The pit lane was alive with energy, though it was a quiet energy more like the anticipation that fills the air just before a thunderstorm. The academy's racetrack stood under the mid-morning sun, the asphalt glistening with the faint sheen of heat. A few dozen spectators sat in the grandstands, mostly family members and agents. The true eyes of the racing world, the team scouts and the sponsors, were scattered throughout the track, watching every driver with an almost predatory gaze.
The race ahead was crucial. The second selection race would determine who stayed and who would be cut from the academy. This week, 15 of the 40 remaining drivers would be eliminated. The pressure weighed heavily on Henry's chest as he sat in his car, staring at the front row of the grid.
System: "Remember, Henry, focus on your technique. Mistakes won't help. You've made it this far. Now show them why you belong here."
Henry swallowed hard, nodding silently. The system's voice was always there, calm and unflinching, even as the weight of the moment pressed down on him. His heart thudded against his ribs. He could hear the faint whine of engines revving as the cars around him prepared for the start.
The grid was set. The flags waved in front of the cars. The lights turned from red to green, and with that, the engines roared.
"Green light! Go!"
The second the light flickered green, Henry's foot slammed down on the accelerator, and his car shot forward. But in the chaos of the initial launch, he miscalculated his timing just slightly. His grip on the wheel tightened as the engine revved too high, sending a shockwave of unnecessary speed through the car. His rear tires lost traction, and for a brief second, the car slipped sideways, sending him into a slight drift.
It was enough. In that split moment, he dropped from 8th place to the very back of the grid. The realization hit him hard.
System: "You're at the back, Henry. Keep your head clear. The race isn't over yet. Stay focused. Stay calculated."
Henry clenched his jaw, fighting the frustration that surged in his chest. He had lost ground. He was now at the bottom of the pack, the very position he'd been trying so desperately to avoid.
Lap 1
The field spread out ahead of him, a mass of cars jostling for position, with several drivers weaving in and out as they fought for better lines. Henry's heart pounded as he pushed forward, keeping his mind calm, remembering the lessons the system had taught him. It wasn't about sheer speed now, it was about taking calculated risks and making smart overtakes.
A few corners in, Henry saw his first opportunity. A driver in front of him, a brash kid from Germany named Klaus, was over-defending, covering his line too aggressively. Henry, sensing an opening, dove to the inside on the second corner, narrowly avoiding a collision with Klaus as they both fought for the apex. It was a risky move, but it paid off. Henry was now 39th, moving one position up.
System: "Nice move, Henry. Keep it smooth. You've got time. Focus."
Lap 2
With his tires still warming up, Henry adjusted his grip, leaning into the corners and feeling the track's rhythm beneath his wheels. It was still early in the race, and there was plenty of time to gain back his lost positions. But the pressure to perform was palpable. The academy's instructors, agents, and sponsors were watching, looking for any sign of weakness, any hesitation.
Up ahead, another driver, a tall, blonde kid named Marco braked late into a hairpin, running wide. Henry saw his chance, and he took it. He threaded the needle, squeezing past Marco on the inside and gaining another position.
Lap 3
The track started to feel more natural under him, his car now fully synchronized to his movements. His ability to brake later and accelerate earlier was improving, the car's responsiveness matching his thoughts. The system's assistance was subtle, but Henry could feel the edge it gave him, particularly as he started to make up ground.
As he approached the first chicane, he saw two drivers in front of him tangled in a side-by-side battle. It was an opening, a gap in the field. With a quick glance in his rearview mirror, Henry darted to the inside, forcing his way through a tight space that he wasn't sure existed a moment ago. But it worked. He shot ahead and found himself in 37th.
System: "You're moving up, Henry. Keep your cool. This is just the start."
Lap 4
With each lap, the race felt like it was growing tighter. Henry pushed harder, passing another two drivers, one of whom was struggling with tire degradation. By the time he reached the halfway point of lap 4, he was in 34th place, closing the gap on the next cluster of cars.
Suddenly, there was a loud screech of tires ahead. One of the cars had spun out, blocking a section of the track. Henry's heart raced as he saw the wreckage ahead, he could feel the tension rising.
Without hesitation, he went to the outside, barely avoiding the wreckage by inches. The maneuver wasn't clean, but it was effective. He didn't lose any positions, and when he crossed the next section of the track, he saw the wrecked car in his rearview mirror.
System: "Good reflexes, Henry. But be more careful. You don't need to risk your life over one mistake."
Lap 5
Henry's mind had switched gears. He was no longer thinking about the position he had lost or even where he was on the grid. He was just focused on moving forward, one overtake at a time.
He saw another opportunity two drivers were battling it out ahead of him for 30th. They were too focused on their own fight, leaving Henry a clear opening. With a fast charge into the next straight, he passed both drivers in a clean sweep, moving up to 31st.
The academy instructors in the grandstands made notes. The sponsors in the pits nodded to each other. Henry's progress hadn't gone unnoticed. But he still had a long way to go.
Lap 6
The battle was heating up. Henry was now behind 30th, and the pace was getting faster. The drivers ahead were beginning to feel the pressure too, with small mistakes creeping into their driving. It was an opening that Henry knew how to exploit.
He dove into a series of tight corners, making quick, decisive moves. He passed another driver on the inside, moving into 29th. The car felt like it was an extension of his own body now, every shift, every turn executed with precision.
The fans in the grandstands small as they were started to cheer louder. They had seen Henry's progress, and now, they were watching him charge through the field.
Lap 7
At this point, Henry was in 28th, just behind a driver who had been noticeably slower throughout the race. His tires had begun to wear out faster than Henry's, and Henry knew this was a moment of opportunity. The line was tight, but it was there. With a calculated move, Henry overtook him on the outside of the tight corner.
Henry moved up to 27th place, and the momentum was starting to build. His confidence soared as he felt his synchronization with the car reach its peak. The moves were becoming second nature, and his focus was unwavering.
System: "Nice job, Henry. You've climbed through the ranks. Keep it steady. You're doing great."
Lap 8
Henry had made it to 25th place, right on the cusp of the top 20. The race was reaching its crucial moment, with the pack ahead of him tightening up. The drivers were all pushing harder now, and the mistakes were starting to show. Henry saw a few drivers ahead struggling with tire wear, and his mind quickly calculated his next move.
He decided to go for it, he needed to move up, and he couldn't wait for them to make a mistake. As they approached a long right-hand bend, he positioned his car perfectly, diving into the inside line and executing an overtaking maneuver that left the other drivers scrambling. Henry passed two more cars, moving into 23rd.
The crowd, despite being small, couldn't help but cheer. The excitement was palpable. Some agents were taking notes, while others exchanged glances.
There was a new buzz around Henry. A buzz of potential.
But there was still a long way to go.
The second selection race wasn't over yet.
As Henry crossed the line to start lap 9, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was on the cusp of something big. But the true test would come in the final laps, and he couldn't afford to slip up now.
The crowd was cheering, and the agents had taken notice.
System: "You're doing well, Henry. But this race isn't over. Keep your head in the game."
The battle for the top 15 was just beginning.