Chapter 1246 - 469: Hamilton’s Gift
And Qin Miao’s battery pack is the most extraordinary component for Mercedes this season, because it lasted a full 19 races on Qin Miao’s car, and so far, it hasn’t had any faults.
Now it’s being replaced not because there’s any problem with the battery pack, but mainly because the team is considering that if they don’t replace it, the other pack would go to waste?
So they did a preventive replacement for Qin Miao. Although confident that there wouldn’t be any problems, replacing it with a new one will definitely offer better output and storage, and also prevent any issues during the races.
In short, during the Mexican Grand Prix, Qin Miao replaced the entire engine power component of his car.
However, this news might affect other teams’ strategy choices during the race and qualifying stages, and if exposed too early, Qin Miao could be targeted on the track by other teams joining forces.
It’s well-known that Red Bull has two teams, four cars, and nothing they do is surprising.
So this news wasn’t reported during Thursday’s press conference.
As for Thursday, Qin Miao had a pleasant day, and most of the work processes went smoothly.
Interestingly, after Thursday’s work ended, while Qin Miao was reviewing the circuit data he obtained when walking around the track and looking over last season’s onboard videos and data, Hamilton knocked on the door and walked into Qin Miao’s lounge.
Seeing the Old Man at the door, Qin Miao stood up in slight surprise to greet him.
When in front of Hamilton, Qin Miao curiously asked, "Good afternoon Lewis, is there something you need?"
Originally, Qin Miao thought Hamilton came to him at this time for business, but unexpectedly, when Hamilton came over, he directly questioned, "Qimeng is pregnant with such big news, why didn’t you tell me?"
"Ah?" Now it was Qin Miao’s turn to be surprised.
For Qin Miao, and even for his family, this indeed could be considered big news, but for work colleagues and friends like Hamilton, it isn’t particularly significant, right?
Thinking this, Qin Miao still explained, "It’s not a big deal, having a baby is something everyone will go through at some point in life."
"Plus, we’ve been together for a long time, pregnancy was bound to happen, and after Qimeng became pregnant, she likely won’t be coming to the paddock anytime soon, and might even travel abroad less, so I didn’t plan on telling you all."
"No matter what you think, I don’t care about your country’s customs regarding these matters, but as your teammate, I can’t ignore this." Saying this, the Old Man handed a document to Qin Miao.
Seeing the paper document in Hamilton’s hand, wrapped in a transparent plastic file bag, Qin Miao’s mind was full of question marks.
But Qin Miao knew Hamilton would definitely explain, so he didn’t think too much and took the document from Hamilton, curiously asking, "What’s this?"
Hamilton explained, "This is a fund I’m setting up for your future child, something Uncle Lewis is giving as pocket money for your future child.
This fund will start calculating on your child’s birth day, depositing 200 euros of pocket money to his account each month, lasting for eighty years."
Honestly, hearing Hamilton’s explanation, the first thought in Qin Miao’s mind wasn’t gratitude but: Wow, I want this too!
However, shaking off the somewhat whimsical thoughts, Qin Miao had to admit, the wealthy really have their way, even their gifts are so creative.
Directly providing lifelong pocket money for a child indeed sounds like something.
Thinking how having pocket money every month growing up is quite exciting.
After a moment of daze, Qin Miao smiled and shook his head, saying, "Indeed, your gift is quite... ’unique?’ I hope that’s a fitting description. But anyway, thank you, Lewis, I’ll pass on the gift. However, I believe he won’t appreciate your thoughtful gesture in the first few years."
Hamilton chuckled, arms crossed, leaning against the door of Qin Miao’s lounge, saying, "I don’t mind that, but you should understand my sentiment. As a kid, I wished for someone to give me unconditional monthly pocket money, so I could buy both the PS console and the helmet without having to choose between my two favorites due to financial constraints."
"But if I had actually gotten those things in the past, perhaps I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today, who knows..."
Qin Miao naturally understood what Hamilton meant.
The Old Man is different from most drivers in the paddock; he and Qin Miao both came from working-class backgrounds, and their families didn’t have the wealth typical for F1 drivers, so even if they liked something, they couldn’t simply buy it.
"Of course, I understand your feeling." Qin Miao nodded, recalling how as a child he often had things he really wanted but couldn’t get because of parents’ decisions.