the F2 practice race. Senna could take a break, and so could Sui Wentao and the other team members. However, taking advantage of this free time, Renne directed Sui Wentao and the others to practice changing tyres. Since they had spare time, practising tyre changes was a productive way to prepare for the upcoming race and the sprint race the following day. Senna watched with amusement as Sui Wentao and the others practised changing tyres under the hot sun. After observing for a while, Senna's curiosity was piqued, and he expressed a desire to try it himself. Given that the tire-changing practice was an added activity to keep the team members engaged during normal working hours, Renne saw no harm in letting Senna have a go.
Changing tyres is a technical task requiring speed and precision. The process in F2 is more complex than in F1, with only one tyre changer per tyre. First, after the car stops in front of you, aim the tyre gun at the bolt of the tyre and insert it. Pull the trigger to loosen the bolt, grab the edge of the wheel rim, and use your arm strength to remove the tyre from the car. Next, use the tyre gun to clamp the nut on the new tyre. At this point, the tyre gun and the nut on the tyre become locked. You can then lift the tyre with the tyre gun, insert it into the coupling of the car, and use the tyre gun to lock the nut. After a couple of tries, Senna realized that the speed of changing tyres largely depended on proficiency. Finding it less interesting than he anticipated, he returned to the team's P room and played with his mobile phone for a while.
As the time for the F2 practice race approached, many F2 teams, including Senna's, began to mobilize. They pushed cars, carried tyres, and transported equipment to the maintenance area, creating a bustling scene of activity and preparation. Senna felt a mix of excitement and calm. He knew that this practice session was crucial for gathering data and fine-tuning his performance for the actual race. Despite the pressure, he was determined to give his best, focusing on each moment as it came.
As Senna settled into his racing car, his mind shifted from the glamour of Milan to the intense focus required for the upcoming Grand Prix. Today's agenda was all about preparation for the qualifying session the next day, a crucial step to secure a strong starting position in the race.
The atmosphere in the paddock was electric with anticipation. Engineers and mechanics bustled around, making last-minute adjustments and ensuring every detail of the car was perfect. Senna appreciated the meticulous work of his team. He knew that every fraction of a second gained or lost could make a significant difference.
René, the team's lead engineer, approached Senna with a data tablet in hand. "Senna, we've made some adjustments based on the data from last week's race. We've tweaked the suspension setup to give you a bit more grip in the corners. Let's go over the plan."
Senna nodded, reviewing the changes on the tablet. He trusted René's expertise implicitly. They discussed the expected track conditions, tyre strategies, and key sections of the circuit where he could push the car to its limits.
"Remember," René advised, "the weather might be unpredictable tomorrow. We need to be prepared for both dry and wet conditions. We'll start with a few laps on the hard tyres to get a feel for the track, then switch to softs for the qualifying simulation."
Senna absorbed the information, visualizing each turn of the circuit. His focus was razor-sharp. Today's practice session would be crucial for fine-tuning the car and finding the perfect balance between speed and control.
He climbed out of the car to join the team for a quick strategy meeting. Around the table, the team discussed telemetry data and analyzed the performances from previous races. Senna's performance in the simulator sessions was reviewed, and they made adjustments based on the insights gained.
"Senna, your consistency has been excellent," René noted. "Let's focus on optimizing your braking points and getting the most out of the car in the high-speed sections. We'll also need to keep an eye on tyre wear. Push hard, but be mindful of conserving the tires for that critical qualifying lap."
With the strategy set, Senna returned to his car, ready for the practice session. He felt a surge of adrenaline as he put on his helmet and gloves. The roar of the engine was a familiar and comforting sound, a stark contrast to the quiet elegance of the Milan photoshoot.
After Senna was ready, the practice session started. The director was very sensible and immediately directed the camera to the pit area, locking on Senna's car.
In last week's race, Senna had completely become the focus of F2 and the favourite to win the F2 championship this season.
The director also gave enough respect and attention to this hotshot in F2.
After fastening the seat belt, Sui Wentao came over to help Senna check the headrest seat belt and helmet. After confirming that there was no problem, he gave a thumbs up in front of Senna's helmet to indicate that the car was ready.
Senna nodded, stretched out his hand to shake hands with Sui Wentao, and then Sui Wentao stepped back. Senna started the car and drove it out of the maintenance area after the countdown to the start of the practice session.
During the time when Senna drove the car out of the maintenance area, both the cameras above the maintenance area and the photographers carrying cameras locked their lenses on Senna's car.
Until Senna drove his car out of the maintenance area.
There is nothing much to say about the practice session. Senna had already found the settings suitable for this track last week in the simulator, and there was very limited room for improvement in the practice session.
It may just be a more refined adjustment of Senna's current settings, but the improvement that can be brought is minimal, at most 0.05~0.1 seconds.
Of course, this is only for Senna. For other drivers, they do have a lot of potential that can be discovered on this track.
So Senna just drove his car for seven laps with soft tyres and came back, and he didn't go out until the end of the practice session.
Senna is going to save tyres now. Because of the contract Dilemma, he knows that he has to perform better in the F2 arena, so Senna still wants to get his hands on the championship in this week's sprint race.
As for the race?
No bragging, as long as his car doesn't have any problems in the race, Senna is confident that he can easily win the championship in the race.
The practice session ended with Senna's lap with three purple sectors setting the Fastest lap record, and it was another familiar process to move things away...
Meanwhile, the commentators buzzed with excitement and anticipation. "Senna has been absolutely phenomenal this season," one of them remarked. "He's the favorite to win the championship, and today's practice session shows he's in top form."
"Exactly," another commentator added. "His ability to find the right settings and maximize his car's performance is unmatched. The consistency he's shown is what sets champions apart."
"And let's not forget his strategic mindset," the third commentator chimed in. "Senna knows when to push and when to conserve his resources. He's playing the long game, and it's paying off."
As Senna exited the car and began the familiar process of debriefing with his team, the air was thick with the promise of what was to come. Everyone knew that Senna was the driver to watch, and the expectations for the weekend were sky-high.
By the end of the session, Senna felt confident. The car was performing well, and he was in the right headspace for the qualifying challenge ahead. As he returned to the paddock, he was greeted by the team, their faces showing a mix of satisfaction and determination.
"Great job today," René said, clapping Senna on the back. "Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, we make it count."
Senna nodded, feeling a sense of camaraderie with his team. The excitement of the fashion world was behind him, and now, all that mattered was the race. He walked back to the motorhome, mentally preparing for the crucial day ahead, knowing that every lap, every decision, and every second would be pivotal in his pursuit of victory.
After the practice race, Senna received a message from his grandfather, Niki Lauda, asking him to meet in the Mercedes motorhome. Senna informed his team about the meeting and promised to return soon. Entering the motorhome, Senna saw Niki waiting for him. The room was filled with the hum of ongoing discussions and the occasional clinking of coffee cups, but as Senna approached, the background noise faded into a blur.
"Grandpa," Senna greeted, a mix of respect and affection in his voice.
Niki smiled warmly. "Senna, good to see you. Sit down. We need to discuss your future."
Senna took a seat, feeling a mix of anticipation and curiosity. Niki's presence always had a calming effect on him, but today, there was a sense of urgency in the air.
"I've had a long talk with Toto," Niki began, his tone serious but reassuring. "He sees great potential in you, and so do I. But we need to plan your path carefully."
Senna nodded, listening intently.
"Toto is committed to helping you transition to F1, but we need to work on getting your Super License first. You're underage, and there are challenges, but with the right strategy, we can overcome them."
Senna felt a surge of determination. "What do we need to do?"
Niki leaned in slightly. "First, you need to continue performing exceptionally in F2. Every race, every point counts. We also need to ensure you get enough mileage in an F1 car, even if it's just in practice sessions."
Senna absorbed the information, his mind racing with possibilities. "I understand. I'll give it everything I've got."
Niki smiled, placing a reassuring hand on Senna's shoulder. "I know you will. And remember, we're all here to support you. This is just the beginning of a long journey."
As they wrapped up the conversation, Senna felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead was clear, and with Niki and Toto's guidance, he knew he had the support and resources to achieve his dreams. Leaving the motorhome, Senna felt a mix of emotions. The challenge ahead was daunting, but he was ready to face it head-on, fueled by the trust and belief of those who mattered most to him. But still, he is yet to decide his destination for now he is ready to go.
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Hey Guys , Sorry for the lack of updates last week since I had exams, Regular updates are starting. If you like this chapter leave a power stone and comment. More chapters coming soon
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