My Formula 1 System

Christmas season had finally and thoroughly settled over the world, wrapping everything in a soft, festive calm regardless of climate differences. For continents and countries that lay in temperate continental climates, their cities now glowed under the soft emphasis of white snow.

Decorations had begun to cloak many infrastructures, buildings, and stores in red, silver, and gold. And every now and then, you either strained your ears or clearly heard soft, passionate carols floating through the air, sung by many. Time had paused and so did the events that usually accompanied it. All everyone could do now was slow themselves too, in order to soak in the warmth and magic of winter.

During every Christmas, it was a tradition for families to gather close, usually bringing in their extended bloodline. Luca, who had no idea who was related to him aside from his mother and sister, had to invite his personal team just like he did last year, to fill up what should have been numerous seats.

Mrs. Rennick was fine now and had returned from the hospital. She no longer felt the dizziness and mental muddle that used to assail her occasionally. The hospital had done their job well, and on top of that, she had begun to take her medications seriously again after Luca's lecture.

Since the two-month abstinence had caused a spike in the sickness's travail, there were now more medications and even slimmer tolerance days for skipping. It vexed Luca because this outcome had practically turned his mother into one of those aging, med-dependent people.

However, this situation did not affect the mood of the holiday. Luca made sure Sophia returned for Winter Break because he was still travelling occasionally for the negotiations, and she'd serve as his replacement in the family on any of those trips.

Furthermore, Mrs. Hawthorne offered a gallant Christmas dinner with them in her newly built mansion at Wiltshire, England. It was actually the first official dinner between the Rennick and Hawthorne families, and it was evented handsomely.

Luca didn't know why, but he had a feeling this new mansion of Mrs. Hawthorne's was actually built with the intention to become his own when he weds her daughter like she still insisted, even after having seen Isabella face to face. It was either that, or perhaps—more likely—the mansion was meant for Adrian and Sophia, whom she had been shipping together from the beginning too.

Since the year was winding down to an end, Luca knew it was time to sit professionally with Sara and go over his finances. Although it wasn't the most exciting task to carry out during this time of the season, it was strictly important for him to do so.

A full season of contracts, prize money, bonuses, brand partnerships, travel costs, and other expenses had passed, meaning both income and expenditure had woven a very large picture this year, far larger than last year.

Everything needed to be tracked, evaluated, and understood. As the driver and client, Luca didn't have to do any of the first two, but to only understand. Sara was paid to do the hard work, of course.

Financial awareness had become a pillar of his independence this season especially. Even though being a Formula 1 driver was his major profession, Luca made sure he wasn't going to be a one-trick pony when it actually came to being… a man. While the cameras focused on his rises and falls, and the world marvelled at, or repugned the rookie climbing podiums, he was making firm moves off the track.

He had purchased a few living properties in Northern Ireland and Northern Italy. These properties weren't for him, but strictly for the purpose of real estate and long-term value. Of course, he had delegated these actions and hadn't even seen the state of the houses until now.

$1M+ wasn't much to make cyclopean investments, especially considering taxes and other underlying expenses. But Luca managed to open his first investment portfolio with his team of vetted advisors from a firm he was already partnered with. Hawthorne's hand in these aspects of business made things way smoother and easier.

Revising the year's finances, Luca could see he had truly planted trees, and would even plant more in the years to come. By Heaven's grace, he's still just 20.

This was exactly why Luca flatly refused to accept Trampos' initial salary offer. A driver with his caliber and promise should never stoop that low, especially with better offers already on the table. He expected to take a reasonable leap from his current $1M+ figure to indicate growth in all categories of his career and ensure long-term happiness with the team.

Jackson Racing could see that negotiations between Luca and Trampos were progressing beyond simple talks and surface interest, while their own discussions with Luca remained cold and stale, completely one-sided.

The team could see the looming turmoil and knew something had to be done as soon as possible. A good driver, if not exceptional, had to be signed in order to keep them alive for the next championship campaign.

Looking around, Jackson would either be faced with the brick wall of a locked-in 5-year contract or a driver who completely disliked the English team. However, scouts did discover a potential just perfect, someone who showed clear interest in joining them while simultaneously rejecting his current team.

Albert Derstappen of Squadra Corse Jnr.

Still only 26 years old, he still had the spark and talent for driving. Also, he had lost significant passion for Squadra due to their long-standing delay in promoting him, similar to the case of Max Addams.

This shocked the world and Luca too. No one ever predicted that there would be two F2 drivers on the verge of joining F1. The crazy thing was that they were both transfers, not even promotions.

Squadra Corse fans appeared visibly unhappy with the outcome and questioned why the team wasn't clinging to Derstappen. In the fans' opinion, Derstappen remained better than Bellingham, especially in Formula 1's competitive atmosphere and its urgent need for experience.

But they couldn't just hold back Derstappen if he truly wanted to leave. He had just been told there would be no promotion this season, and he believed it was time to join his long-time rival, Max Addams, and make the transcendence to Formula 1.

Luca took note of the news and scrutinized every element. In the end, he couldn't help but wonder why Bueseno Velocita and Squadra Corse—essentially the entirety of Italy—did not brand Max and Derstappen as "traitors" after what they had just done.

But just because he had unintentionally desolated Nevada HanSama, and also because he was Italian himself; they decided to accuse him of some kind of vile treason.

Luca knew that returning to Trampos would only pepper them even more, maybe even provoke England too. This step he was taking could actually attract even more condemnation than he already had.

But Germany's adoration would always reign supreme for Luca; it was louder and more compelling than the other, darker consequences. Anytime Luca arrived in Berlin, he always received a mini version reception of that German Grand Prix fiesta. Germany still carried the heavy emotions that had followed Ansel's tragic death, using that grief to fuel their plea for Luca to return. They treated him like a promised heir to a lost legacy, their voices rising in unified longing every time he stepped foot on their soil.

On one of the final days of negotiations, Luca arrived with Mallow, his two lawyers, and two bodyguards at the building that had been arranged for them. The structure looked like a massive dome, with a sheltered walkway that traced its seemingly unending circumference. They walked quietly with purpose and professional composure until they met Trampos' delegates, and shook hands.

"It's glad to see you again, Luca," one of them, a woman, said as she shook his hand.

"Same," Luca replied. "I haven't seen you since the third meeting. I hope no problems?"

The woman in question was Mrs. Coastfield, the same agent who had led his failed transfer to Nevada HanSama.

As the team collapsed, so did the business opportunities, and the woman had decided to find work elsewhere. Trampos, eager to bolster their internal structure, was more than willing to hire her.

"Handling more deals," she answered with a professional smile, then motioned for them to continue.

Luca hoped it was just that and nothing else related to what happened on that third day. On that particular day, Mrs. Coastfield had hit on him after giving off subtle signals for two days straight. Luca had been taken aback and was surprised because she was actually married. But then again, he realized most cougars were often married.

Maybe his refusal had shattered her confidence, and she needed some time to recoup? Luca couldn't tell.

It didn't matter now, so he moved forward with the negotiations scheduled for that afternoon. The focus was still centered mostly on the salary and wages. Trampos hoped Luca could understand their financial state but the facial expressions from him and his team clearly communicated that they didn't care.

After a firm back-and-forth, Trampos had no choice but to succumb to Luca's demands in order to secure his return. The salary price was finally and painfully set at $4 million.

Luca's team exchanged glances before they nodded. Rising to their feet, Luca and his team extended their hands, and Mrs. Coastfield and her delegates shook them confidently.