Chapter 1222 - 460: Joy in My Family
But Qin Miao also knows that if he practices for a long time, the decline in his rain combat ability will slow down.
Although he doesn’t know if the remaining races this season will have rainy conditions, it’s always better to be prepared.
In the upcoming period, Qin Miao has focused intensely, spending almost all his time training in the team-arranged training room except for playing games for two hours before bedtime.
Every day’s training data is transmitted to the Mercedes team headquarters’ data analysis department, which reviews Qin Miao’s daily training results and provides feedback for improvement.
Qin Miao’s routine has returned to what it was in his debut F1 season.
When completely immersed in something, time passes quickly.
Before he knew it, the American Grand Prix was upon him.
On the eve of the Austin Grand Prix, the FIA released the investigation and outcomes of the premature crane entry at the Japan Grand Prix that occurred a half-month prior.
The report is quite lengthy, but the gist of it is as follows:
1: All actions by the FIA during the Japan Grand Prix were carried out in accordance with FIA regulations; we did nothing wrong!
2: Deploying the safety car before the grid is formed is procedural and unrelated to the event stewards, and thus also unrelated to the FIA.
3: We understand the sensitivity around cranes appearing on the track, especially at the Suzuka Circuit, and will be mindful of this in the future.
4: Even if we were 99% at fault, wasn’t Gasly 1% at fault? Drivers should slow down during yellow and red flags!
This is the rule!
Following this, there were some minor issues discussed, and the FIA provided solutions to these problems, with implementation beginning at the American Grand Prix.
Of course, such issues are also related to the FIA’s seasonal race director rotation system.
Since different race directors have varied understandings of tracks and races, inconsistent penalty standards are likely to occur.
Thus, the FIA has decided to cancel the race director rotation system after this race, appointing Nils Wittich as the race director for all upcoming races.
It’s uncertain whether the FIA will abandon the race director rotation system next season.
Strictly speaking, these matters do involve Qin Miao somewhat, but not significantly; those who deal more frequently with race stewards or directors are the strategy teams and leader.
After arriving in the U.S., it rained on Monday and Tuesday of the race week, but thereafter, the weather in Austin remained pleasant up to Sunday’s race.
Qin Miao felt relieved, knowing he wouldn’t have to face another rain race.
Nevertheless, Qin Miao hasn’t changed his daily training plan, still dedicating two hours each morning to training his rain combat ability.
Currently in the paddock, only Qin Miao and a few drivers maintain intense training.
Most drivers were engaged in commercial activities during this time.
The two American Grand Prix races have become one of the most important events on the F1 calendar.
Last year’s U.S. Grand Prix set a record for ticket sales in F1 history, selling over 400,000 tickets over the weekend in the U.S.
Attendance over the three days even reached 400,000.
A historical high for F1.
However, the 400,000 tickets for the U.S. Grand Prix can’t be compared with this year’s Singapore Grand Prix.
The Singapore Grand Prix sold out tickets directly, not because the venue could only accommodate that many people.
If more seats were available, attendance numbers would have surely been higher.
Yet some tickets for the U.S. Grand Prix remained unsold.
Regardless, selling 400,000 tickets at least proves that Americans are wealthy and willing to spend on F1.
Therefore, during this Grand Prix weekend, almost all teams’ drivers have either voluntarily or passively increased their involvement in commercial activities, such as road shows, filming promotional videos, and participating in activities loved by Americans, like playing baseball or attending NBA games.
Qin Miao’s teammate, Hamilton, naturally joined in, although he took a different path and mingled in the fashion world.
But when Old Man heard that Qin Miao hadn’t participated in any events this Grand Prix weekend and stayed in the training room, Hamilton couldn’t sit still.
How did you learn to sneak away!? he exclaimed.
Nonetheless, Old Man was only a bit miffed and didn’t abandon his marketing work.
On one hand, the work has already been scheduled and contracts signed, making it difficult for Hamilton to back out.
On the other hand, a seven-time champion’s foundation isn’t built from mere jest, and Hamilton is confident his current training intensity won’t cause him to fall behind Qin Miao.
To be realistic, how many times has Hamilton raced on this track?
Even if a year has passed and the track’s asphalt has been repaved and its grip changed due to maintenance, Hamilton’s experience allows him to reacquaint himself with the track within a practice session.