The flight from India to England had taken just under an hour and a half, but to Sukhman, it felt like he was traveling centuries into the future. The Vaayu GP team had finally landed at the Nottingham airport. The chilly European air greeted them as they exited the plane. Sukhman's eyes widened as he took in the pristine architecture, the clean roads, and the quiet order of the foreign land.
Team members, clad in the blue and white of Vaayu GP, moved in clusters, unloading luggage and chatting quietly. They boarded a team bus that was waiting for them at the airport—wrapped in the vibrant Vaayu GP logo, the vehicle itself looked like a statement of intent. As they made their way through the city toward the Nottingham Racing Circuit, the streets gradually gave way to the sprawling landscapes of motorsport glory.
Upon reaching the circuit, Sukhman's heart began to thud harder. He stepped off the bus and was immediately overwhelmed by the scale of the place. Dozens of racing teams were scattered across the massive paddock area—each with their own crew, cars, and mobile headquarters. Mechanics tinkered with tools, engineers ran diagnostics, and reporters buzzed around capturing every glimpse of behind-the-scenes action.
"Whoa…" he whispered, unable to hold back his awe.
"Welcome to the world stage," Yudhvir said beside him, giving him a half-smile as he leaned on his crutch.
As they walked toward the Vaayu GP garage, a few racers crossed paths with them. One of them, tall and broad-shouldered, smirked as he passed.
"New guy?" he said, looking at Sukhman.
"Yes," Nandini responded flatly.
"Good luck," the racer said with a scoff. "You'll need it."
"Callum Graves," Yudhvir muttered under his breath. "Two-time champion. Big ego."
Before Sukhman could respond, another voice chimed in.
"Don't mind him," said a girl with short auburn hair and sharp eyes. She smiled at Sukhman. "Callum trash-talks everyone. I'm Amelia Foster—but everyone calls me Amy."
Sukhman shook her hand, still unsure what to say. "Thanks. I'm Sukhman."
"Nice to meet you. And good luck," Amy said sincerely before heading back toward her garage.
Finally, the Vaayu GP team reached their assigned garage. Sukhman marveled at the professionalism of it all—racks of spare parts, a workstation lined with screens and data streams, the powerful F1 car waiting like a coiled beast.
Nandini gestured for Sukhman and Yudhvir to follow. "Let's head to the hotel and get some rest."
The hotel was located nearby and was arranged by the IRC (International Racing Council). Sleek, modern, and high-end, the place reeked of luxury. Polished floors reflected the ambient lighting, and the fragrance of expensive wood and leather hung in the air. Racers from all over the world were arriving and checking in.
Sukhman received a keycard and followed a hotel staff member to his room. As he stepped in, his jaw nearly dropped. Plush bedding, a wide window overlooking the city, a state-of-the-art bathroom—it was the kind of place he had only seen in movies.
He flopped onto the bed and looked at the ceiling, laughter escaping his lips. "If someone told me two months ago I'd be sleeping in a room like this… I'd have laughed in their face."
With no training scheduled for the evening, Sukhman decided to relax. He turned on the large smart TV mounted on the wall. A sports broadcast filled the screen—the World GP Championship coverage had already begun.
The anchor was a lively man in a bright suit, brimming with excitement. "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the most electrifying motorsport event in the world—the World GP Championship! The tournament that's held every two years has returned with fire, passion, and, of course, speed!"
The screen transitioned to highlight reels, showing roaring engines and high-speed overtakes. "Returning to defend his crown is none other than Callum Graves, the two-time consecutive champion from the Red Devil Cars Team, England. Callum is aiming for his third straight title and doesn't look like he'll be slowing down anytime soon!"
"Challenging him are a mix of veterans and hungry new talents. Let's take a look!"
The anchor's voice turned energetic, his words a rapid-fire assault of excitement as footage of each racer played in the background—some captured mid-race, some during intense training, and others with dramatic music underscoring their fierce reputations.
"1. Jakab Lewandowski (Euro Cars, Poland) – First up, we've got the Polish prodigy, Jakab Lewandowski. Young, aggressive, and fearless—this guy doesn't just race, he attacks the track. Known for his elbows-out style and razor-sharp instincts, he's the kind of driver who'd overtake you on a corner you didn't even know existed!"
"2. Ayanda Nkosi (Mercer Corporation, South Africa) – Don't let her calm demeanor fool you. Ayanda is sharp, calculated, and dangerous. The recent winner of the African Racing Trophy, Ayanda is a street-smart tactician. She reads races like chessboards and plays each move with absolute precision. You give her an inch, she'll take the win."
"3. Daan Vermer (Ajex, Netherlands) – They call him The Flying Dutchman for a reason. Daan is the master overtaker. The moment you think you've shaken him off, he's already on your tail, looking for the smallest mistake. A legend back home, and possibly the most polished driver in the lineup."
"4. Ryan Brooks (Sabestapol, USA) – If raw talent had a face, it'd look like Ryan Brooks. The American Prodigy has reactions so quick, it's like watching a video game in real life. He's flashy, fearless, and ferociously fast."
"5. Thiago Martins (Porto Motors, Portugal) – This man eats high-speed circuits for breakfast. Smooth on the throttle and dangerous on the straights, Thiago thrives when the speeds are high and the pressure even higher."
"6. Wei Zhang (Elite Corporation, China) – You want rain? Give this man some puddles and watch the magic. Wei Zhang is the undisputed king of wet races. While others slip and slide, he dances on water."
"7. Dafydd Morgan (Welsh Tech, Wales) – A slow starter but a terrifying finisher. Dafydd is known for his in-race development. Every lap he evolves, learns, adapts—and by the final laps, he's a whole different beast."
"8. Amelia Foster aka 'Amy' (Pilot Power, England) – The sweetheart of the circuit, just started her career a year ago. Don't let the nickname fool you, Amy is fast, focused, and fighting hard. A fan favorite not just for her charm, but for her ability to outmaneuver opponents twice her experience."
"9. Luke Meier (Titan Electronics, Switzerland) – You want consistency? Look no further. Luke is a metronome on wheels. Every corner, every lap, precise and clean. Not flashy, but deadly efficient."
"10. Ming Jao (Jupiter, China) – Wild. Ruthless. Magnetic. Ming is a driver who races like there's no tomorrow. You can love him or hate him—but you can't ignore him."
"11. Omar Irani (Centaur Group, Morocco) – Unpredictable is the word. Omar drives like a storm—bold, daring, and borderline insane. You never know what he'll do next, and that makes him terrifying."
"12. Luciana Fernandez (Barrancinha, Argentina) – The tire whisperer. No one in the world manages rubber like Luciana. She'll pit later, stretch longer, and outlast you when everyone else is scrambling for grip."
"13. Isabella Romano (Milan Automotive, Italy) – Beauty, brains, and burning rubber. Isabella is not just fast, she's magnetic—drawing fans in with her elegance off-track and intensity on it."
"14. Charlotte Reid (SBA, Australia) – If you're looking for politeness, look elsewhere. Charlotte is rude, brash, and unforgiving—but the girl can drive. One of the fastest in qualifying laps. She talks trash and backs it up."
"15. Diego Montoya (Rip Jaw Racing, Argentina) – The laid-back showman. Diego might be a party boy off-track, but when the lights go green, he's all business. A dark horse who can steal podiums on his day."
"16. Aiko Fujimura (Tripple S, Japan) – Don't ever count Aiko out. The Japanese racer is famous for her never give up attitude. She's had crashes, failures, and setbacks—but she always comes back stronger."
"17. Finn Carter (Kilbourne, New Zealand) – The lone Kiwi flying the flag. Finn has now qualified for two consecutive seasons, making him New Zealand's pride. Tactical, calm, and grounded—he's the perfect underdog."
"18. Yuki Sasakai (Quantum Racing, Japan) – She's adorable, yes—but don't mistake cuteness for weakness. Yuki thrives under pressure, especially in tight battles. If you're wheel-to-wheel with her, you're in for a fight."
"And finally…" the anchor leaned in with a grin, his voice lowering for dramatic effect.
"19. Sukhman Singh (Vaayu GP, India) – The wild card. A name nobody knew a few months ago. Sukhman wasn't even supposed to be here. Originally it was Yudhvir Shikre, India's first qualified racer, but after a tragic injury, the spotlight shifts to this young lion. Trained quietly, tested thoroughly, and now… thrown into the deep end of the world's greatest racing arena. Can he rise to the occasion? That, my friends, remains to be seen."
The screen flashed with all 19 faces in a grid alongside Callum— a stunning mosaic of talent, speed, and ambition.
The anchor clapped his hands once.
"There you have it. The warriors of the World GP Championship. Buckle up, folks. This is going to be one hell of a ride!"
Sukhman leaned back against the headboard, feeling equal parts pressure and pride. His face—on international television. His name—spoken among the world's best.
He takes a deep breath, clenching the remote. This is more than a dream.
This is reality.