Speed ​​God

Chapter 125 A good show

"Outrageous! Ferrari has lost its mind!"

"Going from nothing to F1 in just four months, is that reasonable? What exactly is the FIA ​​doing?"

"So, is it that time of year again when the FIA ​​turns a blind eye? After Verstappen, will the paddock welcome another crash superman?"

"Has Ferrari become so desperate that they're pinning their hopes on a baby driver?"

How will Vettel and Raikkonen position themselves?

“Pedal driver, get out! You don’t deserve Ferrari red.”

"Oh no, my magic is dead. Burn paper money if you need anything."

Insults, curses, complaints, sarcasm, attacks... you name it.

In fact, what is mentioned above is just the tip of the iceberg, and only a drop in the ocean. The truly filthy and malicious remarks are simply unbearable to look at.

Not only were Ferraris attacked, but Lu Zhizhou was also targeted. All sorts of personal attacks were rampant, to the point that even passersby were shocked.

However, these attacks are merely emotional outbursts and lack any real lethality; the real fatal blow comes from professionals.

Will Buxton, a senior F1 reporter for NBC, is known for his sharp and sensationalist style. He provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis from a professional perspective, covering Lu Zhizhou's situation, the paddock's dynamics, Ferrari's decisions, and more, ultimately drawing a conclusion—

"Is this a political show, or a high-stakes gamble on talent and ability?"

Despite being a question, the lengthy analyses and comments all pointed to the former.

In Buxton's view, this was all hype, a marketing campaign, a political maneuver, and a capital operation, with a grand plan behind it all; and Lu Zhizhou was just a tool, his talent and ability were all unimportant, like a puppet, just needed to perform on stage.

"Nobody expected his watch; it was just a marketing ploy."

The words were harsh and scathing, but Buxton's analysis represented the mainstream view in the paddock, and almost no one believed that Lu Zhizhou was capable of handling the job in F1.

No matter how outstanding or powerful GP3 is, it is still just GP3; F1 is a completely different matter. Lu Zhizhou only has four months of Formula racing experience. For such a complete rookie to sit in the F1 cockpit is simply a disaster, and the result is already predictable.

Even though it was just the first free practice session, Ferrari's move was far too risky.

It wasn't just professional journalists; other team leaders in the paddock were also complaining.

Although it's only the first free practice session, what if Lu Zhizhou crashes into the wall, causing a yellow flag or even a red flag? Or what if he causes a chain reaction of accidents, disrupting other teams' free practice plans, or even causing other cars to malfunction or crash?
Ferrari allowed such a rookie to enter the race; are they sure they weren't just trying to ruin the entire paddock?
Verstappen alone has already caused many drivers to complain, and now another "Tagore 2" has been added. What exactly is going on?
The sky was spinning and the earth was shaking.

On social media platforms, Sky Sports reported the news immediately, and some people inquired in the comments section—

"Who is he?"

In less than three minutes, three thousand replies appeared, but the opinions were varied and increasingly outrageous and exaggerated, making it impossible to keep up.

Like a farce, it was brief yet sharp, hitting the nail on the head. It didn't target Ferrari or Lu Zhizhou, but neutrally and objectively raised the fatal question: From which crack in the rock did this guy pop out? How did he fall from the sky and sit in the cockpit of a Ferrari F1 car?

However, this is not all. There were negative voices such as attacks, criticisms, complaints, and malicious speculations, but at the same time, there was also a wave of praise and applause.

Especially for fans who are closely following this season's GP3 racing, expectations are soaring.

"Looking forward to Lu Zhizhou's performance, can the racing god master F1!"

"Ahhh, I'm so happy and excited! I knew it! Being a stroller driver is worth it!"

"Following Hamilton and Verstappen, will we witness the emergence of another genius?"

Excitement, elation, and jubilation filled the air; the entire atmosphere was electric.

For professionals, they dislike surprises because surprises often represent chaos. They prefer order and routine, which are controllable. Therefore, the paddock's expectations for young drivers are always step-by-step: F3/GP3, F2, F1, one step at a time, allowing them to advance smoothly.

But for the general public, the more excitement there is, the better. They look forward to surprises and unexpected changes, and they expect a dark horse to emerge out of nowhere and disrupt the whole situation. There will always be a market for exciting stories of underdogs making a comeback, the underdog turning the tables, and the absolute reversal. What's more, when a genius rewrites the rules and reaches the top?

One or two people were eager to try their luck, hoping to see Lu Zhizhou step onto the F1 track and continue to shine in the paddock after GP3, punching Verstappen and kicking Hamilton. The more intense and chaotic the competition, the more exciting it would be, and they all cheered for Lu Zhizhou.

As for the shortcomings that professionals see, they are precisely the catalyst for a good show in the eyes of the general public, and who would want to miss such a wonderful performance?

Despite knowing nothing about Lu Zhizhou, the desire to watch the show completely took over at this moment. They could even misspell Lu Zhizhou's name, yet they couldn't wait to cheer for him, hoping that this nobody would make a dazzling appearance and stir up a storm in the hunting grounds.

The buzz of discussion was endless, like a party where you could enter the dance floor and revel without an invitation. After the boredom of the summer break, all the pent-up passion and enthusiasm were unleashed at once, and the entire racing world was ready to welcome the coming storm.

Moreover, on Chinese social media platforms, a keyword suddenly appeared at number eight on the trending search list, grabbing attention with overwhelming force.

Who exactly is Lu Zhizhou?

For a long time, GP3 has been unable to break through the limitations in China. No matter what happens on the track, the news only circulates within a small circle of passionate fans. However, this time is different. From GP3 to F1, it is not just F1, but also Ferrari. It has instantly broken free from its constraints and successfully entered the mainstream.

After all, it's a Ferrari!
Even if you have no interest in or concern for racing, you've still heard of Ferrari; it's undoubtedly a top-tier brand.

"Following Ma Qinghua, the second Chinese driver is about to make a historic debut on the F1 stage."

"Chinese drivers will embark on their F1 journey in Ferrari cars."

"Making history! Lu Zhizhou is about to write many 'firsts'."

News reports, one, two, three, four, five, burst forth in an all-encompassing explosion. Professionals were even more enthusiastic than the general public, uncontrollably entering a frenzy. The overwhelming wave of attention easily drew everyone's attention, and the surging traffic swept across the entire internet with overwhelming force.

For netizens, it's like going from zero to one hundred—someone whose name they've never heard of is suddenly going to represent Ferrari.
That's simply unbelievable!
Precisely because of this, the shock and astonishment were even more overwhelming, and the level of attention continued to rise.

Lu Zhizhou emerged from the cracks in the rocks once again, appearing out of nowhere and standing under the spotlight.

When netizens began to dig deeper, they realized how incredible the matter was, partly because of Lu Zhizhou's bizarre personal experiences, and partly because of... Ferrari.

Since 2014, the FIA ​​has recommended that F1 teams give young drivers more opportunities to participate in their first free practice sessions to gain experience.

However, this is just a suggestion, not a hard and fast rule.

Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz have always been conservative, never offering opportunities for young drivers to drive their own F1 cars; among the big teams, only Red Bull is completely open to competition, giving different young drivers the opportunity to participate in free practice to showcase their talents and compete.

More often than not, smaller and medium-sized teams are more daring.

Last year and this year, Leclerc played for Sauber and Haas in the free practice sessions, respectively; this year, Russell played for Force India.

However, Ferrari made a rare exception by opening up the seats, allowing Lu Zhizhou to drive Raikkonen's car in the free practice session, and he is also the first Chinese driver in history to step onto the F1 stage.

No wonder the entire social media platform has exploded with energy!

……

Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz are both stubborn old-fashioned teams that refuse to use their free practice sessions as a testing ground for young drivers. Even the smaller teams that are a little bolder are limited in their approach, and it is already very rare for them to be willing to open up two or three opportunities a year.

For this reason, the FIA ​​Super License Committee is trying to change the rules to require teams to give young drivers the opportunity to appear in free practice, in order to ensure the establishment of a young talent pool.

But the FIA ​​also knew that interests were intertwined and things were not so simple. They not only needed to hold meetings, but also needed to persuade the teams to agree.

But now?

Ferrari surprisingly took the lead and opened up the game first. How did that happen?

Laymen just watch the show.

Chinese netizens were swept up in the storm, completely bewildered and confused. Who is Lu Zhizhou? What level is GP3? What does the first free practice session represent? What does driving for Ferrari mean? Can we round it up to Lu Zhizhou joining F1?

The buzz and the uproar on social media platforms were incredible. Racing, a sport that is neither niche nor mainstream, was briefly in the spotlight and basked in the heat of the storm. F1 has never generated such a level of discussion.

Those in the know understand the intricacies.

Inside the paddock, Wolff, Horner, and others had already sensed something amiss—

It's one thing for Ferrari to be willing to give Lu Zhizhou a chance; it's quite another to give Lu Zhizhou a chance in a Ferrari race car.

If the goal was simply to develop Lu Zhizhou, they could have gone to Sauber or Haas for their first free practice race, just like Leclerc did; but this time, the situation is clearly different.

So, as Buxton said, is this a game of politics and the market? Or are there more considerations behind the simple decision?

Mighty and magnificent—

On the surface, this is already an astonishing storm; in reality, the scope and depth of this storm are far beyond imagination.

Friday, early morning.

When Lu Zhizhou arrived at the hunting grounds, he immediately felt the gazes that flocked to him from all directions, and it was slightly different from the Silverstone track.

At Silverstone, there are many car enthusiasts, and quite a few are familiar with GP3, so the attention from the audience has increased significantly. But now, at Spa, scrutinizing, speculating, and inquisitive eyes are gathering in droves, and more importantly, the observation and scrutiny from the staff has increased significantly.

It's like having a spotlight effect, every move is under the spotlight. That invisible pressure turns into a real heat wave that stings the skin. It's not just a mental feeling, but you can also clearly feel the change in atmosphere on a physical level. It's like walking on a knife's edge, as if any misstep could cause a huge upheaval.

However, the most peculiar thing about all of this is that there is only observation, no dialogue.

Passing glances and rustling sounds filled the air, but no one spoke to Lu Zhizhou, not even a nod.

This strangeness created a sense of disparity, further making Lu Zhizhou feel the omnipresent pressure.

"Good morning!"

A bright call came from directly ahead. Looking in the direction of the sound, you could see Hubert, all smiles, coming towards you. He opened his arms wide and gave Lu Zhizhou a big hug.

"Haha, how about it, are you ready?"

Before Lu Zhizhou could answer, a cold snort came from the side. One could clearly feel the burning, almost sharp gaze that would not be missed.

Turning my head, I could see two figures: one was Latifi, and the other should be Lance Stroll.

Latifi stared intently at Lu Zhizhou, like a vulture eyeing a corpse, expressionless with a fierce glint in his eyes, wishing he could devour Lu Zhizhou's flesh and drink his blood.

Originally, Latifi only found Lu Zhizhou annoying, but didn't take it to heart. After all, he was in F2, while Lu Zhizhou was only GP3. He was the one who was closer to F1.

But now, Lu Zhizhou has surpassed Latifi and stepped onto the F1 track ahead of everyone else, and he's even driving for Ferrari. Even if it's just free practice, it's enough to drive Latifi crazy with jealousy.

If she could, Latifi would like to give Lu Zhizhou a good punch.

To everyone's surprise, Lu Zhizhou laughed, a sneer that made no attempt to hide his mockery and ridicule.

Latifi's blood boiled instantly, and he clenched his fists, ready to step forward; but he saw Lu Zhizhou clench his fists, not only did he not back down, but he also took the initiative to meet him, exuding the tenacity and decisiveness of wild grass, and he crashed head-on into Latifi with unstoppable force. The young master was speechless and subconsciously retreated.

Lu Zhizhou immediately smiled, his smile was exceptionally bright.

Latifi felt like he had been hit with a critical strike, and his loosened fist clenched again, but this time, Stoll, who was standing next to him, pulled his friend up.

"There's no need to get your clothes dirty here. A race car driver's battlefield is on the track, do you think you're in a boxing ring?"

With a casual glance, Stoll looked at Lu Zhizhou. Instead of baring his teeth and claws, he gave a polite smile, but the smile carried an arrogant condescension. He kept his distance as if he were afraid of getting muddy shoes and pants from the stray dogs.

Before Lu Zhizhou could respond, Stoll had already pulled Latifi away.

Latifi snorted coldly and ignored Lu Zhizhou, following Stoll. His laughter could be heard in the breeze, "Haha, he'll show his true colors on the track soon."

Lance Stroll, like Latifi, is Canadian and also from a wealthy family. However, Lance Stroll's father, Lawrence Stroll, is even wealthier, dotes on his son more, and is more passionate about racing, which makes Stroll's path in the racing world smoother.

Stroll also came through Ferrari's youth academy, but left after winning the F3 European Series in 2016, joining Williams this season.

It's no secret throughout the paddock that Stroll brought in $80 million in sponsorship for Williams, equivalent to buying a driver's seat, demonstrating the all-powerful nature of money in the real world.

Amidst controversy and exclusion, Stoll remained unmoved and proved his ability.

At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Stroll finished third and reached the podium, becoming the driver with the shortest time to reach the podium since Hamilton, taking only eight races and at the age of 18 years and 235 days.

Clearly, Latifi is still struggling in F2, and he's resentful of Lu Zhizhou's overtaking and rise to the top; but Stroll's eyes are already on the road ahead, his target is Verstappen, and he doesn't even consider Lu Zhizhou a threat.

Everything will be revealed on the track; nothing can be hidden, no matter how much weight you have.

Watching Latifi and Stoll strut away, Huber took a deep breath. "Yes, that's what I just said. Are you ready?"

"Ignore them, they're just jealous. You need to focus on yourself."

Lu Zhizhou withdrew his gaze, pondered for a moment, and said, "To be honest, I always thought I wasn't ready. But now it seems..."

"Actually, I was ready. Hmm, as expected, I still don't understand myself well enough."

Hubert was taken aback, and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Within the hunting grounds, this small circle really doesn't hold many secrets. Recently, Lu Zhizhou has been riding high, attracting widespread attention. People are very familiar with Lu Zhizhou's experiences and stories, and various rumors are being passed around.

That's why the official announcement from Ferrari was all the more shocking and impactful.

From street racing to GP3 and then to F1 free practice, this three-level leap took less than ten months. While everyone was marveling at Verstappen's leapfrog development and breaking of racing rules, looking at Lu Zhizhou in front of them, Verstappen was simply a model student who couldn't be more well-behaved.

The critical and questioning voices were impossible to suppress, sweeping from GP3 to F2 and spreading rapidly into F1. Everyone was waiting to see Ferrari stumble and Lu Zhizhou make a fool of himself. Having just returned from a summer vacation, they were surprised to see such a spectacular show unfolding before their eyes.

However, is it really that simple?

Toto Wolff doesn't think so, not because he has confidence in Lu Zhizhou, but because he has confidence in Ferrari.

He doesn't believe Ferrari would be reckless and take risks, especially given that Ferrari and Mercedes are fiercely competing for both championships this season.

If they're not out of their minds, then it means Ferrari really saw more in Lu Zhizhou.

It's worth mentioning that during the recently concluded summer break, Wolff was thoroughly outmaneuvered by Red Bull's Horner.

It turns out that Horner had always known about Wolf's behind-the-scenes contact with Verstappen, but it didn't matter. Wolf thought that Horner and Marco's relationship was strained, and Horner should be happy to see Mercedes poach him. Horner's praise of Lu Zhizhou in front of the media was a signal of this.

Unexpectedly, Horner used Lu Zhizhou's existence to provoke Verstappen, launching a counterattack and joining forces with Marco to try to persuade Verstappen to give him a brand new contract during the summer break. Verstappen and his son were pleasantly surprised by such a solemn treatment.

In F1, things are full of variables, driver seats can change every year, and there are countless possibilities during the summer break each year.

Generally speaking, driver contracts are not very long. It is quite common in the paddock for drivers like Bottas and Raikkonen to sign one-year contracts. A three-year contract is already considered a long contract.

Verstappen's contract with Red Bull had a year left, but Horner had already seen through Wolf's little tricks. Instead of ignoring the big picture because of personal grudges, he put the big picture first, did not stop Wolf, and completed the plan in the process. He also shrewdly seized Lu Zhizhou as a tool and finally offered Verstappen a brand new three-year contract when the time was right.

Joss was instantly smitten!

Although Jos and Red Bull have not yet reached an agreement and contract negotiations will continue, Red Bull's sincerity is undeniable.

More importantly, the unity shown by Marco and Horner in the overall direction convinced the Verstappen family of Red Bull's determination to wholeheartedly chase Mercedes and reclaim the world championship throne, which was undoubtedly the most touching aspect.

However, if he chooses another team, whether it's Mercedes or Ferrari, they all have their own number one driver, Hamilton and Vettel. Verstappen's position in these teams is not necessarily guaranteed, and it certainly cannot compare to the star power he enjoys at Red Bull.

The Verstappen father and son must have been calculating this score in their minds as well.

Therefore, Red Bull has now regained the initiative and taken the upper hand, leaving Wolf with a bitter pill to swallow.

Not only was he led by the nose by Horner, but his plans for the future, centered around Verstappen, were also completely disrupted, forcing him to adjust his strategy.

At this very moment, with Lu Zhizhou about to represent Ferrari in the free practice session, Wolff's mind was immediately filled with excited thoughts.

On the one hand, signing Verstappen has become more difficult and costly, and Wolff must consider other options for the future of Mercedes-Benz. Russell is one option, and Lu Zhizhou is another. Of course, Wolff has other options in his pocket, and he will not put all his eggs in one basket.

On the other hand, if Ferrari is willing to invest in Lu Zhizhou, Mercedes-Benz has just finished competing with Red Bull and will now have to face Ferrari, both of which are tough opponents; moreover, Wolff must start to worry that his competitors have already begun to plan for the future, and where they are in the competition.
My mind raced with thoughts.

On the surface, Wolff remained calm and composed, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil unfolding in the paddock. However, in reality, Wolff knew he should be closely watching the first free practice session at Spa-Francorchamps.

Although Horner loathed Wolfe to the core and consistently refused to acknowledge that they were the same kind of people, they were indeed the same kind of people.

Horner also noticed the power struggle behind it.

Red Bull has already revealed their hand; they're still pinning their hopes on Verstappen, but Lu Zhizhou...

Horner felt that close monitoring was still necessary.

Before the summer break, he always treated Lu Zhizhou as a tool, a "whip" to motivate Verstappen; but now the situation has changed slightly, and he is taking this baby driver seriously for the first time. After all, Ferrari doesn't go crazy for no reason.

No, that's not right. On the track, Ferrari often goes crazy; but when it comes to choosing drivers, they're always reliable.

So, does this baby car driver really have something going for him? Can he really rival Verstappen?
Horner quietly added a question mark.

Clearly, it wasn't just Wolff and Horner, nor just McLaren's Zach Brown; Haas team principal Günther Steiner arrived at the paddock humming a tune.

He greeted everyone proactively. This Italian, who usually swore, was undoubtedly a social butterfly in the paddock. He could talk to anyone. It was obvious without asking that he was in a good mood today. He even walked with a series of little skips, extremely cheerful.

When Ferrari proposed that Lu Zhizhou take one of Haas's driver seats next season, Steiner refused.

Despite the close cooperation agreement between Haas and Ferrari, Haas is also an independent team with its own goals for the season. Team boss Gene Haas is passionate about racing and personally oversees everything, placing all the pressure on Steiner's shoulders.

Steiner didn't want to play the role of a kindergarten principal, training baby drivers for Ferrari.

However, things took an unexpected turn. It now appears that the baby was actually quite capable, and Ferrari had no intention of having Steiner take care of the child. Does this mean that Haas can acquire a promising young driver without spending too much money or effort?

This deal couldn't be more worthwhile.

Steiner strode forward like Bambi, passing through the Ferrari service area. He was about to go in and say hello when his eyes met Vettel's. He immediately saw Vettel's cold, piercing gaze, which instantly stung the back of his neck, like a cold dagger pressed against his back.

Steiner whistled, gave Vettel a polite smile, and continued walking.

Or perhaps... the best course of action is to leave!
……

With expressionless faces and icy demeanor, the maintenance area, shrouded in sweltering humidity, actually felt strangely cool.

This is what Frankie Penny saw when she arrived at the P room.

Frankie Penny and Steiner exchanged a glance and nodded amicably, but there was no time for a proper greeting. Looking at the aloof Vettel, she steeled herself and stepped forward. Despite her reluctance, it was her job; she needed to unite the team and get them focused on the present.

If you want to compete for the championship, you can't take any race lightly after the summer break.

Arivabene... flew into a rage.

If it weren't for the need to maintain a good team atmosphere and avoid losing his composure in front of everyone and becoming a laughingstock, he probably would have already exploded by now.

Clearly, Arivabené disliked Lu Zhizhou's decision to participate in the first free practice match, even considering it an interference that caused "internal division." However, there was no need for those terribly offensive remarks to be circulated; they were best left unsaid, as Frankie Penny had already forgotten them all.

Although Frankie Penny didn't understand why it was such a big deal to make a fuss over a mere free practice match, as a media and public relations professional, she could at least see that Arrivabene and Marchionne had a disagreement, and now it was a head-on confrontation between two iron-fisted figures, while they were just small fry who had accidentally stepped into the battlefield and might become cannon fodder if they weren't careful.

Franchi Penny isn't worried about Arrivabene and Marchionne falling out; she's concerned that internal conflicts could become a stumbling block for the team in missing out on the world championship.

Therefore, Frankie Penny needs to take control of the situation.

Having just left Arivabené's office, Frankie Penny immediately headed to the P-room—

Lu Zhizhou replaced Raikkonen in the first free practice match, so Raikkonen could arrive at the paddock a little later and only needed to come to read the data; but Velt was different, because Vettel still needed to play in the first free practice match and had arrived very early in the morning.

Now, Frankie Penny needs to calm Vettel down, keep him focused, avoid distractions, and get him ready for the weekend step by step.

Returning from the summer break, Mercedes-Benz is aggressively pushing forward, and the fierce competition between the two giants will escalate further, leaving no room for error.

Without a doubt, Frankie Penny possesses her own charm and ability, like a flame and like honey. She doesn't need any inspirational quotes or heartfelt advice; with just a few words, she successfully rekindled the passion in the P room, and Vettel's tense facial lines relaxed, bringing back his smile.

However, before Frankie Penny could breathe a sigh of relief, Vettel's smile vanished again, and no particular expression appeared on his face.

Frankie Penny's heart skipped a beat. Following Vettel's gaze, she saw a tall, handsome figure exuding youthful energy as he approached.

A red racing suit accentuated his short black hair and wheat-colored skin, while his dark eyes were so clear, bright, and deep and captivating.

That exuberant and radiant energy instantly caught my eye, and even Frankie Penny couldn't help but take another look.

Then, Frankie Penny immediately became alert, quickly looked away, and subconsciously glanced at Vettel.

Amidst the buzzing and commotion, the young man's bright and positive voice rang out, "Good morning, I'm Lu Zhizhou. Today I'm driving race car number seven in my first free practice session. Please give me your guidance."

Neither arrogant nor humble, but warm-hearted, positive and sincere.

It must be said that he made a deep impression from the very first impression. There was no arrogance or swagger of someone riding high on success, but rather a pure focus and excitement. He was simply happy to be stepping onto the F1 track for the first time, and that was all. It seemed that the original aspiration of his dream was beginning to shine.

And who could refuse?

Frankie Penny glanced at Vettel with slight nervousness; if she were to erupt now, all her efforts would be in vain.

Unexpectedly, Vettel showed no extra emotion, simply nodding slightly and saying, "Good morning."

Although there was no particular enthusiasm, there were no harsh words either. They remained polite and courteous, acting as if it were all business. And then... that was it.

Vettel looked away, turned and walked toward his technical team, preparing smoothly for the first free practice match.

Frankie Penny was taken aback, then gave Lu Zhizhou a big smile. "Nervous? It's okay, don't be nervous. It's just that the whole paddock is focused on you. Oh, and Norris too, which barely gets some attention. Most of the eyes are on you. Relax, it's just a Ferrari."

The teasing tone immediately sparked laughter in the repair area, and even Lu Zhizhou smiled.

Frankie Penny patted Lu Zhizhou on the shoulder, gave him an encouraging look, and then caught up with Vettel in a series of small steps, looking over expectantly.

Vitel chuckled. "Sylvia, relax, I'm not a child anymore."

Frankie Penny's eyes widened. "But I'm still young. Sebastian, are you implying I'm old?"

Faced with this counterattack, Vitter's smile widened, but he didn't respond. He glanced at Lu Zhizhou and said, "I don't need to make things difficult for a child. That face, what else could it be but an infant? Probably just weaned. Besides, I believe in Kimi, and we should have more faith in Kimi."

This year marks Vettel's tenth year in the paddock. He has weathered many storms along the way, yet he doesn't lose his composure because of a child.

Disliking Lu Zhizhou is one thing, but staying rational is another. Vettel also knows that changing drivers is not so simple for a team.

Look at Raikkonen, calm and composed, without making a sound, so there's even less reason for him to panic.

Let the racetrack decide.

Of course, there's also the interplay of interests.

Vettel looked away and casually remarked, "Let's run some practice sessions first."

Let alone the fact that it's just a free practice match, which can't change much, and besides, the opportunity is in Lu Zhizhou's hands, it's still uncertain whether he can seize it.

Frankie Penny let out a soft breath. Regardless of what Vettel said, the atmosphere in the practice room had calmed down and entered a businesslike state. Everyone here was worldly-wise, and there was no need to make a fuss or lose their composure over a free practice match, let alone trip them up.

This is also the situation that Frankie Penny hoped to see.

She doesn't care about the intrigue and undercurrents; the only important thing is for the team to win the championship, and she needs to ensure that everyone is in agreement.

Her gaze shifted to Lu Zhizhou, and even Frankie Penny herself didn't realize that she was starting to feel a sense of anticipation.

Clearly, at this moment, Lu Zhizhou is not the only one or two people paying attention to him.

On the other side of the mainland, in the East Eighth Time Zone, in a small apartment in an ordinary community in Shanghai, a group of people gathered in front of the television.

Song Bo shouted at the top of his lungs, "Mom! Hurry up, Zhizhou is about to appear!"

Zhang Qiaomu, carrying a plate of watermelon, walked down the corridor into the next room and called out, "Here he comes! Didn't you say it wouldn't be so quick? Zhizhou's out already?"

The small room was crowded together, everyone staring at the small TV box, just like more than ten years ago when televisions were not yet common. All the neighbors gathered together to watch the Olympic Games on TV.

To be honest, Jiang Mo was a little nervous.

This was her first time watching a live race, and it was completely different from hearing about it or watching videos. Everything was happening simultaneously. Lu Zhizhou was in faraway Belgium, preparing to step onto the track. Everything in front of him was unknown, and that mix of tension and excitement gripped her heart.

She knew she shouldn't let negative emotions control her; she should remain objective and calm.

But surprisingly, I still couldn't control myself.

She couldn't help but worry about Lu Zhizhou, about car accidents, accidents, and all sorts of terrible disasters kept flashing through her mind.

That's F1, not just GP3. It's a race car that goes up to 300 kilometers per hour, a competition where humans challenge the limits of machinery, and sitting inside is her child.

Jiang Mo had an urge to turn around and leave, to get away from this place. As long as she couldn't see the live stream, she wouldn't let her mind wander and be controlled by the demons in her heart.

"...No, they're not the same."

“GP3 has only one free practice session, which is only 45 minutes long; F1 has three, the first two are 90 minutes long and the third is 60 minutes long.”

Chattering and bustling, not only Lu Cheng's and Song Yan's families, but also two other families who knew each other gathered together, filling the narrow space, all hoping to watch Lu Zhizhou's first appearance on the F1 stage. It was a lively and enthusiastic scene, even more so than the Lunar New Year.

Song Bo, who has always been considered a "mischievous and naughty kid," finally got the chance to speak today, and shared his knowledge with a flushed face and gesticulating wildly.

Zhang Qiaomu, who had just entered, saw this scene and interjected, "So complicated? It's just getting familiar with the track, why make it sound like a mock college entrance exam?"

Song Bo spread his hands, complaining irritably, "Mom, you don't understand! This is different, completely different, okay?"

"The goals and tasks of the three F1 free practice sessions are completely different."

"The first free practice session was mainly for getting familiar with the track, testing initial data, collecting tire and aerodynamic data, and completing basic setup adjustments."

"The second free practice session allowed us to optimize car settings based on track and weather conditions, simulate qualifying and the race, and further collect precise data,"

"The third free practice session was used for final adjustments to the car and for developing a qualifying strategy."

"One link leads to another, progressing step by step..."

Beside him, Song Yan watched Song Bo, who was spitting as he spoke, and asked, "So, Zhizhou is just being used as a guinea pig on the racetrack?"

Song Bo's eyes widened. "What do you mean by 'guinea pig'..."

Zhang Qiaomu ignored their chatter and squeezed through the crowded area to get to Jiang Mo's side.

She gently patted Jiang Mo's right hand, which was frighteningly cold and devoid of warmth, but she wasn't surprised. Instead, she smiled at Jiang Mo and said, "Xiao Zhou, you can do it."

“From a young age, Xiaozhou has always known what he is doing.”

Do you remember when he was five years old, and you were hospitalized?

“Lu Cheng was too busy taking care of you at the hospital, so Xiao Zhou slept at my place for a few days. He’s always very well-behaved, eating by himself, getting up by himself, making his own bed, and doing everything meticulously. There’s no need to worry about him at all.”

"Until one night, when I was passing by the bathroom, I inadvertently heard him crying inside. He was hiding there and crying secretly, using the sound of the showerhead."

Jiang Mo was stunned. Zhang Qiaomu had never told her about this before.

“I was outside, and I was heartbroken, but I didn’t know what to do. In the end, I couldn’t help but ask him indirectly what was wrong.”

He said he was worried about you, but didn't dare let you know because you would definitely worry about him. He couldn't be a burden to you; you needed to focus on getting better.

Even now, when the memory is awakened again, Zhang Qiaomu still can't help but feel a lump in his throat.

She gently patted Jiang Mo's cold hand. "Don't worry, Xiao Zhou knows what he's doing."

Jiang Mo was stunned, overwhelmed with mixed feelings and surging emotions, but before he could react, he was drowned out by the cheers that erupted in the room.

My heart skipped a beat.

Subconsciously, Jiang Mo looked up at the TV screen, where a close-up shot showed Lu Zhizhou, and the CCTV-5 commentator appeared extremely excited.

"...This is Lu Zhizhou, a Chinese driver who will soon represent Ferrari in the first free practice session of the Belgian Grand Prix. We are witnessing a brand new history."

"Following Ma Qinghua, another Chinese driver has stepped onto the F1 track to participate in the free practice session."

"Currently, he is competing in Formula 3 for the ART team, maintaining a perfect record in the main races. Except for fourth place in the sprint race at the Hungarian Grand Prix, he has reached the podium in all other sprint races and is currently far ahead in the drivers' championship standings..."

The words, brimming with jubilation, excitement, and boundless enthusiasm, flowed like a machine gun, clearly conveying a boiling passion and burning fervor.

It's rare to see CCTV-5 paying such attention to the first F1 free practice session, broadcasting it live with race-level standards, creating a huge buzz.

Jiang Mo stared blankly at the TV screen. Although Lu Zhizhou had put on a helmet, he hadn't lowered his visor yet, and his eyes were clearly visible.

Bright yet calm, focused and steady, all the eager fighting spirit has settled down, shining brightly in the eyes like the stars and the sea.

It was a kind of confidence, a belief and strength emanating from within, which was transmitted to Jiang Mo's heart across the lens and screen, across thousands of miles.

Involuntarily, Jiang Mo clenched his fist slightly, and his heart began to surge with emotion.

In fact, Lu Zhizhou in the cabin was trying to calm himself down. He couldn't be too nervous, but he also couldn't be too excited. He needed to stay focused.

However, this is not an easy task.

When Nicolas Todt called Lu Zhizhou to tell him that he would be running his first free practice session for Ferrari, after a brief moment of excitement, he calmed down and refocused on his daily life. Although he understood what it meant, it still felt unreal, and he was able to take it in stride.

It's just F1. I've already done GP3, I'm familiar with the F1 simulator, and Ferrari's new car for next year is already on the track. It's just a free practice session, there's no need to make a fuss.

until now.

Being truly on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, sitting in a red Ferrari, my heart started pounding uncontrollably.

Let alone others, even he himself found it incredible that he had come all this way from street racing to this place in just ten months.

On the one hand, there was no sense of reality at all; on the other hand, the roar of the engine was frantically squeezing the eardrums, and the unbelievable reality was like an ice cube sliding down the throat and into the stomach, falling heavily downwards.

Thump, thump.

My heart was pounding wildly, and the roar grew stronger and stronger, almost drowning out all the noise in the paddock, pounding hard against my eardrums, becoming the only sound.

Lu Zhizhou didn't deliberately stop him, but relaxed and immersed himself in it, listening, feeling, and remembering the tense and excited emotions of this moment. Like diving in the ocean, he continued to explore the abyss, touching the pulse of the earth and feeling the vibration of the racing engine.

Buzz, buzz.

He felt it; the slight vibration traveled to his fingertips, soles of his feet, and every part of his body, the racing car becoming an extension of his soul's tentacles.

"The green light is on, and the first free practice session of the 2017 F1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps has officially begun. At the same time, we are also witnessing the birth of a historic place. For the second time in history, we will see a Chinese face in the F1 paddock. The young driver Lu Zhizhou, who is only seventeen years old, is about to drive the No. 7 car of world champion Raikkonen!"

All the noise, all the commotion, all the pressure vanished into nothingness at this moment, leaving only him and the Ferrari No. 7 race car in his hand.

"Lu, if you're ready, you can leave the maintenance area."

An unfamiliar voice came through the radio, instantly pulling Lu Zhizhou back to reality. He calmly replied.

"receive."

(End of this chapter)