The paddock at the Imola circuit was packed with noise and energy. Flags in every racing livery fluttered sharply in the breeze.
Alex Sun pulled the brim of his baseball cap a little lower. He wore a plain gray hoodie, no different from the fans around him holding support boards or dressed in driver merchandise.
Despite his explosive start to the F2 season and his firm hold on second place in the championship standings, the young Chinese driver's name had yet to truly circulate within the European racing scene.
That anonymity became the perfect disguise. Free from the weight of his identity as a driver, he blended effortlessly into the crowd, able to wander every corner of the Grand Prix with the mindset of a pure spectator.
The air was thick with the familiar mix of scorched rubber and fuel. Cheers drifted on the wind, inflatable clappers covered in racing stickers bobbing through the crowd. It was the same atmosphere unique to every race weekend—only without the suffocating intensity of sitting in the cockpit.
Fans in team shirts filled the paddock. Long lines formed in front of sponsor tents, where staff handed out event booklets while calling out reminders that scanning a code would earn limited-edition stickers.
Not far away, the media zone was lined with cameras. Reporters held microphones, waiting for drivers to appear for pre-practice interviews. A short line had formed at the autograph wall in the corner, fans clutching posters with hopeful expressions. Every so often, a parade car carrying a driver silhouette rolled past, triggering waves of cheers.
Alex Sun moved with the crowd, his eyes instinctively drifting toward the pit lane—the place he knew best and cared about most. His gaze swept over mechanics busy adjusting cars, while fans nearby debated the upcoming practice session.
Some speculated about how effective each team's new setups would be. Others discussed how weather conditions might affect tire performance. A few murmured things like, "I wonder what lap time Leclerc will set in today's home practice," or "Will Red Bull roll out their new upgrade package already?"
He occasionally stopped, studying corner markers and runoff details along the track. Corners he had refined endlessly in the simulator now appeared in front of him with real texture and depth. Even the way the wind brushed past the barriers gave him new insights into racing rhythm.
As he passed the fence of a sponsor tent, a thunderous roar of simulated engines mixed with cheers surged toward him, instantly grabbing his attention.
This was the core of the fan experience zone. A dedicated interactive stage had been set up for an official FIA F1 game head-to-head challenge.
The layout was clear and structured. Five professional-grade simulators faced the crowd below the stage, while a single unit on stage was reserved for the resident driver. A massive LED screen broadcast the race in real time, ensuring every movement was visible to the audience.
All five simulators were equipped with high-fidelity racing wheels and active pedals, capable of precisely reproducing steering resistance, braking force, and throttle response. Aside from the absence of real G-forces, the driving feel was nearly indistinguishable from an actual car.
The Imola circuit was rendered vividly on screen, while the backdrop behind the stage clearly read: "F1 Esports Experience Race."
The host stood center stage with a microphone, his voice booming across the area as he pointed toward the screen.
"Attention, race fans! Free sign-ups available! Five-lap sprint using officially licensed 2020 F1 cars!
"Our professional resident driver is on stage. To keep things fair, he'll start ten seconds late. If you can avoid being overtaken within five laps, you'll defeat him and win two Red Bull VIP tickets for this race—plus a mystery prize from the driver himself!"
As the announcement echoed through the venue, spectators drawn by the engine noise quickly grew excited. They crowded toward the stage, discussing the rules animatedly with friends while watching the screen.
At that moment, the replay of the previous round began.
Five ordinary fans launched first and held the early positions. The resident driver, starting ten seconds late, rapidly closed the gap with immaculate lines and perfectly timed overtakes. Through a sequence of corners, he executed textbook passes one after another and crossed the line with a massive advantage.
The lap-time comparison on the screen was brutal. The resident driver's fastest lap was nearly five seconds quicker than the quickest amateur. The difference between professional and casual player was undeniable.
The area around the stage became packed. Phones were raised everywhere to record the action, while the registration line had already wrapped halfway around the booth. Every face was filled with anticipation.
Alex Sun's gaze locked onto the simulators, a spark of excitement flashing in his eyes as his competitive instincts quietly stirred.
As an F2 driver accustomed to professional simulators—and someone who regularly practiced rhythm and head-to-head battles in the official FIA F1 game with Guanyu Zhou—he was already deeply familiar with the game itself.
But racing at a Grand Prix venue, surrounded by thousands of fans, was something entirely new.
The pure, pressure-free competitive atmosphere loosened nerves that had been tight for days. Even his breathing felt lighter.
Without hesitation, he squeezed through the crowd to the registration desk, gave his name, received the "No. 3" placard, and stepped into the waiting area.
Soon, all five challengers were assembled and took their seats at the designated simulators.
The host moved to the side of the stage, microphone in hand, watching their adjustments before smiling at the audience.
"Take a look at how our five challengers are setting things up—some interesting contrasts here!"
The other four participants were clearly amateurs. All of them lowered their heads to fiddle with settings, unanimously dialing force feedback down to the minimum and switching to a chassis camera view.
That setup allowed them to see the full track while avoiding discomfort from an unfamiliar cockpit perspective. When it came to car selection, they all chose Ferrari, showing clear support for the home team.
Alex Sun was the only exception.
Without the slightest hesitation, he pushed force feedback to the maximum, switched to cockpit view, and decisively selected the Mercedes W11.
He knew that car's legendary status well. Its dominant 2020 performance, balanced handling, and stable power delivery perfectly matched a driving style he trusted.
The host immediately caught the detail, his voice rising with surprise and excitement.
"Everyone, look! Challenger number three is completely different! Force feedback maxed out, cockpit view selected—and he's chosen the Mercedes W11! Looks like we've got a real expert today. This race is going to be something special!"
The crowd followed the host's gaze, soft gasps spreading as many raised their phones to capture Alex Sun's setup screen.
Completely unaware, Alex Sun stayed focused, rapidly adjusting the car's settings to suit his preferences.
Once finished, he let out a quiet breath and casually scanned the other competitors. One was frantically adjusting tire pressures. Another was staring down at a track guide on their phone.
As his gaze swept past, he caught sight of the resident driver's setup area to the side of the stage.
The resident driver had selected a Red Bull car.
Dressed in a Red Bull team racing suit and wearing a professional helmet, the visor was lifted, revealing a pair of sharp, penetrating eyes.
He made no adjustments at all. He simply sat there, quietly observing the five challengers below.
The moment the host mentioned "full force feedback and cockpit view," his attention snapped instantly to Alex Sun, locking onto him with precision.
He studied Alex Sun for a few seconds with clear interest. Just as he was about to look away, Alex Sun lifted his head—and their eyes met.
A hint of amusement flickered across the resident driver's gaze. He raised an eyebrow slightly, sending a clear, wordless challenge: come and race.
Alex Sun met his stare, the corner of his lips lifting almost imperceptibly. He adjusted the brim of his cap, his eyes calm and unwavering—no hesitation, only quiet confidence.
He wasn't afraid.
If anything, he wanted to use this opportunity to see just how far he still was from a true F1 driver.
...
(20 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser