How Did I Become an F1 Driver?

But there’s still the same problem. Although the performance of the Mercedes car has improved, the main area of performance enhancement is still concentrated within a limited range.

At this moment, the W13B has solved the issue of excessive downforce at the rear of the W13, while optimizing the car’s drag. However, since the correct modification path was found too late, overall the W13B is still more suited to high-speed tracks.

However, the Americas track is relatively balanced, so on this track, neither Qin Miao nor Hamilton can fully exploit the car’s characteristics.

On the contrary, the Ferrari cars this season are particularly suited to this track.

As a result, even though during the final flying lap of Q3, Qin Miao and Hamilton both refreshed their fastest lap from the first flying lap in Q3, their speed was still not as good as Ferrari.

It wasn’t just Qin Miao and Hamilton whose speed was inferior to Ferrari; Verstappen also was 0.09 seconds slower than second-placed Leclerc after his final flying lap in Q3.

After the qualifying session ended, the rankings were as follows:

1: Sainz

2: Leclerc

3: Verstappen

4: Qin Miao

5: Hamilton

6: Perez

7: Norris

8: Alonso

9: Bottas

10: Zhou Guanyu

However, this is not the starting grid for the race tomorrow, as among the drivers ahead, Leclerc and Perez received different levels of grid penalties due to changing new power unit components.

So eventually, the starting grid for the race is as follows:

1: Sainz

2: Verstappen

3: Qin Miao

4: Hamilton

5: Norris

6: Alonso

7: Bottas

8: Zhou Guanyu

9: Albon

10: Russell

This is also the first time this season Russell has started from a position within the top ten.

After enduring a slump at the beginning of the season, Williams has found its direction for car development, that is, to completely develop the car towards the muscle car style, maximizing speed and minimizing drag.

This approach makes Williams as slow as a tractor on specific tracks, like Hengelo which has more medium-low speed corners.

However, on tracks like Monza with more high-speed corners, the Williams car is a nightmare for all the cars behind.

Because of the terrifying straight-line speed and reduced drag of the Williams car, some cars with low DRS efficiency can’t catch up to the Williams even with DRS open, trailing behind and unable to match their speed without DRS.

As a result, on certain tracks, Williams can often deliver surprisingly impressive results.

Today’s qualifying session is also the first time this season that Qin Miao beat his teammate during qualifying after Mercedes redesigned their car concept.

At least this proves that Qin Miao’s absolute lap speed still has merit; he certainly won’t be trailed by his teammate Hamilton in terms of lap speed.

After the qualifying session, Hamilton’s entire demeanor appeared somewhat somber and suppressed.

Yet this wasn’t because he lost to his teammate Qin Miao during qualifying. This season, Hamilton has frequently lost to Qin Miao during qualifying; he’s already used to it.

The real pressure comes from Hamilton realizing Qin Miao’s laps were faster because Qin Miao has been training intensively these past few days, while he was engaged in commercial activities.

You could say it’s an outcome any adult can see: one training, one playing. If both have the same talent, the one consistently training will definitely have a higher capacity than the other.

Slightly frustrated, Hamilton pats his own head, realizing that after figuring out this season he probably won’t compete for the world championship, his subconscious has somewhat loosened.

Moreover, this season he seldom beats Qin Miao on the track, making Hamilton almost accustomed to losing to his teammate.

However, there’s an old Chinese saying: mend the fold after the sheep are lost, it’s never too late.

Not to mention, Hamilton doesn’t have the chance to compete for the world championship this season, so as long as he’s aware of this, it doesn’t matter whether it’s early or late.

After the qualifying session, although Qin Miao and Hamilton were both starting at the front for the race tomorrow, neither needed to attend the post-race interviews or press conferences because neither secured a top-three finish; they only moved up a position due to the penalties.

So once the race ended, after parking in the inspection area and completing post-race weighing and interviews, the two returned to the team’s paddock.

At this time, Hamilton informed his physical trainer Angela that his training plan needs to shift more towards on-track practice.

Despite acknowledging Qin Miao’s ability, as he’s a world champion, Hamilton can’t deny it.

But after all, Hamilton has 7 world championship titles, having defeated many strong teammates; just not this season. But next season, with the competitiveness of the Mercedes car restored, he absolutely won’t lose to Qin Miao, and by stepping over Qin Miao to claim his eighth world championship and becoming the sole eight-time winner on the F1 stage, it would be a wonderful achievement.