Speed ​​God

Chapter 12 Crossing Mountains
Montfati was left behind by the pace of events, with one unexpected incident after another in the early morning, leaving no room to catch its breath.

It is widely known that the Ferrari Junior Academy has extremely high entry requirements, a fact almost universally acknowledged in the racing world. Only a handful of spots are available each year, with numerous hurdles from preliminary selection to assessment and then to the formal training camp. The number of spots is extremely limited, and some people are even willing to pay out of their own pockets just to secure a testing position.

But right now?
An unregistered, unfamiliar teenager was exceptionally admitted to the Maranello test, and what's even more remarkable is that he has an unfamiliar Asian face.

Without making a sound, Montfati secretly glanced around, but little did he expect to accidentally stumble into the dark pupils of that baby face.

Clear, calm, composed, and even polite and poised, she showed no signs of panic or discomfort that one would expect when being scrutinized.

Montfati himself, however, looked away somewhat embarrassedly, as if he had been caught red-handed peeking.

Montfattini didn't question Todd's arrangement, but simply asked according to his duty, "Have you ever operated a simulator before?"

Lu Zhizhou didn't answer, but shrugged slightly.

Montfatini paused, then glanced at the baby-faced man again. "What about the go-karts?"

Lu Zhizhou still didn't answer, but stepped forward to take a closer look. "So, which simulator?" He saw the handsome young man standing next to the simulator, seemingly having just left. He gave a friendly smile. "Excuse me, is this one usable now?"

The handsome young man had bright eyes and white teeth, and regular features. His light brown curly hair was slightly curled because of the sweat. He looked like a prince from a fairy tale who had broken the fourth wall and come into reality. Even though he moved slightly away from the light source and stood in the shadows, he could still easily catch people's attention.

Lu Zhizhou joked, "Hey, snap out of it, Prince Charming, Snow White isn't here."

One sentence made the boy in front of me a little flustered. He was obviously an introverted person and didn't know how to respond, so he simply changed the subject.

"can."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "However, it was covered in sweat..."

Before he finished speaking, Lu Zhizhou had already sat down without a care in the world. However, he was not in a hurry. He was not a clueless fool who pretended to know everything. Instead of operating the machine immediately, he began to study it seriously.

Go-karts?
Lu Zhizhou has been driving for more than two years since he first came into contact with it as a hobby, but he has received real training and participated in regional competitions for less than two years, so in total, it has been five years.

However, that's a distant past. The last time I encountered go-karting was six years ago? Or seven years ago? Anyway, it's been a very, very long time.

Lu Zhizhou knew, of course, that street racing and Formula One racing were two different things. F1 was the pinnacle that all racing drivers dreamed of, but the price to enter this temple was something that no one could afford.

A karting driver spends an average of $150,000 per year; F4 drivers spend an average of $300,000 per year; F3 drivers start at $1 million; and F2 drivers spend a staggering $2.5 million.

As for F1, that's another field altogether.

Lu Zhizhou has only been officially involved in underground street racing for less than two years, and even if you include his previous minor involvement, it's still less than four years.

Because of his lack of experience, Lu Zhizhou was acutely aware that the most taboo thing in racing is being self-righteous and arrogant.

Pride is acceptable, but not blind pride. Humility is not weakness, but a form of wisdom. After all, those who end up making fools of themselves are often the fools who pretend to know everything.

So, once inside the simulator, Lu Zhizhou didn't rush to show off his skills. Instead, he began to study the simulator like a curious child.

In street racing, the driver remains seated with their gaze level and straight ahead; in Formula One racing, the driver enters the cockpit in an almost reclining position, with their entire line of sight lowered and their body close to the ground. There are subtle differences in center of gravity, balance, and sense of space.

A change in perspective, direction, and space makes all the difference in the world you see at a glance.

Lu Zhizhou was adjusting his position and field of vision. "When we're watching the track, where should our focus be?"

Leclerc, who was standing to the side and hadn't had time to leave yet, was completely bewildered: ? ? ?

Looking left and right, Leclerc tried to ask for help, only to see Montfattini, arms crossed and expressionless, already responding before Leclerc even realized it, "Here... just adjust it a little..."

Without hesitation, Lu Zhizhou asked questions one after another, gradually awakening the dormant memories in his mind.

Leclerc had no time to react; he had already begun answering their questions one by one. Beside him, Marchionne's eyes revealed a hint of admiration: proud but not arrogant.

This is especially rare for young people.

It's not unusual for young people to have sharp edges, but it's rare to have sharp edges without being arrogant.

He admired precisely this willingness to learn from those less knowledgeable. Young people, full of youthful vigor, are most prone to being arrogant, but excessive rigidity leads to breakage. Truly wise people know when to set aside their pride and humbly learn.

Marchionne was already impressed by this alone.

Interestingly, Marchionne noticed that Todt also showed some surprise and appreciation, suggesting that this was a completely new discovery for Todt as well.

Marchionne became even more curious about what qualities Lu Zhizhou had displayed last night that had impressed Todt.

There, Lu Zhizhou had already asked everyone, and looking up, he said, "Thank you very much, Prince Charming. I'm ready now."

Leclerc, still confused and bewildered, replied, "Uh...no need."

Leclerc turned and took two steps, looking completely bewildered. He then glanced at Lu Zhizhou, scratched his head, and still didn't leave. He stood not far behind the simulator, his curiosity growing and spreading little by little.

Montfati watched the whole process and saw that Lu Zhizhou was finally ready. Just as he was about to go up and say a few words, Lu Zhizhou had already started the car.

Decisive and efficient, without hesitation.

Montfati was stunned, unsure how to react for a moment, but then he saw Lu Zhizhou's first rookie mistake, and he was both amused and exasperated.

I never expected that he really was a newbie.

Lu Zhizhou had no time to pay attention to other people's reactions. Once he started, his attention was 100% focused on the race car.

As soon as the simulator started and he stepped on the gas, Lu Zhizhou immediately felt a violent vibration in the steering wheel; the sensor feedback was shockingly strong.

With a slightly larger-than-expected turn, the rear of the car immediately began to slip, traction was lost abruptly, and the whole car was like a wild horse that had broken free.

It's not a matter of speed. To be precise, the biggest difference between it and street racing is not in speed, but in the reaction mechanism and physical feedback.

Lu Zhizhou decisively applied the brakes, attempting to take control of the situation.

However, the pedal was as stiff as a stone, offering no feedback, and the pumping braking technique I usually relied on was completely useless here.

To make matters worse, the simulator doesn't give you any reaction time. The first right turn is already looming ahead, and before you've even fully gained speed, the pressure is already immense.

Lu Zhizhou reacted quickly, relying entirely on instinct. He turned the steering wheel, but found that the front of the car did not move at all.

Push your head!

Unexpectedly, the mistakes Matteo made repeatedly last night became Lu Zhizhou's problem today.

The racing car in the simulator realistically simulates the sluggishness of the aerodynamic stall area, which is completely different from the control and feel of a real street race car.

Squeak - squeak -

The screeching sound of tires instantly tightened his nerves as he watched the race car slide toward the edge of the track, heading straight for the gravel area.

Could it be... that he can't even get past the first bend?
　Dear readers, my new racing novel desperately needs your support! Please be sure to read to the latest chapter, as it directly relates to the young man's life and death. Thank you all for your support!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)