‘Indeed, Ben, it really is all extremely tight,’ chipped in the other commentator. ‘And it’s because it is that tight that Sabatino’s had such a strong reception. Even in her rookie year, she’s taking her fight straight to the big dogs. And that’s not been lost on the knowledgeable Tifosi. Look at the stands — here in Italy — here at Monza. I can’t remember the last time I saw the scarlet of the Scuderia so diluted like this. See that Ptarmigan turquoise — it’s everywhere,’ he said as the producer quickly backed the commentator up with several different wide shots of the stands, showing a mass of flags and banners fluttering in the gentle Lombardy breeze. ‘It’s amazing.’
‘Certainly is, Mike. Sabatino and the whole of Ptarmigan have shaken things up this season. And we mustn’t forget, of course, that the team was on its uppers — as recently as the back end of last year. And yet, here they are — less than twelve months on — with a superb car and a woman driver — both as serious contenders for both Championships. Don’t let anyone say that Formula One is boring.’
‘Absolutely not, and, of course, the drama doesn’t end there. The pit lane, paddock, and stands are all pleased, today, to welcome back Remy’s teammate, Helli Cunzer — making his first return to the car after that heart-in-the-mouth crash in Monaco a few weeks ago.’
The TV picture cut away from scenes around Monza to a slow-motion replay of Cunzer’s death-defying high-speed crash in Monte-Carlo, the drama of it losing none of its potency despite the countless times it had been shown. At the end of the clip, which showed Cunzer being airlifted off the Monaco circuit and flown out over the harbour in an emergency helicopter, there was a happier shot of the youthful good-looking blond German walking down the pit lane in Monza that weekend, waving at the crowds, acknowledging his reception from so many well-wishers.
‘Well said, Mike, and his return’s all the more impressive with him qualifying P6 on the grid. That result shows, formidably, that his confidence and speed have been restored so quickly — further tribute to driver and car.’
‘Indeed, and we shouldn’t overlook the competitive significance of that, either. If the Ptarmigan drivers hold their starting positions to the end of today’s race, Ptarmigan’s one-point lead would be preserved as the mid-season leaders of the Constructors’ Championship.’
Action was soon visible along the crowded pit straight as the team bosses, mechanics, and array of celebrities started scurrying off the grid.
‘Okay, we’re getting close to the start. The engines are running. We’re ready for the parade lap, round this three-and-a-half-mile circuit.’
Straker used the time during the slow procession to check all his screens and frequency settings at his console in the motor home. A couple of messages, between the pit wall and the Ptarmigan drivers, were helpful testers. They showed all his new Cohens systems to be working perfectly.
‘The cars are retaking their places on the grid. The backmarkers are in position. A green flag is being waved by a marshal from the back. Race Control has confirmation to start.
‘Yes, here we go. We have one red light.
‘Two, three, four — and now five.
‘Just listen to that roar — that crescendo — of power.
‘Wait!
‘Wait…
‘And the lights are … OFF!
‘GO! Monza is GO. Luciano’s away well. He’s on the clean side of the circuit. Sabatino’s got a good start, too — if anything a better one. She’s clearly found grip, even down that dirty side of the track. And look, she’s moving up on Luciano, moving up on the Massarella — down the inside of the run into Turn One.’
‘She certainly is, Ben, she’s had a great start. And, so far, everyone’s got away okay — no apparent incidents.’
‘Luciano’s moving … sorry, Mike … over to the right — aggressively across Sabatino’s front. He’s trying to shut her out, well before the corner. But look, there — look, look, look — she’s not having any of it — she’s not yielding — she’s holding her nerve — holding her position.’
To bring home the drama, the TV shot zoomed in on the extraordinary bottleneck of cars, power and noise into the impossibly narrow first corner.
‘Sabatino’s being squeezed over to the right. She’s going in at a sharp angle. She’s going in deep. And, whoa! — watch that Ptarmigan’s understeer. She’s been suffering from it all weekend — practice and Qualifying — particularly in the slower corners. I don’t think it’s ever been quite as bad as that, though.’
‘It’s the low downforce set-up, Mike — that’s what’s doing it.’
‘She’s having to seriously wrestle that car into Turn One. And look out for that Ferrari — off the second row — looking to pounce on her from behind. Heh, heh! Sabatino’s managed to fend him off — but, oh, watch that Ptarmigan fishtail through the exit. She so nearly lost it there.’
‘Sabatino cannot have enjoyed that — the Ptarmigan’s, clearly, a real handful with that low-downforce set-up.’
The leaders were are all quickly through the first four corners, and soon approaching the Lesmos.
‘And that’s interesting, Ben — Sabatino seems to be finding some stability, now — at last.’
‘Yeah, Ptarmigan’s aero package showed, all through practice, that it works much better at the higher speeds.’
‘Well, she’s managing to use it, now, to hold her gap behind Luciano to point-seven of a second. Simi would’ve wanted to get away further — with a clear track in front of him — but Sabatino’s not letting him go that easily.’
‘And, Ben, she’s holding her lead over the Ferrari just behind her, too.’
Suddenly, Straker’s eyes and ears were caught. His surveillance screens flashed and, over the headphones, he heard Treadwell speaking with Sabatino. It turned out to be simply routine — a message that her temperatures were all showing comfortably in their respective windows.
‘Now the front runners are coming round to the end of the circuit — to La Parabolica. The whole field seems to be running well — no major upsets.’
‘Certainly not yet, anyway, Ben. And now, let’s see how they run round this hairpin, and enter the Rettifilo. This, if anywhere, is where we’re likely to see some action on the overtaking front. Who, though, is going to have the straight-line speed advantage. This is where all of that starts — right here, going into La Parabolica.’
Luciano braked late and hard.
‘Sabatino’s braked even later than the Massarella. She’s closed right in.’
‘Now it’s all about the corner and the exit — which car’s giving its driver the better balance and control.’
The Massarella turned in tight. Sabatino’s Ptarmigan was right up behind.
‘Through the apex — and, now, down goes the power.’
‘Both drivers were pretty tight through there.’
‘Luciano seems to be accelerating hard — third, fourth, fifth — right up to eighteen thousand revs.’