The rev of the kart engines had barely faded when Nico arrived at the track for the upcoming race. His mind was focused, but the weight of the previous race still lingered in his chest, pride and anticipation churning up for what lay to come.
Vincent had never insisted that the true test wasn't winning one race, but a consistency to keep winning under pressure. And today, the pressure doubled.
The regional karting championships loomed near, and all games were now go. Every second, every turn, every lap was an opportunity to demonstrate that he wasn't just lucky—he was a contender.
As Nico drove his kart into the pit area, he could already spot his competition. Jasper De Vries, Lukas Müller, Camille and Alexandre Dupont. They had one thing in common—sponsorship, money, and championship-grade equipment. Nico's kart was solitary among all the others in the paddock, its body battered and beat. But his passion burned brighter than any gleaming new car.
"Ready for round two?" Vincent stood beside the kart, arms crossed as usual.
"Always," Nico replied, his voice smooth but his nerves starting to get to him. He breathed in, eyes scanning the field. This was not just a race; this was a statement.
He used the remaining minutes to check his kart one more time, to ensure everything was in place. It was a conditioned habit: check tires, check fuel, check engine. Just make sure that all of it was in top shape, even if the kart was not new or the fastest.
The practice laps were quick, the drivers pushing their karts to the limit, but there was something in the air today that was unusual for Nico. It was thicker, charged with an energy that had not been there in his previous races. Gloves were off today, and all the fighters were out to win an argument.
When the qualifying rounds started, Nico's kart struggled a little with the start. The engine wasn't responding as quickly as it should, and Nico had to wrestle with it just to stay competitive. Each corner felt like a battle, not just against the other drivers but against his own machine.
Vincent's voice crackled through the earpiece. "Smooth it out, Nico. You're fighting the kart. Let it come to you."
Nico gritted his teeth, closing his grip on the steering wheel. He looked at the racing line, ironing out the corners and closing up with precise braking and acceleration. At the end of qualifying, he had recovered to P6—a good position but not where he hoped to be.
In the pit, Vincent's face was a mixture of encouragement and concern. "You've got potential, kid, but potential doesn't win races. You have to get the start down pat."
Nico wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded. "The engine was slow. Can we fine-tune it before the race?
Vincent frowned, rubbing his chin. "I'll see what I can do, but don't expect too much. Focus on what you have control over—your attitude, your approach."
While the team worked on the kart, Nico walked towards the track, watching his rivals. Jasper was talking to his Red Bull team, exuding self-confidence. Lukas was looking at telemetry data with his Mercedes engineers, his face a portrait of focus. Camille and Alexandre were talking over strategy with their Alpine team, their sibling rivalry apparent in their heated discussion.
Nico experienced a pang of jealousy but dismissed it. He lacked their resources, but he had one advantage they did not: the desire to get everyone to realize they were in the wrong.
When the last race came around, there was a buzz in the atmosphere. The grid stretched out before them, the karts glinting in the sunlight. Nico's kart looked like the underdog it was, but he couldn't have been bothered.
The lights went out, and away they went.
Nico's getaway this time was better, if not perfect. He managed to hold his position for a couple of turns, staying in P6 as the pack barged for position.
Before him, Jasper and Lukas fought for the front, their karts nose to nose as they fought for every inch of track. The Dupont brothers were not far behind, their precise movements hard to breach.
Nico waited patiently, watching over the drivers in front of him. Jasper was irresponsible, Lukas was strategic, and the Dupont twins were team-based. Nico understood that he could never catch up with them in brute power, but he could outsmart them.
By mid-race, Nico was up to P5, then P4. His moves were perilous but calculated, capitalizing on every minute mistake his rivals made. He passed Alexandre with a ballsy inside cut in a hairpin, the Frenchman scowling at him as he blazed past.
"Brilliant," Vincent's voice implored. "Now keep your head down and push. The leaders are in view."
The final few laps were craziness. Jasper and Lukas were fighting for P1, their karts inches from each other in their desperation to outdo the other into submission. Camille was in P3, struggling hard to maintain her position.
Nico closed the gap, waiting patiently.
It happened on the last lap. Jasper and Lukas doped up next to each other into a tight corner, open the inside line. Camille jumped, cutting the gap and pushing both drivers wide.
Nico cut in behind her, his kart scraping precariously close to Lukas's as he drifted into P2.
The final lap was a whirlwind of strategy and speed. Camille was clinging to the front for dear life, but Nico was not letting go. He ran her around each corner, looking for a chink in her armor.
He discovered one at the final chicane. Camille braked a fraction too early, and Nico pounced. He dived down the inside line, the karts nearly bumping as he dived past Camille.
The checkered flag was in view. Nico breathed deeply, his eyes spot sharp as he captured the first finish.
The sound of the crowd was deafening when Nico crossed into the pit area. He emerged from the kart, his body shaking with adrenaline. Vincent approached him, his stern face furrowed by a rare smile.
"Well done, kid," he remarked. "That's making a statement."
Camille stepped over, her face a mixture of frustration and admiration. "You got me this time," she told him. "But don't think it'll be that easy next race."
Nico smiled, feeling more confident. "Wouldn't want it any other way."
Standing on the podium for the very first time, the trophy raised high, Nico understood that this was just the beginning. The journey up had been tough and long, but he was ready for whatever was to come.