Speed ​​God

Chapter 10 Catfish Effect
Todd's idea... is absolutely insane, not just a little bit, but incredibly, incredibly, incredibly insane.

Motorsport youth training systems, including Ferrari, never invite street racers for tryouts, and there are legitimate reasons for this, not out of prejudice, but because of objective facts.

Street racing and Formula racing are two completely different worlds. It's not just about the technology of brakes, throttle, tires, and aerodynamic systems; the real key lies in the driving skills, understanding of the track, control of rhythm, and comprehension of speed.

In the world of Formula One racing, everything has rules—

Starting with go-karting, progressing to F4, F3, and F2, advancing level by level, and finally reaching the highest level, F1, one step at a time, step by step.

The FIA ​​has its reasons for setting these thresholds and stages.

Let alone street racing, where complete novices rashly barge into the world of Formula racing, even in the world of Formula racing, leapfrogging advancement is extremely rare.

But does Todd not understand all of this?
Marchionne tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and after a brief moment of surprise, fell into deep thought. "Jean, this idea... even for you, is too unconventional."

"Don't even mention us, even Marco, that madman, wouldn't do that."

Müljet Marko, advisor to the Red Bull Racing team, head of the youth academy, and also the biggest driving force behind Verstappen's leapfrog entry into F1.

Todd's smile turned up slightly, and there was no trace of the hazy look in his eyes last night. His eyes were clear and bright as he met Marchionne's gaze.

"Sergio was able to break the deadlock because Marco didn't dare to either."

"We don't like Red Bull's style, but the drivers who come out of Red Bull's competitive environment have a killer instinct, a ruthless drive that's always pushing the boundaries of life and death."

"What our youth trainees lack is this kind of courage and boldness."

Marchionne frowned. "Killing intent?"

"No, let's not, street racing is a completely different thing. There's no expertise, no technique, no data. It's all about intuition and guts. Grip is all about luck. But Formula One racing can't rely on luck alone, right?"

"If he can't even control a Formula One car and only has a murderous aura, what can he do? Keep crashing into the wall? There are already enough incompetent people like him in the paddock. One or two of them are waving their checkbooks to buy their tickets to the paddock and are lining up to crash into the tire wall. Ferrari doesn't need to send in another talent like him."

Todd shook his head. "No, he can."

Marchionne looked at Todd, puzzled.

Todd adjusted his posture. "I mean, I think he can handle Formula One cars. Last night in Rome..." Todd couldn't help but recall that, despite it being street racing, Lu Zhizhou's intelligence and skill were remarkable, especially his understanding of speed.

After the first corner, Lu Zhizhou withstood Matteo's crazy impact and centrifugal force, pushing Mini Cooper into the gap of the physical rules; then the continuous corners of the Spanish Steps brought out Mini Cooper's full potential and widened the gap, fully demonstrating the talent of a top driver.

"He has intuition and talent."

“Sergio, I swear, watching his cornering performance last night brought back memories of Senna in Monaco.”

Marchionne took a deep breath, trying to control himself, but couldn't help but exclaim, "Jesus Christ."

Marchionne sat up straight and leaned against the desk. "Talent? Let's say all the trainees in our youth academy are exceptionally talented. Even those idiots who open Formula One cars with their checkbooks have talent. Without talent, racing Formula One cars is just sending them to their deaths."

"Talent? Any driver in the paddock is a genius. Which of our youth trainees didn't start with karting and spend over a decade immersed in simulators? Without driving a single-seater race car or learning about data feedback, an outsider's talent means nothing here."

Todd did not respond.

He remained patient, waiting for Marchionne to vent all his words and emotions. Finally, when Marchionne looked over, he gave him a smile.

"I know."

Marchionne choked on his words. Todd knew everything Marchionne knew, and he knew everything Marchionne didn't know. "I chose him precisely because he wasn't bound by these rules and regulations."

Marchionne was completely stunned.

"It's not because I don't understand these basic common sense principles. On the contrary, it's precisely because I understand them so well that I know that if a system only involves copying and pasting and creating hothouse flowers, then what the system will ultimately produce is a bunch of identical templates."

"I'm not betting on Lu Zhizhou's success, but on his ability to stir up this stagnant pool."

Marchionne stared blankly at Todd, his mind racing.

"Sergio, I only invited him to come for a trial."

"Failed? So be it. It doesn't matter. As long as he performs some unconventional yet amazing maneuvers on the simulator, as long as he makes those self-important trainees have even the slightest doubt during the trial, then the trial has already been a success."

"We only need to show an attitude, an attitude of trust and expectation, to make the trainees realize that we have now broken the rules and broken the framework, abandoned these good kids, and even selected street racers to try out, who may threaten their positions at any time."

"So, the catfish effect has already worked."

This is Todd's true intention.

Todd never hoped that Lu Zhizhou would be able to drive a Formula One car immediately, or even that Lu Zhizhou would succeed in the trial. He simply wanted Lu Zhizhou to appear in front of those "standard answer" students with dignity, to make them feel the crisis, and to make them feel the impact.

More importantly, it makes them realize firsthand that there is more than one answer in the world of racing.

From beginning to end, Lu Zhizhou was not the focus; the real focus was on the geniuses at the Ferrari Youth Academy.

In Todd's view, if Lu Zhizhou could complete this task, the €8,000 guest performance fee would be a bargain.

Finally, Marchionne realized what was happening and looked directly at Todd.

Todd didn't try to create a dramatic effect; he simply said casually, "But what if it succeeds?"

Marchionne paused, took a deep breath, and his eyes brightened—

Indeed, Todt remains a reliable expert in racing.

Marchionne looked at Todd with a hint of interest. "So, you really believe he has that ability?"

Todd, still all smiles and friendly, said, "We'll only know once we see."

“Busy Mr. Marchionne, do you have time to come and watch a promising trainee’s trial?” Todd extended the invitation.

Marchionne understood perfectly.

Now, they need to make their moves. Regardless of how this young street driver performs, the presence of two big names, Marchionne and Todt, and the exceptional treatment given to a trial driver, is enough to create a sensation, throwing a stone into the youth academy and stirring up ripples.

Marchionne, a man of action, immediately stood up and made an inviting gesture, saying, "It would be my pleasure."

The office door opened again, and Marchionne walked out with a beaming smile, asking with great interest, "Now I'm also a little curious about what kind of young man has managed to win your favor..."

Todd looked ahead, a smile playing on his lips. "Look, it's right there. You can see for yourself."

　Thank you all for your support. I humbly request that you don't leave the book unfinished for now. Even if you do want to, please help me keep reading until the latest chapter. After all, the recommendation slots and daily reading time are now directly linked, and if you leave it unfinished, it might really just disappear. Thank you so much!
　　

(End of this chapter)