Race
For Aldauren, the biggest surprise was not another of Laura's mega drives to podium-striking distance, but that Sara fell from P2 to P3. The PB team principal felt good about Laura's chances of securing Rookie of the Year and the change of fortunes their team experienced in the second half the season, for the better. A significant part of it is thanks to Dario. His ranking did not reflect it, but his continuous input on how the PF-1Cs behave (and should behave) helped his teammate a great deal. It was a shame almost nothing went his way during race days.
He watched intently Laura navigating the penultimate sector of Hapilopper Circuit on lap 45. He was extremely pleased and ecstatic on another significant points haul not only for the team, but for Laura herself.
He never hesitated to inject himself in the radio come the checkered flag. "Hell, yeah! Laura, that's a P4 from P10. You freaking sent it!" This week had piled much pressure for him, for beside him was Heikki Tuominen, Director of Motorsports of Sidus; a representative of their engine supplier. There would be even more next week. Siv herself would be trackside to watch the finale unfold.
He acknowledged that the season didn't go as well for them as he hoped, but not as bad as he feared. He earnestly thought that they had multiple opportunities to pivot themselves as the best of the rest (beating Badai Angin and TRÆ is too ambitious for him), and he felt he bottled them them all: the responsibility fell on his shoulders.
Same Energy
Did Sara Luna feel like a fool for harboring WDC ambitions? Absolutely not. The theoreticals she formulated need to be put into practicals, after all. She grossly underestimated how much of an adjustment was required to drive Tabetha to the fullest. She all but gave up in her initial goal after fumbling in Lintulahti and it was made clear at one point that her racing career, not only her stay in TRÆ, was at stake.
She thanked the lucky stars that right after that, she came online and finally delivered. It was better late than never. Sure, in Hapilopper, things could have went better, but her podium was more than enough to keep the constructors' fight between TRÆ and Badai Angin alive into the last race.
Twenty-one points separate the two teams post-race. Just as she was instrumental in Volkov being second place in WGPC 18, she would be an important piece in TRÆ grabbing the WCC in WGPC 19. For this, she fully embraced her role in supporting her teammate, who possesses the momentum to become champion himself for the first time.
Sara resolved to devote her waking hours to preparing for the season finale in the Vilitan Mountain Challenge Course. TRÆ and iBen's goals depend on her contribution. She is paid to deliver.