Speed ​​God

Chapter 123 Brewing a Storm
Sunshine, brightness, always upright and honest, always forging ahead—

One can always sense a restrained yet resilient strength in Lu Zhizhou. He may seem ordinary, but he always draws people's attention.

Leclerc couldn't help but glance at Lu Zhizhou again.

With the British Grand Prix over and the summer break approaching, Leclerc's future is gradually becoming clearer.

Leclerc is already in F2 and is far ahead in the drivers' championship. All the conditions are in place, and Nicolas Todt can operate with ease. He just needs to continue along the path they have paved. At present, Nicolas's negotiations with several teams are nearing completion. If nothing unexpected happens, the summer break will be the time to sign contracts in black and white.

The dream of F1 is becoming clearer than ever before.

Amidst anticipation, elation, happiness, and all sorts of joy, Leclerc couldn't help but worry about Lu Zhizhou.

To say that the recent rumors circulating in the paddock have had no impact on Leclerc would be an absolute lie.

Leclerc couldn't help but imagine Lu Zhizhou's exceptional entry into F1, and the following year, both of them being rookies, facing off head-to-head on the F1 track—

Let's settle this once and for all.

This is absolutely thrilling, and Leclerc can't wait to face Lu Zhizhou head-to-head in an official match.

However, imagination is just imagination, and there's a reason why fairy tales have remained only in Hollywood movies.

There are far too many obstacles and difficulties on the road from Lu Zhizhou to the world of F1, and they cannot be easily overcome in a few words. The struggle for interests and the battle of prejudices require unimaginable resources, and even Nicolas cannot easily overturn the situation.

So, how is Lu Zhizhou in condition?
Frustration? Chaos? Depression? Or something else entirely?
Leclerc was somewhat worried and tried to organize his thoughts, but found that he was really not good at comforting others. The words that kept replaying in his mind were nowhere to be found.

Then, Leclerc saw the bright light in Lu Zhizhou's eyes, and his fighting spirit soared; he only wanted to have a fair and square contest with Lu Zhizhou.

They've never faced each other in an official match before.

Unfortunately, his enthusiasm was abruptly cut short by the vibrating phone. Leclerc noticed the strange smile on Lu Zhizhou's face and mouthed a question to him.

"what happened?"

Lu Zhizhou tilted his head and answered directly, "He said he is Cyril Abbitbol."

Leclerc was taken aback, almost choking on his own saliva. "Renault team principal?"

Renault, is the Renault currently in the paddock that produces its own engines?
Lu Zhizhou scratched his head and asked honestly, "Excuse me, are you the team leader of the Renault team?"

"Cough cough." The person on the other end of the phone probably choked on their own saliva, not expecting Lu Zhizhou to be so honest. Then came a burst of cheerful laughter, "I thought my French accent had already given me away."

Lu Zhizhou shrugged. "Okay, I'm working hard to improve my French accent and English. Now that the opportunity has come, we can practice our spoken English."

"Haha, you're an interesting fellow." It was clear Abbitbol was in a good mood without needing any further words.

Then, changing the subject, Abitebol immediately got to the point, "So, would you like to become a Renault driver?"

Lu Zhizhou: ...

It was so direct and sudden that it felt completely unreal. I was slightly taken aback. "Budapest? But I don't have a super license."

Abbitbol was caught off guard by this response and burst into laughter, saying, "I know you don't have a super license."

"While I'm very eager for you to be able to sit in our race car in Budapest next week, obviously we still have a lot of work to do, right?"

F1 racing is different from ordinary racing; it's the pinnacle of motorsport, and not everyone can sit in the cockpit.

Just as cars, trucks, buses, and public buses in real life have different levels of driver's licenses, F1 also has its own driver's licenses.

Super driver's license.

Obviously, a super license is not something that just anyone can obtain; it requires meeting a series of conditions, passing the FIA's review, and finally being issued.

Moreover, it is not valid for life. Super licenses may expire, be cancelled, have points deducted, be banned from racing, etc., just like regular licenses.

Currently, there are only 58 drivers worldwide with super licenses that allow them to enter F1 tracks at any time.

Lu Zhizhou was not among them.

Of course, Abbitbol couldn't possibly be unaware of this. His call to Lu Zhizhou was less of an invitation and more of an olive branch.

Renault is currently facing a driver shortage.

In the paddock, the team can be divided into three echelons. The members of these echelons are not fixed and may change each season depending on the actual situation.

The top tier, vying for the podium and even the championship, includes Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and Red Bull.

The second group aims to finish in the top ten, earn points, and challenge for a podium finish, including Force India, Williams, and Renault.

The third tier consists of teams aiming for a higher finish and accumulating points, including Toro Rosso, Haas, McLaren, and Sauber.

In the fierce competition among midfield teams, Renault has fallen behind, not because the car isn't fast enough, but because the driver is holding them back.

This season, Renault paired British driver Joelen Palmer with German driver Nico Hulkenberg, but Palmer's performance has been nothing short of a nightmare.

By the end of the UK season, he had retired from three out of ten races and failed to score in the other seven, failing to earn any points for the team so far this season. At Silverstone, he was unable to even start the race due to a problem with his car, retiring before the start and being eliminated from the competition.

Renault is struggling to stay afloat thanks to Hulkenberg alone, yet they still manage to sit in sixth place in the constructors' championship.

Imagine if Renault had a different driver, would they still be in such a sorry state? Would Force India and Williams still be able to keep them in check?

Renault has lost patience with Palmer and is not even prepared to wait until the end of the season, attempting to replace their number two driver after the summer break.

The problem is that replacing a driver mid-season means either finding one from the current team and paying the penalty for breach of contract, or finding one from the reserves or outside the paddock, facing the risk that they may not be able to get back into form immediately after a long break from competition; in addition, rumors in the paddock about Alonso leaving McLaren and returning to Renault have never stopped.

It's clear that Abbitbol has been weighing the options and calculating all along.

Then--

Lu Zhizhou appeared.

Of course, Lu Zhizhou is not perfect for Abbitbol. Not having a super license is one thing, but his lack of experience is another.

Therefore, inviting Lu Zhizhou to join the team is less of a formal invitation or a promise of a seat, and more of an empty promise, relying on a heavyweight to show sincerity and grab attention.

Abbitbol has painted a magnificent blueprint for Lu Zhizhou, looking forward to Lu Zhizhou joining hands with Renault to return to the top of the championship.

Abbitbol spoke eloquently and fluently for a full thirty minutes before reluctantly hanging up the phone and making a promise.

Budapest.

"I look forward to your outstanding performance in Budapest, where you, me, and Nicholas will sit down and have a formal talk face to face."

“I’m ready. I think blue is your color, and I can see you in Renault’s race cars. I can’t wait.”

Of course, that's not the whole story—

How to arrange racing tests, how to obtain a super license, how to design a race car specifically for Lu Zhizhou's style, how to build a team around Lu Zhizhou...

Speaking eloquently and fluently, Abbitbol's accent was heavy and his pronunciation was unclear, but the powerful momentum in his words completely took the initiative.

Of course, Lu Zhizhou wasn't just listening passively. When he asked about sponsorship and Renault's future development direction, Abitebol seemed particularly happy. "I've been waiting for you to ask these questions. We look forward to having an ambitious driver with a championship mentality join us."

Abitebol stated that Renault is different from other small and medium-sized teams; they are not short of money. In fact, the parent company is prepared to continue to increase investment in the development of a new car for the 2018 season. Therefore, they do not need drivers to bring their own sponsors; they only need drivers to realize the potential of the car on the track.

Renault's goal is not to stay in the second group; the championship is the ultimate objective.

Lu Zhizhou is a crucial piece of the puzzle for Renault's return to the top of the world. Abbitbol's invitation is not just about a driver's seat, but an olive branch to build a future together.

It must be said that Abbitbol is very persuasive, painting an incredible, magnificent, and captivating blueprint for the future.

However, precisely because of this, Lu Zhizhou felt no sense of reality whatsoever.

The recent ups and downs in the hunting grounds have made Lu Zhizhou start to think and remain vigilant. Amidst the dazzling brilliance and adulation, he regained his rationality, reassessed his situation, and did not let the cheers and applause sway him.

The more turbulent and lively the situation, the more necessary it is to remain calm.

Abbitbol's vision of the future is indeed unbelievable, but upon calm reflection, this future could be applied to any young man in the paddock, and it would be perfectly applicable to Leclerc right now.

In other words, Renault may indeed be considering giving Lu Zhizhou a future, but this future is not unique. Just like the scumbag Fishing Master, the same vows of eternal love can be copied and pasted to all his dating partners.

Thinking about it carefully, negotiation and dating are indeed similar. When pursuing someone, sweet words and vows of eternal love are used, and everything is just for the sake of success. But how much of the sweet talk made under the influence of dopamine hormones can be taken seriously? That's a big question mark.

For a moment, my mind was filled with a multitude of thoughts, and I couldn't calm down.

Letting out a long breath, Lu Zhizhou looked up and immediately saw Leclerc, who had been patiently waiting beside him with a concerned expression. After a brief surge of emotion, he calmed down completely and smiled. "Cyril has drawn a picture of a pie, a pizza that could set a Guinness World Record."

Leclerc could sense the sarcasm in Lu Zhizhou's words, and chuckled to himself. He shrugged lightly, "These team leaders are all negotiation experts. To achieve their goals, they'd say the sun revolves around the earth."

Lu Zhizhou raised an eyebrow slightly. "Did Cyril call you too?"

Leclerc looked a little embarrassed and awkwardly touched his neck to look away.

Lu Zhizhou couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter. "If he knew you were right next to him, he should have adjusted his strategy. It seems he's not as clever as he thinks he is."

The teasing tone made Leclerc unable to resist, and the corners of his mouth turned up. "But at least it proves that you're now on the radar of the F1 team principals."

Lu Zhizhou nodded in agreement, "Budapest! Cyril said he wanted to see how I perform in Budapest. It seems that now I have even more motivation."

It's not just about points, nor just about bonuses; it's also about a future that's gradually becoming clearer.

Leclerc tilted his head and started jogging again. His sigh carried on the wind as he seriously launched into his吐槽 (tu cao, a Chinese internet slang term for complaining/criticizing) mode, "This is terrible. GP3 is about to get an enhanced version of Lu Zhizhou. The baby driver has evolved into a child driver. What are Giorgio and Antoine going to do?"

It was rare to see Leclerc joke, so Lu Zhizhou laughed heartily, spreading his hands and shaking his head, "How can you see a rainbow without going through wind and rain? We are all good partners and a big family. In order to help them grow, I have to sacrifice myself a little."

"Wow, I never knew you were like this, Lu Zhizhou. Honestly, you're completely enjoying yourself, aren't you?"

"Wait, what kind of tone is that? Does it mean you're upset that I haven't taken good care of you? It's okay, the opportunity will come soon. Just wait a little longer, I'll be right there to polish up the Ferrari Prince properly."

"Tch. You think you can take me on?"

Laughter echoed and rippled under the sunlight.

In the world of competitive sports, he cannot control his opponents, coaches, managers, or even the powerful bosses. The only thing he can control is himself. He lets everything speak through the track, taking control of his destiny in this way and carving out a bloody path in a cruel world where profit reigns supreme.

He will give it his all, leaving no regrets, and he will have no regrets no matter what happens in the future.

This phone call did not disturb Lu Zhizhou's mind. Instead, his chaotic thoughts calmed down and, after a brief moment of hesitation, he regained his composure and focused all his attention back on the track, letting go of the pressure and enjoying the race.

In the Hungarian Grand Prix, Lu Zhizhou secured pole position, kicking off the final race before the summer break.

The ART team performed exceptionally well, once again demonstrating their unparalleled dominance this season. They occupied four of the top five positions, with Lu Zhizhou, Han Shilong, and Russell taking the top three spots respectively, and Hubert finishing fifth. The only driver to break ART's monopoly was, unsurprisingly, a familiar face:
Bokolaj of the Trident.

This season, Alesi, who has been trying to prove himself, continues to struggle; but Han Se-ryong, who is also trying to prove himself, seems to have found his confidence.

On the Budapest circuit, Han Shilong performed exceptionally well in qualifying, finishing second only 0.107 seconds behind Lu Zhizhou, a very narrow gap.

It's easy to imagine that Han Shilong will launch a strong attack on Lu Zhizhou in the main competition.

And indeed, the situation quickly descended into chaos after the start of the race, with a chain collision occurring at the very first corner!

With the summer break approaching, the window for drivers to showcase their skills is getting smaller and smaller. They must show their courage and make their voices heard on the track.

Then, the first bend became a complete mess—

Russell is out!

Unexpectedly, Russell and three other cars were eliminated, ending the race before the first lap had even begun.

In the fierce competition of the season, Russell unusually abandoned his composure and switched positions with Han Shilong, thus losing the initiative as the summer break approached.

The entire paddock gasped in surprise, and Wolf, who was closely watching the scene, shook his head repeatedly.

However, that's still not all; a fierce battle is raging at the very front of the track.

Amidst the chaos, Lu Zhizhou and Han Shilong's race cars took the lead, transforming into two streaks of light and rushing out first, leaving the chaos and disaster behind. However, the close-quarters combat between the two leaders was equally intense, firmly capturing the attention of the entire track, causing everyone to hold their breath.

"Pretty!"

"Lu Zhizhou once again blocked Han Shilong's attack with unparalleled positioning, a textbook-level defense and an unbelievable reaction."

"Han Shilong has always been prone to starting strong but finishing weak. He is powerful and unstoppable in the first half of the race, but often loses patience and gets into trouble in the second half. Tire management is one aspect, and mental management is another."

"Today, Han Shilong has been very calm and patient, and has not rushed into anything rash."

"Because he knew Lu Zhizhou's ability. His control of the pace in the first three laps was unmatched among GP3 drivers this year. It would be too difficult for him to turn the tide with just one breath. So he devised a detailed strategy for the race."

"Han Shilong maintained patience throughout the first three laps, closely following Lu Zhizhou's pace. This truly showcased Han Shilong's talent, which was in no way inferior to Lu Zhizhou's. The gap between the two remained at around one second, without widening."

"Entering the middle of the race, Han Shilong maintained constant pressure on Lu Zhizhou, forcing him to make mistakes and looking for an opportunity to overtake." "But!"

"Lu Zhizhou was not fooled and once again showed a composure beyond his years, blocking Han Shilong with a brilliant defense and firmly maintaining the lead."

Passionate and exhilarating!

No one expected that the most exciting and entertaining match in the Hungarian leg of the competition would come from the leaders, with the first and second place teams engaging in a fierce battle.

In a rare move, Marchionne cleared his schedule to sit in front of the television and watch the live broadcast.

Over the years, Marchionne hasn't even had time to watch F1 races live, let alone GP3.
But today, the sun rose in the west, and Marchionne was watching the GP3 race, completely absorbed and incredibly engrossed.

In fact, Marchionne himself is a racing enthusiast. He often goes to the track to race during his vacation. However, due to his busy work schedule, age, and health issues, his only hobby has to be put aside. He hasn't personally experienced the roar of an engine for a very long time.

Staring at the television screen, the deafening roar seemed to flow into my heart like blood, my adrenaline surged instantly, awakening memories in every cell of my body, to the point that my fingertips trembled uncontrollably as I stared intently at that red and black light with an almost greedy gaze.

Then, something unexpected happened.

"Lu Zhizhou! Your braking point at the hairpin bend was a little too late; it seems you're understeer!"

"Chance!"

"Han Shilong! Han Shilong is attempting to overtake!"

Huh!
Marchionne's heart stopped beating instantly, stuck in his throat, and his whole body tensed to the extreme.

"Oh my God! Han Shilong has gone too far! The steering is locked! Han Shilong has gone off the track!"

"Lu Zhizhou! Unbelievable! Lu Zhizhou actually managed to control the race car and successfully exit the corner!"

"Excellent! The crisis was handled perfectly. Lu Zhizhou is back on track and has completely left Han Shilong behind, widening the gap to two seconds!"

"Two seconds!"

"That was close! Wow, that was really close!"

"But Lu Zhizhou's performance was still admirable..."

Goosebumps rose from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his body trembled slightly uncontrollably. It was excitement and exhilaration; Marchionne was completely immersed in it.

In racing, no one is perfect, and no one can be without making mistakes. There are countless possibilities for deviation in a fraction of a second. Therefore, mistakes are not important; what matters is how to handle them and recover from them. This is the true key to defining a top driver.

Just like before, under Han Shilong's relentless pressure throughout the arena, Lu Zhizhou made a mistake, and an opportunity arose.

However, at the critical moment, Lu Zhizhou turned the tide, while Han Shilong, who had been waiting for an opportunity, missed the chance he had created himself.

Marchionne knew that the final suspense of the game had been eliminated. Han Shilong's mistake not only widened the gap between him and Lu Zhizhou, but also allowed Hubert to close in aggressively from behind. Han Shilong had no intention of chasing Lu Zhizhou; he had to hold off Hubert.

Bokolać started fourth?

This unlucky guy had another stroke of bad luck, getting involved in a collision on the first lap. Although he survived and didn't retire, he still lost his position and was overtaken by Hubert. Furthermore, his car seemed to have some problems, lacking downforce and unable to get into the ideal speed rhythm.

Thus, the top three teams once again became an internal battle within the ART team, continuing the dominance of Austria and Great Britain, with only minor changes in the number of team members.

The match, lasting less than forty minutes, flew by. I held my breath the entire time and didn't even notice the passage of time.

"competition is over!"

"First, Lu Zhizhou."

"Five consecutive main race titles this season! And all of them reached the podium in the main race sprint races!"

"Unstoppable! Unstoppable momentum! Talent, execution, and tactical awareness—all at their peak!"

"ART once again swept the podium, with Lu Zhizhou, Han Shilong, and Yu Beier crossing the finish line together. Despite Russell's unexpected retirement, ART's young drivers performed exceptionally well, upholding the team's honor. They completely dominated this year's GP3 racing scene with unparalleled prowess!"

"The suspense surrounding the 2017 GP3 Drivers' and Constructors' Championships seems to have ended long ago!"

Amazing! Exclamation!
Although this was the fourth time this scene had been witnessed this season, and Lu Zhizhou's championship victory had become the standard ending, it still couldn't calm people down.

Each time I witness Lu Zhizhou reach the summit, my amazement grows, and I can hardly believe what I'm witnessing—

For comparison, you don't need to look at GP3, just look at F2.

After winning the races for three consecutive races, Leclerc continued his dominance in F2, securing pole position with unchallenged dominance. Almost everyone believed that Leclerc would continue to win the races, and the sprint races would be the real test.

Unexpectedly, the Leclerc car malfunctioned, severely disrupting the race plan, and ultimately finished fourth, failing to reach the podium.

Their three-game winning streak in the main competition of the season has come to an end.

Of course, car malfunctions are an uncontrollable factor, but they also show the uncontrollable nature of unexpected factors on the racetrack, making victory by no means easy.

Under such circumstances, Lu Zhizhou's performance became all the more astonishing.

Especially after narrowly missing the championship in the Silverstone sprint, Lu Zhizhou immediately plunged into the Budapest race without any time to adjust. He demonstrated strong mental control and absolute focus. In the face of a challenge to his dominance and the possibility of being surrounded by packs of competitors, he quickly and forcefully rebounded, responding with the championship and silencing the restless crowd in the paddock.

To reaffirm one's existence.

It has to be said, admirably, that the 2017 GP3 season is turning into a complete one-man show.

Compared to Charles Leclerc, the already renowned and highly anticipated "Ferrari youth academy prodigy," Lu Zhizhou, emerging from the ashes, delivered an even more unparalleled and impactful performance, single-handedly extinguishing the suspense of GP3 and even overshadowing F2, drawing all the attention and interest from F1.

It's a miracle!

Even a fool could guess that this storm is causing a chain reaction in the hunting grounds. If they want to gain the upper hand in the unpredictable battles, now is the crucial moment for all the big shots to make a comprehensive strategic plan and engage in a battle of wits.

With a long sigh of relief, Marchionne regained his composure and picked up his phone to dial a number.

It didn't take long, just a short while, before the call connected. Marchionne's lips curled into a relaxed smile, revealing a leisurely and carefree demeanor, as if he were effortlessly in control of the situation.

"Hey, let me in, old buddy, got a moment?"

"Hehe, I think we need to talk about Lu Zhizhou."

……

Knock! Knock knock knock!
The knocking on the door was deafening.

In fact, most of these maintenance area offices in the enclosure are temporary structures that can be disassembled and reassembled at any time. The so-called walls are just thin plywood with virtually no sound insulation. They are only used to block the view, and you can clearly hear the outside noise even through the partition.

Nevertheless, Arivabene paused for a moment to compose himself before calling out, "Please come in."

The door was pushed open, and the face that appeared before my eyes was exactly as I had expected.

Her long, red hair was loose and languid, her bright red lips were bold and unrestrained, and her matching red nail polish and Ferrari red team uniform made her stand out. She exuded the passion of a typical Italian woman, and even in a tense situation, she still had a bright smile that was enough to ease any tension.

This is Silvia Hof-Frankipini, Ferrari's media director and also the person in charge of Ferrari F1 team's marketing, promotion, and brand image.

Don't underestimate this woman. In a male-dominated workplace, Frankie Penny is an undeniable force in the Ferrari service area. Even Arrivabene wouldn't want to offend her; if he lost his job, Frankie Penny probably wouldn't either.

“Sylvia,” Arivabene greeted her with a slight nod.

Frankie Penny smiled broadly. "The team is almost ready and waiting for you to devise a strategy for tomorrow's race. I'll get straight to the point."

There were no pleasantries, no formalities, just straight to the point: "Toto Wolff, Zach Brown, and Cyril Abitebol. They each offered their congratulations in different ways. There was no response from the others."

After the GP3 race in Hungary, Lu Zhizhou continued to be in the spotlight, and his presence seemed to be felt in every aspect of the paddock's turmoil.

Arivaben asked Frankie Penny to keep an eye out for any activity, and Frankie Penny, without asking why, immediately found out.

According to Frankie Penny, with the summer break approaching, the paddock is about to be rife with fierce competition, and no team will be spared from being drawn into it.

The point is not about Lu Zhizhou or Leclerc, but about the paddock seats.

For example, if Bottas is dropped by Mercedes-Benz, then who will take his place and where will Bottas go?

For example, if Red Bull and Verstappen's talks fall through, who will Verstappen go next? Should Ferrari join the competition? And is there a possibility that Vettel might be poached?

And so on and so forth.

Like a domino effect, the various developments during the boring season may not only affect Ferrari's driver lineup, but also change the competitive landscape of the paddock. Although drivers are only one part of the interests involved, there is no doubt that the overall situation unfolding with drivers as the starting point has indeed permeated every corner of the paddock.

It was her job to keep a close eye on her competitors' every move, so Frankie Penny didn't hesitate at all.

Arrivabene was very surprised, "Cyril?"

Frankie Penny nodded. "Text message. No direct meeting. No media exposure, but I have reliable sources, rumors within Renault, that Cyril is closely monitoring the game."

Compared to Mercedes-Benz, McLaren and Renault are indeed closer to Lu Zhizhou.

Arivabené, "Where's Horner?"

Frankie Penny was "exceptionally quiet."

Something unusual is bound to happen. Horner, who usually loves to stir up trouble in front of the media, has become quiet at this moment. Is he secretly plotting something?

Arrivabene fell into thought, then casually remarked, "Is there any movement from Sergio's side?"

Frankie Penny was slightly surprised that Marchionne was in the conversation, but she didn't think much of it, assuming that Arrivabene was probably trying to figure out what Marchionne was thinking. "No, no, he's still in Rome and has no plans to go to Maranello."

Arivabene nodded. "Okay, I understand."

He stood up, preparing to head to the conference room to discuss tomorrow's game strategy. "Sylvia, thank you for your hard work. Please keep a close eye on things for the next while. We can't be kept in the dark, or we might find ourselves at a disadvantage during the summer break. Also, please keep an eye on Sergio's situation."

Frankie Penny nodded. "No problem."

This year, Ferrari has rekindled its hopes of winning both the Constructors' World Championship and the Drivers' World Championship, with the entire team united as one.

Frankie Penny is no exception; she is also eager to see Ferrari return to the top of the world and is very willing to contribute to this cause.

She doesn't serve Arrivabene, but rather the position of team principal for Ferrari. To be precise, she is loyal to Ferrari, and Ferrari's interests are the only thing she cares about. If Arrivabene's interests conflict with the team's, she will not hesitate to turn against him.

Arrivabene gave Frankie Penny a hug, turned and left the office, his mind racing with thoughts—

Marchionne has remained silent for the time being, so what is he planning? Has he really given up on Lu Zhizhou, or is he preparing to deliver a fatal blow during the summer break?
But no matter what, he needs to remain vigilant at all times and cannot let his guard down.

……

Paris, under the bright sunshine, is filled with a lazy and relaxed atmosphere, the city emptied as people flock to the seaside for vacation.

Although the streets are packed with tourists, they are only limited to famous attractions such as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe; in the residential areas, the pace of life slows down completely, and people stroll leisurely under the plane trees, enjoying a rare tranquility, which has a unique charm.

The FIA ​​headquarters is located in Paris.

Jean Todt, with his beer belly swaying and wobbling, slowly appeared in the lobby on the first floor, greeted him with a smile, and deliberately raised the tail of his voice, "It is truly a rare sight to see Mr. Marchionne here."

Generally speaking, F1 affairs are handled by the F1 team, and it would be unusual for Marchionne, the group's CEO, to be involved. Therefore, it is indeed rare for Marchionne to appear at the FIA ​​headquarters.

but--

Wait, wasn't Marchionne in Rome? How did he end up in Paris? Neither Franchi Penny nor Arrivabene received any information about his whereabouts?

Clearly, outside of Maranello, it's not so easy to find out about Marchionne's whereabouts.

Marchionne smiled and looked around seriously. "This is only my second time at the FIA ​​headquarters. Everything here is unfamiliar."

Todd, with an air of hospitality, said, "As your host, I can show you around."

Marchionne waved his hands repeatedly, looking rather reluctant, "I think it's better to pass."

"I want to keep my distance from the FIA ​​as much as possible. If I need to visit the FIA ​​headquarters in person, it must be a big deal, which means things are not going well."

“I’d rather remain unfamiliar with the architecture here and never need to be. Every visit here is a completely new experience.”

Todd didn't mind, his face beaming. "So, today must be a big deal, a very important one, that you actually came all this way in person. How many times do I need to repeat 'very'? Is three times enough?"

Marchionne smiled. "It depends on your mood. A few more or a few less won't make a difference." The tacit understanding between old friends was still evident. He then changed the subject, ignoring Todt's teasing, "It's a major event concerning the future of the team and even the group, so it's worth making a personal trip."

"And this matter... makes me need some help."

Marchionne had given instructions before going to Paris, so Todd was not unaware of the situation, but this was the first time they had a detailed face-to-face discussion.

Todd quickly distanced himself, saying, "Sergio, I'm just a working man. You know I'm not in charge of anything related to super licenses."

"Furthermore, I cannot interfere in the matter."

"There is an independent committee for the Super License, and that's their job."

(End of this chapter)