The days leading up to the final race were a whirlwind of preparation, tension, and underhanded schemes. With the field narrowed to ten drivers, the pressure was unlike anything they'd felt before. Agents, scouts, and sponsors roamed the academy grounds, eyes constantly analyzing the drivers. Whispers of contracts and future prospects hung in the air like an unspoken promise or a threat.
Henry kept his head down, focusing on his car. The Sauber engineers, impressed by his dedication, worked tirelessly with him to fine-tune the setup. He utilized his Race Setup Optimization skill every day, making small tweaks that transformed his underdog machine into something that might hold its own against the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren.
Victor Lang had been seething since the second selection race. Henry's rise had been meteoric, his performances stealing the spotlight. Worse, agents were whispering about Henry's potential, questioning whether Victor's Red Bull assignment was as promising as Henry's success in a weaker car.
Victor couldn't allow that.
He cornered Sophia Martínez and Santiago López in the garage one evening, flashing them his trademark confident smirk.
"We need to talk," Victor said, leaning casually against a workbench.
Sophia folded her arms, skeptical. "What about?"
"Henry Reeves," Victor said bluntly. "You've seen him. He's dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Santiago raised an eyebrow. "He's a good driver. That's hardly a crime."
Victor's smirk faded, replaced by a cold glare. "If he finishes ahead of us, he'll take the spotlight. Teams will see him as the underdog hero who outperformed everyone even in a Sauber. And where does that leave us? Forgotten."
Sophia hesitated. She'd admired Henry's skill, but Victor had a point. Formula 1 was cutthroat. The teams wanted stars, and if Henry stole the narrative, their chances could plummet.
"What are you suggesting?" Sophia asked cautiously.
Victor leaned closer, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial tone. "We box him in during the race. Keep him stuck in traffic. If he can't move up, he can't impress anyone. Simple."
Santiago frowned. "That's risky. What if the stewards notice?"
"They won't if we're subtle," Victor said smoothly. "This is our chance to secure our futures. Are you in or not?"
Sophia exchanged a glance with Santiago. Reluctantly, they nodded.
Meanwhile, Liam Parker and Nathan Harris had their own plans brewing.
Nathan slammed his fist on the table in the academy lounge. "I can't stand that guy! He comes out of nowhere and thinks he can take over?!"
Liam, sitting across from him, scowled. "He's a fluke. But if we don't do something, he might actually win this thing."
"What's your plan?" Nathan asked, leaning forward.
Liam hesitated, glancing around to make sure they were alone. "We'll mess with his setup. Something small but significant maybe tire pressures or wing alignment. It'll be enough to slow him down without raising suspicion."
Nathan grinned. "I like it. When do we strike?"
"Tonight," Liam said. "We'll wait until the garage is empty."
Oblivious to the schemes against him, Henry threw himself into his preparation. He spent hours in the simulator, studying the track layout, analyzing potential overtaking zones, and perfecting his strategy.
The system chimed in periodically, offering advice.
"Remember, Henry," it said during a late-night session. "Your Sauber won't match their top speed on the straights. You'll need to capitalize on cornering and braking zones."
"I know," Henry muttered, his eyes glued to the virtual track. "It's all about timing."
"And luck," the system added with a hint of humor.
Henry smirked. "I make my own luck."
Two days before the race, the Academy Head gathered the drivers in the briefing room. A hush fell over the room as he stepped forward, his expression as stern as ever.
"Congratulations on making it to the final test," he began. "You are the top ten drivers from thousands of hopefuls worldwide. But the real challenge begins now."
The drivers sat up straighter, their nerves palpable.
"The final test will be a 30-lap race on our championship circuit," the Academy Head continued. "It will test your stamina, strategy, and skill. This is your last chance to prove yourselves. At the end of the race, we will select three drivers for contracts with F1 teams."
The room buzzed with murmurs.
"Three?" Nathan whispered to Liam.
"Even more reason to take Henry out," Liam muttered back.
The Academy Head raised a hand, silencing the chatter. "Good luck to all of you. Prepare yourselves. The future of your careers depends on it."
The academy grounds were a hive of activity as the final preparations began. Henry noticed the shift in atmosphere immediately. Some drivers, like Sophia and Santiago, were unusually cold toward him. Victor avoided him altogether but shot him glares whenever their paths crossed.
Nathan and Liam, on the other hand, made no effort to hide their disdain.
"Hope your little Sauber holds up," Nathan sneered one afternoon.
Henry didn't bite. "Hope you can keep up."
"Nice comeback," the system said approvingly.
"Thanks," Henry murmured under his breath.
That night, Liam and Nathan slipped into the garage under cover of darkness. Liam carried a small tool kit, his hands steady as he worked on Henry's car. Nathan stood guard, his ears straining for any sound.
"Hurry up," Nathan hissed.
"I'm almost done," Liam whispered back.
Unbeknownst to them, a small camera mounted in the corner of the garage captured everything.
The day before the race, Henry stood by the track, staring at the horizon. The system's voice broke the silence.
"Are you ready, Henry?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," he said.
"Good. Because tomorrow, everything changes."
Henry nodded, a steely determination in his eyes. The final test was upon him, and he was ready to face whatever came his way.