fix(live): merge stint deltas instead of replacing stint history

The F1 feed sends TimingAppData stints as sparse deltas keyed by stint
index — a mid-stint update is just {"1": {"TotalLaps": 14}}. The parser
replaced the whole stint slice with whatever a delta carried, so pit
history collapsed to a single entry and tyre age was pinned near zero for
the entire race. A partial delta was also dropped outright, because the
parser required a Compound field that mid-stint updates do not send.

Observed live at lap 49 of the 70-lap 2026 Hungarian GP: all 22 drivers
reported exactly one stint with age 0 or 3, after most had pitted twice.
With the fix, the same feed at lap 51 yields 3 stints for 15 drivers and
2 for 6, ages spread 1-30 — e.g. car 1 as MEDIUM 17 / HARD 22 / HARD 11.

Stints now merge by index, and Compound, New and TotalLaps each apply only
when the delta actually carries them.

Also stop folding non-numeric keys into index 0 in indexedRawValues. The
feed's "_kf" key-frame marker parsed as 0 and overwrote the first entry;
only the CurrentTyres path guarded against it, leaving the other five
callers exposed.

This feeds the tyre column, the deg model, stint history and the pit
window, all of which were reading near-zero tyre age all race.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

frontend/src/components/ChapterStrip.tsx

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react'
+import { BookOpen } from 'lucide-react'
 import type { Chapter } from '../types'
 import {
   activeChapterIndex,
@@ -5,6 +7,7 @@ import {
   chapterLapRange,
   chapterStartScrub,
 } from '../lib/chapters'
+import { EmptyStateCard } from './EmptyStateCard'
 import '../styles/chapters.css'
 
 interface Props {
@@ -14,6 +17,8 @@ interface Props {
   tRange: number
   tourActive: boolean
   tourChapterIndex: number | null
+  /** Explicit selection from a chapter click; wins over scrub-derived active. */
+  selectedChapterIndex?: number | null
   onChapterClick: (index: number, scrub: number) => void
   onTourToggle: () => void
 }
@@ -25,19 +30,38 @@ export function ChapterStrip({
   tRange,
   tourActive,
   tourChapterIndex,
+  selectedChapterIndex = null,
   onChapterClick,
   onTourToggle,
 }: Props) {
+  const scrollRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
+  const activeIndex = activeChapterIndex(chapters, scrubTime, tMin, tRange)
+  const highlightedIndex = tourActive
+    ? tourChapterIndex
+    : (selectedChapterIndex ?? activeIndex)
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (highlightedIndex === null || !scrollRef.current) return
+    const card = scrollRef.current.querySelector<HTMLElement>(
+      `[data-testid="chapter-card-${highlightedIndex}"]`,
+    )
+    card?.scrollIntoView?.({ behavior: 'smooth', inline: 'center', block: 'nearest' })
+  }, [highlightedIndex])
+
   if (chapters.length === 0) {
     return (
       <div className="chapter-strip" data-testid="chapter-strip">
-        <p className="chapter-strip-empty">No story chapters for this session.</p>
+        <EmptyStateCard
+          icon={BookOpen}
+          title="No story chapters"
+          hint="This session does not have enough race-control or position data to build narrative chapters."
+          testId="chapter-strip-empty"
+          className="chapter-strip-empty-card"
+        />
       </div>
     )
   }
 
-  const activeIndex = activeChapterIndex(chapters, scrubTime, tMin, tRange)
-
   return (
     <div className="chapter-strip" data-testid="chapter-strip">
       <div className="chapter-strip-header">
@@ -53,34 +77,39 @@ export function ChapterStrip({
           </button>
         </div>
       </div>
-      <div className="chapter-strip-scroll" role="list" aria-label="Race story chapters">
-        {chapters.map((chapter, index) => {
-          const scrub = chapterStartScrub(chapter, tMin, tRange) ?? index / Math.max(chapters.length - 1, 1)
-          const isActive = tourActive
-            ? tourChapterIndex === index
-            : activeIndex === index
-          const headline = chapter.headline || chapter.title
+      <div className="chapter-strip-scroll-wrap">
+        <div
+          ref={scrollRef}
+          className="chapter-strip-scroll"
+          role="list"
+          aria-label="Race story chapters"
+        >
+          {chapters.map((chapter, index) => {
+            const scrub = chapterStartScrub(chapter, tMin, tRange) ?? index / Math.max(chapters.length - 1, 1)
+            const isActive = highlightedIndex === index
+            const headline = chapter.headline || chapter.title
 
-          return (
-            <button
-              key={`${chapter.kind}-${chapter.start_lap}-${index}`}
-              type="button"
-              role="listitem"
-              className={`chapter-card ${isActive ? (tourActive ? 'tour-active' : 'active') : ''}`}
-              onClick={() => onChapterClick(index, scrub)}
-              aria-current={isActive ? 'true' : undefined}
-              data-testid={`chapter-card-${index}`}
-            >
-              <div className="chapter-card-top">
-                <span className={`chapter-kind chapter-kind--${chapter.kind}`}>
-                  {chapterKindLabel(chapter.kind)}
-                </span>
-                <span className="chapter-lap-range">{chapterLapRange(chapter)}</span>
-              </div>
-              <span className="chapter-headline">{headline}</span>
-            </button>
-          )
-        })}
+            return (
+              <button
+                key={`${chapter.kind}-${chapter.start_lap}-${index}`}
+                type="button"
+                role="listitem"
+                className={`chapter-card ${isActive ? (tourActive ? 'tour-active' : 'active') : ''}`}
+                onClick={() => onChapterClick(index, scrub)}
+                aria-current={isActive ? 'true' : undefined}
+                data-testid={`chapter-card-${index}`}
+              >
+                <div className="chapter-card-top">
+                  <span className={`chapter-kind chapter-kind--${chapter.kind}`}>
+                    {chapterKindLabel(chapter.kind)}
+                  </span>
+                  <span className="chapter-lap-range">{chapterLapRange(chapter)}</span>
+                </div>
+                <span className="chapter-headline">{headline}</span>
+              </button>
+            )
+          })}
+        </div>
       </div>
     </div>
   )

frontend/src/components/EmptyStateCard.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+import type { LucideIcon } from 'lucide-react'
+import type { ReactNode } from 'react'
+
+interface Props {
+  icon: LucideIcon
+  title: string
+  hint: ReactNode
+  testId?: string
+  className?: string
+}
+
+export function EmptyStateCard({ icon: Icon, title, hint, testId, className = '' }: Props) {
+  return (
+    <div className={`empty-state ui-card ${className}`.trim()} data-testid={testId}>
+      <Icon size={32} className="empty-state-icon" aria-hidden />
+      <div className="empty-state-title">{title}</div>
+      <div className="empty-state-desc">{hint}</div>
+    </div>
+  )
+}

frontend/src/components/Nav.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,17 @@
 import { Link } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query'
+import { fetchLiveState } from '../api'
+import { isLiveSessionActive } from '../lib/live'
 
 export function Nav() {
+  const { data: liveState } = useQuery({
+    queryKey: ['live-state'],
+    queryFn: fetchLiveState,
+    staleTime: 5_000,
+    refetchInterval: 30_000,
+  })
+  const liveActive = isLiveSessionActive(liveState)
+
   return (
     <nav className="app-nav">
       <Link to="/" className="nav-logo">
@@ -10,8 +21,16 @@ export function Nav() {
         <Link to="/" activeProps={{ className: 'active' }} activeOptions={{ exact: true }}>
           Command
         </Link>
-        <Link to="/live" activeProps={{ className: 'active' }}>
+        <Link
+          to="/live"
+          className={liveActive ? 'nav-live nav-live-on' : 'nav-live'}
+          activeProps={{ className: 'active' }}
+          data-testid="nav-live"
+          data-live-active={liveActive ? 'true' : 'false'}
+        >
+          {liveActive && <span className="nav-live-dot" aria-hidden="true" />}
           Live
+          {liveActive && <span className="sr-only"> session active</span>}
         </Link>
         <Link to="/race-hub" search={{}} activeProps={{ className: 'active' }}>
           Race Hub

frontend/src/components/RaceStoryCanvas.tsx

@@ -1,13 +1,36 @@
 import { useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react'
 import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query'
+import { LineChart } from 'lucide-react'
 import type { Driver, EnrichedResult, EnrichedGrid, PositionSample, Lap, Meeting, Session, Chapter } from '../types'
 import { fetchReplayFrames, fetchTrackOutline } from '../api'
 import { ReplayTrackMap } from './ReplayTrackMap'
 import { ChapterStrip } from './ChapterStrip'
+import { EmptyStateCard } from './EmptyStateCard'
 import { gridDelta, gridDeltaClass, formatDuration, formatGap } from '../utils'
-import { chapterEndScrub, chapterStartScrub, chapterTourDurations } from '../lib/chapters'
+import {
+  chapterBandFill,
+  chapterEndScrub,
+  chapterStartScrub,
+  chapterTourDurations,
+  deCollideYPositions,
+  decimatedPositionLabels,
+} from '../lib/chapters'
+import { isReplayMapAvailable } from '../lib/replayMap'
+import '../styles/race-story.css'
 
 const CHAPTER_TOUR_MS = 90_000
+const CHART_W = 640
+const CHART_H = 180
+const CHART_PL = 40
+const CHART_PR = 48
+const CHART_PT = 8
+const CHART_PB = 20
+
+interface ChartTiming {
+  tMin: number
+  tMax: number
+  tRange: number
+}
 
 interface Props {
   data: {
@@ -25,6 +48,48 @@ interface Props {
   }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Position samples are recorded for the entire session, including the pre-race
+ * grid period.  Use the winning driver's laps to define the race window so
+ * that the x-axis starts at lights-out rather than at the earliest sample.
+ */
+function raceChartTiming(
+  positions: PositionSample[],
+  laps: Lap[],
+  results: EnrichedResult[],
+): ChartTiming | null {
+  const positionTimes = positions
+    .map((position) => new Date(position.date).getTime())
+    .filter(Number.isFinite)
+  if (positionTimes.length === 0) return null
+
+  const fallbackMin = Math.min(...positionTimes)
+  const fallbackMax = Math.max(...positionTimes)
+  const fallback = {
+    tMin: fallbackMin,
+    tMax: fallbackMax,
+    tRange: Math.max(fallbackMax - fallbackMin, 1),
+  }
+
+  const winner = results.find((result) => result.position === 1)
+  if (!winner) return fallback
+
+  const winnerLaps = laps
+    .filter((lap) => lap.driver_number === winner.driver_number && lap.lap_number > 0)
+    .map((lap) => ({ ...lap, start: new Date(lap.date_start).getTime() }))
+    .filter((lap) => Number.isFinite(lap.start))
+    .sort((a, b) => a.lap_number - b.lap_number)
+  if (winnerLaps.length === 0) return fallback
+
+  const firstLap = winnerLaps[0]
+  const lastLap = winnerLaps[winnerLaps.length - 1]
+  const finalLapDuration = lastLap.lap_duration ?? 0
+  const tMax = lastLap.start + (finalLapDuration > 0 ? finalLapDuration * 1000 : 0)
+  if (tMax <= firstLap.start) return fallback
+
+  return { tMin: firstLap.start, tMax, tRange: tMax - firstLap.start }
+}
+
 export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
   const {
     results,
@@ -48,32 +113,46 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
   const [playbackSpeed, setPlaybackSpeed] = useState(10)
   const [chapterTourActive, setChapterTourActive] = useState(false)
   const [tourChapterIndex, setTourChapterIndex] = useState<number | null>(null)
+  const [selectedChapterIndex, setSelectedChapterIndex] = useState<number | null>(null)
   const svgRef = useRef<SVGSVGElement>(null)
   const tourRef = useRef({ chapterIndex: 0, startedAt: 0, durationMs: 0, startScrub: 0, endScrub: 0 })
 
-  // Position Evolution Chart Logic
-  const allTimes = useMemo(() => [...new Set(positions.map((p) => p.date))].sort(), [positions])
-  const hasChartData = hasPositions && allTimes.length > 0
-  const chartTiming = useMemo(() => {
-    if (!hasChartData) return null
-    const tMin = new Date(allTimes[0]).getTime()
-    const tMax = new Date(allTimes[allTimes.length - 1]).getTime()
-    return { tMin, tMax, tRange: Math.max(tMax - tMin, 1) }
-  }, [allTimes, hasChartData])
+  const chartTiming = useMemo(() => raceChartTiming(positions, laps, results), [laps, positions, results])
+  const hasChartData = hasPositions && chartTiming !== null
   const circuitKey = session?.circuit_key ?? meeting?.circuit_key ?? 0
   const outlineYear = meeting?.year ?? (session?.date_start ? new Date(session.date_start).getFullYear() : 0)
+  const canProbeMap = Boolean(session?.session_key) && circuitKey > 0 && outlineYear > 0
 
   const replayQuery = useQuery({
     queryKey: ['replay-frames', session?.session_key, 5000],
     queryFn: () => fetchReplayFrames(session!.session_key, 5000),
-    enabled: mapOpen && Boolean(session?.session_key),
+    enabled: canProbeMap,
   })
   const outlineQuery = useQuery({
     queryKey: ['track-outline', circuitKey, outlineYear],
     queryFn: () => fetchTrackOutline(circuitKey, outlineYear),
-    enabled: mapOpen && circuitKey > 0 && outlineYear > 0,
+    enabled: canProbeMap,
   })
 
+  const mapProbeSettled = !canProbeMap || (!replayQuery.isLoading && !outlineQuery.isLoading)
+  const mapAvailable = useMemo(
+    () =>
+      canProbeMap &&
+      isReplayMapAvailable(
+        replayQuery.data,
+        outlineQuery.data,
+        replayQuery.isError || outlineQuery.isError,
+      ),
+    [canProbeMap, outlineQuery.data, outlineQuery.isError, replayQuery.data, replayQuery.isError],
+  )
+  const showMapPanel = mapOpen && mapAvailable
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!mapAvailable && mapOpen) {
+      setMapOpen(false)
+    }
+  }, [mapAvailable, mapOpen])
+
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!isPlaying || !chartTiming) return
 
@@ -104,9 +183,14 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
   const jumpToChapter = (index: number, scrub: number) => {
     setIsPlaying(false)
     stopChapterTour()
+    setSelectedChapterIndex(index)
     setScrubTime(scrub)
   }
 
+  const clearChapterSelection = () => {
+    setSelectedChapterIndex(null)
+  }
+
   const toggleChapterTour = () => {
     if (chapterTourActive) {
       stopChapterTour()
@@ -114,6 +198,7 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
     }
     if (!chartTiming || chapters.length === 0) return
     setIsPlaying(false)
+    setSelectedChapterIndex(null)
     setChapterTourActive(true)
     setTourChapterIndex(0)
     const startScrub = chapterStartScrub(chapters[0], chartTiming.tMin, chartTiming.tRange) ?? 0
@@ -194,16 +279,19 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
 
   if (hasChartData && chartTiming) {
     const { tMin, tRange } = chartTiming
+    const normaliseTime = (time: number) => Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (time - tMin) / tRange))
 
     const byDriver = new Map<number, Array<{ t: number; pos: number }>>()
     for (const p of positions) {
+      const time = new Date(p.date).getTime()
+      if (!Number.isFinite(time)) continue
       if (!byDriver.has(p.driver_number)) byDriver.set(p.driver_number, [])
       byDriver.get(p.driver_number)!.push({
-        t: (new Date(p.date).getTime() - tMin) / tRange,
+        t: normaliseTime(time),
         pos: p.position,
       })
     }
-    const dnfSet = new Set(results.filter(r => r.dnf || r.dns || r.dsq).map(r => r.driver_number))
+    const dnfSet = new Set(results.filter((r) => r.dnf || r.dns || r.dsq).map((r) => r.driver_number))
     for (const [dNum, samples] of byDriver.entries()) {
       samples.sort((a, b) => a.t - b.t)
       if (samples.length > 0 && !dnfSet.has(dNum)) {
@@ -211,16 +299,16 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
       }
     }
 
-    const getInterpPos = (samples: {t: number, pos: number}[], t: number) => {
+    const getInterpPos = (samples: { t: number; pos: number }[], t: number) => {
       if (!samples || samples.length === 0) return null
       if (t <= samples[0].t) return samples[0].pos
       if (t >= samples[samples.length - 1].t) return samples[samples.length - 1].pos
       for (let i = 0; i < samples.length - 1; i++) {
-        if (samples[i].t <= t && samples[i+1].t >= t) {
-          const dt = samples[i+1].t - samples[i].t
+        if (samples[i].t <= t && samples[i + 1].t >= t) {
+          const dt = samples[i + 1].t - samples[i].t
           if (dt === 0) return samples[i].pos
           const frac = (t - samples[i].t) / dt
-          return samples[i].pos + (samples[i+1].pos - samples[i].pos) * frac
+          return samples[i].pos + (samples[i + 1].pos - samples[i].pos) * frac
         }
       }
       return null
@@ -244,34 +332,37 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
     const maxPos = Math.max(...positions.map((p) => p.position), results.length, 2)
     const colorByDriver = new Map(results.map((r) => [r.driver_number, r.team_colour]))
     const acronymByDriver = new Map(results.map((r) => [r.driver_number, r.name_acronym]))
+    const positionLabels = decimatedPositionLabels(maxPos)
 
-    const W = 640
-    const H = 180
-    const PL = 40
-    const PR = 48
-    const PT = 8
-    const PB = 20
+    const W = CHART_W
+    const H = CHART_H
+    const PL = CHART_PL
+    const PR = CHART_PR
+    const PT = CHART_PT
+    const PB = CHART_PB
     const plotW = W - PL - PR
     const plotH = H - PT - PB
 
     const toX = (t: number) => PL + t * plotW
     const toY = (pos: number) => PT + ((pos - 1) / Math.max(maxPos - 1, 1)) * plotH
 
-    const winner = results.find(r => r.position === 1)
-    const winnerLaps = winner ? laps.filter(l => l.driver_number === winner.driver_number) : []
-    const lapTicks: { lap: number, t: number }[] = []
+    const winner = results.find((r) => r.position === 1)
+    const winnerLaps = winner ? laps.filter((l) => l.driver_number === winner.driver_number) : []
+    const lapTicks: { lap: number; t: number }[] = []
     const lapInterval = winnerLaps.length < 30 ? 5 : 10
 
-    for (const lap of winnerLaps) {
+    for (let i = 0; i < winnerLaps.length; i++) {
+      const lap = winnerLaps[i]
       if (lap.lap_number > 0 && lap.lap_number % lapInterval === 0) {
-        const t = (new Date(lap.date_start).getTime() - tMin) / tRange
-        if (t >= 0 && t <= 1) {
-          lapTicks.push({ lap: lap.lap_number, t })
-        }
+        const lapStart = new Date(lap.date_start).getTime()
+        const nextLapStart = winnerLaps[i + 1] ? new Date(winnerLaps[i + 1].date_start).getTime() : NaN
+        const lapEnd = lap.lap_duration && lap.lap_duration > 0
+          ? lapStart + lap.lap_duration * 1000
+          : nextLapStart
+        if (Number.isFinite(lapEnd)) lapTicks.push({ lap: lap.lap_number, t: normaliseTime(lapEnd) })
       }
     }
 
-    // Safety Car / VSC periods
     const scPeriods: { start: number; end: number | null; type: 'SC' | 'VSC' }[] = []
     let activeSC: { start: number; type: 'SC' | 'VSC' } | null = null
     const rc = [...race_control].sort((a, b) => new Date(a.date).getTime() - new Date(b.date).getTime())
@@ -296,25 +387,73 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
       scPeriods.push({ start: activeSC.start, end: null, type: activeSC.type })
     }
 
+    const chapterBands = chapters
+      .map((chapter, index) => {
+        const startT = chapterStartScrub(chapter, tMin, tRange)
+        const endT = chapterEndScrub(chapter, tMin, tRange)
+        if (startT === null) return null
+        const end = endT ?? startT
+        return {
+          key: `${chapter.kind}-${index}`,
+          start: Math.min(startT, end),
+          end: Math.max(startT, end),
+          fill: chapterBandFill(chapter.kind),
+        }
+      })
+      .filter((band): band is NonNullable<typeof band> => band !== null)
+
+    const labelCandidates = Array.from(byDriver.entries())
+      .map(([dNum, samples]) => {
+        const last = samples[samples.length - 1]
+        if (!last) return null
+        return { key: dNum, y: toY(last.pos) }
+      })
+      .filter((item): item is { key: number; y: number } => item !== null)
+    const labelYByDriver = deCollideYPositions(labelCandidates, 12)
+
     const handlePointerMove = (e: React.PointerEvent<SVGRectElement>) => {
       setIsPlaying(false)
       stopChapterTour()
+      clearChapterSelection()
       if (!svgRef.current) return
       const rect = svgRef.current.getBoundingClientRect()
-      const x = e.clientX - rect.left
+      if (rect.width <= 0) return
+      // Pointer coordinates are CSS pixels; convert them to the SVG viewBox
+      // before comparing with the fixed chart margins and plot width.
+      const x = ((e.clientX - rect.left) / rect.width) * W
       const t = Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (x - PL) / plotW))
       setScrubTime(t)
     }
 
     chartContent = (
-      <div className="rs-chart-container scroll-x" data-testid="position-chart">
+      <div
+        className={`rs-chart-container scroll-x${showMapPanel ? '' : ' rs-chart-container--full'}`}
+        data-testid="position-chart"
+      >
         <svg
           ref={svgRef}
+          className="rs-position-chart-svg"
           viewBox={`0 0 ${W} ${H}`}
-          style={{ width: '100%', minWidth: 280, maxWidth: W, display: 'block' }}
           role="img"
           aria-label="Position evolution chart"
         >
+          {chapterBands.map((band) => {
+            const x1 = toX(Math.max(0, band.start))
+            const x2 = toX(Math.min(1, band.end))
+            if (x2 <= PL || x1 >= W - PR) return null
+            return (
+              <rect
+                key={band.key}
+                x={x1}
+                y={PT}
+                width={Math.max(0, x2 - x1)}
+                height={plotH}
+                fill={band.fill}
+                data-testid="chapter-band"
+              />
+            )
+          })}
+
           {scPeriods.map((sc, i) => {
             const startT = (sc.start - tMin) / tRange
             const endT = sc.end ? (sc.end - tMin) / tRange : 1
@@ -333,33 +472,41 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
             )
           })}
 
-          {Array.from({ length: maxPos }, (_, i) => i + 1).map((pos) => (
+          {positionLabels.map((pos) => (
             <g key={pos}>
               <line
                 x1={PL}
                 x2={W - PR}
                 y1={toY(pos)}
                 y2={toY(pos)}
-                stroke="var(--border)"
-                strokeWidth={0.5}
+                className="rs-chart-grid-line"
               />
               <text
                 x={PL - 4}
                 y={toY(pos) + 4}
                 textAnchor="end"
-                fill="var(--text-3)"
-                fontSize={8}
-                fontFamily="var(--f-mono)"
+                className="rs-chart-axis-label"
               >
                 P{pos}
               </text>
             </g>
           ))}
 
-          {lapTicks.map(tick => (
+          {lapTicks.map((tick) => (
             <g key={`lap-${tick.lap}`}>
-              <line x1={toX(tick.t)} x2={toX(tick.t)} y1={H - PB} y2={H - PB + 4} stroke="var(--border)" strokeWidth={1} />
-              <text x={toX(tick.t)} y={H - PB + 14} textAnchor="middle" fill="var(--text-3)" fontSize={9} fontFamily="var(--f-mono)">
+              <line
+                x1={toX(tick.t)}
+                x2={toX(tick.t)}
+                y1={H - PB}
+                y2={H - PB + 4}
+                className="rs-chart-lap-tick"
+              />
+              <text
+                x={toX(tick.t)}
+                y={H - PB + 14}
+                textAnchor="middle"
+                className="rs-chart-axis-label"
+              >
                 L{tick.lap}
               </text>
             </g>
@@ -372,8 +519,9 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
             const last = samples[samples.length - 1]
             const isHovered = hoverDriver === dNum
             const isFaded = hoverDriver !== null && !isHovered
+            const labelY = last ? (labelYByDriver.get(dNum) ?? toY(last.pos)) : 0
 
-            const driverPits = pit_stops.filter(p => p.driver_number === dNum)
+            const driverPits = pit_stops.filter((p) => p.driver_number === dNum)
 
             return (
               <g
@@ -394,8 +542,9 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
                 />
 
                 {driverPits.map((p, i) => {
-                  const t = (new Date(p.date).getTime() - tMin) / tRange
-                  if (t < 0 || t > 1) return null
+                  const time = new Date(p.date).getTime()
+                  if (!Number.isFinite(time) || time < tMin || time > tMin + tRange) return null
+                  const t = normaliseTime(time)
                   const pos = getInterpPos(samples, t)
                   if (pos === null) return null
                   return (
@@ -415,7 +564,7 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
                 {last && (
                   <text
                     x={toX(last.t) + 6}
-                    y={toY(last.pos) + 4}
+                    y={labelY + 4}
                     fill={color}
                     fontSize={isHovered ? 11 : 9}
                     fontFamily="var(--f-mono)"
@@ -449,44 +598,57 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
             width={plotW}
             height={plotH}
             fill="transparent"
+            data-testid="position-chart-interaction"
             onPointerMove={handlePointerMove}
             onPointerLeave={() => {
-              if (!isPlaying) setScrubTime(null)
+              if (!isPlaying) {
+                clearChapterSelection()
+                setScrubTime(null)
+              }
             }}
             style={{ cursor: 'crosshair', touchAction: 'none' }}
           />
         </svg>
-        <div className="rs-replay-tools" aria-label="Race replay controls">
+        <div className="rs-segmented-control" aria-label="Race replay controls" data-testid="replay-controls">
           <button
             type="button"
-            className={`rs-tool-btn ${isPlaying ? 'active' : ''}`}
+            className={`rs-segment ${isPlaying ? 'active' : ''}`}
             onClick={() => {
               setScrubTime((current) => current ?? 0)
               stopChapterTour()
+              clearChapterSelection()
               setIsPlaying((current) => !current)
             }}
+            aria-pressed={isPlaying}
           >
             {isPlaying ? 'Pause' : 'Play'}
           </button>
-          <div className="rs-speed-group" aria-label="Playback speed">
-            {[1, 10, 30].map((speed) => (
+          <span className="rs-segment-divider" aria-hidden />
+          {[1, 10, 30].map((speed) => (
+            <button
+              key={speed}
+              type="button"
+              className={`rs-segment ${playbackSpeed === speed ? 'active' : ''}`}
+              onClick={() => setPlaybackSpeed(speed)}
+              aria-pressed={playbackSpeed === speed}
+            >
+              {speed}x
+            </button>
+          ))}
+          {mapProbeSettled && mapAvailable && (
+            <>
+              <span className="rs-segment-divider" aria-hidden />
               <button
-                key={speed}
                 type="button"
-                className={`rs-speed-btn ${playbackSpeed === speed ? 'active' : ''}`}
-                onClick={() => setPlaybackSpeed(speed)}
+                className={`rs-segment ${mapOpen ? 'active' : ''}`}
+                onClick={() => setMapOpen((current) => !current)}
+                aria-pressed={mapOpen}
+                data-testid="replay-map-toggle"
               >
-                {speed}x
+                Map
               </button>
-            ))}
-          </div>
-          <button
-            type="button"
-            className={`rs-tool-btn ${mapOpen ? 'active' : ''}`}
-            onClick={() => setMapOpen((current) => !current)}
-          >
-            Map
-          </button>
+            </>
+          )}
         </div>
       </div>
     )
@@ -502,36 +664,41 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
           tRange={chartTiming.tRange}
           tourActive={chapterTourActive}
           tourChapterIndex={tourChapterIndex}
+          selectedChapterIndex={selectedChapterIndex}
           onChapterClick={jumpToChapter}
           onTourToggle={toggleChapterTour}
         />
       )}
-      <div className="rs-replay-shell">
+      <div className={`rs-replay-shell${showMapPanel ? ' rs-replay-shell--split' : ''}`}>
         <div className="rs-replay-main">
           {hasChartData ? (
             chartContent
           ) : (
-            <div className="analysis-notice">
-              <strong>Lap-by-lap positions not available.</strong> This session does not
-              have ingested position samples in <code>/api/v1/race-hub</code>.
-            </div>
+            <EmptyStateCard
+              icon={LineChart}
+              title="Lap-by-lap positions not available"
+              hint={
+                <>
+                  This session does not have ingested position samples in{' '}
+                  <code>/api/v1/race-hub</code>.
+                </>
+              }
+              testId="race-story-no-positions"
+              className="race-story-empty-card"
+            />
           )}
         </div>
-        {mapOpen && (
-          <div className="rs-replay-map-slot">
-            {circuitKey > 0 && outlineYear > 0 ? (
-              <ReplayTrackMap
-                outline={outlineQuery.data}
-                replay={replayQuery.data}
-                tMs={replayTMs}
-                drivers={drivers}
-                results={results}
-                loading={outlineQuery.isLoading || replayQuery.isLoading}
-                error={outlineQuery.isError || replayQuery.isError}
-              />
-            ) : (
-              <div className="rs-replay-map-placeholder">track identity unavailable for replay map</div>
-            )}
+        {showMapPanel && (
+          <div className="rs-replay-map-slot" data-testid="replay-map-slot">
+            <ReplayTrackMap
+              outline={outlineQuery.data}
+              replay={replayQuery.data}
+              tMs={replayTMs}
+              drivers={drivers}
+              results={results}
+              loading={outlineQuery.isLoading || replayQuery.isLoading}
+              error={outlineQuery.isError || replayQuery.isError}
+            />
           </div>
         )}
       </div>
@@ -542,7 +709,8 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
             const gridPos = grid.find((g) => g.driver_number === r.driver_number)?.position ?? 0
             const currentPos = scrubTime !== null ? i + 1 : r.position
             const isWinner = i === 0 && r.position === 1
-            const pClass = currentPos === 1 ? 'rs-pos-p1' : currentPos === 2 ? 'rs-pos-p2' : currentPos === 3 ? 'rs-pos-p3' : ''
+            const pClass =
+              currentPos === 1 ? 'rs-pos-p1' : currentPos === 2 ? 'rs-pos-p2' : currentPos === 3 ? 'rs-pos-p3' : ''
 
             let currentPoints: number | string = r.points
             if (scrubTime !== null) {
@@ -559,9 +727,7 @@ export function RaceStoryCanvas({ data }: Props) {
                 onMouseLeave={() => setHoverDriver(null)}
               >
                 <div className="rs-driver-left">
-                  <div className={`rs-pos-col ${pClass}`}>
-                    {currentPos}
-                  </div>
+                  <div className={`rs-pos-col ${pClass}`}>{currentPos}</div>
                   <div className="rs-driver-cell">
                     <div
                       className="rs-driver-color"

frontend/src/components/ReplayTrackMap.tsx

@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 import { useMemo, useState } from 'react'
+import { Loader2, MapPin, Satellite } from 'lucide-react'
 import type { Driver, EnrichedResult, ReplayFramesResponse, TrackOutline } from '../types'
 import { buildOutlinePath } from '../lib/trackmap'
 import { interpolateReplayCars, replayCarToSvg } from '../lib/replay'
+import { EmptyStateCard } from './EmptyStateCard'
 import '../styles/replay-map.css'
 
 interface Props {
@@ -60,7 +62,13 @@ export function ReplayTrackMap({
   if (loading) {
     return (
       <section className="replay-map-panel" data-testid="replay-track-map">
-        <div className="replay-map-empty">loading replay GPS...</div>
+        <EmptyStateCard
+          icon={Loader2}
+          title="Loading replay map"
+          hint="Fetching track outline and historical GPS frames."
+          testId="replay-map-loading"
+          className="replay-map-empty-card"
+        />
       </section>
     )
   }
@@ -68,7 +76,13 @@ export function ReplayTrackMap({
   if (error) {
     return (
       <section className="replay-map-panel" data-testid="replay-track-map">
-        <div className="replay-map-empty">replay GPS unavailable for this session</div>
+        <EmptyStateCard
+          icon={Satellite}
+          title="Replay GPS unavailable"
+          hint="This session does not have ingested location samples for the replay map."
+          testId="replay-map-error"
+          className="replay-map-empty-card"
+        />
       </section>
     )
   }
@@ -76,7 +90,13 @@ export function ReplayTrackMap({
   if (!outline || !outlinePath) {
     return (
       <section className="replay-map-panel" data-testid="replay-track-map">
-        <div className="replay-map-empty">track outline unavailable for this session</div>
+        <EmptyStateCard
+          icon={MapPin}
+          title="Track outline unavailable"
+          hint="Circuit GPS outline data is missing for this session."
+          testId="replay-map-no-outline"
+          className="replay-map-empty-card"
+        />
       </section>
     )
   }
@@ -84,7 +104,13 @@ export function ReplayTrackMap({
   if (!replay?.frames?.length || cars.length === 0) {
     return (
       <section className="replay-map-panel" data-testid="replay-track-map">
-        <div className="replay-map-empty">historical GPS unavailable for this session</div>
+        <EmptyStateCard
+          icon={Satellite}
+          title="Historical GPS unavailable"
+          hint="Fewer than two replay frames were returned for this session."
+          testId="replay-map-no-frames"
+          className="replay-map-empty-card"
+        />
       </section>
     )
   }

frontend/src/components/live/RaceControlFeed.tsx

@@ -80,7 +80,9 @@ export function RaceControlFeed({ messages, driverInfo }: Props) {
     <section className="live-rc panel-glass">
       <div className="sec-header sticky-header">
         <span className="sec-title">Race Control</span>
-        {messages.length > 0 && <span className="sec-meta">{messages.length} messages</span>}
+        <span className="sec-meta" data-testid="rc-timezone">
+          {messages.length > 0 ? `${messages.length} messages · ` : ''}times UTC
+        </span>
       </div>
       {latest.length === 0 ? (
         <div className="missing-notice">No race control messages in the current live snapshot.</div>
@@ -102,7 +104,7 @@ export function RaceControlFeed({ messages, driverInfo }: Props) {
 
             return (
               <div className={`live-rc-row${flashClass}`} key={key}>
-                <span className="rc-time">{message.Time || '--:--'}</span>
+                <span className="rc-time" title="UTC">{message.Time || '--:--'}</span>
                 {message.Lap > 0 && <span className="rc-lap">L{message.Lap}</span>}
                 {message.Flag
                   ? <span className={`rc-flag ${rcFlagClass(message.Flag)}`}>{message.Flag}</span>

frontend/src/components/live/SessionBanner.tsx

@@ -38,9 +38,11 @@ export function SessionBanner({ isLive, isArchive = false, snapshot, rows, conne
           <div className="live-banner-meta">
             {display.advanceCount && <span>{display.advanceCount} advance</span>}
             {atRiskLabel && <span>{atRiskLabel}</span>}
-            <span>
-              L<strong>{snapshot.CurrentLap || '-'}</strong>/<strong>{snapshot.TotalLaps || '-'}</strong>
-            </span>
+            {display.isRace && (
+              <span data-testid="live-lap-counter">
+                L<strong>{snapshot.CurrentLap || '-'}</strong>/<strong>{snapshot.TotalLaps || '-'}</strong>
+              </span>
+            )}
             <span className={isLive ? 'live-state live-state-on' : 'live-state'}>{stateLabel}</span>
           </div>
         </div>

frontend/src/components/live/TimingTower.tsx

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
-import { useState, Fragment } from 'react'
+import { useState, useMemo, Fragment } from 'react'
 import { teamColor } from '../../utils'
 import { useAutoAnimate } from '@formkit/auto-animate/react'
 import type { LiveSessionMeta, LiveStintData } from '../../types'
 import type { LiveTimingRow } from '../../lib/live'
 import {
+  bestLapGaps,
   driverCode,
   liveSessionDisplay,
   positionDelta,
@@ -62,6 +63,10 @@ export function TimingTower({
   const isQuali = sessionDisplay.isQualifying || !isRace
   const columnCount = 7 + (isRace ? 3 : 0) + (isQuali ? 3 : 0)
 
+  // Practice/qualifying: derive a display-only gap to P1 from valid best laps
+  // when the upstream feed omits GapToLeader. Empty for races (feed is truth).
+  const practiceGaps = useMemo(() => bestLapGaps(isRace ? [] : rows), [isRace, rows])
+
   return (
     <div className="scroll-x">
       <table className="data-table live-tower" style={{ minWidth: 760 }}>
@@ -71,7 +76,7 @@ export function TimingTower({
             {isRace && <th>Δ</th>}
             <th>Driver</th>
             <th>Tyre</th>
-            <th>Last Lap</th>
+            <th className={isRace ? undefined : 'hide-mobile'}>Last Lap</th>
             <th
               className="interactive"
               onClick={() => setGapMode(g => g === 'interval' ? 'leader' : 'interval')}
@@ -81,10 +86,10 @@ export function TimingTower({
               {gapMode === 'interval' && isRace ? 'Interval' : 'Gap to P1'}
             </th>
             {isRace && <th>Trend</th>}
-            {isQuali && <th>S1</th>}
-            {isQuali && <th>S2</th>}
-            {isQuali && <th>S3</th>}
-            <th className="hide-mobile">Best</th>
+            {isQuali && <th className="hide-mobile">S1</th>}
+            {isQuali && <th className="hide-mobile">S2</th>}
+            {isQuali && <th className="hide-mobile">S3</th>}
+            <th className={isRace ? 'hide-mobile' : undefined}>Best</th>
             {isRace && <th className="hide-mobile r">Laps</th>}
             <th className="r"></th>
           </tr>
@@ -102,7 +107,15 @@ export function TimingTower({
               driver.Cutoff
             const showCutoffAfter = row.Position === sessionDisplay.cutoffPosition
 
-            const gapText = gapMode === 'interval' && isRace ? (driver.Interval || driver.GapToLeader) : driver.GapToLeader
+            let gapText: string
+            if (isRace) {
+              gapText = gapMode === 'interval' ? (driver.Interval || driver.GapToLeader) : driver.GapToLeader
+            } else if (driver.GapToLeader) {
+              gapText = driver.GapToLeader
+            } else {
+              const computed = practiceGaps[row.RacingNumber]
+              gapText = computed ? (computed.isLeader ? '—' : computed.gap) : ''
+            }
             const intervalAnnotation =
               gapMode === 'interval' && isRace && row.Position > 1
                 ? intervalMeaning(parseIntervalSeconds(gapText))
@@ -153,7 +166,10 @@ export function TimingTower({
                   <td>
                     <span className={`tyre-badge ${tyreClass(row.Tyre)}`}>{tyreLabel(row.Tyre)}</span>
                   </td>
-                  <td className={driver.LastLapOB ? 'mono lap-ob' : driver.LastLapPB ? 'mono lap-pb' : 'mono'}>
+                  <td className={[
+                    isRace ? '' : 'hide-mobile',
+                    driver.LastLapOB ? 'mono lap-ob' : driver.LastLapPB ? 'mono lap-pb' : 'mono',
+                  ].filter(Boolean).join(' ')}>
                     {driver.LastLapTime || '-'}
                   </td>
                   <td className="mono">
@@ -171,11 +187,14 @@ export function TimingTower({
                     </td>
                   )}
 
-                  {isQuali && <td>{renderSector(0)}</td>}
-                  {isQuali && <td>{renderSector(1)}</td>}
-                  {isQuali && <td>{renderSector(2)}</td>}
+                  {isQuali && <td className="hide-mobile">{renderSector(0)}</td>}
+                  {isQuali && <td className="hide-mobile">{renderSector(1)}</td>}
+                  {isQuali && <td className="hide-mobile">{renderSector(2)}</td>}
 
-                  <td className={`hide-mobile ${driver.BestLapOB ? 'mono lap-ob' : 'mono'}`}>
+                  <td className={[
+                    isRace ? 'hide-mobile' : '',
+                    driver.BestLapOB ? 'mono lap-ob' : 'mono',
+                  ].filter(Boolean).join(' ')}>
                     {driver.BestLapTime || '-'}
                   </td>
                   
@@ -208,6 +227,16 @@ export function TimingTower({
                                  <div className="mono">{driver.NumberOfLaps || 0}</div>
                               </div>
                             )}
+                            {!isRace && driver.Sectors?.some((sec) => sec?.Value) && (
+                              <div data-testid="expanded-sectors">
+                                 <div className="mono" style={{ color: 'var(--text-3)', fontSize: '10px', marginBottom: '4px' }}>SECTORS</div>
+                                 <div className="mono" style={{ display: 'flex', gap: '10px' }}>
+                                    {renderSector(0)}
+                                    {renderSector(1)}
+                                    {renderSector(2)}
+                                 </div>
+                              </div>
+                            )}
                             {driver.SpeedTrap && (
                               <div>
                                  <div className="mono" style={{ color: 'var(--text-3)', fontSize: '10px', marginBottom: '4px' }}>SPEED TRAP</div>

frontend/src/components/live/TyreDegPanel.tsx

@@ -52,7 +52,10 @@ function StintSparkline({ seconds }: { seconds: number[] }) {
 }
 
 export function TyreDegPanel({ rows, sessionType, pinned }: Props) {
-  const [collapsed, setCollapsed] = useState(false)
+  const isRace = isRaceSession(sessionType)
+  // In practice/qualifying deg trends are secondary — collapse by default so
+  // the Timing Tower stays above the fold. Races keep it open.
+  const [collapsed, setCollapsed] = useState(!isRace)
   const [stints, setStints] = useState<StintHistoryMap>({})
 
   // One lap-history update per received snapshot (rows is rebuilt per snapshot).
@@ -61,8 +64,6 @@ export function TyreDegPanel({ rows, sessionType, pinned }: Props) {
     setStints((prev) => recordStintSamples(prev, rows.map(stintInputFromRow)))
   }, [rows])
 
-  const isRace = isRaceSession(sessionType)
-
   const visible = useMemo(
     () =>
       rows.filter(

frontend/src/lib/chapters.ts

@@ -53,7 +53,10 @@ export function chapterEndScrub(
   return Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (ms - tMin) / tRange))
 }
 
-/** Index of the chapter containing the current scrub position, if any. */
+/** Index of the chapter containing the current scrub position, if any.
+ * Uses the same 0–1 clamped bounds as chapterStartScrub/chapterEndScrub so
+ * chapters whose timestamps fall outside the position-sample window still
+ * activate when the scrubber is parked at the clamped edge. */
 export function activeChapterIndex(
   chapters: Chapter[],
   scrubTime: number | null,
@@ -61,15 +64,13 @@ export function activeChapterIndex(
   tRange: number,
 ): number | null {
   if (scrubTime === null || chapters.length === 0 || tRange <= 0) return null
-  const chartMs = tMin + scrubTime * tRange
   for (let i = 0; i < chapters.length; i++) {
-    const ch = chapters[i]
-    const startMs = ch.start_time ? new Date(ch.start_time).getTime() : NaN
-    const endRaw = ch.end_time ?? ch.start_time
-    const endMs = endRaw ? new Date(endRaw).getTime() : NaN
-    if (!Number.isNaN(startMs) && !Number.isNaN(endMs) && chartMs >= startMs && chartMs <= endMs) {
-      return i
-    }
+    const start = chapterStartScrub(chapters[i], tMin, tRange)
+    const end = chapterEndScrub(chapters[i], tMin, tRange)
+    if (start === null || end === null) continue
+    const lo = Math.min(start, end)
+    const hi = Math.max(start, end)
+    if (scrubTime >= lo && scrubTime <= hi) return i
   }
   return null
 }
@@ -80,3 +81,52 @@ export function chapterTourDurations(chapters: Chapter[], totalMs = 90_000): num
   const perChapter = totalMs / chapters.length
   return chapters.map(() => perChapter)
 }
+
+/** Decimated position axis labels, e.g. P1, P5, P10, P15, P20. */
+export function decimatedPositionLabels(maxPos: number): number[] {
+  if (maxPos <= 1) return [1]
+  const labels = new Set<number>([1])
+  for (let pos = 5; pos < maxPos; pos += 5) {
+    labels.add(pos)
+  }
+  labels.add(maxPos)
+  return [...labels].sort((a, b) => a - b)
+}
+
+/** Subtle background fill for chapter time-bands on the position graph. */
+export function chapterBandFill(kind: string): string {
+  switch (kind) {
+    case 'safety_car':
+      return 'rgba(255, 153, 0, 0.14)'
+    case 'virtual_safety_car':
+      return 'rgba(255, 204, 0, 0.12)'
+    case 'red_flag':
+      return 'rgba(230, 36, 41, 0.12)'
+    case 'pit_phase':
+      return 'rgba(96, 165, 250, 0.08)'
+    case 'decisive_swing':
+      return 'rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.08)'
+    case 'finish':
+      return 'rgba(255, 204, 0, 0.06)'
+    default:
+      return 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03)'
+  }
+}
+
+/** Minimum vertical spacing between colliding labels (SVG units). */
+export function deCollideYPositions(
+  items: ReadonlyArray<{ key: string | number; y: number }>,
+  minGap = 12,
+): Map<string | number, number> {
+  if (items.length === 0) return new Map()
+  const sorted = [...items].sort((a, b) => a.y - b.y)
+  const adjusted = sorted.map((item) => ({ ...item }))
+  for (let i = 1; i < adjusted.length; i++) {
+    const prev = adjusted[i - 1]
+    const curr = adjusted[i]
+    if (curr.y - prev.y < minGap) {
+      curr.y = prev.y + minGap
+    }
+  }
+  return new Map(adjusted.map((item) => [item.key, item.y]))
+}

frontend/src/lib/live.ts

@@ -268,6 +268,63 @@ export function driverCode(row: LiveTimingRow): string {
   return row.Info?.Tla || row.RacingNumber
 }
 
+/**
+ * Parse an F1 lap-time string ("1:45.944", "45.944") into total seconds.
+ * Returns null for empty/invalid values so callers never invent a gap.
+ */
+export function parseLapTimeSeconds(value: string | null | undefined): number | null {
+  if (!value) return null
+  const match = value.trim().match(/^(?:(\d+):)?([0-5]?\d(?:\.\d+)?)$/)
+  if (!match) return null
+  const minutes = match[1] ? Number(match[1]) : 0
+  const seconds = Number(match[2])
+  if (!Number.isFinite(minutes) || !Number.isFinite(seconds)) return null
+  return minutes * 60 + seconds
+}
+
+export interface BestLapGap {
+  isLeader: boolean
+  gap: string
+}
+
+/**
+ * Display-only gap-to-P1 for practice/qualifying, derived from each driver's
+ * valid best lap. Only drivers with a parseable best lap get an entry, and the
+ * fastest is flagged as the leader. Never fabricates a gap from a missing or
+ * invalid lap — the upstream interval remains the source of truth for races.
+ */
+export function bestLapGaps(rows: ReadonlyArray<LiveTimingRow>): Record<string, BestLapGap> {
+  let leaderNumber = ''
+  let best = Infinity
+  for (const row of rows) {
+    const seconds = parseLapTimeSeconds(row.Driver.BestLapTime)
+    if (seconds === null) continue
+    if (seconds < best) {
+      best = seconds
+      leaderNumber = row.RacingNumber
+    }
+  }
+
+  const out: Record<string, BestLapGap> = {}
+  if (!Number.isFinite(best)) return out
+  for (const row of rows) {
+    const seconds = parseLapTimeSeconds(row.Driver.BestLapTime)
+    if (seconds === null) continue
+    out[row.RacingNumber] =
+      row.RacingNumber === leaderNumber
+        ? { isLeader: true, gap: '' }
+        : { isLeader: false, gap: `+${(seconds - best).toFixed(3)}` }
+  }
+  return out
+}
+
+/** True when the live feed reports an in-progress session with timing data. */
+export function isLiveSessionActive(
+  state: { is_live?: boolean; data?: unknown } | null | undefined,
+): boolean {
+  return Boolean(state?.is_live && state.data)
+}
+
 export function trackStatusLabel(status: string): string {
   return TRACK_STATUS_LABELS[status] || status || 'UNKNOWN'
 }

frontend/src/lib/replayMap.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+import type { ReplayFramesResponse, TrackOutline } from '../types'
+
+/** Whether replay map can render (probe uses existing frames + outline queries). */
+export function isReplayMapAvailable(
+  replay: ReplayFramesResponse | null | undefined,
+  outline: TrackOutline | null | undefined,
+  hasError: boolean,
+): boolean {
+  if (hasError) return false
+  const frames = replay?.frames ?? []
+  if (frames.length < 2) return false
+  if (!outline?.points?.length) return false
+  return true
+}

frontend/src/styles/app.css

@@ -112,6 +112,30 @@ a { color: inherit; text-decoration: none; }
 .nav-links a:hover { color: var(--text); background: var(--surface-h); }
 .nav-links a.active { color: var(--text); background: var(--surface-2); }
 
+/* Live nav gets a pulsing marker only while a session is on air. */
+.nav-live { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; }
+.nav-links a.nav-live-on { color: var(--text); font-weight: 600; }
+.nav-live-dot {
+  width: 7px;
+  height: 7px;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  background: var(--red);
+  box-shadow: 0 0 0 0 rgba(225, 6, 0, 0.4);
+  animation: pulse-live 1.6s infinite;
+}
+
+.sr-only {
+  position: absolute;
+  width: 1px;
+  height: 1px;
+  padding: 0;
+  margin: -1px;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  clip: rect(0, 0, 0, 0);
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  border: 0;
+}
+
 .nav-utility {
   margin-left: auto;
   display: flex;

frontend/src/styles/chapters.css

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
   align-items: center;
   justify-content: space-between;
   gap: var(--s4);
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
 }
 
 .chapter-strip-title {
@@ -44,6 +45,31 @@
   color: var(--text);
 }
 
+.chapter-strip-scroll-wrap {
+  position: relative;
+}
+
+.chapter-strip-scroll-wrap::before,
+.chapter-strip-scroll-wrap::after {
+  content: '';
+  position: absolute;
+  top: 0;
+  bottom: var(--s2);
+  width: 28px;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  z-index: 1;
+}
+
+.chapter-strip-scroll-wrap::before {
+  left: 0;
+  background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--bg), transparent);
+}
+
+.chapter-strip-scroll-wrap::after {
+  right: 0;
+  background: linear-gradient(to left, var(--bg), transparent);
+}
+
 .chapter-strip-scroll {
   display: flex;
   gap: var(--s3);
@@ -51,10 +77,26 @@
   padding-bottom: var(--s2);
   scroll-snap-type: x mandatory;
   -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;
+  scrollbar-width: thin;
+  scrollbar-color: var(--border-2) transparent;
+}
+
+.chapter-strip-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar {
+  height: 4px;
+}
+
+.chapter-strip-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-track {
+  background: transparent;
+}
+
+.chapter-strip-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb {
+  background: var(--border-2);
+  border-radius: 999px;
 }
 
 .chapter-card {
   flex: 0 0 min(240px, 72vw);
+  min-height: 88px;
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
   gap: var(--s2);
@@ -64,7 +106,7 @@
   background: var(--surface);
   text-align: left;
   cursor: pointer;
-  scroll-snap-align: start;
+  scroll-snap-align: center;
   transition: border-color 0.15s, background 0.15s, box-shadow 0.15s;
 }
 
@@ -145,10 +187,22 @@
   -webkit-line-clamp: 2;
   -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
   overflow: hidden;
+  flex: 1;
 }
 
-.chapter-strip-empty {
-  font-size: 12px;
-  color: var(--text-3);
-  padding: var(--s3) 0;
+.chapter-strip-empty-card {
+  padding: var(--s6) var(--s5);
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.chapter-strip-empty-card .empty-state-icon {
+  display: block;
+  margin: 0 auto var(--s3);
+  color: var(--text-3);
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 900px) {
+  .chapter-strip-header {
+    align-items: flex-start;
+  }
 }

frontend/src/styles/race-story.css

@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+.race-story-empty-card {
+  padding: var(--s6) var(--s5);
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+.race-story-empty-card .empty-state-icon {
+  display: block;
+  margin: 0 auto var(--s3);
+  color: var(--text-3);
+}
+
+.rs-replay-shell {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+  gap: var(--s5);
+  align-items: stretch;
+}
+
+.rs-replay-shell--split {
+  grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1.4fr) minmax(260px, 0.8fr);
+}
+
+.rs-replay-main {
+  min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.rs-chart-container {
+  --rs-chart-max-width: 100%;
+}
+
+.rs-chart-container--full {
+  --rs-chart-max-width: 100%;
+}
+
+.rs-segmented-control {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: stretch;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  gap: 0;
+  margin-top: var(--s3);
+  border: 1px solid var(--border-2);
+  border-radius: var(--s1);
+  background: var(--surface);
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.rs-segment {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  min-height: 30px;
+  padding: 0 var(--s4);
+  font-family: var(--f-mono);
+  font-size: 10px;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
+  color: var(--text-3);
+  background: transparent;
+  border: none;
+  border-right: 1px solid var(--border);
+  cursor: pointer;
+  transition: background 0.12s, color 0.12s;
+}
+
+.rs-segment:last-child {
+  border-right: none;
+}
+
+.rs-segment:hover:not(:disabled) {
+  color: var(--text);
+  background: var(--surface-h);
+}
+
+.rs-segment:focus-visible {
+  outline: 2px solid var(--red);
+  outline-offset: -2px;
+  z-index: 1;
+}
+
+.rs-segment.active {
+  color: var(--text);
+  background: rgba(230, 36, 41, 0.12);
+  box-shadow: inset 0 -2px 0 var(--red);
+}
+
+.rs-segment:disabled {
+  opacity: 0.45;
+  cursor: not-allowed;
+}
+
+.rs-segment-divider {
+  width: 1px;
+  align-self: stretch;
+  background: var(--border);
+  flex-shrink: 0;
+}
+
+.rs-replay-map-slot {
+  min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.rs-position-chart-svg {
+  width: 100%;
+  min-width: 280px;
+  max-width: var(--rs-chart-max-width, 640px);
+  display: block;
+}
+
+.rs-chart-axis-label {
+  fill: var(--text-3);
+  font-family: var(--f-mono);
+  font-size: 9px;
+}
+
+.rs-chart-grid-line {
+  stroke: var(--border);
+  stroke-width: 0.5;
+}
+
+.rs-chart-lap-tick {
+  stroke: var(--border);
+  stroke-width: 1;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 900px) {
+  .rs-replay-shell--split {
+    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+  }
+
+  .rs-segmented-control {
+    width: 100%;
+  }
+
+  .rs-segment {
+    flex: 1 1 auto;
+  }
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 560px) {
+  .rs-segmented-control {
+    flex-direction: column;
+    align-items: stretch;
+  }
+
+  .rs-segment {
+    border-right: none;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
+  }
+
+  .rs-segment:last-child {
+    border-bottom: none;
+  }
+
+  .rs-segment-divider {
+    display: none;
+  }
+}

frontend/src/styles/replay-map.css

@@ -1,76 +1,9 @@
-.rs-replay-shell {
-  display: grid;
-  grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1.4fr) minmax(260px, 0.8fr);
-  gap: var(--s5);
-  align-items: stretch;
-}
-
-.rs-replay-main {
-  min-width: 0;
-}
-
-.rs-replay-tools {
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  flex-wrap: wrap;
-  gap: var(--s3);
-  margin-top: var(--s3);
-}
-
-.rs-tool-btn,
-.rs-speed-btn {
-  height: 28px;
-  padding: 0 var(--s4);
-  font-family: var(--f-mono);
-  font-size: 10px;
-  font-weight: 700;
-  color: var(--text-2);
-  background: var(--surface);
-  border: 1px solid var(--border-2);
-  border-radius: 2px;
-  cursor: pointer;
-}
-
-.rs-tool-btn:hover,
-.rs-speed-btn:hover {
-  color: var(--text);
-  border-color: var(--text-3);
-}
-
-.rs-tool-btn.active,
-.rs-speed-btn.active {
-  color: var(--text);
-  border-color: var(--red);
-  background: rgba(230, 36, 41, 0.12);
-}
-
-.rs-speed-group {
-  display: inline-flex;
-  gap: 2px;
-}
-
-.rs-replay-map-slot {
-  min-width: 0;
-}
-
-.rs-replay-map-placeholder {
-  min-height: 244px;
-  display: grid;
-  place-items: center;
-  padding: var(--s5);
-  color: var(--text-3);
-  font-family: var(--f-mono);
-  font-size: 11px;
-  text-align: center;
-  border: 1px dashed var(--border-2);
-  background: var(--surface);
-}
-
 .replay-map-panel {
   min-height: 244px;
   height: 100%;
   border: 1px solid var(--border);
   background: var(--surface);
+  border-radius: var(--s2);
 }
 
 .replay-map-stage {
@@ -143,19 +76,16 @@
   stroke-width: 1.2;
 }
 
-.replay-map-empty {
+.replay-map-empty-card {
   min-height: 244px;
   display: grid;
-  place-items: center;
-  padding: var(--s5);
-  color: var(--text-3);
-  font-family: var(--f-mono);
-  font-size: 11px;
-  text-align: center;
+  place-content: center;
+  padding: var(--s6);
+  margin: 0;
 }
 
-@media (max-width: 860px) {
-  .rs-replay-shell {
-    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
-  }
+.replay-map-empty-card .empty-state-icon {
+  display: block;
+  margin: 0 auto var(--s3);
+  color: var(--text-3);
 }

frontend/src/test/ChapterStrip.test.tsx

@@ -68,6 +68,25 @@ describe('ChapterStrip', () => {
     expect(screen.getByText('L12–L15')).toBeInTheDocument()
   })
 
+  it('renders an empty-state card when there are no chapters', () => {
+    const queryClient = new QueryClient({ defaultOptions: { queries: { retry: false } } })
+    render(
+      <QueryClientProvider client={queryClient}>
+        <ChapterStrip
+          chapters={[]}
+          scrubTime={null}
+          tMin={tMin}
+          tRange={tRange}
+          tourActive={false}
+          tourChapterIndex={null}
+          onChapterClick={vi.fn()}
+          onTourToggle={vi.fn()}
+        />
+      </QueryClientProvider>,
+    )
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('chapter-strip-empty')).toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+
   it('highlights the active chapter from scrub time', () => {
     const scrub = (new Date('2025-05-25T13:13:00Z').getTime() - tMin) / tRange
     renderStrip({ scrubTime: scrub })
@@ -84,4 +103,26 @@ describe('ChapterStrip', () => {
     expect(index).toBe(1)
     expect(scrub).toBeCloseTo(0.6, 2)
   })
+
+  it('highlights an explicitly selected chapter even when scrub is outside its raw window', () => {
+    // Scrub parked at chart start; chapter 1's raw times are mid-race, but selection wins.
+    const queryClient = new QueryClient({ defaultOptions: { queries: { retry: false } } })
+    render(
+      <QueryClientProvider client={queryClient}>
+        <ChapterStrip
+          chapters={chapters}
+          scrubTime={0}
+          tMin={tMin}
+          tRange={tRange}
+          tourActive={false}
+          tourChapterIndex={null}
+          selectedChapterIndex={1}
+          onChapterClick={vi.fn()}
+          onTourToggle={vi.fn()}
+        />
+      </QueryClientProvider>,
+    )
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('chapter-card-1')).toHaveClass('active')
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('chapter-card-0')).not.toHaveClass('active')
+  })
 })

frontend/src/test/LiveComponents.test.tsx

@@ -209,6 +209,32 @@ describe('TimingTower', () => {
     expect(screen.getByText('DRS range')).toBeInTheDocument()
   })
 
+  it('derives a gap to P1 from best laps when the practice feed omits GapToLeader', () => {
+    const practiceRows = [
+      makeRow('1', 1, 'VER', { BestLapTime: '1:45.944', GapToLeader: '' }),
+      makeRow('4', 2, 'NOR', { BestLapTime: '1:46.134', GapToLeader: '' }),
+      makeRow('16', 3, 'LEC', { BestLapTime: '', GapToLeader: '' }),
+    ]
+    render(
+      <TimingTower
+        rows={practiceRows}
+        session={{
+          MeetingName: 'Belgian Grand Prix',
+          CircuitName: 'Spa',
+          SessionType: 'Practice',
+          SessionName: 'Practice 2',
+          Path: '',
+        }}
+      />,
+    )
+    // Leader shows a clear leader marker, not a fabricated gap.
+    expect(screen.getByText('VER').closest('tr')).toHaveTextContent('—')
+    expect(screen.getByText('+0.190')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    // A driver without a valid best lap gets no invented gap.
+    const lecRow = screen.getByText('LEC').closest('tr')!
+    expect(lecRow).not.toHaveTextContent('+')
+  })
+
   it('renders the SQ1 cutoff after P17 and marks rows below as at risk', () => {
     const sprintRows = Array.from({ length: 22 }, (_, index) =>
       makeRow(String(index + 1), index + 1, `D${index + 1}`),

frontend/src/test/LiveTimingPage.test.tsx

@@ -153,6 +153,29 @@ describe('LiveTimingPage archive mode', () => {
     expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: /view last session/i })).not.toBeInTheDocument()
   })
 
+  it('renders the live session for a red-flag paused snapshot instead of the inactive empty state', async () => {
+    renderPage({
+      is_live: true,
+      data: {
+        ...archivedSnapshot,
+        SessionStatus: 'Inactive',
+        TrackStatus: '2',
+        Clock: '00:03:27',
+        Session: {
+          MeetingName: 'Belgian Grand Prix',
+          CircuitName: 'Spa-Francorchamps',
+          SessionType: 'Practice',
+          SessionName: 'Practice 2',
+          Path: '',
+        },
+      },
+    })
+
+    expect(await screen.findByText('Timing Tower')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId('live-empty')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId('live-archive-strip')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+
   it('temporarily omits the track map while live GPS is unavailable', async () => {
     renderPage({
       is_live: true,

frontend/src/test/RaceStoryCanvas.test.tsx

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { QueryClient, QueryClientProvider } from '@tanstack/react-query'
 import { fireEvent, render, screen, waitFor } from '@testing-library/react'
 import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 import { RaceStoryCanvas } from '../components/RaceStoryCanvas'
-import type { RaceHub, ReplayFramesResponse, TrackOutline } from '../types'
+import type { Chapter, RaceHub, ReplayFramesResponse, TrackOutline } from '../types'
 
 vi.mock('../api', () => ({
   fetchReplayFrames: vi.fn(),
@@ -28,9 +28,35 @@ const replay: ReplayFramesResponse = {
   session_key: 99,
   interval_ms: 5000,
   start_time: '2025-05-25T13:00:00Z',
-  frames: [{ t: 0, cars: { '1': { x: 10, y: 20 } } }],
+  frames: [
+    { t: 0, cars: { '1': { x: 10, y: 20 } } },
+    { t: 5000, cars: { '1': { x: 50, y: 50 } } },
+  ],
 }
 
+const chapters: Chapter[] = [
+  {
+    kind: 'start',
+    title: 'Start',
+    headline: 'Lights out',
+    start_lap: 1,
+    end_lap: 1,
+    start_time: '2025-05-25T13:00:00Z',
+    end_time: '2025-05-25T13:01:00Z',
+    driver_numbers: [],
+  },
+  {
+    kind: 'safety_car',
+    title: 'Safety Car',
+    headline: 'Incident brings out the Safety Car',
+    start_lap: 2,
+    end_lap: 2,
+    start_time: '2025-05-25T13:05:00Z',
+    end_time: '2025-05-25T13:05:00Z',
+    driver_numbers: [],
+  },
+]
+
 const raceHub: RaceHub = {
   source: 'local',
   session_key: 99,
@@ -103,14 +129,14 @@ const raceHub: RaceHub = {
   race_control: [],
   weather: [],
   laps: [],
-  chapters: [],
+  chapters,
 }
 
-function renderCanvas() {
+function renderCanvas(overrides: Partial<RaceHub> = {}) {
   const queryClient = new QueryClient({ defaultOptions: { queries: { retry: false } } })
   return render(
     <QueryClientProvider client={queryClient}>
-      <RaceStoryCanvas data={raceHub} />
+      <RaceStoryCanvas data={{ ...raceHub, ...overrides }} />
     </QueryClientProvider>,
   )
 }
@@ -122,14 +148,144 @@ describe('RaceStoryCanvas replay map', () => {
     mockFetchTrackOutline.mockResolvedValue(outline)
   })
 
-  it('fetches replay frames lazily when the map panel opens', async () => {
+  it('probes replay frames on mount and opens the map when data is available', async () => {
     renderCanvas()
 
-    expect(mockFetchReplayFrames).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Map' }))
-
     await waitFor(() => expect(mockFetchReplayFrames).toHaveBeenCalledWith(99, 5000))
     expect(mockFetchTrackOutline).toHaveBeenCalledWith(1, 2025)
+
+    const mapToggle = await screen.findByTestId('replay-map-toggle')
+    fireEvent.click(mapToggle)
+
     expect(await screen.findByTestId('replay-track-map')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('replay-map-slot')).toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+
+  it('hides the map toggle when replay frames are unavailable', async () => {
+    mockFetchReplayFrames.mockResolvedValue({ ...replay, frames: [] })
+    renderCanvas()
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(mockFetchReplayFrames).toHaveBeenCalled())
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.queryByTestId('replay-map-toggle')).not.toBeInTheDocument())
+  })
+
+  it('uses full-width chart layout when the map is closed', async () => {
+    renderCanvas()
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(mockFetchReplayFrames).toHaveBeenCalled())
+    const chart = screen.getByTestId('position-chart')
+    expect(chart).toHaveClass('rs-chart-container--full')
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId('replay-map-slot')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(document.querySelector('.rs-replay-shell--split')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+
+  it('uses lap timing rather than pre-race position samples for the chart scale', () => {
+    const laps = Array.from({ length: 20 }, (_, index) => ({
+      session_key: 99,
+      driver_number: 1,
+      meeting_key: 1,
+      lap_number: index + 1,
+      date_start: `2025-05-25T13:${String(index).padStart(2, '0')}:00Z`,
+      lap_duration: 60,
+      is_pit_out_lap: false,
+    }))
+
+    renderCanvas({
+      results: [{ ...raceHub.results[0], number_of_laps: 20 }],
+      laps,
+      positions: [
+        { session_key: 99, driver_number: 1, meeting_key: 1, date: '2025-05-25T12:00:00Z', position: 1 },
+        { session_key: 99, driver_number: 1, meeting_key: 1, date: '2025-05-25T13:20:00Z', position: 1 },
+      ],
+    })
+
+    // L10 is the end of the tenth 60s lap, exactly halfway through the race.
+    const lapTenLabel = screen.getByText('L10')
+    expect(lapTenLabel.previousElementSibling).toHaveAttribute('x1', '316')
+    // The pre-race position is retained as the starting grid at the left edge.
+    expect(document.querySelector('.rs-driver-line')).toHaveAttribute('points', '40,8 592,8 592,8')
+  })
+
+  it('maps cursor positions from rendered pixels to the SVG viewBox', () => {
+    renderCanvas()
+
+    const svg = document.querySelector('.rs-position-chart-svg')!
+    vi.spyOn(svg, 'getBoundingClientRect').mockReturnValue({
+      x: 0,
+      y: 0,
+      width: 1280,
+      height: 360,
+      top: 0,
+      right: 1280,
+      bottom: 360,
+      left: 0,
+      toJSON: () => ({}),
+    })
+
+    const pointerMove = new Event('pointermove', { bubbles: true })
+    Object.defineProperty(pointerMove, 'clientX', { value: 640 })
+    fireEvent(screen.getByTestId('position-chart-interaction'), pointerMove)
+
+    // 640px is the middle of a 1280px rendered chart, which is x=320 in its 640-unit viewBox.
+    expect(document.querySelector('.rs-playhead')).toHaveAttribute('x1', '320')
+  })
+
+  it('syncs active chapter highlight when a chapter card is clicked', async () => {
+    renderCanvas()
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('chapter-card-1'))
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByTestId('chapter-card-1')).toHaveClass('active'))
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('chapter-card-0')).not.toHaveClass('active')
+  })
+
+  it('highlights out-of-window chapters after click (clamped scrub + selection)', async () => {
+    // Position samples start at 13:05; start chapter ends at 13:01 — outside the window.
+    renderCanvas({
+      positions: [
+        { session_key: 99, driver_number: 1, meeting_key: 1, date: '2025-05-25T13:05:00Z', position: 1 },
+        { session_key: 99, driver_number: 1, meeting_key: 1, date: '2025-05-25T13:10:00Z', position: 1 },
+      ],
+      chapters: [
+        {
+          kind: 'start',
+          title: 'Start',
+          headline: 'Lights out before samples',
+          start_lap: 1,
+          end_lap: 1,
+          start_time: '2025-05-25T13:00:00Z',
+          end_time: '2025-05-25T13:01:00Z',
+          driver_numbers: [],
+        },
+        {
+          kind: 'finish',
+          title: 'Finish',
+          headline: 'Flag after samples',
+          start_lap: 78,
+          end_lap: 78,
+          start_time: '2025-05-25T13:20:00Z',
+          end_time: '2025-05-25T13:21:00Z',
+          driver_numbers: [],
+        },
+      ],
+    })
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('chapter-card-0'))
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByTestId('chapter-card-0')).toHaveClass('active'))
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('chapter-card-1')).not.toHaveClass('active')
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('chapter-card-1'))
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByTestId('chapter-card-1')).toHaveClass('active'))
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('chapter-card-0')).not.toHaveClass('active')
+  })
+
+  it('renders the empty-state card when positions are unavailable', () => {
+    renderCanvas({
+      datasets: { positions: { status: 'missing', source: 'local', count: 0 } },
+      positions: [],
+      chapters: [],
+    })
+
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('race-story-no-positions')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByText('Lap-by-lap positions not available')).toBeInTheDocument()
   })
 })

frontend/src/test/ReplayTrackMap.test.tsx

@@ -44,9 +44,10 @@ const results: EnrichedResult[] = [
 ]
 
 describe('ReplayTrackMap', () => {
-  it('renders an empty state when replay frames are missing', () => {
+  it('renders an empty-state card when replay frames are missing', () => {
     render(<ReplayTrackMap outline={outline} replay={{ ...replay, frames: [] }} tMs={0} drivers={[]} results={results} />)
-    expect(screen.getByTestId('replay-track-map')).toHaveTextContent(/historical GPS unavailable/i)
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('replay-map-no-frames')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByText('Historical GPS unavailable')).toBeInTheDocument()
   })
 
   it('renders car labels from result metadata', () => {

frontend/src/test/SessionBanner.test.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
+import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react'
+import { SessionBanner } from '../components/live/SessionBanner'
+import type { LiveStreamData } from '../types'
+
+function makeSnapshot(sessionType: string, sessionName: string): LiveStreamData {
+  return {
+    Drivers: {},
+    DriverInfo: {},
+    Tyres: {},
+    RCMessages: [],
+    Weather: { AirTemp: 0, TrackTemp: 0, Humidity: 0, WindSpeed: 0, WindDir: 0, Rainfall: false },
+    Session: {
+      MeetingName: 'Belgian Grand Prix',
+      CircuitName: 'Spa-Francorchamps',
+      SessionType: sessionType,
+      SessionName: sessionName,
+      Path: '',
+    },
+    TeamRadio: [],
+    TrackStatus: '1',
+    CurrentLap: 0,
+    TotalLaps: 0,
+    Clock: '00:45:00',
+    ClockRefTime: '',
+    ClockExtrapolating: false,
+    Stints: {},
+  }
+}
+
+describe('SessionBanner', () => {
+  it('never renders a race lap counter for a practice session', () => {
+    render(
+      <SessionBanner
+        isLive
+        snapshot={makeSnapshot('Practice', 'Practice 2')}
+        rows={[]}
+        connection="connected"
+        now={0}
+      />,
+    )
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId('live-lap-counter')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+    // Session identity and clock stay intact.
+    expect(screen.getByText('Belgian Grand Prix')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('live-clock')).toHaveTextContent('00:45:00')
+  })
+
+  it('shows the lap counter for a race session', () => {
+    const snapshot = { ...makeSnapshot('Race', 'Race'), CurrentLap: 12, TotalLaps: 44 }
+    render(
+      <SessionBanner
+        isLive
+        snapshot={snapshot}
+        rows={[]}
+        connection="connected"
+        now={0}
+      />,
+    )
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('live-lap-counter')).toHaveTextContent('L12/44')
+  })
+})

frontend/src/test/TyreDegPanel.test.tsx

@@ -81,14 +81,20 @@ describe('TyreDegPanel', () => {
     expect(panel).toHaveTextContent('→ ~P2')
   })
 
-  it('hides the rejoin estimate outside race sessions and collapses on toggle', () => {
+  it('collapses by default outside race sessions and hides the rejoin estimate when expanded', () => {
     render(<TyreDegPanel rows={snapshotRows(3, '1:30.000')} sessionType="Qualifying" pinned={[]} />)
     const panel = screen.getByTestId('tyredeg-panel')
-    expect(panel).not.toHaveTextContent('~P')
 
-    expect(screen.getAllByTestId('tyredeg-row')).toHaveLength(2)
-    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /tyre deg/i }))
+    // Practice/qualifying starts collapsed so the Timing Tower stays above the fold.
     expect(screen.queryAllByTestId('tyredeg-row')).toHaveLength(0)
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /tyre deg/i }))
+    expect(screen.getAllByTestId('tyredeg-row')).toHaveLength(2)
+    expect(panel).not.toHaveTextContent('~P')
+  })
+
+  it('starts expanded during a race', () => {
+    render(<TyreDegPanel rows={snapshotRows(3, '1:30.000')} sessionType="Race" pinned={[]} />)
+    expect(screen.getAllByTestId('tyredeg-row')).toHaveLength(2)
   })
 
   it('limits rows to the top ten plus pinned drivers', () => {

frontend/src/test/chapters.test.ts

@@ -1,10 +1,13 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
 import {
   activeChapterIndex,
+  chapterBandFill,
   chapterKindLabel,
   chapterLapRange,
   chapterStartScrub,
   chapterTourDurations,
+  deCollideYPositions,
+  decimatedPositionLabels,
 } from '../lib/chapters'
 import type { Chapter } from '../types'
 
@@ -57,7 +60,65 @@ describe('chapters lib', () => {
     expect(activeChapterIndex(sampleChapters, scrub, tMin, tRange)).toBe(1)
   })
 
+  it('activates chapters whose timestamps clamp outside the position window', () => {
+    // Position samples only cover 13:05–13:10; chapters sit before/after that window.
+    const tMin = new Date('2025-05-25T13:05:00Z').getTime()
+    const tMax = new Date('2025-05-25T13:10:00Z').getTime()
+    const tRange = tMax - tMin
+    const outOfWindow: Chapter[] = [
+      {
+        kind: 'start',
+        title: 'Start',
+        headline: 'Lights out',
+        start_lap: 1,
+        end_lap: 1,
+        start_time: '2025-05-25T13:00:00Z',
+        end_time: '2025-05-25T13:01:00Z',
+        driver_numbers: [],
+      },
+      {
+        kind: 'finish',
+        title: 'Finish',
+        headline: 'Chequered flag',
+        start_lap: 78,
+        end_lap: 78,
+        start_time: '2025-05-25T13:20:00Z',
+        end_time: '2025-05-25T13:21:00Z',
+        driver_numbers: [],
+      },
+    ]
+
+    expect(chapterStartScrub(outOfWindow[0], tMin, tRange)).toBe(0)
+    expect(chapterStartScrub(outOfWindow[1], tMin, tRange)).toBe(1)
+    expect(activeChapterIndex(outOfWindow, 0, tMin, tRange)).toBe(0)
+    expect(activeChapterIndex(outOfWindow, 1, tMin, tRange)).toBe(1)
+    expect(activeChapterIndex(outOfWindow, 0.5, tMin, tRange)).toBeNull()
+  })
+
   it('splits 90s evenly across chapters', () => {
     expect(chapterTourDurations(sampleChapters)).toEqual([45_000, 45_000])
   })
+
+  it('decimates position axis labels', () => {
+    expect(decimatedPositionLabels(22)).toEqual([1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 22])
+  })
+
+  it('returns chapter band fills by kind', () => {
+    expect(chapterBandFill('safety_car')).toContain('rgba')
+    expect(chapterBandFill('virtual_safety_car')).toContain('rgba')
+  })
+
+  it('de-collides overlapping label y positions', () => {
+    const adjusted = deCollideYPositions(
+      [
+        { key: 'a', y: 10 },
+        { key: 'b', y: 12 },
+        { key: 'c', y: 30 },
+      ],
+      12,
+    )
+    expect(adjusted.get('a')).toBe(10)
+    expect(adjusted.get('b')).toBe(22)
+    expect(adjusted.get('c')).toBe(34)
+  })
 })

frontend/src/test/live.test.ts

@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
 import {
+  bestLapGaps,
   compoundClass,
   compoundLetter,
   extrapolateClock,
+  isLiveSessionActive,
   latestRaceControl,
   liveSessionDisplay,
   loadPinnedDrivers,
   mergeVisibleSectors,
+  parseLapTimeSeconds,
   positionDeltaClass,
   parseLiveStateEvent,
   rcFlagClass,
@@ -279,6 +282,43 @@ describe('live qualifying display', () => {
   })
 })
 
+describe('practice/qualifying computed gaps', () => {
+  it('parses lap-time strings into seconds and rejects invalid input', () => {
+    expect(parseLapTimeSeconds('1:45.944')).toBeCloseTo(105.944, 3)
+    expect(parseLapTimeSeconds('45.944')).toBeCloseTo(45.944, 3)
+    expect(parseLapTimeSeconds('')).toBeNull()
+    expect(parseLapTimeSeconds(undefined)).toBeNull()
+    expect(parseLapTimeSeconds('-')).toBeNull()
+    expect(parseLapTimeSeconds('nope')).toBeNull()
+  })
+
+  it('derives a gap to P1 from valid best laps only, flagging the leader', () => {
+    const gaps = bestLapGaps([
+      timingRow('1', 1, { BestLapTime: '1:45.944' }),
+      timingRow('4', 2, { BestLapTime: '1:46.134' }),
+      timingRow('16', 3, { BestLapTime: '' }),
+    ])
+    expect(gaps['1']).toEqual({ isLeader: true, gap: '' })
+    expect(gaps['4']).toEqual({ isLeader: false, gap: '+0.190' })
+    // No valid best lap → no fabricated gap.
+    expect(gaps['16']).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+
+  it('returns no gaps when nobody has set a lap', () => {
+    expect(bestLapGaps([timingRow('1', 1, { BestLapTime: '' })])).toEqual({})
+  })
+})
+
+describe('live session activity', () => {
+  it('is active only when the feed reports a live session with data', () => {
+    expect(isLiveSessionActive({ is_live: true, data: snapshot })).toBe(true)
+    expect(isLiveSessionActive({ is_live: true, data: null })).toBe(false)
+    expect(isLiveSessionActive({ is_live: false, data: snapshot })).toBe(false)
+    expect(isLiveSessionActive(null)).toBe(false)
+    expect(isLiveSessionActive(undefined)).toBe(false)
+  })
+})
+
 describe('visible sector display', () => {
   it('holds S1 and S2 through temporary blanks while a flying lap is active', () => {
     const first = [timingRow('4', 1, {

frontend/src/test/replayMap.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
+import { isReplayMapAvailable } from '../lib/replayMap'
+import type { ReplayFramesResponse, TrackOutline } from '../types'
+
+const outline: TrackOutline = {
+  circuit_key: 1,
+  bounds: { minX: 0, maxX: 100, minY: 0, maxY: 100 },
+  points: [{ x: 0, y: 0 }],
+}
+
+const replay: ReplayFramesResponse = {
+  session_key: 1,
+  interval_ms: 5000,
+  start_time: '2025-05-25T13:00:00Z',
+  frames: [
+    { t: 0, cars: {} },
+    { t: 5000, cars: {} },
+  ],
+}
+
+describe('isReplayMapAvailable', () => {
+  it('returns true when frames and outline are present', () => {
+    expect(isReplayMapAvailable(replay, outline, false)).toBe(true)
+  })
+
+  it('returns false when frames are sparse', () => {
+    expect(isReplayMapAvailable({ ...replay, frames: [{ t: 0, cars: {} }] }, outline, false)).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('returns false on query error', () => {
+    expect(isReplayMapAvailable(replay, outline, true)).toBe(false)
+  })
+})

internal/live/parser_test.go

@@ -307,6 +307,28 @@ func TestSessionStatusIsActive(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestSessionStatusIsTerminal(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		status string
+		want   bool
+	}{
+		{"Finished", true},
+		{"Finalised", true},
+		{"Finalized", true},
+		{"Ends", true},
+		{"Aborted", true},
+		{"Started", false},
+		{"Resumed", false},
+		{"Inactive", false},
+		{"", false},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		if got := live.SessionStatusIsTerminal(tt.status); got != tt.want {
+			t.Errorf("SessionStatusIsTerminal(%q) = %v, want %v", tt.status, got, tt.want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func TestProcessTopicRaceControlMessages(t *testing.T) {
 	state := live.NewState()
 	data := json.RawMessage(`{
@@ -450,6 +472,62 @@ func TestProcessTopicTimingAppData(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// The feed sends stints as sparse deltas keyed by stint index. Replacing the
+// slice on each delta collapsed pit history to one entry and pinned tyre age
+// near zero — observed live at lap 49 of a 70-lap race, where every driver
+// reported a single stint of age 0 despite having pitted.
+func TestProcessTopicTimingAppDataMergesSparseStintDeltas(t *testing.T) {
+	state := live.NewState()
+	state.ProcessTopic("TimingAppData", json.RawMessage(`{
+		"Lines": {"4": {"Stints": {"0": {"Compound": "MEDIUM", "New": "true", "TotalLaps": 0}}}}
+	}`))
+	// Stint 0 runs to 18 laps, then the driver pits onto a new hard.
+	state.ProcessTopic("TimingAppData", json.RawMessage(`{
+		"Lines": {"4": {"Stints": {"0": {"TotalLaps": 18}}}}
+	}`))
+	state.ProcessTopic("TimingAppData", json.RawMessage(`{
+		"Lines": {"4": {"Stints": {"1": {"Compound": "HARD", "New": "true", "TotalLaps": 0}}}}
+	}`))
+	state.ProcessTopic("TimingAppData", json.RawMessage(`{
+		"Lines": {"4": {"Stints": {"1": {"TotalLaps": 12}}}}
+	}`))
+
+	snap := state.Snapshot()
+	stints := snap.Stints["4"]
+	if len(stints) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 2 stints after a pit stop, got %d: %+v", len(stints), stints)
+	}
+	if stints[0].Compound != "MEDIUM" || stints[0].Laps != 18 {
+		t.Errorf("first stint lost across deltas: %+v", stints[0])
+	}
+	if stints[1].Compound != "HARD" || stints[1].Laps != 12 {
+		t.Errorf("second stint = %+v", stints[1])
+	}
+	if tyre := snap.Tyres["4"]; tyre.Compound != "HARD" || tyre.Age != 12 {
+		t.Errorf("current tyre should track the latest stint, got %+v", tyre)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProcessTopicTimingAppDataIgnoresNonNumericStintKeys(t *testing.T) {
+	state := live.NewState()
+	state.ProcessTopic("TimingAppData", json.RawMessage(`{
+		"Lines": {"4": {"Stints": {"0": {"Compound": "SOFT", "New": "true", "TotalLaps": 9}}}}
+	}`))
+	// "_kf" is a feed key-frame marker, not a stint index. Parsing it as 0
+	// would overwrite the real first stint.
+	state.ProcessTopic("TimingAppData", json.RawMessage(`{
+		"Lines": {"4": {"Stints": {"_kf": {"Compound": "HARD", "TotalLaps": 99}}}}
+	}`))
+
+	stints := state.Snapshot().Stints["4"]
+	if len(stints) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 stint, got %d: %+v", len(stints), stints)
+	}
+	if stints[0].Compound != "SOFT" || stints[0].Laps != 9 {
+		t.Errorf("key-frame marker corrupted stint 0: %+v", stints[0])
+	}
+}
+
 func TestProcessTopicTimingStats(t *testing.T) {
 	state := live.NewState()
 	state.Drivers["55"] = live.LiveDriverData{RacingNumber: "55"}

internal/live/state.go

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"io"
 	"log"
 	"sort"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 )
@@ -404,22 +405,42 @@ func (s *State) ProcessTopic(topic string, data json.RawMessage) bool {
 					Stints json.RawMessage `json:"Stints"`
 				}
 				if json.Unmarshal(lineRaw, &line) == nil && line.Stints != nil {
-					var driverStints []LiveStintData
+					// The feed sends stints as sparse deltas keyed by stint index:
+					// a mid-stint update is just {"1": {"TotalLaps": 14}}. Merge
+					// each entry into the stint it addresses. Replacing the slice
+					// wholesale discarded every earlier stint, so pit history
+					// collapsed to one entry and tyre age stuck near zero for the
+					// whole race.
+					driverStints := append([]LiveStintData(nil), s.Stints[num]...)
+					changed := false
 					for _, sRaw := range indexedRawValues(line.Stints) {
 						var st struct {
-							Compound  string `json:"Compound"`
-							New       string `json:"New"`
-							TotalLaps int    `json:"TotalLaps"`
+							Compound  *string `json:"Compound"`
+							New       *string `json:"New"`
+							TotalLaps *int    `json:"TotalLaps"`
 						}
-						if json.Unmarshal(sRaw.Raw, &st) == nil && st.Compound != "" {
-							driverStints = append(driverStints, LiveStintData{
-								Compound: st.Compound,
-								New:      st.New == "true" || st.New == "True",
-								Laps:     st.TotalLaps,
-							})
+						if json.Unmarshal(sRaw.Raw, &st) != nil {
+							continue
 						}
+						if st.Compound == nil && st.New == nil && st.TotalLaps == nil {
+							continue
+						}
+						for len(driverStints) <= sRaw.Index {
+							driverStints = append(driverStints, LiveStintData{})
+						}
+						entry := &driverStints[sRaw.Index]
+						if st.Compound != nil && *st.Compound != "" {
+							entry.Compound = *st.Compound
+						}
+						if st.New != nil {
+							entry.New = *st.New == "true" || *st.New == "True"
+						}
+						if st.TotalLaps != nil {
+							entry.Laps = *st.TotalLaps
+						}
+						changed = true
 					}
-					if len(driverStints) > 0 {
+					if changed {
 						s.Stints[num] = driverStints
 						lastStint := driverStints[len(driverStints)-1]
 						t := s.Tyres[num]
@@ -874,8 +895,13 @@ func indexedRawValues(raw json.RawMessage) []indexedRaw {
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &obj); err == nil {
 		values := make([]indexedRaw, 0, len(obj))
 		for k, v := range obj {
-			i := 0
-			fmt.Sscanf(k, "%d", &i)
+			// Keys are array indices in the feed's delta form. Non-numeric keys
+			// are feed metadata — "_kf" (key frame) is the common one — and must
+			// not be folded in as index 0, which would clobber the first entry.
+			i, err := strconv.Atoi(k)
+			if err != nil || i < 0 {
+				continue
+			}
 			values = append(values, indexedRaw{Index: i, Raw: v})
 		}
 		sort.Slice(values, func(i, j int) bool {

internal/live/types.go

@@ -186,6 +186,19 @@ func SessionStatusIsActive(status string) bool {
 	}
 }
 
+// SessionStatusIsTerminal reports whether a raw F1 live timing SessionStatus
+// value represents a session that has ended and will not resume. A temporarily
+// inactive session (e.g. a red-flag pause reported as "Inactive") is neither
+// active nor terminal.
+func SessionStatusIsTerminal(status string) bool {
+	switch normalizeSessionStatus(status) {
+	case "finished", "finalised", "finalized", "ends", "aborted":
+		return true
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
 func normalizeSessionStatus(status string) string {
 	out := make([]rune, 0, len(status))
 	for _, r := range status {

internal/web/live.go

@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func (h *SSEHub) applySnapshot(data live.LiveStreamData, now time.Time) liveStat
 	h.mu.Lock()
 	defer h.mu.Unlock()
 
-	if live.SessionStatusIsActive(data.SessionStatus) {
+	if snapshotIsLive(data) {
 		h.isLive = true
 		h.activeSnapshot = &data
 		if data.PositionUpdated && len(data.Positions) > 0 {
@@ -208,6 +208,40 @@ func (h *SSEHub) stateLocked() liveStatePayload {
 	return payload
 }
 
+// snapshotIsLive reports whether the current live-timing snapshot represents an
+// ongoing session that should be surfaced as live.
+//
+// An actively running session (Started/Resumed) is always live. A non-terminal
+// but temporarily inactive session — e.g. a red-flag pause where SessionStatus
+// drops to "Inactive" while the session is still in progress — is also live when
+// the snapshot itself carries live evidence: a session clock with time remaining
+// plus session metadata. This keeps the paused track state visible instead of
+// collapsing to the inactive empty state.
+//
+// Terminal sessions (Finished/Finalised/Ends/Aborted) are never live. A generic
+// inactive/no-session stale snapshot is not live either: the predicate keys off
+// the current snapshot's clock and session, so old metadata alone is not enough.
+func snapshotIsLive(data live.LiveStreamData) bool {
+	if live.SessionStatusIsActive(data.SessionStatus) {
+		return true
+	}
+	if live.SessionStatusIsTerminal(data.SessionStatus) {
+		return false
+	}
+	return clockHasTimeRemaining(data.Clock) && data.Session.SessionName != ""
+}
+
+// clockHasTimeRemaining reports whether an "HH:MM:SS" session clock has any time
+// left. Empty or all-zero clocks (a spent or absent session) return false.
+func clockHasTimeRemaining(clock string) bool {
+	for _, r := range clock {
+		if r >= '1' && r <= '9' {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 func hasLiveSnapshotData(data live.LiveStreamData) bool {
 	return len(data.Drivers) > 0 ||
 		len(data.DriverInfo) > 0 ||

internal/web/live_archive_test.go

@@ -51,6 +51,101 @@ func TestSSEHubArchivesTerminalSessionSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestSnapshotIsLive(t *testing.T) {
+	redFlag := live.LiveStreamData{
+		SessionStatus: "Inactive",
+		TrackStatus:   "2",
+		Clock:         "00:03:27",
+		Session:       live.LiveSessionMeta{MeetingName: "Belgian Grand Prix", SessionName: "Practice 2", SessionType: "Practice"},
+	}
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		data live.LiveStreamData
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{"started", live.LiveStreamData{SessionStatus: "Started"}, true},
+		{"resumed", live.LiveStreamData{SessionStatus: "Resumed"}, true},
+		{"red flag inactive with clock and session", redFlag, true},
+		{"terminal finished with clock", func() live.LiveStreamData {
+			d := redFlag
+			d.SessionStatus = "Finished"
+			return d
+		}(), false},
+		{"inactive spent clock", func() live.LiveStreamData {
+			d := redFlag
+			d.Clock = "00:00:00"
+			return d
+		}(), false},
+		{"inactive no clock", func() live.LiveStreamData {
+			d := redFlag
+			d.Clock = ""
+			return d
+		}(), false},
+		{"inactive no session metadata", func() live.LiveStreamData {
+			d := redFlag
+			d.Session = live.LiveSessionMeta{}
+			return d
+		}(), false},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		if got := snapshotIsLive(tt.data); got != tt.want {
+			t.Errorf("%s: snapshotIsLive = %v, want %v", tt.name, got, tt.want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSSEHubKeepsRedFlagSessionLive(t *testing.T) {
+	hub := newSSEHub()
+	now := time.Date(2026, 7, 26, 14, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+
+	redFlag := live.LiveStreamData{
+		SessionStatus:   "Inactive",
+		TrackStatus:     "2",
+		Clock:           "00:03:27",
+		Session:         live.LiveSessionMeta{MeetingName: "Belgian Grand Prix", SessionName: "Practice 2", SessionType: "Practice"},
+		SnapshotUpdated: true,
+	}
+	state := hub.applySnapshot(redFlag, now)
+
+	if !state.IsLive {
+		t.Fatal("red-flag paused session should report is_live=true")
+	}
+	if state.Data == nil {
+		t.Fatal("red-flag paused session must still send the active snapshot")
+	}
+	if state.Data.TrackStatus != "2" {
+		t.Fatalf("track status = %q, want the paused state \"2\"", state.Data.TrackStatus)
+	}
+	if state.LastSnapshot != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("red-flag session should not be archived: %+v", state.LastSnapshot)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSSEHubStaleInactiveSnapshotNotLive(t *testing.T) {
+	hub := newSSEHub()
+	now := time.Date(2026, 7, 26, 14, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)
+
+	// Inactive snapshot with session metadata but no remaining clock: this is a
+	// stale/no-live-evidence snapshot and must not be surfaced as live.
+	stale := live.LiveStreamData{
+		SessionStatus:   "Inactive",
+		Clock:           "00:00:00",
+		Session:         live.LiveSessionMeta{MeetingName: "Belgian Grand Prix", SessionName: "Practice 2"},
+		SnapshotUpdated: true,
+	}
+	state := hub.applySnapshot(stale, now)
+
+	if state.IsLive {
+		t.Fatal("stale inactive snapshot should report is_live=false")
+	}
+	if state.Data != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("stale inactive snapshot leaked into active data: %+v", state.Data)
+	}
+	if state.LastSnapshot == nil {
+		t.Fatal("stale inactive snapshot with metadata should be archived")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestHandleLiveStateKeepsArchiveOutOfActiveData(t *testing.T) {
 	hub := newSSEHub()
 	now := time.Date(2026, 7, 4, 14, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC)

tests/live-timing.spec.ts

@@ -147,6 +147,58 @@ const sprintQualifyingSnapshot = {
   },
 }
 
+// Practice: the feed sets best laps but no GapToLeader/Interval, and there is
+// no race lap-total concept. Exercises computed gaps, the non-race banner, the
+// collapsed-by-default tyre panel, and the 390px core-field layout.
+const practiceSnapshot = {
+  is_live: true,
+  data: {
+    ...raceSnapshot.data,
+    Drivers: Object.fromEntries(
+      Array.from({ length: 10 }, (_, index) => {
+        const num = String(index + 1)
+        return [
+          num,
+          driver(num, index + 1, '', '', {
+            // Distinct, increasing best laps; P1 fastest, +0.200s per position.
+            BestLapTime: `1:${(45.9 + index * 0.2).toFixed(3).padStart(6, '0')}`,
+            LastLapTime: '1:46.500',
+            NumberOfLaps: 12,
+            Sectors: index === 0
+              ? [
+                  { Value: '28.500', PersonalFastest: true, OverallFastest: false },
+                  { Value: '52.100', PersonalFastest: false, OverallFastest: false },
+                  { Value: '25.344', PersonalFastest: false, OverallFastest: false },
+                ]
+              : [],
+          }),
+        ]
+      }),
+    ),
+    DriverInfo: Object.fromEntries(
+      Array.from({ length: 10 }, (_, index) => {
+        const num = String(index + 1)
+        return [num, info(num, `D${index + 1}`, 'Driver', String(index + 1), 'Test Team', index % 2 ? 'FF8000' : '27F4D2')]
+      }),
+    ),
+    Tyres: Object.fromEntries(
+      Array.from({ length: 10 }, (_, index) => [String(index + 1), { Compound: 'SOFT', New: false, Age: index % 4 }]),
+    ),
+    Session: {
+      MeetingName: 'Belgian Grand Prix',
+      CircuitName: 'Spa-Francorchamps',
+      SessionType: 'Practice',
+      SessionName: 'Practice 2',
+    },
+    TrackStatus: '1',
+    CurrentLap: 0,
+    TotalLaps: 0,
+    Clock: '00:45:00',
+    ClockRefTime: '2026-07-17T13:00:00Z',
+    ClockExtrapolating: false,
+  },
+}
+
 test.describe('Live Timing (mocked snapshot)', () => {
   test.beforeEach(async ({ page }) => {
     await page.route('**/api/v1/live/state', (route) =>
@@ -233,6 +285,94 @@ test.describe('Live Timing (mocked Sprint Qualifying)', () => {
   })
 })
 
+test.describe('Live Timing (mocked Practice)', () => {
+  test.beforeEach(async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.route('**/api/v1/live/state', (route) =>
+      route.fulfill({ contentType: 'application/json', body: JSON.stringify(practiceSnapshot) }),
+    )
+    await page.route('**/api/v1/live/stream', (route) =>
+      route.fulfill({ contentType: 'text/event-stream', body: 'event: heartbeat\ndata: {}\n\n' }),
+    )
+    await page.goto('/live')
+  })
+
+  test('derives a gap to P1 from best laps and marks the leader', async ({ page }) => {
+    const tower = page.locator('.live-tower')
+    await expect(tower).toBeVisible()
+    // P1 shows a leader marker, not a fabricated gap.
+    await expect(tower.locator('tbody tr').first()).toContainText('—')
+    // P2 shows the computed +0.200 delta.
+    await expect(tower).toContainText('+0.200')
+  })
+
+  test('omits the race lap counter and keeps the session clock for practice', async ({ page }) => {
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('live-lap-counter')).toHaveCount(0)
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('live-clock')).toContainText('00:45:00')
+    await expect(page.locator('.live-banner')).not.toContainText('L-/-')
+  })
+
+  test('collapses the tyre panel by default so the tower is above the fold', async ({ page }) => {
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('tyredeg-panel')).toBeVisible()
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('tyredeg-row')).toHaveCount(0)
+    await expect(page.locator('.live-tower')).toBeVisible()
+  })
+
+  test('labels Race Control times as UTC', async ({ page }) => {
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('rc-timezone')).toContainText('UTC')
+  })
+
+  test('marks Live as active in the primary navigation', async ({ page }) => {
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('nav-live')).toHaveAttribute('data-live-active', 'true')
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('nav-live').locator('.nav-live-dot')).toBeVisible()
+  })
+})
+
+test.describe('Live Timing (390px practice viewport)', () => {
+  test.use({ viewport: { width: 390, height: 844 } })
+
+  test.beforeEach(async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.route('**/api/v1/live/state', (route) =>
+      route.fulfill({ contentType: 'application/json', body: JSON.stringify(practiceSnapshot) }),
+    )
+    await page.route('**/api/v1/live/stream', (route) =>
+      route.fulfill({ contentType: 'text/event-stream', body: 'event: heartbeat\ndata: {}\n\n' }),
+    )
+    await page.goto('/live')
+  })
+
+  test('shows the five core fields with no horizontal overflow', async ({ page }) => {
+    const tower = page.locator('.live-tower')
+    await expect(tower).toBeVisible()
+
+    // Core comparison fields are present in the header.
+    await expect(tower.locator('thead')).toContainText('Pos')
+    await expect(tower.locator('thead')).toContainText('Driver')
+    await expect(tower.locator('thead')).toContainText('Tyre')
+    await expect(tower.locator('thead')).toContainText('Best')
+    await expect(tower.locator('thead')).toContainText('Gap to P1')
+
+    // Sectors are hidden from the initial mobile tower (reachable via expand).
+    const firstSector = tower.locator('thead th', { hasText: 'S1' })
+    await expect(firstSector).toBeHidden()
+
+    // The document must not scroll horizontally.
+    const overflow = await page.evaluate(
+      () => document.documentElement.scrollWidth - document.documentElement.clientWidth,
+    )
+    expect(overflow).toBeLessThanOrEqual(0)
+  })
+
+  test('exposes sectors through the row detail interaction', async ({ page }) => {
+    // Sector columns are not in the initial mobile tower...
+    await expect(page.locator('.live-tower thead th', { hasText: 'S1' })).toBeHidden()
+    // ...but the P1 row's sectors are reachable by expanding the row.
+    await page.locator('.live-tower tbody tr', { hasText: 'D1' }).first().click()
+    const sectors = page.getByTestId('expanded-sectors')
+    await expect(sectors).toBeVisible()
+    await expect(sectors).toContainText('28.500')
+  })
+})
+
 test.describe('Live Timing (no session)', () => {
   test('shows the empty state when the feed has no snapshot', async ({ page }) => {
     await page.goto('/live')

tests/race-hub.spec.ts

@@ -39,7 +39,17 @@ test.describe('Race Hub Weekend Workspace', () => {
     await expect(
       page.getByRole('img', { name: 'Position evolution chart' }),
     ).toBeVisible()
-    await expect(page.getByText('Lap-by-lap positions not available.')).not.toBeVisible()
+    await expect(page.getByTestId('race-story-no-positions')).not.toBeVisible()
+  })
+
+  test('Race Story highlights a chapter card when clicked', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.goto(`/race-hub?session_key=${FULL_SESSION}`)
+    await page.getByRole('tab', { name: 'Race Story' }).click()
+
+    const firstCard = page.getByTestId('chapter-card-0')
+    await expect(firstCard).toBeVisible()
+    await firstCard.click()
+    await expect(firstCard).toHaveClass(/active/)
   })
 
   test('strategy tab renders stint chart when stints are available', async ({ page }) => {
@@ -58,13 +68,15 @@ test.describe('Race Hub Weekend Workspace', () => {
     await expect(page.locator('[data-testid="strategy-chart"]')).not.toBeVisible()
   })
 
-  test('Race Story shows missing notice when positions are unavailable', async ({
+  test('Race Story shows empty-state card when positions are unavailable', async ({
     page,
   }) => {
     await page.goto(`/race-hub?session_key=${CORE_ONLY_SESSION}`)
     await page.getByRole('tab', { name: 'Race Story' }).click()
 
-    await expect(page.getByText('Lap-by-lap positions not available.')).toBeVisible()
+    const empty = page.getByTestId('race-story-no-positions')
+    await expect(empty).toBeVisible()
+    await expect(empty.getByText('Lap-by-lap positions not available')).toBeVisible()
     await expect(page.locator('[data-testid="position-chart"]')).not.toBeVisible()
   })
 

tests/visual/helpers.ts

@@ -36,6 +36,14 @@ export async function gotoRaceHubReady(page: Page, sessionKey = FULL_SESSION): P
   await waitForScreenshotReady(page)
 }
 
+export async function gotoRaceStoryReady(page: Page, sessionKey = FULL_SESSION): Promise<void> {
+  await page.goto(`/race-hub?session_key=${sessionKey}`)
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('race-hub')).toBeVisible()
+  await page.getByRole('tab', { name: 'Race Story' }).click()
+  await expect(page.getByTestId('position-chart')).toBeVisible()
+  await waitForScreenshotReady(page)
+}
+
 export async function gotoDataLibraryReady(page: Page): Promise<void> {
   await page.goto('/admin')
   await expect(page.getByTestId('data-library')).toBeVisible()

tests/visual/race-story.spec.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+import { test } from '@playwright/test'
+import { gotoRaceStoryReady, screenshotPage } from './helpers'
+
+test.describe('Race Story visual regression', () => {
+  test('race-story', async ({ page }) => {
+    await gotoRaceStoryReady(page)
+    await screenshotPage(page, 'race-story')
+  })
+})