Sixth gear down the first straight, absolutely flooring it; tyres are warmed up to their optimal temperature and the car has managed to get into the right conditions with its out lap. You're focused and your mind is set: this is going to be a fast lap.
Turns 1 and two are easy pickings; high speed into the first before quickly downshifting into the second--no time lost.
Eyes forward, keep your car steady; turns three, four, five and six are tricky to amateurs but they can easily take out pros when underestimated. Smooth and steady pace, the main priority is to handle these turns as smooth as you can.
Quick uphill left into turn seven before switching into turns eight and nine; sharp and dangerous. The first can easily send you outside track limits and the second hurts you a lot worse. Taking these corners well awards you a very important boost as you speed towards the next sharp hairpin.
Once the hairpin is clear, you have a very cunningly long right bend that switches into a left corner commonly known a "Spoon."
A high speed entry combined with you using the entire track should allow you to comfortably attack the corner, going in tighter towards the exit to merge onto the next part of the track--considerably the most enjoyable part as well.
Flat out through the straight off spoon before meeting the next high speed left corner; a tight entry whilst balancing your throttle should allow you to clear it on sixth gear--which should then send you into the final section of the track.
Braking harder than usual, you'll meet a sharp chicane before going flat out once more down the first straight.
This is what a normal lap would look like around Suzuka.
A high-speed technical track that challenges both your guts and skills.
Making a simple mistake around its tight bends and high-speed corners costs a driver a lot more than they could be willing to risk. But taking risks and benefiting from them also awards them more than they spent...such is the beauty of Suzuka.
A normal lap around it could have you clocking in a lap time of; 2:03:000. Push it harder and you could even find yourself below three seconds--though, that also needed skills, guts and a very fast car.
All of which Khalif seemed to have.
"Spectacular lap that was..." One commentator commented, eyes widened as he examined the data displayed before him, "...its joy in the garage for BMW, as their number 2 clocks a 2:02:091"
"At times like this you just have to wonder, what on earth could they be feeding those two," Another commentator chimed in, his focus quickly shifting towards the extra data on the screen.
"I mean, already they've gone and created Infinity Drive's new track record with a 2:01:883 but they seemingly just want more."
The commentator's words echoed within the pit lane, each team present showing different reactions. Some were envious whilst others simply ignored it; this much was expected.
They held the top spot in Infinity Drive for as long as any one remembered; at this point, p1 and p2 stopped being a goal for others--third place was the main contested position. Snag third place from the rest for the majority of the season and your team finishes second in the championship.
"Wonderful lap mate, we'll end it there--bring it home." A voice worded out through Khalif's radio, its randomness easily breaking his concentration.
"Already ahead of you..." Khalif responded, sliding his M4 GTS into the pit lane--the aggressively built machine letting out a growl as he activated its pit limiter.
Dominance, speed, respect and skill...one look at how the team managed itself was enough to leave Riku with both anxiety and excitement. He wasn't new to the world of racing; setting fast laps was something he was used to--which is why his feelings got mixed up as much as they did.
There was a difference between fast lap times and untouchable ones.
a two minute and three seconds lap is a fast lap; in fact, it could be considered to be the fastest average lap. Anything beyond that was simply monstrous and anything below that was still normal.
Daiki's lap time was the perfect example.
two minutes and ten seconds.
When compared to the top two, Daiki's time was unbelievably underwhelming. An eight seconds difference between him and second place was tragic--not to mention the positions between them.
1000 racers, two per team--Daiki sat comfortably in the 260th position.
Yet ironically, this was the fastest lap Nissan had made around Suzuka ever since its debut.
With his breaks pleading for mercy, Daiki brought the car to a stop; cutting off its power before letting out a relieved sigh. His eyes darted towards the lap timer above his wheel one more time as a smile drew itself on his face.
This was the perfect start; he was hesitant around some corners and could have definitely pushed it harder for a better lap time, but he didn't need to--being ranked 260 among all drivers wasn't as bad as it looked.
"Impressive lap there kid..." Khalif worded out, a warm smile on his face as he slowly wiped sweat off his forehead, "...glad to see you're still in the race this season."
A chuckle was what he got as a response before Daiki finally turned to face him.
"Have some faith in your own students sometimes," Daiki responded, slowly approaching Khalif to greet him, "...one failed season can't have me tucking my tail."
Daiki paused for a moment, taking a glance at his car--a proud smile pasting itself on his face before quickly turning his expression serious as his gaze fell onto Riku's car.
It had been on for a while, Riku himself resting within the cockpit; eyes closed and mind in another world of its own. He'd gotten the green light to exit for a while now but had chosen to watch instead--Hiroshi insisted that no one disturbed him until he was mentally prepared to exit; but with less than six minutes left, Daiki couldn't help but let a slight worry slip in.
"Your team's new driver?" Khalif questioned, noticing Daiki's sudden expression switch.
"Joined the team last week," Daiki responded, crossing his arms as he continued watching Riku, "...an odd kid."
"Nervous type?"
Khalif's question quickly had Daiki letting loose a chuckle, his head quickly shaking in response.
He'd spent no more than a week with Riku, but that was enough time to help him reject that claim with ease.
Taking a quick glance at him could give you that "nervous" impression--confident drivers don't spend minutes in their cars taking deep breaths and meditating. Most of were simply concentration boosters disguised as stress relieving exercises.
Daiki had seen it once or twice; right after Riku examined his recordings, he would sit back, recline on his seat, close his eyes and begin taking short breaths in and out.
Whatever went through his mind, he had no idea.
What he did know though, was that each time he left this state, his lap times would rocket beyond the team's own expectations.
"I'm wrong?"
"By a landslide, fortunately." Daiki responded as he swiftly turned, grabbed two seats--one of which he slid towards Khalif, "...seems he's feeling ready now, sit back. I'll introduce you to him later."
Confused, Khalif shrugged his shoulders as he took a seat, his gaze turning back to Riku where they then stopped; his eyes widening slightly as he examined Riku once more.
It was only for a moment, but within that singular moment, Khalif was sure he'd felt the atmosphere around Riku shift.
His once shut eyes were now wide open as he shifted around his seat. His expression was blank yet sharp, his posture was relaxed and his grip around the wheel was tight.
In an eerily calm manner, Riku signaled towards Hiroshi who had been checking telemetry data before revving his car; exhausts burbling as the car's roar echoed through the pit lane.
Noticing this sudden shift, Khalif simply leaned forwards with a slight smile on his face.
He couldn't tell why, but something within him was convinced that Infinity Drive's season was about to get interesting--a lot more interesting.