The Beast In Me side quest chain in Cyberpunk 2077 presents players with a tense moral crossroads during its final race in Westbrook. What starts as a high-octane street racing tournament quickly transforms into a personal quest for vengeance orchestrated by Afterlife bartender Claire Russell. Deciding whether to help Claire execute her rival Peter Sampson or steer her away from revenge dramatically shapes the conclusion of this storyline.
Understanding Claire's Vendetta in The Beast In Me
Throughout the qualifying races, Claire reveals that her primary goal is not winning the trophy but taking revenge on corporate racer Peter Sampson. She holds Sampson entirely responsible for the fatal crash that killed her husband Dean during the previous year's championship. However, Sampson claims Dean's death was a tragic accident inherent to the brutal nature of Night City death racing.
Before entering the final match, players are forced to navigate crucial conversation choices regarding Claire's intentions. If you express that your sole priority is winning the race, you open a secret dialogue path to reason with her later. Understanding these dialogue nuances allows players to make an informed choice that aligns with their desired reward and narrative outcome.
Consequences of Helping Claire Kill Sampson
If you choose to pursue Sampson during the final race, his vehicle eventually crashes along the roadside. Stepping out of your car leads to a tense standoff where Claire corners Sampson at gunpoint. Supporting her vengeance or letting her pull the trigger results in Sampson's death on the spot.
Following Sampson's execution, Claire expresses gratitude for your assistance during the quest line. She rewards V by gifting her customized truck named Beast, as she no longer wishes to participate in street racing. However, taking this bloodthirsty path permanently locks you out of receiving Sampson's vehicle for free.
What Happens If You Convince Claire to Spare Sampson
To spare Sampson, players must first state that their focus is on winning during their conversation after the Santo Domingo qualifier. When following Sampson in the finale, you can intervene in the confrontation by reasoning with Claire. Reminding her of Dean's memory and highlighting Sampson's side of the story convinces her to put away her weapon.
Choosing mercy provides the absolute best outcome for vehicle collectors in Night City. Claire still awards V her vehicle Beast out of appreciation for your companionship and guidance. Furthermore, a grateful Sampson contacts you a few days later to transfer ownership of his sleek vehicle, the Quadra Type-66 Cthulhu, completely free of charge. To learn more about automotive options, check out for game details.
Choosing to Finish the Final Race Instead
Players also have the option to ignore Claire's pleas and cross the finish line to claim first place in the tournament. Focusing exclusively on the checkered flag secures the grand prize money and race victory. However, this choice severely damages your relationship with Claire, leaving her deeply bitter toward V.
Abandoning her personal mission means you will not receive the Beast truck as a gift from Claire. While Sampson survives, he does not grant you his vehicle either because you failed to protect or spare him intentionally. Consequently, completing the race without following Sampson yields the fewest rewards and the most hostile resolution.
