Smooth, fluid, seamless, uninhibited. The sequence was mesmerizing, almost intoxicating. The audience, entirely engrossed, forgot to breathe, their eyes glued to the track until Crofty's voice burst over the airwaves.
"Overtake! Completed!"
"Three consecutive attacks, calm and collected, sharp and decisive! A display of elite car control. In the span of a single lap, he has single-handedly carved a path through the pack!"
"Kai moves up to second place!"
"And his sights are set on Verstappen!"
Hearts hammered; scalps tingled. Uncontrollable shivers ran through the crowd. Even those who weren't Tifosi found it impossible to deny the spectacle unfolding before them.
No, to be precise, because they weren't Tifosi, the impact was even greater.
Was Kai really this formidable?
Was the sharply aggressive Kai truly capable of this level of execution?
Could an F1 overtake really be this clean and sharp? Was it even possible?
The shock started from the soles of their feet and shot straight to the tops of their heads, wave after wave, unceasing.
It wasn't just the average spectator; the Red Bull pit wall was equally stunned.
When the Safety Car pitted, Horner had immediately noted Kai's presence. Kvyat, Stroll, Sainz—none of them would be able to hold him off. Horner knew Kai wouldn't just sit quietly in place. Even if his car had reached its limits, Kai would try to fight it out. The chance of survival only revealed itself after taking the risk. Regardless of the situation, Kai would try to attack Verstappen.
However, Horner remained optimistic. Bottas had inadvertently done Red Bull a huge favor.
Not only had Bottas ruined his own race and cost Mercedes a direct chance to challenge Red Bull, but his crash had also brought out the Safety Car, effectively protecting Verstappen.
With only three laps remaining, Kai's chances of overturning the result were incredibly slim. The championship trophy was practically in Verstappen's pocket.
And then... this happened.
Horner rubbed his forehead. "...Damn it! Daniil!"
At this moment, the only person Horner could blame was Toro Rosso's Kvyat. Kvyat had a chance to completely change his standing and position within the Red Bull setup. But, as always, Kvyat disappointed.
Kai catching up to second place and threatening Verstappen was one thing. Kai doing it in a single lap and preparing to attack Verstappen was an entirely different matter.
The former was inevitable; the entire paddock knew it was going to happen.
The latter was entirely avoidable. Yet, it happened anyway.
"Max, Kai has caught up. He's 2.1 seconds behind us," Lambiase immediately informed Verstappen.
Verstappen was stunned. "Fuck, GP, what happened? Where's Daniil? That idiot!"
Two laps. 2.1 seconds.
For any other driver, this would essentially mean the race was over, and Verstappen could comfortably take the win.
But Kai?
Lambiase took a deep breath, his nerves taut, a thin layer of sweat forming on his palms. "Focus, Max. Stay focused."
He had to be thankful for Verstappen's alertness; he had seized the moment right after the Safety Car pitted to build a gap, earning a brief moment to breathe.
Verstappen: Fuck.
The constantly changing, chaotic weather was a problem for all the cars. Even the usually dominant Mercedes W10 was showing rare instability, and the Red Bull RB15 was no exception. The car was very unsettled. Pushing now required extreme caution; a slight misstep could push it over the limit.
Verstappen didn't know the state of the Ferrari SF90, but he knew his own car's condition perfectly. This set of Soft tires had only been on the car for seven laps, but the fluctuating track temperatures had caused the rear tires to overheat abnormally. Traction exiting corners was starting to fade. Translating corner exit speed onto the straights was relatively a weak point for this RB15, and now it was even more pronounced.
Verstappen had no time to worry about Kai. He had to focus on himself, utilizing that 2.1-second advantage to turn his frustration and anger into drive.
—Steady rhythm, precise braking, clean steering.
Since he might lose time exiting onto the straights, he had to make up for it on corner entry. On a track with constantly shifting temperatures, maintaining a steady rhythm was crucial. Compared to the Intermediates, Red Bull's Soft tires performed slightly better, and he tried to squeeze every last drop of potential from them.
This was Verstappen. His personality might be abrasive, making enemies everywhere, but his talent was unquestionable. He truly was a once-in-a-decade talent.
However—
The gap continued to shrink gradually.
Lap 63: 1.8 seconds... 1.5 seconds.
It was clearly noticeable that Kai was going all-out, launching a full-scale pursuit. Kvyat had long since lost sight of the Number 22 car's rear wing. Just moments after the Safety Car pitted, the leading group had broken away, widening the gap.
Through the Motodrom section, Kai kept the throttle pinned. The tires were already degrading, and the steering wheel was vibrating constantly. The challenge facing the SF90 might be even more severe than what Mercedes and Red Bull were dealing with. Coupled with his relentless pursuit mode, tire wear had exceeded expectations and was likely worse than Verstappen's.
In truth, the writing was on the wall. Challenging Verstappen was too much of a stretch.
Ultimately, the Safety Car had stayed out too long. If there had been one or two more laps, Kai would have had more space to set up his pursuit strategy, and the situation might have been entirely different. But there are no 'ifs.' This was an utterly chaotic race, and the final sliver of hope they clung to had already surpassed expectations.
So, Kai didn't complain, nor did he give up. He fought.
Even if there was only a 0.001% chance, he would put in a 200% effort.
Without lifting the throttle, pushing to the limit, the SF90 surged forward like a torrent. The entire Ferrari pit lane stood up, looking up at the screens. Their hearts were in their throats; they temporarily forgot to breathe.
Even Leclerc.
Emotions of despair, frustration, anger, and annoyance still churned in his chest, filling him to the brim. A tangled mess. Leclerc couldn't forgive himself.
Yet, he couldn't help but watch the live broadcast, staring intently at the flash of Ferrari red, thrilling, unstoppable, burning brightly.
In similar situations, in similar predicaments, Kai always seemed to be a bit different. Shanghai, Monaco, and now Hockenheim—scene after scene, distinct yet familiar, flashed rapidly through Leclerc's mind. He momentarily forgot his complicated thoughts and refocused on the race.
1.2 seconds!
As the Number 33 and Number 22 cars entered the final straight one after the other, the distance between them had reached the edge of the DRS zone.
Breaths were snuffed out, including those of the despondent Hockenheim spectators.
Lap 64, the final lap of the 2019 German Grand Prix.
Navigating the high-speed Parabolika curve for the final time, Kai's racing line was slightly wider than the car ahead, maximizing the cornering arc. Relying on this approach, despite severely worn tires, he kept the throttle planted, maintaining high speed, the engine outputting maximum power. He was gambling that the Red Bull car wasn't in much better shape.
At this point, it was purely a guessing game—
This time, Kai guessed correctly.
Verstappen glanced in the rearview mirror. The red was exceptionally bright, burning fiercely right behind him. Ahead lay the classic Turn 6 hairpin.
Would Kai attack here?
Verstappen didn't care.
Verstappen's character wasn't one of passive defense. Everything was about him; he needed to hold the initiative. He had been waiting, remaining patient, just for this moment—the moment Kai was about to enter the DRS zone but hadn't yet secured the attacking window.
The opportunity finally presented itself. Verstappen had been waiting for exactly this moment—
Late braking!
The air thickened; the world paused.
The engine roar continued to burn and echo. The fierce, close-quarters battle for position was still playing out on the track. But outside the track, time and space seemed to hit the pause button. Only the sound of racing heartbeats continued to pound against eardrums, feeling as though they were standing alone in the grandstands.
Without warning, the Number 33 car challenged the limits of braking at the Turn 6 hairpin. The momentum unleashed in that instant was no less intense than Kai's.
Or perhaps, it wasn't sudden at all. Everything was planned. Verstappen appeared confident—
Delaying the braking point.
Delaying further.
Challenging the limit.
Right up until he had maximized the entry into the hairpin, he finally displayed the Red Bull driver's signature style, navigating the hairpin wide and sweeping.
Clean and decisive, with an overwhelmingly dominant posture, he held off the fiercely approaching Kai, maintaining the gap between the two cars.
Hah!
Gasps filled the air!
Only then did Brundle see Verstappen's tactical intent.
Clearly, Verstappen knew his tires were not in optimal condition. Similarly, he deduced that Kai's tire situation likely wasn't much better.
The key point was that Verstappen was currently the leader and held a 2.1-second advantage. Moreover, with only a tiny fraction of the race remaining, Kai had no choice but to push and attack, even at the risk of further tire degradation. It was his only chance.
And Verstappen was certain that, given Kai's personality, he wouldn't miss a sliver of an opportunity.
So, Verstappen deliberately maintained a steady rhythm, stayed patient, and held his breath, allowing Kai to close the gap and catch up. By doing so, he protected his own tires and gathered his strength. Only when Kai was nearing the DRS zone did Verstappen push. He didn't even need to pull away; he only needed to match Kai's pace to maintain his advantage and cross the finish line one step ahead.
This was a trap.
The problem was, even if Kai recognized the trap, he had no other option. He had to take the risk.
Knowing it was a trap, he still had to step into it, because within that trap lay the only glimmer of hope. Fighting for survival from a desperate position was his only chance.
Brundle's eyes lit up slightly. A strategy's brilliance isn't as important as its effectiveness. Verstappen showcased his maturity and evolution at a critical moment.
In the past, Verstappen might have gotten hot-headed, recklessly matching Kai's pace and forcing the issue. What would have happened next is hard to predict; given their driving styles, Kai might have genuinely turned the tables. But now, Verstappen still chose to push, yet he had begun to think and plan regarding the timing and method of pushing. He had even set a trap, engaging in a fair duel with Kai.
Just as early humans separating themselves from animals began when they learned to use tools.
The same was true here. Verstappen had started to employ strategy. The threat posed by his talent could multiply tenfold, a hundredfold.
Perhaps they were witnessing a significant turning point—
In the 2019 season, following Bottas, another contender was awakening. No longer just relying blindly on talent to charge forward, he was sparking a fusion of skill and strategy, conviction and reason. Especially with Bottas currently mired in a crisis of confidence, did this signal more possibilities for the season?
Brundle stared fixedly at the live broadcast, his heart pounding like a drum, temporarily forgetting Crofty's presence.
As expected!
Kai was unable to further close the gap to Verstappen, maintaining it at around 1.2 seconds. The two cars entered Sector 2 in a deadlock. The suspense over the winner of this dramatic, twisting German Grand Prix would likely continue until the very end.
"Oh, my word!"
Crofty's voice rang out, instantly pulling Brundle back.
Brundle didn't need to ask. The broadcast had already switched away from the championship battle between Verstappen and Kai, focusing on another part of the track.
A car had crashed into the barrier, shattered and smoking.
Drawing a sharp breath, Brundle and Crofty quickly exchanged a glance, shocked to the core, their eyes revealing a wry smile.
Unbelievable. In such a chaotic and bizarre race, on the final lap, there was still another accident. Yet another car had hit the wall and retired. This was the seventh car to retire today. If you included Hamilton, who hit the wall but didn't retire, that made eight cars.
When did Hockenheim turn into old-school Monaco?
In a race that was utter chaos, simply managing to finish and cross the line seemed enough to secure points. It had truly been a long time since they had seen a race this messy.
So, who was it this time?
Car Number 10—Pierre Gasly!
From the slow-motion replay, Gasly attempted to overtake Albon but failed. Pushing too hard, the tires and car finally gave way. The car lost control, spinning off the track and crashing into the wall, retiring on the very last lap of the race without scoring a single point.
It was evident that the tension between the two drivers, who were in direct competition for the Red Bull seat, had not subsided. The fierce rivalry continued to burn.
The real question now wasn't Gasly's retirement, but—"Will the Safety Car be deployed?"
The FIA immediately engaged in a heated discussion. On track, yellow flags waved in Sector 1. Speed restricted, no overtaking. The air grew completely tense.
The FIA's decision was temporarily unknown, but the battle between Kai and Verstappen wasn't over.
The live feed switched back. Crofty took one look and grasped the key point.
"Kai is pushing!"
"Pushing flat out!"
Just moments ago, Kai realized Verstappen's calculation. A trap that wasn't exactly a trap, leaving no room for choice; he had to step into it.
But walking into the tiger's den willingly didn't mean surrendering without a fight.
Kai simply rode the wave, following the momentum. His choice of racing lines became bolder and more—adventurous. There was no need to remain conservative now. He might as well squeeze it to the end. Even if the result fell short of expectations, they could collect more extreme data on the car's various states.
He maintained his rhythm with fuller, more complete racing lines, gaining more advantage on corner exits and straights—
The straights at Hockenheim were indeed Ferrari's strong suit.
As he exited Sector 2, Kai had forced the issue, further closing the gap to 0.8 seconds.
Although he entered the DRS zone, there was still no opportunity to attack. Verstappen defended by attacking, focusing not on blocking the defensive line, but refusing to give Kai an attacking window.
Everyone knew the opportunity would likely be at the final corner. Now it was a question of whether Verstappen could withstand the pressure.
A blue and a red blur tore through Sector 3, closing in step by step on the main grandstand.
Turn 15! Verstappen was exceptionally tough and resolute. His wide, sweeping driving style carried the brashness of youth, blooming freely.
Turn 16! Kai stuck to him, relying on the smooth rhythm through the corner. Although he didn't close the gap, the fluidity of his exit was perfect. Throttle to the floor, engine roaring, the red Ferrari shot forward like an arrow, chasing Verstappen ahead.
Buzz—boom—
The world went silent. Verstappen remained unmoved, sticking to his guns through to the end, crossing the finish line one step ahead.
On the straight, the advantage was clear. He crossed the line leading by a full car length and a half. 0.437 seconds later, the Number 22 Ferrari, a blur with a long trail, crossed the line second.
The suspense concluded.
...
Thump. Thump. Thump—
The world made no sound. Dead silence. Only the sound of hearts pounding heavily against chests echoed, chaotic and surging, stirring up a storm.
Staring unblinkingly at the track, at the live broadcast, the roar against their eardrums ebbed and flowed. The whole world spun rapidly, upside down.
The 2019 German Grand Prix was over. But what exactly had they just witnessed?
Crowded thoughts surged in their minds like a tangled mess, yet no sound escaped. Utterly overwhelmed by shock and impact, their brains crashed.
It wasn't until Crofty's passionate voice tore through the air that the madness and heat built up above the clouds poured out like a flood.
"Goodness. Goodness! My word!"
"An unbelievable race, an incredible race. Full of twists and turns, finally coming to a sudden halt in a frenzy."
"I haven't seen enough, and I'm sure the audience at home hasn't either."
"Max Verstappen, after suffering a terrible start, dropping from second to fourth, ultimately had the last laugh in this topsy-turvy race with a sharp and accurate tire strategy. Following the Austrian Grand Prix, he claims his second victory of the season, winning the German Grand Prix."
"Wow!"
"Red Bull truly displayed unbelievable competitiveness, proving with their actions that they haven't given up the fight for both World Championships."
"But—"
"But!"
Hoarse and impassioned, Crofty grabbed his head, still unable to control the waves of shock washing over him.
His scalp tingled.
"Kai—wow! I mean, the defending champion nearly pulled off the ultimate comeback!"
"Suffering a power unit failure in qualifying, bringing an end to his 31-race streak of reaching Q3—undoubtedly a heavy blow to the high-flying Ferrari team. Starting from twentieth for the first time in a race was absolutely a new experience for Kai."
"Yet, Kai said, bring on the challenge! The defending champion proved with his actions why he is the defending champion. Even without the fastest car, he can still make the entire paddock tremble."
"Starting twentieth, in this chaotic, world-turning race, Kai fought his way through with unparalleled courage and determination, chasing all the way to second place. He even gave Verstappen a cold sweat right at the end. If Bottas's retirement hadn't brought out the Safety Car, if the track clearing had been slightly slower and given him one or two more laps, the outcome might have been different."
"However!"
"Even now, Kai leaves another mark at Hockenheim with an unparalleled performance. He is the new King of the Rain, the new King of Chaos. In a race marked by total confusion, where even experienced drivers like Hamilton lost their bearings, Kai thrived. His adaptability and on-the-spot performance are unmatched in the paddock, delivering another spectacular race."
"From Silverstone to Hockenheim, Ferrari is rising across the board. Mercedes loses another round, suffering heavy blows on home soil twice in a row. The home curse inevitably hangs over Mercedes and Hamilton. Now, the landscape of the World Championship battle changes once again."
Exhilaration! Joy! Excitement! Passion!
Crofty's flowing commentary couldn't be stopped. He delivered his thoughts rapid-fire, like a machine gun, finally pausing to gasp for air after getting it all out. He instinctively turned to look at Brundle, his mind buzzing with a single thought.
"What are we witnessing?"
Although Crofty had witnessed Kai's debut and knew the young man's capabilities better than anyone, nothing compared to today.
The shock was overwhelming.
For the first time, Crofty realized this young man, not even twenty years old, might be ushering in a completely new era. An era more glorious and special than Hamilton's.
As soon as the thought surfaced, Crofty held his breath, hardly daring to believe himself.
Then, Crofty saw the smile in Brundle's eyes.
"History. David, we are witnessing history."
"Not Ayrton Senna, not Michael Schumacher, not Lewis Hamilton. A brand new history. A history that will change motorsport."
Quietly, a pebble dropped, sending ripples across the calm lake, expanding majestically.
All of Hockenheim was no exception.
This was a race destined for the history books. From the very first lap, the spectacle unfolded. Unexpectedly, it continued all the way to the final lap, the suspense lasting right up to the finish line, forming a closed loop with the start, truly maintaining the excitement throughout the entire Grand Prix.
Undoubtedly, Verstappen secured a brilliant victory. From a rookie troublemaker to a paddock veteran, Verstappen finally completed his transformation and upgrade. Not only could he win a Grand Prix, but he could also consistently pose a threat. With his second victory of the season, Verstappen surpassed Bottas in total wins. Did this mean Verstappen was about to replace Bottas in the fight for the Drivers' World Championship?
Yet, amidst the noise, Kai still easily stole all the spotlight.
How... how was this possible?
The spectators at Hockenheim couldn't view the big picture like the television audience. The constantly interrupted, hurricane-swept race left only fragments of chaos and tension. Like a shattered puzzle, they could see parts but not the whole.
Confused and bewildered, they watched the Number 22 Ferrari follow closely behind the Number 33 Red Bull across the finish line. No one was mentally prepared for this sight. They looked at each other, trying to find answers in strangers' eyes.
Unfortunately, the responses were only more confusion. Question marks colliding with question marks only bred more question marks. No one could truly be certain.
Wait, was Kai just—second? The Kai who started twentieth, right?
Ah! Ahhhhhhh!
Straight ahead, the Red Bull garage was a scene of jubilation. Horner beamed, his smile blooming freely. He clenched his fists, turned to the garage, and pumped his arms. The momentum that should have carried over from Austria was unexpectedly interrupted in Britain, but finally returned to track in Germany.
This championship was Red Bull's statement!
Turning his head, Horner looked to his left, trying to find the reaction from the Mercedes garage. Instead, his view was blocked by a brilliant, vibrant red.
Majestic, overwhelming, filling his vision.
The Ferrari garage instantly erupted with unbelievable energy. Fists clenched, they hugged and bumped chests, burning brightly without reservation.
Suddenly, Red Bull seemed pale in comparison.
Ferrari, entirely unconcerned with Red Bull, was immersed in its own world. The surging emotions could no longer be suppressed and poured out all at once.
That joy, that elation—only those who experienced it firsthand could understand. Throughout the German Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari faced unbelievable difficulties and setbacks, sinking slowly in the mud, continuing to sink. Just when they thought things couldn't get worse, they slid further into the abyss. After enduring hardships and finally seeing the light of dawn, they were plunged back into trouble. Just as the moment before dawn is the darkest, it tested their nerves time and again.
Yet, it was in this very predicament that Kai beat all the odds, putting a perfect end to this disastrous race—
They could hardly contain themselves.
As always, it was Kai again. It seemed that as long as Kai stood on the track, the fighting spirit in Ferrari's blood would never be extinguished. Perhaps they couldn't pull off a miraculous comeback every time. Perhaps they couldn't create a miracle every time. But undoubtedly, they would hold their heads high and fight to the very last moment, keeping every team and driver in the paddock tense until the end, never leaving a moment of relaxation.
Fight! Fight! Fight!