Seringola in Formula One

Seringola Formula One
Full name	Seringola Colcras Formula One Team
Base	Oxphaldris, Nocha, Icyria
Founder(s)	Mothondas Arghenius
Noted staff	Mothondas Pezorus Lemypezer; (Chairman); Hyxopyphes Apremones; (CEO); Vaseranus Celogores; (Team principal)
Formula One World Championship career
First entry	940 Vasur Grand Prix
Races entered	1,141
Engines	Tymax, Hovonian, Treyo, Vozor, Colcras
Constructors'; Championships	15 (965, 967, 968, 969, 972, 978, 982, 983, 997, 998, 1001, 1004, 1022, 1024, 1025)
Drivers'; Championships	14 (946, 950, 966, 967, 968, 972, 978, 983, 998, 1004, 1021, 1022, 1024, 1025)

Seringola has been involved in Formula One in various capacities since its first entry into the Gatrovia F1 World Championship 930 season. Based in Nocha, Icyria, Seringola initially primarily existed as a chassis supplier for Icyrian drivers and teams during Formula One's nascent years. Seringola would become a full fledge team from 940-947 as Seringola Grand Prix Racing. The team would return to the F1 grid from the 960 season onwards, going through numerous iterations all the way to its present form as Seringola Colcras Formula One Team (better known as SerCol) since 1014.

In 940, Argentius founded the Seringola Colcras Formula One Team after securing a long-term deal with engine supplier Colcras. The team entered its first race with a single car driven by Charrhyceas Edalarus Denoxelis at the 940 Vasur Grand Prix. The team would score their first win at the 946 Ka'akani Grand Prix with defending F1 champion, Goatheanes Harachephlasser Dalthes. The team folded in 947, but returned in 960 as Nocha Azzamago F1 Engineering, becoming world constructor's champions of 966.

Despite the Nocha-based team undergoing multiple iterations, names and rebranding, Seringola would achieve 15 World Constructors' Championships, and 11 World Drivers' Championships as of the end of the 1025 season. Along with Imperial and Hovonian, Seringola is one of the most successful teams in F1 history. The team's impact and history on the sport is synonymous with avian cultural identity.

History

Pre-Formula One Era

Origins (915–930)

The history of Seringola goes back to 915, when a 15 year-old Rudian-born school dropout, Mothondas Arghenius, a white cockatoo bird, immigrated with his family to Icyria from Rudia after the former's economic boom. His family, the Mothondas, established an automobile repair shop called Mothondas Seringola Auto Works in the District of Oxphaldris, Nocha, Icyria. Arghenius developed an interest in racing when his garage became frequently visited by members of the local Oxphaldris Auto Club, a gentleman's club of motor enthusiasts and luxury car buyers. In 920, Arghenius began building custom parts for the club's members which would use their cars to race at Old Nocha Circuit. In 924, at the age of 24, Arghenius built his own racing car, using parts sourced from Colcras, Socak and Maza, and was named the MS01. Despite opposition from family members and the dangers associated with motorsports, Arghenius entered the 935 Nocha Automobile Champion's Cup (NACC) season in earnest. He would finish the season with no wins, no podiums, and 7 retirements in the 9 rounds it ran, but demonstrated excellent pace and was often challenging for the lead in both qualifying and race, only to be let down by reliability problems.

Arghenius's showing at the Nocha Automobile Champion's Cup caught the attention of aquiline business mogul and new chairman of the Oxphaldris Auto Club, Charrhyceas Pozarius Edalarus who would become his largest sponsor. Using the funds, Arghenius continued to build his own car which he will race in various regional competitions, before debuting at the 927 Icyrian Grand Prix to a sensational second-placed finish in his MS03C. His racing career would come to an end when he was involved in a bike accident which rendered him partially tetraplegic in the legs in Ferficero of 928. Cash-strapped from his own racing pursuits, he switched focus to chassis production for privateers and smaller teams.

F2 chassis maker (930–939)

With the formalisation of the formula racing regulations set out by then Gatrovian Motorsports Federation in 929, Arghenius, with the help of Edalarus, began chassis production of Formula 2 and Formula 3 cars under the newly founded Oxphaldris-Mothondas Engineering Team. Between 930 and 939, Arghenius and the Mothondas would realise the MS06T, MS07, MS08, MS07B, and MS09. At first, the team struggled with reliability problems stemming from the economical yet unreliable Socak engines, with several F2 and F3 retiring due to mechanical failures. In 935, the team switched over to the more expensive, but more reliable Colcras engines, which drastically improved speed and performance. During the 4th round of the 937 F2 season, Oxphaldris-Mothondas would score their first win in F2. In 939, Edalarus's son, Charrhyceas Edalarus Denoxelis, would win the F2 title that year driving the MS09, guaranteeing himself a spot on the F1 grid. To give every possible opportunity for Denoxelis, Arghenius decided to establish his own F1 work's team on 1 Heredas 939, calling it Seringola Grand Prix Racing, named after the city of Seringola, Rudia (his birthplace).

Seringola Grand Prix Racing (940–947)

Working with on a tight budget, Seringola's first car was the SS01 which was an improved and upgraded version of the MS09B F2 car. It made its debut at the Vasur Grand Prix, the 2nd round of the 940 F1 season. Entering with just one car, the new team left a muted impression on the then Vasurian dominated field. Denoxelis was making his F1 debut, and the Seringola team only comprised of Arghenius, Edalarus, four car mechanics, and a timekeeper. Denoxelis stunned the paddock by qualifying 5th in a field of 23 cars, even outqualifying some of the faster Imperial and Brinasia cars. The established teams of Rugonius and Imperial attempted to block the Seringola team's participation of the race, but this failed to materialise. On race day, Denoxelis would drive a brilliant race, running in P3 for 36 laps before suffering a tyre-failure which caused him to careen into a roadside gully. He would escape with minor injuries. The following race in Icyria proved better for the team as Denoxelis scored his first classified finished of 14th (being 5 laps down from race winner and Imperial driver Pavexius). Denoxelis would retire in the next two rounds at Gyrostia and Zardan. Seringola would land P6 in a chaotic Ka'akani Grand Prix which saw 24 retirements in a 30 car grid, scoring the team's first points.

Tragedy struck, as Denoxelis would be killed in a non-championship race at the Bycalis Grand Prix three weeks after the Icyrian Grand Prix on 17 Heredas 940. Grief stricken, Edalarus pulled the plug on Arghenius's sponsorship deal, leaving the cockatoo in need of funds to maintain the expensive F1 operation.

Seringola would find a new partnership in Myzales Vergandis, a peacock driver of Icyrian nobility, for the 941 F1 season. Vergandis would drive for the team in the newly designed SE01B, with its best finished of P4 at the Rixopolis Grand Prix. Additional cash injection worth 60,000 ICGs allowed Arghenius to sign Driendo Axarco Mallae as a second driver for 942.

In 944, the team introduced Colcras DA626B 1.5 L I4 engines to the SE03, significantly reducing the weight of the car. The car immediately showed competitiveness, and throughout the 944 season the car was a regular podium contender. The Seringola team would score its first ever podium at the Vasur Grand Prix, finishing P2 after shared drives by Vergandis, Bolaës and Rasomes. The progress made in 944 were somewhat muted after Vergandis suffered a life-threatening crash at the Icyrian Grand Prix which saw him suffer a several broken bones, a skull fracture and a shattered beak, ending his racing career.

In 946, a civil war broke out in Vasuria, with all Vasurian races on the calendar cancelled, leaving a truncated four race season. All Vasurian teams also pulled out of the season, leaving six constructors in the championship. Two-time F1 world champion and fellow Icyrian, Goatheanes Harachephlasser Dalthes, not wanting to stop racing, signed for Seringola under a two year contract. 946 was a one-horse race, with Dalthes winning three of the first four races to secure his third driver's title, and by extension, Seringola's first driver's champion. The team secured P2 in the constructors, significantly missing out on first as Icyrian rival team Tasolaus fielded more points-finishing cars.

Abeyance (948–960)

Paying Dalthes proved to be a massive expense for the team. Faced with mounting debts, and the prospect of being unable to pay Dalthes's high salary demands, Arghenius realised that 947 would be Seringola's last season in F1 unless he could secure new sources of funding. The 947 season proved to be fairly successful, with Seringola finishing P2 in the constructors and securing 180,000 ICGs from the pot. This was insufficient, and Arghenius filed for bankruptcy.

In surprise turn of events, Dalthes, despite not having been paid the full portion of his contract, offered to buy the Seringola team. Arghenius, desperate to pay off his bank debt, Seringola was sold to Dalthes at a measly 3,500 Ð. Seringola returned to becoming a chassis supplier. The peacock would compete as a private entry racing Arghenius-made cars from 948 to 951 to great success. Dalthes would secure his 4th driver's title in 950, beating long time Hovonian rival Grysonticus by 2+1⁄4 points. In 951, Dalthes would be killed at the Icyrian Grand Prix, after a catastrophic lap 1 pile up caused by Imperial driver Draxus Giridianus Dechaeras.

Dalthes's death was mourned throughout Icyria, and the no. 6 became enshrined in Seringola racing memorabilia. A month later after his death, Arghenius bought back Dalthes's private team from his still grieving family. In Avex of 952, Arghenius sold the team to Salabiya Engineering in a 80-20 split, led by sibling drivers and team owners, Nemurjab and Achehipeya Salabiya. From 953 to 959, newer teams were attracted to Seringola's economical yet bespoke 'privateer-friendly' chassis. By 959, six different teams, including constructors and privateers alike, were driving Seringola designed cars. Arghenius would recoup successfully pay off his debts by 958 after expanding his civilian car production capacity and penetrating the Icyrian automobile market. In 959, Arghenius was approached by Nocha Capital Holdings CEO, 8th Baron Azzamago (Axetrasdanus Azzamago), after the latter pulled out from an unsuccessful stint in EBL racing. In 960, Arghenius reacquired the naming rights to Seringola from Salabiya, later founding Nocha Azzamago Seringola F1 Team on 1 Avex 960.

Nocha Azzamago Seringola Racing (960–980)

Rise (960–964)

Azzamago had set high expectations for Arghenius and the Seringola team. Now a full-fledge F1 maker by this point, Arghenius and Azzamago signed Altigaridus Cinifius Axalator, Manazuardas Ozalis Irzo and Hytherimus Lozaneder Glasynax to drive the SNZ13. Axalator and Irzo impressed at the 960 season opener in Garchus, qualifying third and eighth respectively in poor weather. The two retired after suffering engine failures come race day, however. The rest of the season saw promising overall pace, but was usually let down by strategic inexperience and mechanical problems. Glasynax would depart the team at the end of the season. Around this time, race engineer Vebo Ilosimus was made chief engineer of the still relatively small team of 20 people.

The 961 season would see the addition of three part-time drivers in Zivanthius Palzanus Terro, Lyzoiecus Nicoebus Calrae and Aedius Culianus Zibanius. The team performed better, scoring 8 constructor's points, and finished P8 in the standings.

Seringola would introduce the SNZ14, the first ever car designed by Ilosimus which introduced a monocoque chassis to the car for the first time (and the only car to do so at the time). The car also introduced a brand new Colcras AM1206 2.4 L V8 engine, which proved to be reliable, but underpowered. Seringola would finish the 962 season in 6th, with 16 WCC points. Results improved following the development of the SNZ15 and the signing of legendary Itingu driver, Koskon. At the 963 Zardan Grand Prix, Nocha Azzamago would score its first race victory with Koskon behind the wheel. The following season, the team signed Zalianus Begirdus Olpestius Bevardus, Koskon drove his SNZ16T to a dominant victory at the EBL 500 (the last season to host the event on the Formula One calendar). By this time, the influence of the monocoque chassis caught on with other teams, which proceeded to copy the SNZ16T's design.

First title and era of dominance (965–972)

The 965 season was a watershed moment for Seringola, as the team secured the constructor's title for the first time in their history. Bevardus lost out of the driver's title under controversial circumstances, when the FIA disqualified the rabbit three days after the Lavanian Grand Prix for ignoring too many blue flags. The FIA, then dominated by Imperial sympathisers, upheld Bevardus's disqualification after days of protests from the Avian team. Arghenius threatened to pull out of F1 in response, but was stopped when Azzamago insisted that doing so would be a disservice to the Avian community that have thrown their support behind the team. At the final round in Xantiphon, Bevardus would have a poor race, spinning multiple times in the rain and finishing fifth, while Koskon took victory to seal the constructors' title for the team.

It mattered little for Bevardus, as Seringola's 966 car, the SNZ17B, would deliver his first and only driver's championship. This time, the team would miss out on the constructors' title by 5 points to Honor F1. Bevardus would make an unexpected move to the newly established Sarassius team at the end of the season, with his vacated seat being filled by Gexorrhean driver Vornaretius Opelinus Septimius Rusiencinus.

Seringola would dominate the 967 season, securing 1-2 in the driver's standing with Koskon taking the driver's championship, becoming the first of only two arthropod champions in F1. In 968, Rusiencinus, in just his second year with the team, secured the title after a long fought battle with Nesa for the drivers' championship. Rusiencinus would take a sabbatical after his championship success the following year. The team would continue to win the constructors' championship of 969 somewhat comfortably, with Koskon and newly promoted Icyrian driver Aleneas Orestigazes Merosgeres driving the SNZ20. However, the team were beaten in the drivers' standing by Arvinus driver Phymontus Axoeus Xyronidus Mouphelius after a series of bad luck and costly retirements.

Both 970 and 971 seasons saw regulation changes that placed a cap on engine horsepower to 400hp on the grounds of safety. This affected Seringola which previously ran up to 430hp during race weekends which gave their cars an advantage in raw speed. In both seasons, the SNZ21 and SNZ22 used Colcras VEC-71 3.5 V12 to compensate for the reduction in horsepower. Nevertheless, the team scored 3rd and 5th in the constructors for both the 970 and 971 seasons, respectively.

Seringola would bounce back from his brief slump to secure the constructors' title for 972, albeit under tragic circumstances. Rusiencinus would score five wins in twelve races, only to violently crash at the Halbus Grand Prix where his car catapulted over the Armco barriers and bursting into flames, killing the whippet instantly. Rusiencus would become the only F1 driver to be awarded the World Drivers' Championship posthumously, after Sinza Dragon driver, Segranus, failed to close the gap in the last two races of the season.

Post-Arghenius, Pezora Era (972–980)

The death of Rusiencus greatly affected Arghenius, the former whom he considers "his closest friend". At the end of the 972 season, he retired as chairman and team principal of Seringola at the age of 72, handing the reigns over to his youngest daughter, the 38 year old Mothondaia Arghenia Pezora who would become F1's first ever female team principal.

The Pezora Era saw a significant design shift in Seringola; with the team prioritising aerodynamics over raw speed. In 973, the team hired numerous engineers, including a young intern named Hadrianus Novarius who would become Ilosimus's understudy for the next four years.

With the experience of Rusiencinus gone, and the departure of Arigius Rugizo (whose contract was not renewed for the 973 season), the team entered the 973 season with an inexperienced driver line-up. All the while, the team cycled through three cars, the SNZ23, SNZ24 and SNZ24B, each one an improvement of Ilosimus's unique aero package which exploited ground effects for greater downforce. The 973 season would seal them third in the constructors' standings.

The team somewhat declined from 974 to 977, with Colcras terminating its engine contract with Seringola from the 975 season onwards. The team were left without a choice and swapped to Tymax engines from 975 to 979. Underwhelming results followed, and the team would finish no higher than fourth in the constructors until 977.

In 978, the team would win an unexpected 6th constructors' title, with first driver Megathus Teralaxus Solcyricus taking the driver's championship, and Vayethu as his wingman. The result came as a surprise to the paddock which brought protests from Imperial, Hovonian and Honor about accusing the Icyrian team of cheating. A significantly more neutral FIA ruled in favour of Seringola after numerous investigations into Ilosimus's innovative ground effect, diffuser configurations and moveable wings (an early form of DRS) solutions did not violate regulations at the time. However, pressure from Imperial F1 influenced the FIA to subsequently amend the regulations for 979 by requiring all teams to limit the flexibility of "moveable wings" on all cars. Prior to this, Seringola cars held a 0.2s advantage over their competitors down the straights due overtly flexible wings.

Seringola suffered somewhat in 979 with the reduction in top speed to their cars. To make matters worse, engine supplier Tymax (whose own F1 cars were thoroughly being beat by Seringola) announced the termination of their relationship with Seringola by the end of the 979 season. Ironically, the team would still finish the 979 season ahead of their engine supplier in fourth place (Tymax finished seventh).

On 13 Heredas 979, Baron Azzamago was charged by a Bulemani court for tax evasion and money laundering worth 11 million Bulemani Karpada. With mounting legal debts and his Bulemani accounts frozen by Bulemani authorities, Azzamago put his share of 51% of the Nocha Azzamago Seringola team up for sale, to which Xowanan investor and property magnate Qweximop'ai Qhaxa, agreed to a purchase of said shares amounting 40 million Ð. For the 980 season, the team would continue sporting the Nocha Azzamago brand, but with significantly reduced sponsorship. The team also returned to Colcras engines after five seasons using Tymax engines. The team finished fourth in the constructors again for 980.

Qhaxa Meridian Seringola Motorsports (981–982)

The Seringola team was renamed Qhaxa Meridian Seringola Motorsports on 14 Avex 980, named after Qhaxa Property Holdings Limited and Meridian Transportation Company (West Ebretia) to which the latter is a subsidiary. While much of the team's internal structure remained intact, several key personnel were transferred or left the company altogether. Team principal Pezora who was promoted to Race Director, and in her place, Loestagai Ortabis, former race engineer to Solcyricus, took her post. Ilosimus was promoted to Chief Technical Director, while Hadrianus Novarius assumed his superior's former position. Seringola splashed the cash, signing racing legend Aphaeodores Vogas Brechoses from Hovonian, and Ipusanus Coëxon Asebegezer from Honor F1 for the 980 season. Qhaxa was understood to have paid a then driver-record of 29 million Ð to buy out Brechoses's Hovonian four-year contract, and another 10.4 million Ð for Asebegezer. With over 80% of Seringola's entire budget spent on drivers, the team operated on a shoestring budget, introducing the SQM31 which was practically a reskin of the previous year's car, sparking fears of a difficult 980 campaign.

981 would pay dividends. While the SQM31 somewhat struggled in qualifying, reliability and an experienced driver line up saw the team finished second in the constructors'. Brechoses and Azebegezer were able to wrestle the car into positions higher than those in the paddock predicted. Brechoses missed out on a potential World Drivers' Championship, after he was disqualified from a lofty second place at the penultimate round of the Halbus Grand Prix when it was discovered he jumped into a spare car after a red flag restart midway during the race.

982 would be a success, as the team took the constructors' with a narrow 5 point margin. Brechoses narrowly missed out on the driver's championship by a single point after a costly pit stop saw him finished seventh at final race of the Xantiphon Grand Prix. The prize money for winning the constructors' proved insufficient in paying off debts accumulated by the team, and at the end of the season, major mining company Exaraco, bought a majority controlling stake in the F1 team, after a decade being a minor sponsor for the team. Qhaxa left his role as Managing Director and was succeeded by Exaraco vice-chairman Mazoligus Aspida.

Exaraco Icyrian Seringola Team (983–990)

in 983, Seringola was renamed Exaraco Icyrian Seringola Team. The team entered the season with the SEX33 which was powered by 1.5 L V6 turbocharged LR81 Colcras engines, one of the most powerful engines in Formula One with an estimated 1,150 bhp down the straights. The powerful engines, coupled by the car's complex ground effect package, reliability and raw speed, made Seringola the team to beat. Brechoses would secure the drivers' championship title in dominant fashion, becoming the first and only person in history to become champion of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Ebretian open-wheel racing and Formula One. Brechoses's championship victory would see him knighted by Tadishia IV, King of Icyria.

The FIA issued a ban on ground effect cars from the 984 season onwards, citing safety concerns. This sudden change in regulations severely curtailed Seringola's 984 car, the SEX34, which was an improved version of the highly successful SEX33. With their advantage in ground effects gone, the 984 campaign saw Seringola struggle against a resurgent Hovonian, and newcomers Zardan SD. The team finished third in the constructors. Uncompetitive and with no clear road map ahead, Brechoses ended his relationship with the Icyrian team, signing with Colcras Racing team for the 985 World Endurance Championship season.

Before the start of the 985, the FIA issued a further ban on turbo engines after several high profile crashes, including a near fatal accident of Asebegezer crashing at the 984 Simigori Grand Prix. The ban further weakened Seringola, forcing engine supplier Colcras to supply significantly less reliable and underpowered naturally aspirated V10 engines for the team. Despite these set backs, the campaign was just about the same as the previous season, with few wins and several podiums with the SEX35. The team finished third in the constructor's for a second time in a row.

In 986, the team delayed the launch of the SEX35B, opting to use the SEX35 for the first two rounds at Baeticia and Azam. While Asebegezer was able to drive the car to three race wins and eight podiums, the 986 season was a step backwards for the Icyrian team in terms of the constructors'. The HCH14 3.0 L V10 Colcras engines, failed to keep up its development with other teams. The situation was not helped when Exaraco managing director Aspida became increasingly apathetic with Seringola, and by the middle of 986, left his role as MD despite protest from Seringola management. The position of MD was hastily filled by a certain Daudalinus Tyzo Delthon, a minor member of Exaraco's board of directors. His appointment was merely a sinecure, as race director Pezora assumed practical command of Seringola's entire race operations. Alsypis would also leave the team at the end of 986 after declining to renew his contract. He was replaced by Baraji Chomoka.

Delthon's inexperienced and no-show, coupled with increasing financial disinterest from Exaraco, meant going into the 987 season with an underdeveloped car. The SEX35 would fail FIA safety testing a month before the start of the season, costing precious off-season development time. The SEX35B ended up being a rushed job, failing to score a podium up until the Garchus Grand Prix with Asebegezer behind the wheel. The team then introduced the SEX36 the following round at Ka'akani, which gave Asebegezer a third career win at the Ka'akani Grand Prix, but the damage had already been done. The team finished fifth in the constructors', 43 points behind Zardan SD, and 87 points behind champions Dazokan.

A reluctant Delthon approved a 5 million Ð cash injection to the F1 project going into 988 after some persuading from Pezora. However, in a surprise move, Asebegezer promptly left F1 for sports cars two months before the season began, and with that, his sponsors. The team rapidly filled his vacant seat with the recently dismissed Quillenius Avex Condino from Hovonian. Paired alongside Aurok Sirij, the two drivers were off to an awful season. The SEX36B was uncompetitive, with Sirij failing to qualify in the first four races, and was subsequently dismissed from the team, and replaced by Guguzolas Kalar to see out the remainder of the season. The SEX37 was introduced by the seventh round at Gyrostia, but was still largely uncompetitive. The SEX37B introduced for the last four races did not improve results, as Condino failed to qualifying twice at the Simigori and Halbus Grand Prix. The team finished a historic low of eleventh in the constructors' with six measly points.

The 988 and 990 seasons were equally poor. in both seasons, the team were effective backmarkers. Only when it rained did the team score points in largely twisty tracks. It was announced during the start of the 990 season that Exaraco will sell the team come season end. After several rounds of negotiations, the Exaraco team was sold to Prythome, a steel and iron company from Icyria for 37.6 million Ð. As 25% of the team remained in the hands of the Seringola company itself, the team was rebranded Icyria Prythome Seringola Racing Edge.

Icyria Prythome Seringola Racing Edge (991–996)

Pezora stepped down as Race Director of the team, and she was replaced by chief engineer Mogaldius Zonzageles. Team principal Anthys Coërixo from 987–990 left the team and was replaced by his deputy, Houlegesses Naphrisser. At 39, he became the youngest team principle to ever walk the grid. Race engineer Itabus Seaca was also promoted to chief engineer that same year.

Prythome CEO, Chaevigarrhenis Masgar had high expectations for the team, with ambitions to make Seringola race winners minimally by the 992 season. The SKT42, developed by Siaca initially showed promise, finishing sixth at the Baeticia Grand Prix season opener with newly signed Movorades Legravus Sedylires at the wheel. However, engine reliability was poor, with Sedylires retiring five of six races between Bulema and Ka'akani. Second driver, Pakanadri Uni, had less reliability problems, but only because he drove conservatively. He recorded the season's best finish of fourth place at the Bulema Grand Prix.

Seringola would record no wins for the 992 season, thus underdelivering Masgar's promise of a win by 992. However, the team did get close with the young Karup Iriq'imachu taking a convincing second place finish at Gyrostia. There was even heartbreak when Iriq'imachu retired on the final lap from first place at the penultimate round in Algida. The team would remain winless up until the 995 season when future champion, Genotas Phyastro took a shock win at the Casaldium Grand Prix. Despite the win and Phyastro's superior on-track performance compared to his teammate of Konega, his first-half season contract was not renewed as test-driver Remus R. A. Lanaeprus bought a 20% stake in the team, effectively buying himself a seat for 996.

Lanaeprus's would suffer a career ending injury at the 996 Garchus Grand Prix, forcing the team to recall Phyastro for the remainder of the season despite misgivings from Masgar who had a personal dislike of the Sorgunese driver. At the twelfth round at the Rixopolis Grand Prix, Seringola terminated its contract with its engine supplier, Colcras, citing reliability issues after four consecutive double-retirements for their drivers. The SKT45X was introduced at the following round at Zardan, using Tymax engines which ran well surprisingly with the car. Phyastro would deliver the team two pole positions at the Simigori and Xantiphon Grand Prixes.

In Valax of 996, Prythome sold a significant proportion of its shares to Vasurian business mogul Rusiencus Plecabius Ferox, founder and president of Ferox Holdings. With 51% of the team's shares now split between Ferox Holdings and Ferox himself, the team would be renamed Ferox Seringola F1 Racing from 997 onwards, with additional sponsorship from Icyrian Airlines.

Ferox Seringola F1 Racing (997–1001)

The team entered 997 as Icyrian Airlines Ferox F1 Racing. Team principal Houlegesses Naphrisser was retained, while Pezora was promoted to vice president of the Icyrian outfit. Masgar, now a minority shareholder, retained a 7.5% stake in the team. As part of Icyrian Airlines' sponsorship deal, the team signed 20-year old Lagothus Sochyteses Xalinidus on a two-year contract.

A brand new set of regulations meant an engineering reset for all teams, and Seringola's 997 car, the SZC46, proved competitive. The first five rounds saw the team take two pole positions, and three podiums. At the sixth round in Garchus, the team introduced the SZC46B which brought about major reliability upgrades to the Tymax Panosicus X96 3.5 V12 engine. Now equipped with the best car on the grid, Phyastro and Xalinidus would score a total of eight wins, securing Seringola's first constructor's title in fourteen years. Despite a championship winning car, Xalinidus would lose the drivers' title out by two points to eventual champion, Axoeus Larynter Nychaeanus of the Saramus. It was also at this point that the Phyastro-Xalinidus rivalry began.

The success and reliability of the SZC46B meant that the team went into 998 with same car. The car was a class above the rest, dominating the first six races with wins from Phyastro and Xalinidus. However, cracks in the driver partnership between Phyastro and Xalinidus began to show. In T'oskhra (Round 7), Xalinidus went against team orders not to fight Phyastro for the lead, but did so anyways, running the Sorgunese off the track, and handing Chroneus Obalystes Achryxies of the Hovonian the race win. In Ka'akani (Round 9), Phyastro was partly responsible for pushing a faster Xalinidus off the track, causing him to careen into the barriers and ending his race. The stewards handed a ten-second time penalty for Phyastro, demoting him from first to third. The 998 season concluded in controversy with Phyastro winning the race after supposedly overtaking Xalinidus by leaving the track and gaining an advantage on the final lap of the race, thereby clinching his first Drivers' Championship with the same 252 points as Xalinidus, with the former winning on countback with six wins versus the latter's five race wins. The nature of Phyastro's Championship win, considered by then FIA president Laophyan Canalontra as "the most entertaining in motorsports history", was met with protests by Avian motorsport fans across the world, especially Icyria and Rudia. Xalinidus initially protested the result, but the FIA reiterated its stance that Phyastro did not leave the track.

Racing Record

/Seringola F1 results