The middle of the race was where the glamour of the starting grid died and the raw endurance of a driver was truly tested. From Lap 10 to 17, an endearing chaos ensued between positions P6 to P9, where Victor found himself exhausting his rubber.
After multiple simulations prior to his race, Victor recognized this racing situation, and he was more than happy to settle into the rhythm to test himself. He wasn't chasing moments anymore. He was managing them.
Every time he soared up toward the heavy braking zone of T6, his eyes were locked on the gearbox of Marko Ignatova, who was defending P6 as if his life depended on it. Behind Victor was Luis Dreyer, taking up his shadow in impatience, and Albert Derstappen, who'd just outsmarted long-time rival, Max Addams, hovered in the same train.
All these elite drivers knew who the outlier was amongst them.
Victor.
He was no longer a newcomer reacting to Formula 1's malignity. He was now operating inside the system.
