How Did I Become an F1 Driver?

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The dinner was enjoyable for both of them, they also had a pleasant conversation.

Binotto did not remind Qin Miao about anything he should pay attention to after joining Ferrari, as previously mentioned, Qin Miao went there to assist.

Undeniably, Qin Miao has the ability to lead a team forward alone, so after joining Ferrari, he doesn’t need to concern himself with anything; rather, Ferrari must pay attention to Qin Miao’s dietary habits and personal preferences, as they can’t afford to offend this big shot.

After the meal, Qin Miao gave Binotto a tour around his home and gifted him with two boxes of tea that he had prepared in advance before he left.

After all, inviting someone from afar to help, you can’t let them leave empty-handed once the job is done.

Then Binotto left, driving his Alfa Romeo.

After Binotto left, Qin Miao tidied up the room and gave He Qiang a call.

He repeated Binotto’s conditions to him and, amid his gratitude, also provided Binotto’s contact information.

Binotto and Lynk & Co both have intentions to cooperate, just differing on certain terms of the collaboration.

And Qin Miao’s job was concluded once he knew that both parties had intentions to cooperate, then by exchanging contact information, awaiting further developments.

Qin Miao actually hopes both parties reach a collaboration.

After all, on one hand it’s their country’s first F1 team, and on the other hand, it’s Binotto who has valued him since he entered the circuit.

If both can reach cooperation, in Qin Miao’s view, it would truly be a match made in heaven.

But these matters don’t have much to do with Qin Miao.

In the next two days, as the Imola Grand Prix was canceled, the next race is in Monaco.

And during this recent period, because Qin Miao has been working at the team factory, he nearly completed all verification work for the driver parts of the upgrade plans.

In a short time, Qin Miao has no other tasks, and can train using the home simulator.

So Qin Miao directly flew back to Monaco ahead of time.

When arriving at his Monaco home, it was Friday afternoon, and by then, engineering vehicles were already moving near the Monaco pier, erecting the racetrack.

Given that the city-state of Monaco is small, even smaller than a district back home, there’s no possibility for a permanent track to exist in this truly scarce real estate.

Hence, every year before the start of the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, stands and team pit rooms as well as team rest areas are built starting two weeks before the event.

Previously, Qin Miao didn’t notice much, but upon careful observation now he found that the stands and pit rooms are actually modular buildings.

Before race day, cranes on the scene piece these modules together like building blocks.

And besides excavators, men cannot resist building blocks, these two things being combined turns out to be oddly relaxing for Qin Miao.

Just as he had been rushing all day, Qin Miao lost the urge to train, so he moved a chair to his balcony, and also moved a tea table over, placing a pot of tea on it.

Afterwards, Qin Miao enjoyed tea on his balcony while watching the construction below, occasionally glancing at Leclerc’s house.

Just that Le the Fourth was not at home, Qin Miao did not inquire where he had gone.

Under normal circumstances, Qin Miao sitting relaxingly on his balcony watching the scenery is not inappropriate, as Monaco locals abide by their rules, even if recognizing Qin, they wouldn’t take out phones to photograph.

At most, they would greet Qin from downstairs.

But during the Grand Prix season, things are strikingly different, as fans from around the world travel to Monaco.

The diversity of human nature ensures that rule-breakers inevitably appear during this period.

Meanwhile, Monaco’s police force isn’t large, incapable of managing every person in Monaco thoroughly.

Hence, a photo of Qin Miao lazing on his balcony was taken.

And unsurprisingly, the photo was shared online.

Though Mercedes’ PR quickly suppressed it, some fans with good attention still figured out where Qin Miao’s home was from the photo.

Previously mentioned was how Monaco is not large, so deducing Qin Miao’s house location from architectural exteriors isn’t difficult.

Compared to pinpointing his residence, visiting Monaco presents more challenges.

After all, Monaco isn’t cheap in terms of expenses.

But among countless fans worldwide, there will always be some who are rather wealthy.

Not even waiting for the next day, on that very night after Qin finished dinner—intending to stroll for digestion, while checking out Leclerc’s dog’s home—a few fans cornered him when he got downstairs.

"Qin Miao, Qin Miao!"

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Qin Miao, could you sign for me? I’m your fan!"

"Qin Miao, don’t let online matters bug you, those internet trolls know nothing about racing!"

"Qin Miao, I really love you, would you take a photo with me?"

Qin Miao looked bewildered at them, wondering how on earth these fans blocked his home entrance.

Even though facing so many questions, Qin Miao didn’t react excessively, instead warmly smiling while signing for them.

And they seemed premeditated, as when locating him, they had in hand W13 racing model for signing, Qin’s helmet, even signature markers.

While signing, Qin curiously asked, "How did you presume I got upset by trolls?"

The one reassuring Qin not to be swayed by trolls paused.

Qin laughed and explained, "I generally don’t pay attention to online commentary on me."

The person awkwardly scratched their head, "Good to know, good to know."

After signing, Qin returned the items to them, then inquired, "By the way, how did you know I’m here?"

Having the previous question paved, asking this didn’t startle them much.

He asked, and they answered candidly.

"We came touring this week while catching the Monte Carlo Grand Prix next week."

"Then while resting at the hotel, we saw online someone posting your balcony photo, checked Google Maps, found this spot, and thought to hang around to see if we could catch you, never expected we really did."

Qin Miao: ...

Dammit!

Base is exposed!

Probably because tourists or fans in Monaco are less outside race days, most likely no one ambushes outside Qin’s home, even if they came odds are slim as Qin spends over half of each year racing globally as an F1 driver.

But it’s predictable that unless he relocates, every Monaco Grand Prix weekend fans will arrive hoping for a glimpse of him from his doorstep.

This can’t be contained.

After all, racing in Monaco, with his house here, Qin has no reason not to stay home, running to hotels or team motorhomes instead.

Being in the paddock for so long, Qin understands how extreme fan behavior can be.

So after sending them off post-group photos, Qin dialed Leclerc.

The call rang for quite a while before Leclerc answered, his raging voice bursting, "Hey? Qin Miao. If by this time you can’t explain why you bother me, I’ll definitely come to the paddock next week to kill you!"

Clearly, Leclerc was in the middle of something important when Qin called.

Qin at this point wasn’t inclined to tease Leclerc, directly saying, "My home’s position is exposed."

"Huh?"