F1: The Making of a Racing God

Chapter 41: All a driver needs is a car and hands; it's the last stubbornness of a heartbroken loser. Ah-Shu-senpai!
Ferrari's focus in the lower-level formulas in 17 was not on F2; they were very optimistic about Leclerc's future and confident in his performance.

However, compared to Leclerc, who has already been designated as the new crown prince of Ferrari, Ferrari, which still prioritizes seniority, is focusing its resources on another heavyweight figure in the lower-level formulas this year.

He is Mick Schumacher, the son of Michael Schumacher, a Ferrari legend who won seven championships and became known as the King of Racing.

Regardless of Mick's actual talent, his surname alone is worth a fortune in the paddock, and every established powerhouse team has to give him some respect.

Poor Zhou Guanyu was incredibly unlucky. While Shulong led the F2 standings for a whole year and finally won the annual championship, he encountered another nepotism case in his second year of F3.

Stroll himself is capable, and with his father's support using the team's resources, he was able to achieve good results.

Although Mick has a racing legend father, it's hard to say how much talent he inherited. His performance in lower-level races wasn't particularly impressive to begin with, and Ferrari's approach after he moved up to F3 was to heavily promote him.

Since the legendary Schumacher's skiing accident in 13 left him in a vegetative state, the paddock has been desperately eager to see a third Schumacher emerge.

The problem is, it still can't be promoted.
Thanks to the experience gained from "biting the bullet" last year, and with Shu Long also secretly leaking questions to him during his time at Prema, Zhou Guanyu's performance throughout the year consistently surpassed that of Mike, who was the team's favorite.

Unfortunately, this year's F3 team also included Russell, who had stayed in the previous season, and Norris, who had just been promoted to the F3 European Championship and taken over the baton from the Shulong Carlin team. In the end, they only managed to achieve a third-place finish in the overall championship.

When asked about his final plans, whether to stay or be promoted, Zhou Guanyu said that he was under pressure to graduate from Shulong after winning the championship. Even though he knew that he might not receive any more resources from the team next year, he still planned to stay and fight for another championship to graduate with honor.

Shu Long, who performed exceptionally well in 17, also earned the status of a test driver. During the mid-season test in Hungary, he accumulated enough F1 racing mileage to qualify for a super license. At the same time, due to his consecutive F3 and F2 championships, he did not have to worry about the points required for a super license.

It's safe to say that there's only one factor preventing Shulong from obtaining the sole pass to F1—a driver's license!
(Let's go back to 2020~)

Whenever I think about taking my driver's license test, I always think of Zhang Chi from the movie "Pegasus".

Of course, I didn't dramatically damage the training car on the course like Zhang Chi did; I drive very honestly in my daily life.

Be honest, okay?

Thinking back on this, perhaps it's simply because the driving instructor I was assigned to also had the surname Tian?

Or perhaps every race car driver has a slightly unsettling feeling when taking their driving test.

[As a renowned race car driver! An F1 prospective graduate! A man just one step away from his super license! Taking a simple driving test is a piece of cake for him, isn't it?]

[I could practically drive it myself, and I didn't need to prepare 20,000 yuan in case the training car's engine blew out, but this memory still holds a special meaning for me.]

This was one of the key turning points that changed the history of Chinese motorsport, and also a key turning point in my destiny and life, all because of this new understanding.

"Shulong? Are you alright? Why are you standing outside in a daze? Did the doctor tell you to go out and about?"

【she.】

The familiar voice roused Shu Long from his reverie. It was sweet, crisp, and melodious, with a touch of childish stickiness. The battered and bruised guy looked at the adorable girl in front of him, and a smile curled at the corner of his mouth, a smile that the uncle mopping the floor next to him would only find disgusting.

Her short, fluffy hair, reaching her neck, was tied in two small buns. She wore an oddly styled hoodie, hot pants, and sandals. Her slightly chubby, oval face and delicate features were mostly covered by a mask, leaving only her bright, large eyes blinking out.

Following closely behind were Shu Xiong and Zhang Xin, as well as Gan Mengning's parents, whom they would have to call uncles and aunts for now.

However, both sets of parents were very perceptive at this time. Having learned from Steiner in advance that there was no major problem on Shulong's side, they tacitly stood a little further away and quietly watched the show, giving the two little ones plenty of space.

Grandpa Shu and Grandpa Gan didn't come; they chose to stay home and watch TV.

They are in good health, but they are too old to travel much. Since masks are not completely removed yet, it is best for the elderly not to go out and about.

Moreover, racetracks are too noisy for elderly people who prefer peace and quiet.

Gan Mengning thoroughly checked Shu Long from head to toe, making sure he wasn't missing any limbs, before patting her chest in relief.

Despite Steiner's assurances, I was still a little apprehensive until I actually saw him in person.

"Are you just going to stand by and watch? Not even offer a warm hug or some comfort?"

"Ew~ Isn't it oily?"

"The oil is sizzling and dripping from the fire. In a few more seconds, it will be ready to be sprinkled with cumin and served."

Gan Mengning shuddered at the goosebumps on her neck, wrapped her arms around the firm waist with a look of disgust, and took turns enjoying the warm lines of the abdominal muscles with her forehead, nose, and cheek.

The lower woman!
"I must say, you smell quite nice, like the smoked tofu from your hometown."

Shu Long didn't argue with her and looked at her head, which was barely up to his chest, with satisfaction.

Who's taller now? Hmm? Little one!
He buried his face in it triumphantly and took a deep breath.
"Ugh! Why are you wearing such a big coat in this heat? You're going to smell awful!"

"I just didn't want to show my face in front of the camera! I specifically found something to cover up my skin to pretend. Wait a minute, didn't you just say I smell bad? Did you just say I smell bad!"

Her beautiful almond-shaped eyes widened as if she had just realized what was happening, and she fiercely stretched out two index fingers to search for the ticklish spots on Shu Long's body, looking like she was about to give him a good beating.

"Okay, okay, it doesn't smell bad, I was wrong, please! What brand of shampoo is it? It smells so good!"

Shu Long slid to his knees at lightning speed. What's wrong with a man of Sichuan descent being a little henpecked? Is there anything wrong with that?

Gan Mengning waved her arms and legs at the air for a while, but she didn't dare to actually touch Shu Long's magnificent appearance. She vented the emotions that had been building up in her heart for several hours, and then, still a little worried, she put her little head close to Shu Long's nose.

"Does it really not smell bad? I wasn't sweating at all. Even if I was sweating, it was because you scared me! Smell me again and see if there's any other strange smell besides the shampoo and shower gel."

"Okay, okay, let me smell it. Stand on tiptoe, I'm wrapped up around my neck too."

Gan Mengning obediently did as she was told.

It's not like when we were kids anymore. What does it mean to have an easy balance of offense and defense now?
Gan Mengning, who is only 155cm tall, stood in front of Shu Long, who is 186cm tall, and only reached his chest. She was so small that she looked like she could be held in the palm of your hand.

With a serious expression, he brought his nose close and sniffed twice. There was no strange smell at all. Shu Long felt refreshed and relaxed.

It is said that the nose chooses the hormones that are most compatible with it. At the beginning of the year, when Gan Mengning was stuck at home because of the mask, she often felt lazy and did not want to take a shower for several days. However, when he held her in his arms to watch movies or play games, Shu Long still thought she smelled nice.

"How is it? Can you smell anything strange?"

"Wait here, my nose is burning from the smoke, let me double-check."

Shu Long, harboring ulterior motives, had ulterior motives. He'd been captivated by Gan Mengning's flushed, pink ears since earlier, and before she could look up, he'd taken a sip from her soft earlobe. "Ouch~ No, no, that smells bad!"

"you!"

A flurry of soft fists rained down on Shu Long's back, the force of which was less than that of a massage chair, yet Shu Long readily complied and began to beg for mercy.

"Hey, take it easy! I'm going to yell in pain! You're hurting me, I'm injured!"

"It's alright, this is a hospital. The doctor will treat you later, it's nothing serious!"

Two young people in their early twenties frolicked in the hospital corridor for a while before remembering their parents, who were left out in the cold, and their embarrassment was written all over their faces.

The young couple can do whatever they want in their own little nest, but they still need to maintain some decorum in front of their elders.

Dopamine is the best medicine in the world. Just being with Gan Mengning makes Shulong feel comfortable and relaxed. The skin under the gauze doesn't seem to hurt as much as before.

When Shu Long went to say goodbye to the doctor, he said the same thing, but the doctor just chuckled coldly and slammed the expensive painkiller that had just been prescribed to Shu Long in front of him.

Oh, so it was money that made the difference.
Shu Long's injury wasn't exactly serious, but it wasn't minor either; it was the type where hospitalization wasn't an option.

As long as you pay attention to your health, remember to change your dressings and check for infection on time during this period, it will be the same if you go back to a comfortable environment that you are used to.

Shu Long has a phobia of wearing white coats, so he chose to return to the hotel arranged by the motorcade.

It's congenital, I don't know why. Even just having my blood pressure checked at the hospital can cause my heart rate to be too fast. I panic when I see a doctor in a white coat walking towards me.

He doesn't want to go home now; before his position is completely settled, Shu Long doesn't want to go too far from the hunting grounds.

The next stop, the Sakhir Grand Prix, will still be held at the Bahrain International Circuit. Shu Long can at least stay with the team until next weekend, so that he won't be completely in the dark if anything happens.

Of course, Haas has no chance at all.

The team's sponsorship crisis was resolved by a Russian oligarch, and Nikita Mazepin will undoubtedly secure a spot in the Papa Power team next year.

Another father figure also relied on his father's influence, but this one didn't rely on money; instead, he relied on the remaining influence of his comatose father within the paddock.

Mick, who graduated from F2, had already secured a seat in the paddock, and Ferrari's senior academy naturally placed him in the door of the customer team Haas.

It's quite an unbelievable situation. Apart from Toro Rosso, which is keen on developing young talent, very few small teams dare to put two paddock rookies into their roster for the new season. Most teams still use a mentor-mentee model.

The Haas seat was destined to be out of reach for Shu Long from the very beginning, not only because Shu Long was essentially a Red Bull driver, but also because of his car setup habits.

Shu Long's adaptability to racing cars is too strong, which means that his approach to tuning racing cars is completely unrelated to beginner tutorials, making him a target for He Chenguang.

While others might treat their dessert like a small macaron, his dessert is a huge chunk of birthday cake. He finds the kind of training that others can't accept quite good, and his lap times are indeed very impressive.

Many drivers with exceptional single-lap ability, such as Bottas, particularly enjoy refining their car setup to a number of double digits within a single lap using their keen sense of the car.

Shu Long described Bottas's driving as being like driving a Gundam, constantly battling with the various knobs and buttons on the steering wheel.

On the other hand, when pushing the limit in a single lap, unless it is a necessary situation that exceeds his ability, most of the time he only operates the steering wheel by shifting gears and turning the wheel. He usually doesn't adjust the settings too many times in a whole lap.

Even in a long-distance race, Shulong can only slightly modify the rear differential lock and front and rear brake ratio according to the needs of tire use, or adjust the power output and recovery mode when planning the power management according to the tactical strategies of offense and defense.

So don't listen to anyone who says after Shulong comes down from the road, "I just drove it like this, the car is fine." Magnussen couldn't even adapt to it, let alone guide a newcomer. He might just lead them astray.

With the racing car not being competitive, the teams don't have many options left, just two.

Grosjean, who has been on the bench for a year, is in unknown condition. So even though Kevin's total points for the year are only a fraction of Shu Long's, Haas initially decided on Magnussen and Mick as their driver lineup for next year.

Unfortunately, the team was poor, and Gene Haas loved racing but was very stingy. At this time, he met Ma Zeping, who had a truckload of money, and the two sides hit it off almost immediately.

What is the main purpose of a car team that participates as a hobby, besides satisfying their own interests and desires?

It's all about competing for higher rankings and more revenue. Outstanding performance can attract more big spenders and enhance the brand's value.

Now there's a super-rich player who can help the team achieve all of these goals in one go. Does ranking even matter anymore? Just ask yourself, would you want to latch onto this powerful figure?
I don't care about rankings! You guys fight for the profit sharing! I'll just make my fill from sponsorships!

With the genuine big boss above him giving instructions, Steiner, who still wanted to improve, had no choice but to hug him. As a result, Magnussen, whose affiliation had already changed from McLaren's youth training to Haas's, will definitely be unemployed next year.

Shu Long still has a glimmer of hope, as he has Red Bull backing him up.

But in reality, his hope with Red Bull is only a sliver.

Gasly, who once replaced Ricardo, had a mediocre performance at Red Bull, but he turned the Earth Car into a Red Bull at Toro Rosso, and has already secured one of Toro Rosso's positions for next year.

On the other hand, the other spot for Red Bull has long been reserved by Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull's new junior academy graduate, ever since Honda replaced Renault as the engine supplier for Red Bull's cars.

Therefore, Shu Long's only hope, and the signal that Marko has been sending to Shu Long, is the position next to Max from the Red Bull team.

Albon, who replaced Gasly as the Red Bulls' shooting guard, actually had a pretty good season, but there were rumors within the Red Bulls that Albon was having trouble handling the pressure of being Max's teammate.

Red Bull Racing has always prioritized results, and even the team that initially supported Albon may have been persuaded by Shu Long's performance, making their support for Albon somewhat ambiguous now.

Although Thai Beef originated in Thailand and generally sides with Thailand in its external relations, its founder, Chaleo Yoovidhya, is a Chinese born in China. To them, Thai Beef is practically one of their own.

In the past, whenever Marco decided to fire someone, Horner would more or less step in and say a few nice words to mediate, such as, "XX's performance was actually not bad." or "I am actually quite satisfied with XX."

This time was no exception. Horner first acknowledged Albon's contributions to the team this season, but became vague whenever reporters asked whether Albon would receive a new season contract from the team.

　Boto Leto, as expected of a rookie who fought his way up from two consecutive championships, defeated Hulkenberg, who is known for his qualifying ability, in his first qualifying session. However, he was born at the wrong time and happened to run into the McLaren duo, so he could only settle for the green trash can.

　　Moreover, unlike Russell, he doesn't have Mercedes backing him up. Now he can only rely on Audi. Although he has a multi-year contract, well, Audi... well.

　　Kakuta has finally gotten his revenge, and I think Marko is probably incredibly jealous. Before the race, he rated Boto and Leto as B-class drivers, but now he says that the other A-class drivers, except for Hajar, are having all sorts of problems, while Doohan, who is in the C-class, is performing quite well.

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(End of this chapter)