My Formula 1 System
Chapter 452 - 452: S2 Prize Giving Gala. 3

There were many awards to be presented that night at the gala. This time, Luca knew he wasn't going to be blessed with his record-breaking three awards for an F2 driver. The achieving names were more sporadic this season, and congratulations were spread throughout the Galleria, not just hoarded to one portion like before.

Well, this was also because the FIA had accredited a few more awards to the collection in order to match the overall modifications this season had undergone. Besides, this season's unforgettable chronicle already demanded that there should be a few more remarked annotations than usual.

For example, Luca's heroic actions in the Spanish Grand Prix back in September had to be wholesomely acknowledged by the entire motorsport community, and that definitely called for a dedicated award.

There was Action of the Year, but that had to do with in-race performance; the most spectacular moment or maneuver captured during a Grand Prix. On the other hand, there was Personality of the Year, but this award was rarely presented to drivers. It was often awarded or won by a paddock figure like a Team Principal or Engineer for exceptional media presence or public resonance. Since drivers like Luca were often considered too bland before the media, and since sportsmanship in general was at an all-time low this season, this wasn't the right award for him either.

Ansel's memorial photo, which served as the background for the stage, was a hefty reminder. The Bravery and Humanitarian Valor Award would be distincted to Luca.

But first, the order of the awards and the event itself were adhered to. The opening ceremony and welcoming speech were smooth. For the nth time, the FIA struck its careful balance between celebration and solemnity. A moment was carved out to pay tribute to the late Ansel Hahn.

Silence so soft overwhelmed the venue as a brief montage of Ansel played. It displayed clips of him smiling, conferencing, racing, and laughing with his crew. Everyone in the Galleria noticed how the majority of the clips were from Formula 2, because Ansel didn't even have a full year of an F1 career.

Luca noticed that a few glances were stolen at him from all angles during the disconsolate montage. He even caught Max Addam's glare from the front row—a champion's gala seating position with his family.

Max knew very well of Luca's friendship with Ansel, so Ansel's demise had come as a shock for him too. He could only stare at Luca to catch any sign of bale and despondency that could actually affect his career for the rest of his life. That wasn't unheard of, because brotherhood loss wasn't like anything else.

Even Mr. Lemaître had his entire gaze on Luca, scanning him like a computer, but for a completely different reason from Max's. Unlike Max, he definitely wouldn't want Luca to mourn and garbage away his career. He expected this to be a checkpoint where the young man would grow even stronger, because Mr. Lemaître needed him stronger when he would return to Trampos.

The man had his fingers crossed, wishing Ansel's death was also a turning point for Luca.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please rise in honor of your Formula One World Drivers' Champion… Antonio Luigi of Squadra Corse!"

Luigi calmly stood up from his seat at the front row after pecking his wife. He smoothed the sleeves of his dark velvet suit, flattened his chest, and then waved back to the mass of clapping tables.

It was also a medium to catch a glimpse of Luca in order to find out if he was clapping. Luca was indeed clapping; he had somehow managed to force his palms together into a continuous rhythm. When the rhythm was perfected, he saw himself clapping happily instead.

This upset Luigi, but he didn't let any slight sign of distress show on his face as he turned toward the stage to receive his trophy. With a handsome gait and calm shoulders, he climbed the steps and accepted the award from Mr. Avilés, the FIA president.

Unfortunately, the former champion wasn't present at the gala. Shame and disgrace could definitely not let Rodnick come anywhere near a public appearance. He was somewhere far away now, rotting himself in tears, grief, and sorrow.

"Please welcome the team that redefined grit and dominance this year… Squadra Corse!"

Unlike the Driver's Trophy, which went to a single man, the Constructor's Award belonged to the many. From the third row, a small delegation of Squadra Corse members rose to their feet. This delegation included the Team Principal, Mr. Campanella, and his mischievous circle that was responsible for Luca's tire puncture in Belgium but somehow didn't get penalized for their wrongdoing.

Their way to the stage was flanked by applause, all faces lit up with burning pride, especially since the Galleria was filled with rival team crews who could only watch with envy.

The leadoff championship awards were also conducted for Formula 2 right after. Max Addams, with his family Luca recalled meeting, sitting at the exact seating position Luca sat last year, was called up to the stage to accept his championship award.

Nate and Claire Addams were immensely proud of their son, who appeared to be spouseless, as he accepted his trophy. The same went for Bueseno Velocità Jnr, who were F2 Constructors' Champions. Luca swiftly recognized Mr. Lugo and his crew from the old F2 days as they greedily snatched the award.

After the leadoffs, other awards were now presented one by one. The next awards were the Constructors' Runners-Up, which were typically silver and bronze trophies for the runner-ups in both the Driver and Team categories.

For the drivers, Davide DiMarco and Ailbeart Moireach were the runners-up. Unfortunately, Ailbeart eventually surpassed stale Luca in the standings and dropped him to 4th place. Hence, 1st to 3rd was Luigi, DiMarco, and Ailbeart.

For the teams, Haddock Racing's run at the later part of the calendar was good, but still not enough to crack the top three. They remained in 4th place, while Squadra Corse, Jackson Racing, and Bueseno Velocità claimed the final top three in that order.

Mr. Matthews and a few others were delegated to accept the award at the gala. Luca saw them, along with the gloomy halo that cloaked the team. This was definitely not how the end was planned at the start of the season, not even by the middle. The end had just evolved at the end itself, contrasting with the great quote that says, "the end is never sudden."

On the other hand, Jackson Racing agents watching live definitely didn't like the sight of Luca sitting at the same table with the co-owner of Trampos Racing.

Other awards went smoothly:

Pole Position Award — Antonio Luigi (6)

Best Overtake Award — Antonio Luigi (Hungarian Grand Prix)

Comeback of the Year — Davide DiMarco

Fan Favorite Driver — Antonio Luigi

SUDDENLY…

Fastest Lap Award — Luca Rennick (German Grand Prix)

Rookie of the Year — Luca Rennick

Action of the Year — Luca Rennick (German Grand Prix)

Driver of the Season — Luca Rennick

Bravery and Humanitarian Valor Award — Luca Rennick (Spanish Grand Prix)

Luca had thought he wouldn't be making up to three, but his arms were filled with five congratulations at the end of the award ceremony.