2022. A new year, and a new era for many forms of motorsports all around the world. Formula 1 is no exception. It's a year that saw a major overhaul of the sport, with new cars, engines, and regulations. The cars and teams that lined up the grid are now faster, more powerful, and more competitive, and many fans are excited for the season's first race in Melbourne, Australia.
Among the enthusiastic fans are Emiko Ayanami and Kanae Ikeda, who are huge supporters of the best team on the grid, Ferrari. The team from Italy is the team to beat during pre-season testing and is heavily favored to become champions that year, and Emiko and Kanae are absolutely sure that Ferrari will steamroll the competition.
The two came to Australia along with their friend, Fumiko Aozora, a professional racer in Japanese Grand Touring Competitions, but also had experience in lower-division single-seater Formulas. She had developed an interest in Formula 1 thanks to her Ferrari-supporting friends, whom she befriended since high school. Emiko and Kanae watched on with excitement from the observing deck in the pit lane as they attended Saturday qualifying.
"Wow! Look at that! There's Mario in the Ferrari!" Emiko jumped with excitement as Ferrari's star driver and reigning champion, Mario Ragazzi, raced through the main straight, completing the fastest time in qualifying, locking up pole position in the process.
"Look at how fast Mario's time is! He's pushing that car to the limit! Only Mario can tame such a ferocious monster!" Both Kanae and Emiko are astonished by Mario's time of 1:20.678, a new track record.
Fumiko is not only a talented racer, but also has deep knowledge in single-seater Formula cars, teams, along with other forms of motorsports. She also likes to smoke Marlboro Ice Blasts regularly. Hearing her friend's conversation, she exhales another plume of smoke from her mouth, and noted,
"The Ferrari is indeed a monster. The car's sleek bodywork allowed it to cut through the air like a ghost through a tennis racket, gaining massive top speeds in the process. The car's framework is also thin, flexible, and less bulky compared to the others, and the slim rear bodywork makes for a gorgeous-looking beast of a car."
"The Ferraris had a rich history in making pretty, sleeky cars, and this one is the sexiest Ferrari F1 car I've ever seen!"
"I agree, but the man behind that Ferrari is very calm and smooth on the steering into the apex and on the exit of the corner. I'm impressed by how Mr. Ragazzi can handle the massive output of 15.000 rpm that smoothly. He sure has the skills to defend the title this season."
"Mario is without a doubt the best driver ever, possibly the best of all time!"
"I'm not sure about that. The drivers competing against him are very aggressive and other machines like McLaren, RedBull, Mercedes, and Williams are also very fast. The McLaren, in particular, had a more flexible front and rear wings, so they have the advantage in terms of downforce, which suits well with its aggressive pair of drivers."
"The McLarens may be fast, but the Ferraris will always have the advantage."
Later in qualifying, two pairs of navy-colored cars, of which Fumiko had never seen before, came out of the garages in the pit lane, as they came out to set their respective qualifying runs.
"Kanae-san, I can see a few blue cars coming out of the garages. I had never seen them before. Are they a new team?"
"Hmm… I don't know. Did you know, Emiko?"
"I think they're the Hartman team. They're a late entry to the grid, and did very little pre-season testing as they don't really have much time."
"I see. From the looks of it, It doesn't look like a winning car. The sidepods looked very bad. I don't know what they're trying to do, either trying to generate more airflow or trying to make the airflow through the suspension and floor work, but as far as I'm concerned, It would make the car more draggy, and as a result, makes it less fast."
"From my perspective, I think they're a downforce-only team as I don't see anything sleeky from that car."
"But the front wings are decently flexible, and the rear isn't too bulky, but from the looks of it, the floor also looks bad and too hairy, and that would affect the airflow into the diffuser. Though speaking of that, what engine did they use?"
"I think they used Renault engines."
"The Renaults are less fast and for the most part, unreliable. So I don't know how high they can finish in qualifying or races. But for the time being, the Ferraris are still at the top."
"Indeed. That's how untouchable the Ferraris are! And I'm certain that they'll prevail tomorrow!"
"We'll see how the rest can navigate this qualifying session right now."
As the Ferraris continued to dominate, other teams like McLaren, Mercedes, RedBull, and Williams, were able to set equally fast times. The Hartman cars, on the other hand, languished in the lower midfield, in 15th and 16th respectively. Their second-hand driver, Henry Fritz, was unable to improve on his time, and when the session ended, he was eliminated from qualifying. The team's star driver, Harry Matthews, was able to enter the second phase of qualifying.
Meanwhile, on pit lane, the Hartman team staff aren't impressed by their performance, as their sidepod and diffuser trick failed and are left with a slow car on the verge of not making the third phase of qualifying. The team boss and founder, Nick Hartman, already had doubts on whether the cars can finish in the Top 10 tomorrow.
"This is bad… We finished in the lower half of the midfield. At this rate, I don't know if our guys will score points on Sunday's race"
"We should address the sidepod and diffuser problem. That thing has been slowing us down a lot."
"But the Renault power is also a letdown. It's mostly unreliable and I also doubt whether we can finish a race, let alone score points. Well, for now, let's hope Harry can put up a good time to get into Q3."
"Well, best of luck for Harry."
In the garage, the pit crew has finished setting up Harry's car for Qualifying 2. Harry also stated that the car isn't fast enough, as he also complains about the handling and the unreliability throughout testing. Now he has to push twice as hard to have any real chance of making it further through qualifying. He is currently in the garage whilst Jones and the rest of the pit crew set his car up.
"I know I have to push hard, but with the car's inferiority, I'm not sure whether I can push hard enough to get this to Q3. I might as well hope that lady luck will be on my side for this session."
"I hope so too. But I think the new set of grippy option tires will help improve the cornering a little bit, and I also think it'll suit your driving style well."
"I think I can try. Though this doesn't necessarily mean it gives me an advantage."
"Well, Harry, the guys have finished tuning the car and now Q2 has begun. Do your absolute best out there, man."
"Thanks."
"Ok, go, go now."
And so, The V6 engine of the Hartman HA22 starts up and rumbles, as Harry comes out of the garage for his qualifying run. Given that the session had just started, it gave Harry plenty of time to post a fast qualifying time.
However, despite being pushed to its limits, the HA22 failed to post a fast enough time.
"So, Nick, how's the time fairing?"
"Not good. We're still in the bottom 5, and there are only 5 minutes left."
The shortcomings, despite all his effort, prompted him to push even harder.
"Damn. Even with all my skills, I can't post a good enough time. No matter how hard I try, it's still not good enough… No! I have to keep going!"
All the while, Fumiko goes out to buy a drink in the paddock as Emiko and Kanae continue to observe the qualifying session.
"I'm so thirsty… I need some nice mocha to cool down my throat."
"You should go to the paddock. There's a lot to eat and drink there."
"Can you buy me a Cappuccino too, please?"
"Sure. I'm sure you guys must be thirsty too."
"Thank you, Fumiko-chan :)))"
"I'll be back in a moment."
This will be the last time Fumiko Aozora was ever seen, for now at least.