My Formula 1 System

What was the best thing about hosting the Formula 1 System? Was it all the supernatural features, or the fact that the system might just be the smartest and most responsive sport system ever administered?

Even though Rodnick drove a car built with superior mechanical finesse and tech refinements, it still couldn't outmatch what Luca possessed. If it could, then he would have received the same alert Luca just got about the radiating Thermal Ion Flux emitted by the Red Bull… or more specifically, by the Tempesta Mark II itself.

Thermal Ion Flux was a unique byproduct of the MkII's proprietary combustion loop, a scorching reaction pattern embedded deep within its framework. It could be perceived as just heat, but it was really an unstable stream of high-energy ions that leaked into the surrounding air, increasing the ambient electromagnetic load around the car.

Perhaps other HiCE-powered machines could give off something similar, but not to this kind. The MkII's performance ceiling was different according to Red Bull's dynamics, and so was its side effect.

Now, while harmless to spectators and the environment thanks to containment shielding, the Thermal Ion Flux was not friendly to other F1 machines that trailed too close for too long. The radiation interfered with several subsystems, chiefly the ERS, tire pressure management circuits, and in rarer cases, the DRS controls. This meant that prolonged exposure could lead to delayed throttle responses, unstable braking, or miscommunications between driver commands and electronic feedback.

This would take a while to explain well, but in essence, this radiation interfered with the electronic-energy communication of surrounding cars, especially when a car remained exposed to it for an extended period.

However, the extent of the effect wasn't just about time. It also depended on how powerful the car's ERS (Energy Recovery System) was. Ironically, the better the ERS, the more susceptible it was to this interference. A stronger ERS processed more energy at higher sensitivity, which made it more vulnerable to disruption. Meanwhile, a lower or average ERS, being slower and less reactive, didn't suffer as quickly or severely.

So, in summary:

High ERS + Long Exposure = Severe system disruption; the radiation causes significant interference.

High ERS + Short Exposure = Noticeable but manageable interference; the system may recover without major issues.

Average/Low ERS + Long Exposure = Mild effects; gradual interference, but not critical.

Average/Low ERS + Short Exposure = Negligible to no impact; the radiation is barely noticed.

So, this was a strange balance. Cars with better systems ironically had more to lose when caught in the MkII's wake.

Perhaps during the technical evaluations of the Tempesta MkII, this flux radiation had indeed been detected, but it was likely assessed using an average, regulation-grade F1 car. As a result, the possible in-race consequences for high-performance, high-ERS cars were underestimated or completely overlooked.

And if we recall correctly, Rodnick's JRX-97 was equipped with an exceptionally powerful Energy Recovery System.

Rodnick, who had been trailing DiMarco for a significant stretch of the race, suddenly experienced something unthinkable. The very car that had carried him to two world championships, just went... off.

**We're seeing a sudden drop in deployment... confirm, do you have any power?**

Rodnick's grip tightened on the wheel as the car seemed to lose all sense of life, like a beast suddenly struck with paralysis. The throttle was completely unresponsive, his foot pressing down with no return from the engine. The usual hum of the JRX-97, the roar that had carried him through countless races, was eerily absent. Instead, all that greeted him was silence, save for the faint hiss of its average cooling systems. The moment felt surreal like time slowed as the realization dawned on him that his car had effectively died mid-race.

Was this a mechanical failure? A fault in the team's construction? He couldn't believe it. **Negative. Car's dead. No throttle response, no recovery. I've got nothing!**

**Okay—okay. Marcellus, stay composed** The engineers were even panicking more than Rodnick. **Car's off—ERS shutdown confirmed. Pull left, pull left now! Avoid the racing line. Neutral gear. Full brakes. Just coast it safe, don't try to restart!"**

South Africa had already come to full attention of this by then, and Rodnick's powerless Ferrari was displayed on the screen, losing momentum under the warm, unforgiving sun.

Another Ferrari swooped past and it was Luca, effortlessly snatching P4. But he was damn surprised at what had just happened to Rodnick. Glancing into his mirrors at the fading 97, Luca's brows furrowed as his system flashed a prompt that the car was... dead and completely non-functional.

[4th Position]

"...Whoa... this is big. That's Marcellus Rodnick at sector 2. He's slowing down rapidly, and it doesn't look tactical at all. That car's losing power. This is not the kind of thing you want to see, especially at this stage of the season..."

"WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!"

**ZERO WARNING! ZERO WARNING! This thing just died on me, mate!** Rodnick bellowed, his voice cracks indicating a surge of emotions as he steered his car to a pitiful retirement.

Everyone in the garage, especially in the telemetry room, could feel his pain, the gravity of his words amplified by the cracking nature of the radio. They knew that this DNF was really going to hurt him, but there was nothing they could do; the goddamn Ferrari had just decided to break down.

**We'll analyze back in the garage. Just bring it in, bring it in safe**

"WOOOOOOOOOOOHH!" the crowd began to make louder noises when it became obvious that Rodnick had lost power and was leaving the race. Other drivers were just zipping past him nonchalantly, completely unaware of what this moment truly meant.

"...You have to feel for him. Remember, this is his first race back after that brutal injury spell. A lot of eyes were on him today—not just for performance, but just to see how well he'd readapt. And honestly, he's been... brilliant so far. Composed, technical, very much still the Marcellus Rodnick we know. So to see that Ferrari just dying on him mid-race? That's a tough blow..."

"...if this ends up a DNF...."

"...it is, Alex. We'll wait for updates, but look at that image—Rodnick has his helmet on the wheel and he's definitely letting those emotions out..."