How Did I Become an F1 Driver?

The seating arrangement was still divided according to different teams, with Toto and Elliott sitting next to him.

However, there was still some time for everyone to chat and mingle when they first arrived at the venue, so Qin Miao took this time to find Binotto.

After going over, he exchanged some pleasantries with Mr. Bi. It was clear that Mr. Bi’s spirits weren’t very high today. After all, being kicked out of Ferrari, despite having a year’s garden leave to enjoy, being swept out of a team he’s dedicated decades to is indeed not an easy situation to accept.

They chatted casually.

Upon seeing Qin Miao, Binotto clearly showed signs of nostalgia and had a good talk with Qin Miao.

If back in the 2021 season, Qin Miao hadn’t joined Mercedes but stayed at Ferrari as the number 2 driver, how glorious a record could they have achieved for Ferrari in 2022.

Adored by all the Iron Buddha Temples around the world.

But this was only Binotto’s fantasy, such things didn’t happen in reality.

While chatting, Qin Miao casually asked, "Have you considered the Mercedes team?"

This time, Qin Miao didn’t say it too bluntly, just casually asked a question that seemed more like a joke.

But no matter how unsuitable Binotto was for the position of team leader, he has been in the F1 paddock for so long, it’s not difficult to hear the underlying meaning in Qin Miao’s words.

Turning his head to look at Qin Miao with a smile, Binotto shook his head and said, "Forget it, I’ve been working in this sport called F1 for almost 20 years, now is just the right opportunity, I want to take a break."

After hearing Binotto’s answer, Qin Miao was not surprised, instead, he nodded and said, "That’s great, if you have the chance, you should visit China, my country has many beautiful landscapes, which are very different from the monotonous ones here in Europe."

Binotto thought for a moment, "I do have plans to travel in Asia, but China is not on my itinerary, isn’t your country still in a state of lockdown? Because of this, this year’s Chinese Grand Prix was canceled, you are unlucky too, entering F1 for three years and never having the chance to race in your home race."

Qin Miao smiled helplessly, "There will always be a chance."

Binotto chuckled, "Well, since you strongly recommend it, I do need to include China in my travel plans."

...

After talking with Binotto for more than half an hour, the award ceremony was about to begin.

Seeing that the time was almost up, Qin Miao got up from Leclerc’s seat, and after shaking hands with Binotto, Qin Miao said, "I hope there will be another opportunity to work with you in the F1 paddock in the future."

Binotto also stood up smilingly and shook hands with Qin Miao, even borrowing Qin Miao’s earlier words, "There will always be a chance."

After shaking hands, Qin Miao left the Ferrari area and returned to his own seat.

At this time, Toto and Elliott were still busy with their socializing and hadn’t come back.

The two only returned to their seats when the award ceremony was about to start.

As soon as he sat down, Toto nonchalantly asked Qin Miao, "I saw you went to find Binotto, what did he say?"

"He wants to take a year off."

Toto nodded, sighed with some regret, but didn’t delve into it further.

After eating a little bit, the 2022 FIA award ceremony gradually started with the dimming of the lights onsite and the music beginning to play.

After a routine opening video, the hosts took the stage.

Like last year, the host tonight was also politically correct, with two hosts on stage, one white and one black, the black one still being a big lady.

Seeing this, Qin Miao couldn’t help but sigh in his heart, it’s standard, damn standard!

Perhaps he’d stayed abroad for too long, been numbed by these bastards forcing their aesthetics on him, Qin Miao was frighteningly shocked to find that seeing a big lady on stage didn’t stir much emotion within him.