Sam sifts through the latest tire degradation data as the Monza crowd’s roar rattles the pit wall screens. Charles’s voice crackles through the headset, tight with energy.
“Let’s focus, Sam. Track temp’s rising fast.”
The opening laps are a blur of tight margins, Red Bull’s Verstappen slots in behind, Mercedes lurking in the mix. Rain is sweeping through the outskirts of the circuit on the radar, and the updated models all disagree about when it will hit.
Behind Sam, the Ferrari strategy chief leans in, voice low.
“We’ll need to choose: cover Verstappen’s early stop or stretch for intermediates if this shower arrives.”
Carlos Sainz’s sector times flash up, pushing Charles for position on the alternate tire. The world compresses to data, pounding engines, and the weight of a hundred thousand tifosi demanding a home win. Sam glances at the sky, darkening, but still dry over Parabolica. Charles comes on the radio again, voice urgent.
“Sam! Thoughts on the rain? Do I push or hold?”