The morning sun rose over Valencia, casting golden light on the sleek, winding path of the street circuit. The Mediterranean breeze fluttered through the palm trees lining the harbor, as if nature itself was eager for the roar of engines to awaken the city.
It was race week — and the energy in the air was electric.
Sukhman and Yudhvir stood at the pit wall, overlooking the long straight that ran alongside the harbor. Mechanics bustled around them, checking tires, adjusting front wings, and preparing for the first big test of the weekend: Free Practice 1.
Coach Arne walked up, clipboard in hand, his expression focused but calm.
"Alright, boys. Let's make it count," he said. "Track's a mix here — some tight corners like Monaco, but straights fast enough to reach almost top speeds. Mistakes will punish you harder than usual. Focus on precision."
Yudhvir shifted slightly, mindful of his recovering leg.
Sukhman pulled on his gloves, heart pounding not with fear, but anticipation. This was one of the most demanding tracks they'd face, and he wanted to prove he belonged here.
---
Friday Morning: Free Practice 1 (FP1)
The pit lane buzzed as engines fired up, their growls reverberating off the concrete barriers.
Sukhman rolled out onto the track, tires cold, brakes needing temperature, engine still waking up fully.
"Outlap clean," his race engineer, Vicky, instructed through the radio. "Remember, get a feel for grip levels first."
The Valencia Street Circuit was a hybrid — sleek, modern surfaces blending into aged city streets. The textures changed from smooth racing asphalt to rough patches where the public road bled through. Sukhman immediately noticed the difference under braking into Turn 4 — the car jostled slightly, requiring delicate steering corrections.
"Track's a bit green," Sukhman reported. "Dusty in Sector 2."
"Copy. Everyone's feeling it."
For the first twenty minutes, it was all about gathering data. Sukhman tested Soft compound tires first, working through various fuel loads and braking points.
In the high-speed section near the bridge, he practiced flat-out commitment — no lifting. The walls closed in around him as the car kissed the curbs with millimeter precision.
After the first run, he returned to the pits for adjustments. Minor changes to front wing angle and tire pressures helped the car feel more responsive.
Coach Arne gave a small nod. "Good start. You're respecting the track, but don't underdrive it. Find that limit."
---
Friday Afternoon: Free Practice 2 (FP2)
The afternoon heat raised track temperatures to punishing levels.
It was now a proper battle between grip, tire wear, and precision.
"Box, box. Let's switch to long runs simulation," Siddharth instructed after a few push laps.
The team fitted Medium tires — the compound they'd most likely finish the race on — and filled the car with fuel to mimic race conditions.
Sukhman pushed into Turn 10, where a slight miscalculation saw his rear step out. He caught the slide quickly, heart pounding.
"Careful through 10 and 12," Arne warned. "Heat's making the rears slippery."
Still, Sukhman adapted. He learned how to control the traction loss without overcorrecting, managing his tires instead of burning them out.
Other cars around him were also showing signs of struggle. Several drivers locked up into heavy braking zones. Someone even clipped the wall near Turn 17, bringing out a brief yellow flag.
Sukhman stayed clean.
As FP2 ended, the data showed strong signs:
Sukhman's long-run pace was consistent.
Tire degradation was manageable.
He avoided major mistakes on a track that punished even the slightest error.
Arne patted him on the back as he exited the car.
"Good job today. This is the kind of maturity that gets noticed."
Sukhman grinned, exhausted but satisfied.
---
Saturday Morning: Free Practice 3 (FP3)
Saturday dawned with clouds partially shading the city, offering slightly cooler conditions. A light breeze swept across the track — but no rain was forecasted.
FP3 would be the final chance to fine-tune setups before qualifying.
Yudhvir, still resting, leaned over the pit wall to watch.
"You're making me jealous," he joked, winking at Sukhman as he climbed into the cockpit.
FP3 began with a series of push laps on Soft tires. The car felt lighter, more agile with lower fuel loads — closer to how it would behave in qualifying.
Sector 1 was key.
It was fast, flowing, requiring bravery.
Sector 2 was trickier, with tight corners and sudden braking points.
Sector 3 — well, it was survival. Twisting, lined with walls, and offering zero forgiveness.
Sukhman attacked each section methodically, his times improving with every lap.
He practiced qualifying simulations — empty tanks, full attack. He nailed the tight chicanes, balanced the car under braking, and found a perfect exit onto the long straight near the yacht-lined harbor.
By the end of FP3, he was sitting respectably mid-table on the timesheets. Not bad for his first time on such a punishing track.
Coach Arne gathered him afterward.
"Qualifying's going to be brutal. You're doing fine — now, it's about stringing everything together perfectly."
Sukhman nodded. He was ready.
---
Sports Broadcast: Track Feature Segment
As teams prepared for qualifying, the official race broadcasters took viewers around the Valencia Street Circuit, showcasing its unique beauty and danger.
The screen displayed sweeping drone shots of the turquoise harbor, the sharp corners, the historic bridge that cars raced across.
Commentator 1:
"Welcome back to the Valencian Grand Prix, live from Valencia! One of the most beautiful and challenging circuits on the calendar!"
Commentator 2:
"Absolutely. It's a semi-street circuit, meaning part of it's purpose-built track, part of it's actual city roads. You've got smooth sections, rough patches, huge walls — and nowhere to hide if you make a mistake."
The broadcast showed famous moments from previous races:
The chaotic pile-up of 2010.
The stunning overtake battles in 2011.
Fernando Alonso's emotional home win in 2012.
Commentator 1:
"Overtaking here is tough. Qualifying is absolutely critical. You mess up today, and you're buried in the midfield chaos tomorrow."
Commentator 2:
"Strategy wise, we expect most drivers to use Softs to start, then switch to Mediums — maybe around Lap 20–25. Tire wear isn't extreme, but with track temperature expected to hit 40°C tomorrow, anything can happen."
The screen displayed tire data:
Soft tires: Fast but wear quicker.
Medium tires: More durable, better for longer stints.
Commentator 1 (smiling):
"It's the perfect cocktail: fast straights, tight corners, hot temperatures, and high stakes."
The camera panned to the pit lane, where teams prepped the cars for battle.
---
Pre-Qualifying: Tension in the Air
Sukhman sat inside the garage, helmet resting on his knees, eyes closed.
He focused on his breathing, calming the storm inside him.
The mechanics made the final checks on his car. Engineers huddled over data screens, analyzing track temperatures, tire pressures, and wind conditions.
Coach Arne leaned down beside him.
"Listen. You've done the work. Trust yourself. First flying lap — build it up. Second one — commit."
Sukhman opened his eyes and nodded.
Yudhvir came over, a supportive grin on his face.
"You've got this, bro," he said. "Make us proud."
---
The big screens flashed:
QUALIFYING - SESSION ABOUT TO BEGIN
Green Light in Pit Lane – 2 minutes
Fans around the grandstands roared with excitement.
The harbor shimmered under the golden Spanish sun.
Engines fired to life, their snarls filling the air like a pack of wolves awakening.
Sukhman put on his helmet, the visor snapping shut with a definitive click. His world shrank to the car, the track, and the challenge ahead.
This is it.