[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 100

In a novel, while there may be multiple characters with protagonist-level influence, there is always just one protagonist.

This is a rule that applies not only in novels.

It also applies in sports matches, school exams, and even in the larger context of society. The moment the word “competition” comes into play, the role of the protagonist is inevitably assigned forcefully, regardless of will.

And here we are.

Surpassing others, blocking them, and racing toward the lead. In the world of competition, there are no qualms about doing whatever it takes for first place.

Therefore, in F1, where the concept of competition is not merely an element that composes it but the essence itself, it was a world where the protagonist shines brighter than in any other genre.

“The fight for first and second place is incredibly intense. You can visibly see the tires of the two drivers wearing down at every corner.”

“It’s a circuit where there’s no need to worry about tire management, which makes acceleration and deceleration quite dramatic.”

“They’re pushing the tires hard, and we’re not even halfway through the race. With a high probability, it seems like both drivers are planning pit stops as they head into the mid-race.”

“It’s difficult to say for certain that they’ll last into the second half with worn tires, but it looks like they will pit in simultaneously.”

Although it was the first main event of the race, the protagonist on the Monaco circuit was practically decided even before it began.

Haerari and Rallyking. These two streamers, engaged in a fierce fight for first place, were the protagonists of this story.

Even the commentator seemed to be focused only on their competition, ignoring the remaining 18 drivers.

They analyzed and compared the driving styles of the two, discussing cornering, strategies, how to defend, and how to overtake…

Sometimes from Haerari’s perspective, and other times from Rallyking’s, the commentary presented all kinds of variables and countless countermeasures according to the situation.

Listening to the radio without the visuals, one could almost be under the illusion that only Haerari and Rallyking were racing, rather than 20 drivers.

The fact that a protagonist has been determined is no joke.

“This is truly thrilling. If one driver had taken a dominant first place, the excitement would have diminished, but the fierce competition for first place makes it feel exhilarating for us too.”

“Yes, that’s absolutely right. However, that doesn’t mean a dominating candidate for victory or a scenario where they win overwhelmingly is dull; it’s just that a tightly contested competition is more enjoyable.”

“Exactly. Among fans, they say that regular F1 events are divided into ‘fun times’ before and after Max’s appearance. Until then, Hamilton ruled F1 as a dictator, making the races less tense.”

“That’s right. There’s nothing more fun than watching who will become the protagonist. Today, Haerari and Rallyking will replace Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. I’m excited to see who the true protagonist will be.”

Of course, as the commentator said, strictly speaking, the outcome of the race has not yet been determined, so the true protagonist has not been decided.

Rather, it is because the protagonist has not yet been set that the live process of determining the protagonist receives even more spotlight.

Yes. It’s a harsh truth for the others who have become mere decorations of the race, but if they want to bask in the spotlight of a protagonist, they must possess something worthy of that role.

And that applies even more stringently to the viewers, just like the standards applied to those who sometimes create protagonists themselves.

[Just retire everyone except Haerari and Rallyking, hahaha]

[Oh, haha, the useless Hako streamers should just stay out of it, they’re so clueless]

[Let’s just create a separate league. One for Haerari vs. Rallyking, and another for the idiots (the other 18).]

[Seriously, there’s a huge skill gap starting from the amount of practice.]

[What’s disgusting is that the remaining guys just learned a bit during the educational broadcast and don’t practice separately. In the end, it dulls the excitement of the main event.]

[True words.]

[If you’re bad, you should have worked hard to rise like Haerari did, not just sit back and participate with skills as pathetic as a wrench who just whines, but has some talent sucking the viewers dry like parasites, haha.]

[Why is the top guy so angry? You’re about to be transported to another world, gg.]

[Transported to another world? Rather, that’s good…]

Regardless of that.

The race was now nearing its halfway point.

* * *

Haerari stood on the stage of clean air, like a pianist intoxicated by melody, beginning to race passionately.

Given that it was Monaco, no matter how fast one tried to go, the race car wouldn’t be burdened. Whether slamming the brake pedal or stomping on the accelerator, the tires would hold out indefinitely.

It felt as if the race was one where the durability of the race car was infinite.

Shuaaaack-!

Yet, despite this, the speed was such that the scenery outside the helmet was swiftly changing, unable to keep up. The sound of the race car moved with such momentum that it seemed to surpass even the speed itself, and Haerari reacted swiftly.

He surged forward, threading through the stagnant air of the city and stepping on the ideal racing line that he had envisioned in his mind.

“Hah…”

Now, the hairpin had become truly tedious. There was only one way to tackle the U-turn with the long chassis: slow down to the maximum and exit quickly on the inside.

Otherwise, it would either be impossible to turn at all or the car would get scratched against the wall, damaging the chassis.

Kkiiig!

Slowing down to block Rallyking’s line that was closely following behind, he turned the wheel deeply enough that the race car wouldn’t turn further.

Haerari, who thought he was moving at a speed slower than walking, turned to glance at the piercing gaze that felt somehow irritating.

As expected, Rallyking was glaring at him.

As they exited the hairpin, Rallyking dove into the right side of Haerari. Whether ruining the line at the next right corner or seizing the entry point, he was intent on gaining advantage in any form.

Haerari, who had figured out his intentions early, positioned his race car to the right as well. Although moving to the right side for the upcoming right corner wasn’t exactly the textbook racing line, one had to endure a slight disadvantage in order to counter the opponent’s aim.

“No way.”

Haerari immediately blocked Rallyking’s advance. The Monaco track, narrow enough to be called a bottleneck, would leave no chance for overtaking unless the race car had a jumping ability.

From Rallyking’s perspective, it was as if Haerari were strangling his chances.

As Haerari blocked his advance, Rallyking ramped up his speed and moved to the left.

In F1, the front car is only allowed to move sideways once to obstruct the rear car’s path.

Dreaming of overtaking here was a wish without conscience, so he aimed to exit the corner as advantageously as possible to gain even the slightest edge in the next stretch.

Haerari had been caught out by this.

Rallyking, clinging to the left, maintained the minimal distance that allowed Haerari, with the entry advantage, to exit the corner. Since he couldn’t turn first, it was enough to simply follow the racing line suitably.

With the bottleneck combined with a sharp corner, cornering was sluggish. As Haerari’s rear end vanished around the corner, Rallyking followed closely.

Skrrr-!!!

Rallyking’s aggressive pace was fierce as he sought to wedge himself in. If he could escape well, he’d gain the slipstream and possibly overtake or secure the corner entry—he would reap the benefits.

Haerari, losing speed due to not having an angle for the cornering, followed the proper line, while Rallyking found a natural exit angle.

The gap between them closed rapidly.

As Rallyking exited the corner with a quicker acceleration out than Haerari, he utilized the slipstream and DRS, gaining speed that felt almost like using a booster.

Haerari was unable to counter or react.

During the last lap, the gap that seemed insurmountable began to narrow little by little.

For Rallyking, who was in second place, even running side by side with Haerari had felt like an unattainable goal, yet now the race car pushed forward without any obstacles in front, gradually taking the lead.

With a click! He shifted gears in sync with the increasing speed and slammed down the accelerator as if pushing beyond the unknown.

This was like the last opportunity granted to him for a comeback. Like a warrior pouring out the last of his strength in the middle of life-and-d*ath resolve.

Rallyking didn’t miss the chance.

After a tedious war of attrition filled with mind games, finally, for the first time since the race start, halfway through…

Name / Time / Laps

① Rallyking 1:38:840 0.540 44/78

② Haerari 1:38:300 44/78

The rankings had changed.