Race Engineer: About a second behind on that last lap. Sets him a couple seconds ahead of you.
Nico: Do we have more power?
Race Engineer: Hold steady on this turn up ahead and then push on the straightaway.
Nico: Copy.
Rocco: It looks like Clarke’s making a move.
Race Engineer: He’s gained another second on you. But you can hold him off if you stay out of DRS range.
Rocco: Copy. How close am I to Anker?
Race Engineer: Almost within a second. It’s close. But not yet.
Rocco: Copy.
Two laps to go, and he was in the same position. But Clarke was getting closer. If Clarke got within a second behind him, he could employ the DRS, and that would increase his speed enough to catch and pass Rocco.
Rocco: What’s Clarke’s position?
Race Engineer: Just a fraction over a second. Can you pick up the pace?
Just before Rocco took a turn, he spied Clarke lose control, slide to the outside of the track, and crash into the embankment.
He was beyond the turn now and couldn’t see what happened behind him. Now he only needed to gain on Anker and he had this.
Shit, thought Nico as she and Clarke made contact. She skidded but was able to regain control and avoided going off the track completely.
Race Engineer: Good job, Nico. You’re okay.
But she wasn’t. Something was wrong.
Nico: I’m losing grip.
Race Engineer: Nico?
Nico: Shit!
Race Engineer: Push, Rocco. Push. You’re within a second. Employ the DRS.
Rocco shot out ahead of Anker.
Rocco: Yes!
Race Engineer: Excellent, Rocco! You’re setting a blistering pace. Checkered flag is just up ahead. Push! You’ve got this.
Rocco wasn’t sure which was racing faster, the car or his heart. That flag and that trophy were just up ahead. And they were his.
Race Engineer: Shit.
Rocco: What?
Silence.
Rocco: What’s going on?
Race Engineer: Nothing. Keep your pace, Rocco. Anker’s just behind, but he won’t catch you if you can just manage to keep this pace. Half a lap to go before you see that checkered flag.
