How Did I Become an F1 Driver?

Qin Miao wasn’t overthinking like Hamilton. After today’s qualifying ended, he simply felt that the car’s overall balance was good, just a bit too understeered. But that’s inevitable, some sacrifices are necessary to regain competitiveness.

After returning to the team room, Qin Miao completed all the follow-up work tasks for the day.

Afterwards, naturally it was time to clock out. If Qin Miao wanted to, he could attend the fan meet and signing event by the track during this period.

But Qin Miao didn’t go, which wasn’t surprising at all.

In the team rest room, he watched Sainz’s fastest lap recording from this race and then flipped through Leclerc’s.

In today’s qualifying, Sainz unusually defeated his teammate Leclerc on the track.

Qin Miao didn’t get the chance to ask Leclerc what happened—their track time difference was only 0.05 seconds. From the in-car footage of both, Qin Miao couldn’t see any significant difference in lap times, and he also couldn’t access Ferrari’s onboard data.

Thus, Qin Miao could only assume it was Leclerc’s own issue, perhaps due to carelessness, or even a mistake.

While Qin Miao was analyzing the competition, his rest room door was knocked.

When Qin Miao opened the door, he saw Frankie standing outside, holding a tablet.

Taking the tablet from Frankie, Qin Miao asked, "How’s the car’s condition?"

Frankie shrugged and said, "The condition is definitely better than we estimated. It should definitely be able to finish this week’s U.S. Grand Prix, but putting aside the car’s wear, the engine’s performance now is at least 15 horsepower less than a brand new one, and the MGU-H’s charging efficiency has noticeably decreased to about 70% of its normal state. Are you sure you don’t want a new one?"

"I know, I know, but the later we change new engine components, the more advantageous it is for us, right?" Qin Miao said as he signed his name on the inspection form displayed on the tablet: "Although I am still leading the points table, and the points gap with Verstappen has even widened, there’s a Chinese saying: ’Half of a hundred miles is ninety.’ No one knows what surprises may occur before the season ends, like Hamilton once said in a season with Rosberg, some people don’t want him to win the driver’s championship that year. Although it’s just Hamilton’s personal opinion."

But... who can say for sure?"

Taking back the computer, Frankie nodded and said, "I’m impressed by your strong sense of crisis even after achieving such accomplishments. But no matter what, during tomorrow’s main race, your car’s performance might not be as strong as you imagine."

"Since you’ve already decided, we’ll clock out. It’s almost curfew time.

Qin Miao nodded, "Got it, then I’ll wish you good night in advance."

"Likewise. I hope your race goes well tomorrow," Frankie bid farewell to Qin Miao.

Watching the figure leaving, Qin Miao let out a breath, then returned to the team home. After reviewing Leclerc and Sainz’s qualifying onboard footages again, he packed his things with Barber and headed back to the hotel.

Not a word was said throughout the night, and the next morning Qin Miao woke up.

On Sunday—a sunny day—ideal for racing.

After completing his routine training in the morning, Qin Miao arrived at the paddock.

Today’s main race would be held in the afternoon, so the morning was mainly about resting and various pre-race preparations.

However, the pre-race driver parade had quite a local American flair.

Drivers, one by one, like pigs waiting for inspection, entered a human-formed channel and then went through it to enter the track. During this process, a host would come around and engage you in conversation, ask questions.

Alongside the channel were cheerleaders wearing shorts and belly tops, holding pom-poms.

Although Qin Miao appeared to handle the entire process with ease, even greeting fans warmly on-site.

Yet, Qin Miao was really not accustomed to such pre-race entry procedures.

But after an awkward opening, Qin Miao and the Old Man still together sat in an old-timer’s car with a rear truck bed, starting the pre-race driver parade.

During this process, Qin Miao waved and greeted the crowd while complaining to Hamilton beside him, "Americans have such strange habits, during interviews I can barely hear anything, only guess what the host might have said."

Hamilton chuckled indifferently, "This is America, when you’re here you need to respect their local culture and customs, you’ll get used to it."

"Besides, don’t you think those cheerleaders dancing near you have great figures?"

Qin Miao briefly recalled, but what came to mind were just a few black men.

"I’m Asian; in terms of aesthetics, perhaps we have different tastes."

"Today saw 440,000 people, creating a historical record for F1. You should show some respect."

...

After the pre-race driver parade ended, Qin Miao and Hamilton returned to the team home to change into their racing suits.