Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
The drivers have completed their out-lap—a trip around the track where they weave side to side to warm up their tires and brakes. When they finish, they come onto the grid, lining up in two staggered rows according to their qualifying placements. Every detail matters in these moments… the temperature of the tires, the feel of the car, the mental focus of the driver. They’re all critical pieces of a high-stakes puzzle.
From my position on the pit wall, I glance at the monitors in front of me, showing telemetry and live video feeds. Nash is lined up P3 on the grid, a strong starting position. Matthieu, however, is farther back in P8. While he finished in P6 yesterday, two other drivers had better runs and leapfrogged ahead of him. It’s not where we want him to be, and it’s left me with a tough decision about his strategy.
Taking a big but calculated risk could pay off—or backfire spectacularly.
I’ve decided to split the strategies. Nash will start on the medium tires, the safer and more versatile compound since he’s got a great starting position on the grid. If he can make a clean getaway and defend his position, we can employ other strategies to move him up. Matthieu, however, is going to need a more daring game plan. I will start him on soft tires—the faster but less durable option. It’s a calculated gamble meant to help him gain positions early in the race and we’ll later use a bold undercut strategy to leapfrog the cars ahead.
I glance at Hendrik seated next to me. He’s skeptical—no, outright opposed—to the plan, and he hasn’t been shy about making his opinion known.
“I still think it’s a mistake,” he says, leaning in so only I can hear. “The softs will degrade too quickly on this track, especially given the higher temperature. He’ll lose pace before the first stint is even over.”
“It’s a risk, yes,” I reply, keeping my voice calm and professional, “but the data still supports the idea, even with the hotter temperature. If Matthieu can push early and build a gap, we can bring him in for the undercut before anyone else reacts. It’s his best shot for a top ten finish.”
An undercut is a tactic to gain positions, but it’s all about timing. It’s a method whereby we’ll call Matthieu in to pit earlier than his nearest competitors and put him on a fresher set of tires, which will theoretically make him faster. You get him in and out of the pit fast enough, and he can keep fast pace, he’ll ultimately move farther ahead of the other cars when they pit. It’s always a risky strategy, but when timed right, it can win races.
While it’s probably a long shot to get Matthieu on the podium, I’m confident we can get him higher than his original P8 starting position, and I’ll consider any top ten finish a win since the team will get points for that.
“But if you start him on the mediums, it’s almost assured he’ll stay in the top ten and we’ll get guaranteed points,” Hendrik points out.
Yes, that is the super safe strategy, but I’m tired of Matthieu not seeing my value. I wasn’t hired to be conservative but to get wins, and I want Matthieu to place as high as possible.
It will go a long way toward earning his respect.
“It will work,” I say confidently. “I know how to do my job.”
Hendrik’s eyes narrow, his jaw tightening. “And if it doesn’t work?”
“It will work,” I insist, my stomach twisting despite my confident tone.
He shakes his head, sighing heavily. “Fine. But if this blows up in our faces, it’s on you.”
“Understood,” I say firmly, refusing to let his doubt undermine my resolve, although I feel slightly sick at the fallout if I’m wrong.
On the monitors, the starting grid is now fully lined up. The five red lights slowly blink on one by one. When all of them are lit, there’s a second or two of apprehension. Then they extinguish and the race is on.
Nash’s start is clean, his car surging forward as he holds his position into Turn 1. Matthieu is super aggressive right off the line, and that’s not a bad thing at all. I watch his telemetry closely as he dives into the first corner, gaining two positions in the opening sequence.
“Good start,” Petr relays over the radio. “You’re P6. Keep the pace steady.”
The opening laps are tense but uneventful for Nash. Alex, his engineer, provides him with updates on the cars ahead, while I monitor the gaps between him and the leaders. He’s holding P3 solidly, keeping pressure on Lex and Carlos, but not overextending himself.
For Matthieu, the soft tires are doing their job—his pace is blistering in the early stages, and he moves up to P5. My heart lifts slightly. The gamble will pay off. I’m sure of it.