The checkered flag had fallen; the race was over. The circuit shook in celebration with the conclusion of the Chinese Grand Prix, claps sweeping through from all the spectators because the event did not disappoint.
Fifty-six laps of strain, tension, and survival condensed in one. As the benchmarkers crossed the finish line, they were the most relieved.
The winning car rolled softly through the cooldown lap, its S-level engine ticking down to rest. As the machine tilted and rolled unhurriedly, the heat shimmered beautifully off its bodywork until it finally came to a stop.
Out came the driver's gloved hand from the cockpit, waving to the hundreds of his supporters in the stands. The cheers crashed back at him in waves, and he couldn't help but smile behind his visor.
A victory so thin and fragile like this felt like the most earned.
Another car rolled into parc fermé moments later, P2 finisher, and he dragged tension back into the air.
