Surprise! A 100% surprise!
Carlos Sainz completely hadn't expected this. Before entering the Turn 10 hairpin, his rearview mirrors showed the faint, lingering yellow of Hulkenberg's Renault.
But as he exited the hairpin, a flash of red appeared without warning, clinging to him like a ghost, launching an attack without a moment's hesitation.
His heart instantly contracted to its limit!
A gasp surged to his lips, but he couldn't make a sound. His first, reflexive reaction was to firmly block the position and occupy the racing line.
This section was slightly different. It was an area of concentrated rainfall. Although the rain wasn't heavy, the concentrated downpour meant there was not only standing water but water seeping into the track surface. A thin film of water remained. Both Sainz and Kai, on slick tires, had absolutely zero grip here.
Therefore, the racing line was crucial—
At this moment, Sainz displayed unparalleled reaction speed, firmly occupying the inside wet line. This effectively squeezed Kai to the outside, where the water was worse. This bought Sainz precious breathing room and the hope of maintaining his advantage through Sector 3.
Turn 11 is a left-hander.
Not only that, but Turns 12, 13, 14, and 15 are all left-handers. The advantage in line and position belonged entirely to Sainz.
In just a breath's time, Sainz had seized the initiative. Especially in wet conditions, the difficulty for the Ferrari to use its high-speed corner rhythm advantage to eat the Renault alive multiplied exponentially.
It seemed Kai was a bit too anxious. He should have calmed down, taken a long-term view, reorganized his setup, and created another overtaking opportunity.
Kai disagreed.
When Sainz instinctively blocked the inside line, raindrops streaked across Kai's visor, and he clearly saw the outside line.
The reflection on the wet track indicated there was no standing water there.
Without hesitation, Kai flicked right, pushed the throttle, and squeezed into Turn 11 from the outside.
Correcting, adjusting, continuously maintaining dynamic balance. Exiting Turn 11 at high speed, a gentle push of the throttle, a slight flick of the chassis, and he rapidly closed in on Sainz on the short straight leading to the next left-hander.
Bite, stick, alongside! All in one fluid motion!
At this point, Kai's front left tire had passed Sainz's rear right tire. However, this was far from enough.
According to the rules, if overtaking on the inside, the attacker has the advantage if their front wheels pass the defender's rear wheels.
But if overtaking on the outside, the attacker's front wheels must pass the defender's front wheels to claim the advantage. Otherwise, if there's contact, it's an attacking foul.
In other words, Sainz currently held the positional advantage.
If Sainz maintained this posture, he could force Kai off the track without getting a penalty!
Sainz wasn't impulsive or reckless. He wasn't a driver who liked to foul, and he certainly wasn't the poster boy for bloodthirsty combat. But that didn't mean he was foolish enough not to use his advantage.
It was obvious. Sainz held the racing line and intentionally widened his cornering arc, using the physical presence of his car to squeeze Kai's space. He forced Kai to go wider, taking a much larger parabolic arc through Turn 12. Any wider, and Kai would be off the track.
Kai immediately felt the oncoming pressure, layer by layer, carrying moisture and heat, slamming hard against his chest.
So, what to do?
Surrender? Fight to the death? Retreat to advance and plan for the long term?
Instead—
Staying calm, staying patient. Kai didn't rush. He dove straight into Turn 12, right to the limit, before suddenly slamming on the brakes. The front tires bit, the steering flicked, the rear wing slid out sideways. He rode the wind and waves across the slippery water film like a master surfer on the Gold Coast.
Was this... drifting?
Playing childish street racing tricks in F1? Was Kai serious?
Indeed, under normal circumstances, drifting in F1 is stupid. It's self-destructive tire wear, gains no time advantage, and isn't even considered "cool." It's useless, serving only to make the driver a laughingstock.
But last year, during his first Free Practice session at Spa, Kai realized that in wet conditions, some street racing emergency techniques could have unexpectedly effective results.
To be precise, it wasn't drifting, but slip angle correction. Originating from the streets, but equally applicable in formula racing.
Like right now.
With a water film on the track surface, grip and dynamic balance are different. Using slip angle correction to lightly and nimbly sweep across the track effectively controls tire wear. It's the cleanest, sharpest way through the corner, withstanding Sainz's continuous pressure to turn the tide.
A light tap on the throttle, release, rear wheels land.
Press down again, feeding the power evenly. He incredibly didn't feel the bumps and turbulence of Interlagos through the steering wheel; instead, it felt silky smooth.
Like spilled mercury, hugging the outside of the corner, he turned into a streak of light, surging forward.
Now!
The inside left of the Number 22 Ferrari red was the Number 55 Renault yellow. The two streaks of light, one slightly ahead of the other, were glued together inextricably.
On the pit wall, Abiteboul's smile froze, withering before it could fully bloom.
Clearly, Sainz's cornering rhythm wasn't fluid enough. He couldn't withstand the pressure in his defensive position. On exit, Car 55 was still two-thirds of a car length ahead of Car 22, but the exit speeds immediately decided the winner.
He watched helplessly as the Ferrari red clung to the Renault yellow like a phantom, drew level, and then ruthlessly abandoned it, completing the overtake and taking the lead into Turn 13.
Kai didn't rashly change his line. He stuck to the outside. The two cars hadn't completely separated, and Sainz, holding the line advantage, seemed to still have a chance to counter-attack. But running side-by-side, Kai's firm, tough performance firmly controlled the cornering rhythm. His delicate control of the dynamic balance was like a ballet in the rain, perfectly blending violence and gentleness. He surged through Turn 14, completely shaking off Sainz.
Then, he sped away!
The breath that had been caught in everyone's throats since Kai approached Hulkenberg was finally released.
"KAI ZHIZHOU! God! Ladies and gentlemen, KAI ZHIZHOU IS HERE!"
"Following Hockenheim, Kai once again grasps the opportunity at Interlagos to display his unparalleled wet-weather driving ability. His calmness and wisdom, his skill and talent, his understanding of the track and grasp of opportunities—all are absolutely top-tier. He instantly awakens all memories of Senna."
"At Interlagos, Senna returns!"
"Exquisite! Brilliant!"
"Now! Kai has moved up to P6! Unbelievable! Inconceivable!"
"Just when everyone thought Ferrari's Brazilian Grand Prix was over early, Kai reignites hope. So, what's next?"
"Is Kai... really aiming for the podium?"
The entire Ferrari garage went crazy, descending into fanaticism. Without anyone noticing when it happened, the staff from the neighboring garage had all crowded into the Garage 22, clenching their fists, raising their arms, roaring and shouting in ecstasy, their bloodshot eyes shining with light.
Fight! No longer just a slogan!
Witnessing it firsthand! Fighting side-by-side! The passion in their blood burned wildly; no one was immune.
Standing at the crossroads of fate, Kai chose to gamble, holding onto a faint thread of belief, fighting to the end. That spark was starting a prairie fire.
Less than ten minutes ago, the podium was an unreachable, foolish fantasy. Ferrari and the Tifosi had plunged into the abyss of despair. But now, it was slowly becoming clear again.
Hamilton. Bottas. Verstappen. Ricciardo. Leclerc.
The drivers who refused to pit during the recent wave and stayed on track occupied the top five spots. Leclerc abruptly found himself the filling of a sandwich, stuck in the gunsmoke-filled battle of the Big Three, suddenly becoming the final obstacle between Kai and Red Bull.
If Kai could start attacking Ricciardo, then the podium truly wouldn't be a luxury anymore.
So, what would Leclerc do?
Whispers rustled through the paddock. Considering the relationship between Sauber and Ferrari, and between Fred Vasseur (Sauber Team Principal) and Kai, and Leclerc and Kai... if Vasseur issued team orders for Leclerc to make way for Kai, probably no one in the paddock would be surprised.
Don't forget, Raikkonen had just handed Kai a gift. Who knew if there were hidden instructions in the unbroadcasted Sauber radio messages?
But Leclerc was also seeking a breakthrough, trying to deliver his own answer sheet in this year's youthful storm. Would he obediently listen?
However, in the short term, this wasn't a problem Kai and Leclerc needed to consider, because the leading pack was gradually pulling away. The light rain slowed them down slightly, but the gaps were still slowly widening, proving once again the performance gap between the Big Three and the rest.
While Kai was trapped in the DRS train, Leclerc's lead had grown to nearly three seconds, and Ricciardo was a full five seconds ahead of Leclerc. Not to mention the top three. So, the immediate challenge wasn't the podium, wasn't Ricciardo, and wasn't even Leclerc. It was how to maintain rhythm and slowly close the gap before the track dried completely.
The atmosphere on track was becoming deadlocked.
For those drivers who had just switched to wet tires, the light rain only lasted for three laps. Their desperate gamble was now backfiring.
As the track gradually dried, continuing on wet tires was a joke. But pitting again for slicks now would be even stupider.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place.
And so.
Over the next few laps, you could see the slick-tire runners controlling their pace, waiting for the track to dry. Meanwhile, the wet-tire runners seized the window to sprint flat-out, ruthlessly wringing every drop of potential from their tires, trying to improve their track position as much as possible before the track dried.
Winds rising, clouds gathering! The scent of blood spreading!
And then—
The rain started again.
Pitter-patter. On Lap 29, pea-sized raindrops started falling one by one. The track, which hadn't completely dried yet, became wet once more.
The entire paddock was dumbfounded. The summer showers in the Southern Hemisphere played hide-and-seek like naughty children—appearing and disappearing, coming and going quickly, changing without warning, completely impossible to defend against.
Strategies just formulated had to be thrown out again, again, and again.
What now?
While the wet-tire drivers cheered and rejoiced, they also started looking for puddles. Because they had pushed so hard and so desperately just now, their tire temperatures had spiked. Now they needed to drive through standing water to cool them down quickly. This set of wet tires had to accompany them in battle for a while longer. The upcoming mass pit stop for the slick-tire drivers would be their best chance to reclaim track position.
So, what about the slick-tire drivers?
Did they have to re-hash all the problems they just discussed? How long will this rain last? Do they need to change to wet tires? When is the right time to pit?
"The latest forecast says the light rain might last for two laps, localized. Then, 7 to 9 laps later, it might rain again. This time it will be heavy rain, with the potential to turn into a torrential downpour." Pierre was giving Kai as much detailed information as possible.
Kai observed the track carefully—
Light breeze. Thin clouds.
There was no sign of a massive storm brewing. But this was Kai's first time racing at Interlagos; he knew nothing about the local weather patterns.
So, based on the forecast, after this light shower, the next heavy rain would be the optimal time to pit for wet tires.
The problem was, the current race conditions and tire states defied conventional logic. The accuracy of Pirelli's reference data was dropping significantly. With falling temperatures and standing water, tire wear curves were deviating from the norm. This was the perfect time to test a driver's ability to manage tires.
Because of this, predicting Mercedes' and Red Bull's pit strategies became even harder.
Then, at that very moment—an accident.
"Hulkenberg!"
"Spun, off the track. Hulkenberg very rarely makes mistakes like this. It looks like his Super Softs finally gave up the ghost."
An unexpected driver making a mistake in the rain, disrupting the rhythm. The pit lane, already chaotic due to the rain, immediately faced a new variable.
Yellow flags deployed. Just as Race Control was preparing to send out the Safety Car—
Hulkenberg managed to recover, finding his bearings and returning to the track. Unfortunately, he lost several positions, dropping all the way to 15th.
Green flag. Racing resumed.
But it didn't last long.
"Spin. Stuck in the gravel. Hulkenberg again. Still Hulkenberg."
"Despite his best efforts to get back into the racing rhythm, his car clearly couldn't handle it. It ultimately let him down."
"Safety Car deployed."
Lap 30. The Safety Car was out. Before the variable of the second light shower could even prompt a strategic response, the race rhythm was completely shattered.
Without hesitation, decisively, Kai made the call. "Box. Box. Box."
Pierre didn't ask for reasons. "If you pit now, it has to be Intermediates. Are you sure?"
"Confirm." Kai didn't waver.
The Ferrari pit lane sprang into action immediately. The Safety Car—Kai had to seize the opportunity.
Obviously, this was a risk. Kai knew it.
The current light rain could stop at any moment. And the heavy rain predicted for 10 laps later remained as elusive as Godot; no one could confirm when it would arrive, or if it would arrive at all.
If the rain stopped and the next shower delayed, the Intermediates would degrade very quickly and severely on the drying track. The advantage gained by pitting under the Safety Car would likely be vomited entirely back out due to tire wear, perhaps even costing him more, leading to a continuous loss of positions.
A safer choice would be to wait. There was no need to take the risk.
The crux of the matter was exactly here. Mercedes and Red Bull could afford to play it safe, but he couldn't. If he followed his rivals and waited 10 laps to pit, it was equivalent to handing the initiative to them. He would have almost no chance of overturning the situation.
For him, finishing 6th and finishing 20th made little difference. He didn't just have to consider Drivers' points; he had to fight for Constructors' points. He had to take risks, had to be bolder.
During the first shower, he took a risk.
Now, with the second shower, there was no reason to be conservative.
So, upon hearing "Safety Car," Kai completely ignored the strategies of other teams and chose to pit without hesitation. They had to dictate their own race; they had to go all-in.
Thump! Thump!
Pierre calmed down completely, maintaining 100% focus. The sound of his heart pounding against his chest roared in his eardrums.
A choice, a gamble. Going left or going right could lead to completely different outcomes—
The dice had been rolled.
Instantly, the Ferrari pit lane got busy. Almost simultaneously, the Mercedes and Red Bull pit lanes on either side also sprang into action.
Figures moved intensely and with absolute focus. The air grew completely tense. Were the Big Three all preparing to pit at the same time?
Had everyone seen through Kai's massive gamble, realizing it wasn't just a desperate roll of the dice?
The air was boiling.
Literally, the pit lane was a scene of busy crowding. It seemed everyone had poured out of the garages. Communications on the pit walls were frantic.
Mercedes was guessing Ferrari, Ferrari was guessing Mercedes, and Red Bull—the wildcard with nothing to lose—was causing trouble like a naughty child.
So, who pits, and who stays out? Who takes the risk, and who plays it safe?
Or perhaps, everyone swarms in together? Or maybe, no one plans to pit, just a bunch of blanks fired in the pit lane to confuse the enemy—whoever acts impulsively is the fool?
Invisible gunsmoke spread everywhere.
Toto Wolff. A defensive Team Principal, skilled in calculation and layout. At his core, he is still a businessman. What he pursues isn't the boom-and-bust of gambling, but the steady progress of a calculated game.
With the championship still undecided, his strategy was consistently to secure points, not chase absolute victory.
Outsiders always focus on the win, but a truly brilliant Team Principal knows that instead of gambling everything on a win, it's better to play the long game steadily and ensure a podium finish at every race. The reality was clear: Kai had won more Grands Prix this season than Hamilton, but the consecutive DNF's in Baku and Barcelona were fatal. So now, both Kai and Ferrari were trailing them in points.
It was that simple.
Right now, it was a game and a massive gamble. The bet was the rainfall.
On such matters, Wolff rarely took risks, especially on a tricky, variable-filled track like Interlagos.
In Wolff's view, the logic was simple: this rain was still just a brief shower. The sun was still bright, temperatures were rising. All signs indicated that the next heavy downpour might not come at all. There was no need to disrupt their rhythm.
Furthermore, they were the leaders. If they pitted, Verstappen and Kai behind them could decisively choose to stay out, inheriting Mercedes' position and sprinting away. If Mercedes pitted, they might throw away their hard-earned advantage.
Conversely, they should seize the opportunity when their rivals scrambled into the pits in a desperate gamble, staying on track to widen the gap and build a pit stop window.
Respond to all changes by remaining unchanged.
So, should the two drivers adopt split strategies?
One car attacks, one car defends? Sacrifice Bottas to help Hamilton?
Wolff crossed his arms, carefully reading the weather forecast data on his screen, and glanced at Hamilton and Bottas's telemetry.
The thought paused in his mind for merely a moment before he extinguished it.
Ferrari had cut off one of its own arms, dragging both their Drivers' and Constructors' campaigns into the mud. Now was not the time for Mercedes to be conservative. They should firmly grasp their advantage, secure a 1-2 finish, completely dominate the Brazilian Grand Prix, and push all the pressure for Abu Dhabi onto Ferrari.
By then, the ticking time bomb within Ferrari would very likely be the key to Mercedes successfully defending their World Championship.
Mercedes couldn't miss such a golden opportunity. Now was the best time for a fatal blow!
Split strategy? Forget it. Between the extremes, Wolff's mind raced, his decision made. He looked out at the pit lane again, his gaze landing on Arrivabene's back on the Ferrari pit wall. His conviction settled completely. He knew Mercedes held destiny by the throat.
If Ferrari was throwing a smokescreen this time, trying to lure Mercedes into a risky pit stop, they were destined to be disappointed. Mercedes wouldn't be led by the nose. They had their own plans and considerations, and they would stick to them, prioritizing themselves and keeping the initiative firmly in their own hands.
As for Horner—
He was just a guy who loved joining the fun, thriving on chaos. Even though the Constructors' Championship had nothing to do with Red Bull anymore, he was still jumping around energetically.
The Red Bull pit crew looked ready to go, rubbing their hands together, even more active than Ferrari, eyeing the top step of the Brazilian Grand Prix podium like tigers. Even if they were out of the World Championship fight, who could refuse an extra Grand Prix victory?
Plus, they could watch Mercedes suffer while they were at it. Horner was more than happy to oblige.
However, Wolff was smart and calm enough. He refused to be dragged into Horner's emotional spats. Focusing entirely on himself was the right choice. Mercedes' rival was Ferrari, not Red Bull. Wolff absolutely wouldn't take the bait.
Exhaling softly, Wolff remained incredibly calm and steady. While all other teams in the pit lane were in chaos due to the light rain and the Safety Car, he sat securely in the back, controlling the big picture, strategizing, and laughing at the storm.
The defending champions were determined to win.
Facing such a situation, Mercedes was already well-versed, exuding a regal aura in every movement, operating methodically.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
The Ferrari pit lane presented a completely different picture. Despite their best efforts to suppress it, tension and panic inadvertently leaked out. The tragic, resolute air of fighting a last-stand battle permeated the light rain. Everyone seemed to forget to breathe, stretched to the absolute limit.
Francesco Nappi's fingertips trembled slightly. He was fully focused, constantly reminding himself not to rush. The Monaco incident could absolutely not be repeated. Even though Kai ended up winning in Monaco, Nappi wouldn't allow himself to repeat the mistake; he couldn't forgive himself.
As Kai said, they were all part of this team. Kai was burning his life on the track to fight for a sliver of hope; they had to unite in the pit lane, become Kai's strongest support, and march forward with heads held high.
On the track, the cars led by Hamilton were gradually approaching. The pit crews warmed up, ready to explode!
Pierre stared unblinkingly at the display, watching the slowly moving dots flashing towards the pit lane—
Hamilton. Drives past.
Bottas. Drives past!
He couldn't help holding his breath!
Verstappen. Pits!
His heart tightened.
Ricciardo. Drives past!
Leclerc. Pits!
Fists instantly clenched!
Then, Kai. Pits.
Not just the pit lane, the commentary box also held its breath, eyes wide open, watching the sparking strategic battle between the Big Three pit walls.
"Wow!"
"Both Mercedes cars stay out! Refusing to pit!"
"Red Bull splits strategies! Verstappen and Ricciardo adopt different approaches. Red Bull hasn't given up; they are still eyeing the Brazilian Grand Prix victory."
"Leclerc! Kai Zhizhou! Sainz! All choose to pit!"
"The pit lane is incredibly busy!"
"The stable situation maintained for 25 laps since Lap 5 is shattered instantly! The rarely erring Hulkenberg's spin in the second rain shower becomes the key to breaking the deadlock! The upcoming race conditions might undergo subtle changes; the teams' choices are completely unexpected!"
"But!"
"We can't judge who is right or wrong yet! Only the race can provide the answer!"
"Toto Wolff, Christian Horner, Maurizio Arrivabene—the three Team Principals gamble in their own styles. The Brazilian Grand Prix remains full of suspense and endless possibilities. The remaining 40 laps will be even more exciting. Absolutely not to be missed."
Chaos! Noise! The whole world was spinning in the drizzle.
Nappi caught that flash of Ferrari red at the pit entry. His pupils shrank slightly. Here he comes!
A fork in the road: left to the track, right to the pit lane. Like a crossroads of destiny. Every car gambled, betting on their choice and embarking on vastly different journeys. In the fine rain, going left or right carried the epic weight of a divergence between heaven and hell.
However, for Kai, this was a good thing.
If he had started on pole and led all the way, he would want calm waters, to finish the race peacefully without any accidents.
But right now, he was behind and needed to charge forward. Calm and steady meant bad news because it meant his rivals presented no flaws.
Variables meant opportunities.
"Verstappen pitted. Leclerc pitted," Pierre informed Kai immediately, confirming again.
Kai: "Copy."
All eyes converged on Car 22. The car, washed by the rain, sparkled brilliantly. The vibrant red tore through the navy blue rain mist, arriving with a piercing roar.
The Mercedes pit wall, having thrown a dummy and now watching the show, didn't pack up. Instead, they stared intently at their rivals next door—watching the car, the driver, the pit crew. The pressure from their burning gazes crashed down like a tidal wave. Every move seemed scrutinized under a microscope.
Moreover, the Mercedes crew deliberately stood slightly further out. Although not illegally blocking the path, they refused to yield space, forcing Kai to take a slightly wider path to enter his pit box. These details, invisible and incomprehensible on the broadcast, were applying immense pressure.
Gunsmoke filled the air.
Nappi was fully focused. His hands gripping the wheel gun remained relaxed. In that moment, he completely ignored the others, ignored the noise. The world faded into nothingness. It was just him and his two partners, their breathing perfectly synchronized, staring unblinkingly at the approaching tire.
Then, the car stopped precisely in front of them—
Vrr! Vrr! Bolts off!
Hold breath, wait patiently, body tense. Tire off! Tire on!
Vrr! Vrr! Bolts on!
Done in one breath. Precise and accurate.
2.3 seconds.
Not the best in the paddock, but Ferrari's best of the season. At least this time, they didn't drag the team down.
Car 22 was already gone.
The crisp sound sliced through the rain, heatwave, and engines like a long sword piercing the mist. The world was briefly clear, then plunged back into chaos. Then, the pressure from the Mercedes pit wall poured down all at once.
But Nappi had no time to care about that. He stood up abruptly, his heart flying away with that flash of Ferrari red. His eardrums roared. Boom. Boom, boom.
Nappi stood there, watching Car 22 speed away. No one rushed back inside to escape the rain. They just stood blankly, fists clenched. Their belief, their hope, all rested on that single car, following Kai's footsteps out of the pit lane and back onto the track.
Never abandon, never give up. Fight to the end.
Hamilton, Bottas, Ricciardo, Verstappen, Leclerc, Kai...
The cars returned to the track, continuing to circulate behind the Safety Car. Red Bull was undoubtedly the biggest winner, merely swapping Verstappen and Ricciardo's positions, giving them different strategic options and a slight tactical advantage going forward.
As Verstappen had said before the race, they were here to be spoilers. If there was a chance to win, they absolutely wouldn't miss it. They didn't care about Ferrari or Mercedes. Red Bull was the main character, and should be the only main character. Even in a critical race for the World Championship, they wouldn't hesitate to steal the spotlight and strongly announce their presence. Big Three, Big Three. Just Ferrari and Mercedes won't cut it.
This time, the Safety Car didn't stay out long. After just three laps, pitting on Lap 32, the race resumed its normal order.
Green flag!
Kai reacted swiftly, unhesitatingly pulling out to adopt an outside attacking posture. Relying on Ferrari's engine advantage, he aimed to eat the Sauber alive on the start straight.
"Kai vs. Leclerc."
Strictly speaking, this was the first time the two prodigies of the Ferrari Driver Academy had clashed in a race, and it was a wet race right off the bat.
However, Leclerc didn't fall for it.
Leclerc refused to block the outside. Not only that, but he steered slightly left, hugging the inside line, firmly securing the racing line.
Kai was surprised.
Clearly, Leclerc understood Kai. He must have studied countless videos of Kai's races and battled him endlessly in the simulator. When it came to familiarity with Kai, Leclerc was absolutely number one among the current paddock drivers.
He instantly saw through Kai's dummy tactic. Furthermore, he hadn't forgotten that Sauber uses Ferrari engines. In reality, the difference in straight-line speed wasn't significant, especially in the rain. Rather than worrying about the straight, it was better to focus on the corners and solidly block the angles.
What Kai was thinking, Leclerc was thinking too. Right now, Leclerc, with the right mindset, keeping a low profile and fully prepared to challenge Kai, had the upper hand.
The corners of Kai's mouth curled up slightly. The surprise lasted only a brief moment. He immediately corrected the steering he was about to turn left and deployed plan B.
Outside line. Then outside line it is.
Decisively, Kai changed strategy, entering the Senna S along the outside line, refusing to be led by the nose by Leclerc. He noted but ignored Leclerc's braking point, quickly finding his own rhythm and line into Turn 1, hugging the outside arc to widen his cornering parabola.
Meanwhile, Leclerc was slightly aggressive. He delayed his braking point, fully hugging the apex, stubbornly holding the line, refusing to expose any flaws.
In Turn 1, the different approaches of the two cars were immediately apparent. Although their steering directions were completely opposite, Car 16 still held the lead, while Car 22 lingered near its rear wing, following closely.
This approach continued into Turn 2.
Leclerc tried to maintain his positional advantage, claiming the apex first. His steering and braking remained aggressive, his racing line increasingly deviating from the norm.
Kai, however, continued to focus on his own race. His smooth, flowing line selection prioritized efficiency and stability, maintaining rhythm through the continuous corners without a single hitch.
Mid-corner rhythm was the key, especially on the drizzly track with flowing water films and hidden landmines everywhere.
Gradually, gradually, Car 22 pulled alongside in the corner. As they were about to exit Turn 3, the two cars were neck and neck. Moreover, Car 22, holding the outside advantage, only needed minor corrections upon exiting Turn 3 to gain significantly greater exit speed.
Kai was on the verge of turning the tables!
However, in this close-quarters, intense clash, Leclerc displayed his toughness and determination. He firmly grasped his positional advantage, refusing to let go easily. Even if he deviated from the normal racing line, he stubbornly held his current line, yielding not an inch, tenaciously withstanding the pressure from his right.
Wheel-to-wheel!
Head-to-head!
The two cars, unyielding and entangled, exited Turn 3 together.
But at that moment, the water film shifted.
The outside dry line was slightly slippery due to rubber build-up. Just in the brief moment of corner exit, Kai felt his grip loosen slightly. A slight fluctuation. He reflexively made a correction, coordinating throttle and steering, but his exit speed had already been compromised. In this face-to-face, bayonet-to-bayonet duel, he lost a breath of momentum.
"Leclerc!"
"Beautiful! Leclerc withstands Kai's first wave of attacks after the Safety Car! He remains tough, stubbornly defending his 5th place!"
"Wow, brilliant!"
"But!"
"Leclerc hasn't shaken Kai! The gap is only 0.2 seconds! Kai is still glued to Leclerc, preparing to launch the next wave of attacks!"