F1: Absolute Car Feel

Chapter 47 Can I try skipping a grade?

Cheers erupted as go-kart number 398 crossed the checkered lines.

This was an undeniable victory. Most people were shocked by Wu Shi's terrifying ability to overtake. PTW is certainly impressive, but his ability to catch up from last place to first place further highlights his skill level.

Immediately after the race ended, Wu Shi was taken for a weight check, and officials towed his go-kart away because his performance today was so outrageous that some people still thought there was something wrong with the car.

Just like in Formula 1 racing, each team not only watches their own car, but also keeps an eye on their competitors' cars. If they find that a car is going too fast, they will investigate whether it has any illegal design.

Therefore, after the race, many teams and parents suggested that the compliance of Wu Shi's go-kart must be checked.

"Oh my God! Your performance was absolutely amazing! Don't worry, we know best whether this go-kart has any compliance issues. Leave the rest to us, and you'll be standing on the podium without a hitch and achieve an unprecedented record of seven wins!"

After Seth finished speaking, he led the team's technicians to the race testing area. They were going to monitor the vehicle's setup and the source of its parts to prove that go-kart number 398 complied with the rules.

The team had just left when a reporter approached, handed him the microphone, and said, "Hello! Wu Shi, although there were some unexpected events in this race, you still won with absolute strength. Many people even suspect that your race car has compliance issues. Can you tell us your thoughts on this?"

Wu Shi nodded. Post-race interviews are a routine procedure. He said, "Of course, I actually guessed that there might be chaos at the start, but I didn't expect to be hit by an out-of-control car when entering Turn 1. At that time, I thought I couldn't retire from the race because of this, so I tried my best to turn the car around and use the front of the car that could withstand the impact to resist the collision."

"It turned out that my choice was correct. There wasn't much important equipment in the front of the car, and there were still some body panels, which prevented my car from being completely destroyed in the collision, allowing me to continue driving it and compete for victory."

The reporter adjusted his headset, slightly surprised: "You mean the vehicle turned around before the collision because you did it intentionally, and not because you were startled and lost control of the vehicle?"

“Yes, I won’t let my race car go out of control.” Wu Shi nodded.

"In today's race, you demonstrated excellent overtaking skills and the ability to control the car on slippery surfaces. Congratulations, Wu Shi! If everything goes smoothly, you will become the first overall champion to win the entire race!" the reporter concluded with congratulations.

"Thank you."

Wu Shi stepped away from the camera, wiped his sweat, and realized that he was already a little tired from constantly battling G-forces when overtaking other cars.

Before all groups finished the race, the results of the qualification inspection for go-kart number 398 came out. It was clear that this go-kart met all the standards and there were no violations.

After hearing the news from the excited Seth, Wu Shi smiled and said to him, "Then I can say that I'm a low-profile seven-time champion."

“Yes, maybe you’re the next Schumacher!” Seth laughed heartily.

Wu Shi was taken aback. Yes, the seven-time world champion Hamilton, whom he knew better, had just won his first world championship last week, becoming the youngest world champion in F1 history.

So, can he win both the seven-time champion title and the youngest WDC honor?

He didn't know, but he already felt a sense of urgency.

This year is 2008, and another star in F1 history, Max Verstappen, is rapidly rising.

He will set more records that are hard to break, such as becoming the youngest points scorer in F1 history.

This guy had absolutely no sportsmanship, but he caught the eye of Marko, the owner of Red Bull, and was promoted directly from F3 to F1. Thus, he became an F1 driver before he was even an adult and successfully scored points in subsequent races. The FIA ​​even changed the regulations for obtaining a super license afterward, making adulthood a key criterion.

Of course, sometimes the FIA's so-called rules are not very useful. Later Mercedes princes Kimi and Antonelli became exceptions. For this reason, the FIA ​​introduced revised regulations, stating that drivers who consistently demonstrate outstanding ability and maturity can obtain a super license at the age of 17.

However, no matter how the FIA ​​changes the rules, it certainly wouldn't stipulate one year that drivers under the age of 18 are not allowed to obtain a super license, and then open a back door the following year.

Therefore, he must secure a spot in F1 before 2016, otherwise the record for the youngest F1 driver and points winner will be taken by Pan Zi.

Since we're starting over, why not fight for these things?

The familiar national anthem rang out in the stadium, and 46 seconds later, the singing stopped and the stadium returned to its lively atmosphere.

Wu Shi concluded the 2008 competition by raising the trophy high.

The remaining days of 08 didn't bring many interesting events.

Before Christmas, Sid helped Wu Shi secure three new sponsors: DLI, a go-kart helmet manufacturer; UY, a go-kart paint company; and a business specializing in nutritional products for teenagers.

This will give Wu Shi an income of over 100,000 euros next year. Although this amount is negligible compared to the cost of karting, it is quite good in the Mini Karting category.

To this end, Wu Shi also filmed advertisements for three businesses after Christmas, earning an extra income.

At the end of the year, CD SPEED team renewed his contract, giving him greater authority—making him a completely free team driver.

He can join another team at any time without paying a penalty. This outrageous contract is simply because team leader Seth knows that his small team cannot retain a young man with such talent.

Therefore, he chose to leave a good impression, which would be considered a favor in the future.

"I have to run in lower-level races again next year, so annoying!" Wu Shi lay down on the sofa.

"There's nothing we can do about it," Martina said helplessly. Generally speaking, you have to be 14 years old to participate in the world-class KF3 series. Wu Shi is only 10 years old now, so he can only drive in the Mini Max and KF5 categories.

In fact, if it weren't for his outstanding performance at the ACI Championship in the 2008 season, he wouldn't have been able to register for the KF5 level event.

For racing organizers, limiting drivers' ages is not age discrimination, but rather a way to protect younger drivers. The higher the level of the race, the higher the skill requirements and the greater the potential harm caused by a car going out of control.

Wu Shi himself knows that he definitely has the ability to drive an F1 car, but others don't!
Therefore, in order to become an F1 driver, he still has to go through the promotion race in a conventional manner.

"Aunt Martina, do you think it's possible for me to try skipping a grade?"

　I got home at 8 PM today, and there's still one more chapter to write later. Sorry!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)