Speed ​​God

Chapter 153 On the cusp of the storm
"It was all thanks to Haas's assist. Making one stupid mistake wasn't enough; he made two in a row. It would be a miracle if we didn't win."

"That baby is definitely a rich kid. Skipping a grade to get into Ferrari wasn't enough; Ferrari's strategy was to sacrifice Vettel to protect the baby's Overcut. So, this baby's net worth is several times that of Stroll?"

"This is all fiction. Any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental and is purely coincidental. There's no need to take it seriously; if you do, you'll lose. With this racing strategy and this incredible luck, let alone him, I would have won too."

Keyboard warriors sprang into action, observing the night sky and prying into secrets. One or two of them spoke with great conviction, calculating with their fingers and grasping the truth of the matter.

Criticism, attacks, encirclement, disdain, contempt, and ridicule were incessant.

Until these voices surged in unison, the facts became undeniable: Lu Zhizhou became a sensation, his popularity soared, and he truly broke down invisible barriers—

Its influence spread like wildfire.

But does Lu Zhizhou care?

The answer is no. Those keyboard warriors who sit at home and use their phones to "drive" online are meaningless and have no weight. Lu Zhizhou will not waste his time paying attention to them.

Lu Zhizhou's nonchalant and detached attitude doesn't mean everyone can remain calm and rational, simply ignoring the negative comments.

For example, Song Bo.

The joy of victory was still surging in his chest. He excitedly scrolled through social media, eager to share his emotions with millions of netizens, when he saw those inappropriate voices chattering incessantly. Anger instantly flared within him; he wanted nothing more than to drag those people out of the screen and give them a good beating—

But he couldn't.

Even if he could, he couldn't single-handedly clean up all the trolls on social media.

So, what to do?
Song Bo racked his brains, and this time, he really found the answer: the video!

Song Bo will produce a video that will not only review the Australian Grand Prix, but also provide a comprehensive analysis of tactics, the competition, turning points, and challenges.

Let the facts speak for themselves. This not only makes people realize that Lu Zhizhou's victory was definitely not just luck, but also makes people realize the difficulties and dangers behind this victory. Lu Zhizhou withstood the pressure and overcame numerous difficulties with an unparalleled performance, thus creating a miracle.

In fact, Song Bo succeeded.

With the birth of his first million-view video, Song Bo seized this wave of traffic and ushered in the first breakthrough point in his one-year podcast career.

Song Bo produced a 23-minute video that provides a comprehensive analysis of the Melbourne leg of the competition, highlighting the challenges Lu Zhizhou faced behind his strategies and luck. Ultimately, he seized the opportunity presented by favorable timing and location, using his talent and abilities to write history and create a miracle – a feat that was far from simple.

The video has garnered over two million views, with a surge of bullet comments and a lively comment section.

Song Bo had never known that there were so many racing enthusiasts on the Chinese mainland. He was filled with excitement and enthusiasm, and his motivation was at its peak.

Not only Song Bo, but also domestic and international video websites and professional platforms such as Sky Sports and Five Star Sports seized the opportunity to produce special programs to comprehensively analyze the truth behind Lu Zhizhou's miraculous debut and championship win, providing professional analysis for the general public.

"An unparalleled victory."

Between adventure and reason, between wildness and talent, Lu Zhizhou found a perfect balance, withstanding the pressure and controlling the race in an unexpected way. From the first lap to the fifty-eighth lap, there was always the possibility of a comeback, but he still managed to forcefully take the victory.

A memorable and memorable professional debut; the paddock should be ready, this outsider who barged into the party is poised to become the star.

Praise, admiration, surprise.

The more you analyze it, the more astonished you become. Only by calming down and reflecting carefully can you truly realize how difficult and dangerous Lu Zhizhou's victory was.

Without a doubt, it wasn't luck. Perhaps the safety car was indeed a stroke of luck, a turning point from quantitative to qualitative change, with Haas's mistake being truly astonishing; but luck alone, without Lu Zhizhou's courage and skill, would not have resulted in the season opener.

Netizens went wild, pushing the frenzy to a whole new level.

Some people even made GIFs of Lu Zhizhou's highlight moments in defending Hamilton and the clip of Lu Zhizhou leaving the pit lane and getting stuck before Hamilton, and added exciting background music. After being reposted by Tiefo Temple, the GIFs spread widely across social networks and filled the timelines of all racing enthusiasts.

However, none of this had anything to do with Lu Zhizhou.

After the Australian Grand Prix, the entire Ferrari team returned to Maranello immediately, and Lu Zhizhou was among them.

Two weeks after the Bahrain Grand Prix, Vettel should have had a week to rest, so he didn't travel with the team to Maranello; but for rookie Lu Zhizhou, there was no time to rest.

Firstly, after the first leg of the competition, he realized his shortcomings and deficiencies, and needed to further learn and summarize his gains and losses.

Secondly, he needs to adapt to the pace of the F1 season. In GP3, a break can last for a whole month, but F1 is different. Outside of the summer break, the longest break is two weeks, and there have been more than a few instances of races for three consecutive weeks, lasting from March to November, making the season very long.

Different cycles mean different adjustment rhythms. After the jubilation and excitement of the season opener subside, preparations for the next event must begin immediately.

Thirdly, he needs to prepare for the Bahrain leg of the competition.

Therefore, without taking a holiday or rest, Lu Zhizhou returned to Maranello with the team.

Frankie Penny was worried that the hustle and bustle of social media might affect Lu Zhizhou's concentration. The negative voices with their foul language were one thing, but the praise that lauded Lu Zhizhou as if he were a racing god was another. The driver needed to keep his distance.

Young people, in particular, are dazzled by the colorful online bubble, and if they are not careful, they may be swept up in the torrent and lose their way.

Just as Frankie Penny was pondering how to control Lu Zhizhou's phone usage time, she discovered that Lu Zhizhou's phone had long been relegated to the back burner.

Back in Maranello, Lu Zhizhou was either on a simulator or in a technical team meeting, and even when he returned to his dormitory at night, he was doing math problems.

It seems she worried for nothing, which relieved Frankie Penny. This young man was so easy to take care of; who wouldn't like a kid like that?
In an orderly and methodical manner, Lu Zhizhou, along with the experienced Cleary and others, completely put Australia behind them and fully entered Bahrain time. Everything was prepared according to plan, but Mekis learned some bad news from Aliwabene.

Not exactly devastating news, but certainly bad news.

The FIA ​​needs to conduct a technical inspection because it suspects that the rear wing used by Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix does not comply with regulations.

"Ha, I thought it was Christian Horner, but I didn't expect Toto Wolff to be so impatient this time," Arivabené sneered.

This is something we've long been accustomed to.

When Mekes delivered the message, the entire technical team was enthusiastically sharing everyone's understanding of the Bahrain circuit, while Lu Zhizhou, who "knew nothing about Bahrain," acted as a listener, absorbing the information with relish, cross-processing it in his mind, and forming his own understanding.

As soon as Megis spoke, the hot air in the room instantly froze, turning from extremely hot to extremely cold, to the point that Lu Zhizhou couldn't help but make a teasing remark.

"The weather in London doesn't change that drastically."

The atmosphere relaxed slightly before Lu Zhizhou looked at Megis and asked, "Where exactly?"

Mekes waved his hand, "Where doesn't matter, what matters is their attitude; they're not convinced they lost."

Lu Zhizhou smirked and spread his hands. "So, if there's no way to do it on the track, then we'll resort to off-track tactics? There's no difference between F1 and street racing, is there?"

“Hahaha.” Cleary laughed exaggeratedly. “Yes, that’s it. If you can’t beat them on the track, you resort to dirty tricks off the track. That’s how it’s always been in the paddock.”

After a pause, Cleary waved his hand. "Don't get me wrong, we would do the same thing in a different position. The paddock is never just about the track."

"I just didn't expect them to act so quickly this time?"

Noticing Lu Zhizhou's gaze, Claire offered an explanation.

"Generally speaking, when a team principal raises a protest or is suspected of violating regulations, it usually takes three or four races to observe and find a plausible reason, at least to save face; but this time, they couldn't hold back their impulse after just one race, which prompted the FIA ​​to intervene?"

"Little guy, it seems you've really provoked some people this time."

Cleary looked at Mekes. "So, who filed the complaint this time? Zach Brown? Christian Horner? Or Cyril Abitebol?"

Mekes, "Toto Wolff".

Whistles filled the room, and some people even high-fived in celebration; the jealousy and attacks from their rivals were the best affirmation of their work.

Megis gave a wry smile. "This isn't like Toto's style."

"He is not impulsive and prefers to plan before acting, avoiding rash actions that could disrupt the situation. Maurizio also did not expect it to be Toto, and it seems they are very, very dissatisfied with what happened at Albert Park."

Swords flashing, undercurrents surging—

In fact, Lu Zhizhou was no stranger to these things. On the streets, racing, which involved risking one's life, was even more primitive and savage, and these open and covert attacks were also endless.

Now that they're in the hunting grounds, bound by the rules, everyone is more civilized, but it's still bloody and brutal. You can't see the bloodshed, but it's even more ruthless and cold-blooded.

Lu Zhizhou looked at Megis, "What exactly happened to our tail fin?"

Mekiss also sat down. "No violations were detected during the winter testing. It's highly unlikely that Mercedes-Benz would suddenly discover something new after just one race. The real possibility is that they're just trying to annoy us, affect our mentality, distract us, and make us unable to handle the pressure in the paddock."

Lu Zhizhou pointed to himself, "Oh, so the target was me. Sorry to bother you."

His sarcastic tone was hilarious; there was no trace of panic or tension. "So, should I feel honored? Is Mercedes targeting me?"

Cleary, standing nearby, said unhurriedly, "Maybe it's because I didn't get you back then that I want to destroy what I can't have, and that love turns into hate."

Lu Zhizhou shook his head slightly, looking heartbroken. "Qiao Ke, you really should give up 'Beverly Hills'."

Everyone clapped and laughed.

A smile also appeared in Lu Zhizhou's eyes. "You just said that the Bahrain circuit might not be suitable for our chassis?"

Megis was stunned. Lu Zhizhou had actually refocused on his work. After winning his professional debut, Mercedes-Benz had launched a sneak attack, and this was it?
“Aren’t you worried?” Mekes said.

Lu Zhizhou shrugged slightly. "FIA matters are naturally handled by professionals. Our task remains the track; we need to retaliate on the field."

"You know, what I like most is the expression on someone's face when they don't like me but can't beat me."

There was no sound in the room.

Megis glanced at Cleary, only to find that Cleary hadn't even looked up and had already started talking to Lu Zhizhou, which made him relax a little.

They had already placed high hopes on Lu Zhizhou, but now it seems that even raising their expectations a little higher wouldn't be a problem.

As Lu Zhizhou said, the off-track competition is just a side story; the real showdown takes place on the track, and the Bahrain circuit is indeed a test.

Like Shanghai, Bahrain joined the F1 family in 2004 and has quickly grown into an important pioneer in expanding motorsport in Asia.

What makes the Bahrain circuit so special is that it's located in the middle of the desert, completely exposed to the elements. During the day, the intense sunlight and high temperatures, with temperatures often exceeding 50 degrees Celsius, make daytime racing virtually impossible. Therefore, it's a night race.

However, the desert is characterized by large temperature differences between day and night. During the day it is like an oven and at night there are strong winds. The temperature on the track may only be around 20 degrees Celsius, which makes it difficult for the tires to reach their working temperature. Moreover, as the race progresses, the temperature continues to drop, making it increasingly difficult to ensure the stability of the tires.

And that's not all.

The desert is full of sandstorms, which often cover the track with a thin layer of sand. Just like rain, these constantly moving sand particles can not only disrupt the grip between the tires and the ground, but also continuously undermine the stability of the driving line, becoming an unpredictable factor in the race.

Even worse, driving at high speeds on sand will accelerate tire wear.

This year, Pirelli's dry tires are generally soft, and their consumption may accelerate significantly in Bahrain, becoming a factor of uncertainty in strategy.

In other words, it poses an extremely stringent test to tire control.

Don't be fooled by the fact that Lu Zhizhou's tire management was better than Hamilton's in Melbourne, which became a key factor in the race, but overall, it wasn't the case.

Mercedes-Benz race cars are designed to be more balanced and tire-friendly; Ferrari race cars, on the other hand, are designed to prioritize speed on straightaways and high-speed corners, resulting in a slightly more leaning overall design and more uneven tire wear, which will be more noticeable on tracks like Bahrain that are inherently tire-unfriendly.

Moreover, the Bahrain circuit is also a track that puts severe tests on braking. It is known for its straights that connect to low- and medium-speed corners. In other words, cars must constantly switch between throttle and brake, making engine power and brake temperature control difficult. The constraints on the tires are constant throughout the entire process.

At least judging from the season opener, Mercedes should be more adapted to the Bahrain circuit, and now it remains to be seen how Ferrari will turn things around.

Whether it was open or covert attacks, or bizarre and unpredictable events, Lu Zhizhou remained steadfast in Maranello, wholeheartedly preparing for the Bahrain leg of the mission.

but--

The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease. Although Lu Zhizhou returned to Maranello and stayed in a secluded corner, maintaining his focus, the hustle and bustle of the outside world still rushed in.

After Lu Zhizhou finished his morning simulator training, he saw Lorenzo and Lucien Leback at the main entrance.

When Lorenzo saw Lu Zhizhou, he stood on tiptoe, beaming, basking in the sunlight, and waved his right hand vigorously, trying to catch Lu Zhizhou's attention.

However, Lu Zhizhou seemed to completely ignore them, silently walking straight ahead and leaving Lorenzo and Lebak standing there.

Lorenzo's voice boomed like a firecracker, "Hey, baby... baby! Where are you going!"

In an instant, all the birds in the treetops of Maranello were frightened away and took flight.

Click, click, click—the flashes of cameras rained down first, followed closely by the clatter of shutters, engulfing Lu Zhizhou the instant he appeared. Then, a cacophony of desperate shouts filled the air.

What do you think of the FIA's investigation?

"Rumors suggest the appeal originated from Mercedes-Benz. Do you think that's reasonable?"

Did Ferrari really violate any rules?

The reporters gathered outside the Ferrari base surged forward like sardines, their enthusiasm undiminished by the fact that they were forbidden from entering the base. They bombarded him with questions one after another, and even though Lu Zhizhou did not respond, they did not stop.

The ultimate showdown between Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz extended from the track to the paddock, while the sudden emergence of a baby driver intensified the conflict. Media reporters couldn't wait to head to the Bahrain circuit for the press conference and launch their attack, instead wandering the streets of Maranello in small groups.

Unfortunately, they were facing Ferrari, who were used to all kinds of challenges. The situation before them was nothing to them, and they remained unmoved, without revealing any weaknesses.

But forget about Ferrari, how did that baby driver manage to stay so calm, leaving the reporters empty-handed time and time again?

One by one, their competitive spirit was ignited, and they were determined to "defeat" Lu Zhizhou.

Sure enough, the ironclad defenses cracked slightly upon Lorenzo's arrival, and the reporters surged out like sharks smelling blood.

Lorenzo and Leback were both startled; was this some kind of spy movie?

One second ago, the entrance to the base was a scene of peaceful and leisurely enjoyment, with tourists and residents living in harmony, showing no signs of anything amiss.

The next second, a barrage of flashes from cameras, like a waterfall, instantly engulfed them, and they could see those grotesque faces when they turned around.

Lorenzo lost his composure and stumbled back two steps, uttering a string of Italian words that were clearly not a beautiful language.

However, the reporters' focus was not on him at all; a sharp roar, like the call of a banshee, could be heard from the crowd, soaring into the sky.

"Baby, do you think Mercedes did it on purpose? Is Toto targeting Ferrari, or is he targeting you?"

Sowing discord, fanning the flames, and fearing nothing more than a peaceful world—these journalists always manage to achieve their goals.

At this moment, Lorenzo finally realized what was going on. He turned around and saw Lu Zhizhou still walking forward leisurely and unhurriedly.

Clearly, Lu Zhizhou was ignoring not him, but the reporters.

Lorenzo quickly pulled Lebak along and hurried after them, following Lu Zhizhou all the way away.

Those resentful, heart-wrenching cries still burned fiercely behind him, like cat claws scratching a blackboard. Lorenzo got goosebumps all over his body and felt extremely uncomfortable. "Zhizhou, have they always been like this? Like in Animal World?"

A smile appeared in Lu Zhizhou's eyes. "They said that only in this way can we feel the start of the new season and show that we are quite competitive."

With a relaxed expression, Lu Zhizhou turned to the other side and said, "Lucian, I'm sorry, I hope I didn't frighten you. I was originally planning to launch a rescue operation, but firstly, explaining the whole story would be too troublesome, and secondly, our fleeing figures might become headline news."

"So, I used the simplest way. I hope you don't mind."

LeBark's expressions were quite varied, ranging from surprise, astonishment, admiration, and joy, before finally settling into a smile. "You always manage to surprise us."

As they were talking, Lu Zhizhou and his group had already entered the cafeteria. "I'm about to have lunch. How about you join me? This meal is on me today."

Lorenzo muttered to himself from the side, "Isn't Ferrari paying for it?"

Lu Zhizhou said with an air of self-righteousness, "Their sponsorship is equivalent to my salary. So, this is my treat. I just don't know if you'd like to eat in the cafeteria?"

Lorenzo didn't mind at all; he took the initiative to look at LeBark.

LeBak was slightly taken aback. He was very surprised and never expected that today's visit would turn into a university student cafeteria dinner. Things had gone off track.

They should have found a formal restaurant, preferably with private rooms, to have their conversation in an elegant and quiet environment.

But looking at the frank and straightforward Lu Zhizhou in front of him, LeBak's tense heartstrings tightened slightly, and he nodded gently, "Why not?" Even he himself hadn't expected such a reaction. After speaking, he paused for a moment, then a smile bloomed on his face, "So, do we need to eat the same nutritional meals as you?"

It was just a gesture, but it instantly shortened the distance between them.

Lu Zhizhou's smile brightened even more. "No, of course not. There are so many people at the Ferrari base; they can't control the diet as strictly as we can. If they all went on strike, our cars might not be able to run."

Lorenzodo glanced at Lebak, expressing his concern.

He thought that as a senior executive at Richard Mille, LeBark must have long forgotten his student days, or perhaps even during his university years, LeBark had never eaten in the cafeteria.

Lebak noticed this and a smile appeared in his eyes. "Relax, I'm not some spoiled brat who doesn't know the difference between food and drink. In fact, I really miss the school cafeteria. They weren't fancy, but they were a part of students' daily lives."

If you follow closely, you'll find that Lu Zhizhou is very familiar with the canteen staff. It's not just a simple greeting; they genuinely chat about everyday life. He even remembers their children, their health, and the little things that happened at the base last week.

In the world of Formula 1, capital reigns supreme. Young drivers who are now qualified to enter the paddock are often the children of billionaires, making it a sport exclusively for the rich.

There are fewer and fewer truly grassroots drivers like Hamilton, Ocon, and Lu Zhizhou.

LeBark has no ambition to change the world, nor does he intend to revolutionize motorsport, but he admits that the arrival of an unpredictable factor like Lu Zhizhou in the paddock has certainly made things more interesting.

Just like Richard Mille, in the watch industry where centuries of tradition have little say, they play the role of Lu Zhizhou.

LeBak thought Lu Zhizhou would be unable to contain his curiosity and ask about their purpose in appearing in Maranello, but it was he who couldn't withstand the pressure.

Now, Richard Mille is on the defensive. LeBark thought.

Just like the media surrounding Maranello right now, Lu Zhizhou has become a highly sought-after figure, with everyone eager to get a piece of the pie from him.

If you hesitate any longer, you might have to start queuing.

Fortunately, Richard Mille has already seized the initiative, and if they want to maintain their advantage, they must act quickly before the initiative turns into a defensive one.

The emergence of this idea made LeBark's eyes light up with amusement. This was indeed a very interesting thing. "I came to Maranello today specifically because Richard Mill hopes to start a long-term cooperation with you. We can sign a new contract and plan our future together."

Renewal?

Lu Zhizhou was slightly surprised; he had assumed that LeBark was there to honor the contract and request that he participate in some Richard Mille brand promotional activities.

With the Melbourne match over, social media was experiencing a surge in traffic. Richard Mills, with his keen sense of opportunity, seized the chance to launch a promotional campaign, which was undoubtedly highly effective. They had the right to request Lu Zhizhou's cooperation in the promotion, either by holding an event directly in Bahrain or by traveling to other cities before heading to Bahrain.

But clearly, Lu Zhizhou made a mistake this time.

“If I remember correctly, our contract has two years left. Of course, to be precise, it’s 1+1.” Lu Zhizhou remembered clearly, after all, this was his first sponsorship.

A faint smile appeared in Lebak's eyes. "That's right, so I'm here to fulfill my promise for the second year."

"However, why don't we extend this one year to three years? What do you think?"

Just like F1 drivers' contracts are signed annually and are full of uncertainty, sponsorship deals with major investors are also often signed annually to maintain flexibility and adaptability.

Now, Richard Mir has offered a three-year contract. It's unclear whether 2018 is included. If so, it would be a four-year contract, which is equivalent to forty years in the F1 world. Even if it's not a lifetime contract, it's not far off.

Lu Zhizhou raised an eyebrow slightly. "Shouldn't we discuss these things with Nick? If he knew that I was discussing sponsorship contracts and excluding him once again, he would be very upset."

“Haha.” LeBark laughed out loud. “Of course, of course, that’s what an agent does. I’d be happy to sit down with Nick and have a detailed discussion.”

“But, Zhizhou, I need you to feel our sincerity.”

“We’re not just looking for a random entry point into the paddock, changing spokespeople every year, clinging to the paddock like moss, only needing exposure. We don’t want anyone to wear our watches. No, we don’t want that.”

“We are looking for a driver who truly fits the brand image and temperament, someone with whom we can climb to the top, experience the lows, and face challenges together, for better or for worse. Just like Richard Mille’s entrepreneurial journey, we need a face that represents the brand spirit.”

"I think we've found it."

Simple, but resolute.

Amidst the noise and commotion of the cafeteria, which only served to highlight LeBark's unwavering resolve, he kept his eyes fixed on Lu Zhizhou, conveying sincerity through his gaze.

The wind direction changes so fast.

Less than a year ago in Monaco, Lu Zhizhou persuaded Leback; now in Maranello, it is Leback who is persuading Lu Zhizhou.

To be honest, it was impossible not to be moved. His heart was racing, but Lu Zhizhou managed to control himself.

Everything is capital.

This is not to question LeBark's sincerity, but rather to point out that in the paddock, all sincerity, dreams, and passion must face reality when confronted with capital.

Last September, just before Ferrari was about to announce the signing of Lu Zhizhou as their new season driver, a piece of news didn't cause much of a stir and was quickly swallowed up by the big news at Monza, so much so that no one in the paddock noticed that Lu Zhizhou's racing suit had gained another sponsor—

Ray-Ban.

As expected of a seasoned veteran in the industry, Ray-Ban cleverly seized the opportunity and signed a two-year sponsorship contract with Lu Zhizhou.

One million US dollars per year.

The cost and duration were neither too much nor too little, but without a doubt, Ray-Ban capitalized on a time lag, making an investment just in time before Lu Zhizhou entered F1 to prove himself, but after he already had a definite future, effectively increasing their exposure in the paddock.

However, that's all. To say that Ray-Ban truly believes in Lu Zhizhou or has high hopes for him is not necessarily true; he's just trying to ride the wave of popularity.

If Richard Mille is just an opportunist like Ray-Ban, then from a purely business perspective, Lu Zhizhou wouldn't need to be so open and honest, discussing fees, terms, rights, and obligations one by one, engaging in a negotiation of interests, and parting ways if things don't go well, without hurting feelings between the two parties.

But things are different now.

Richard Mill not only provided Lu Zhizhou with its first sponsorship, but they also gave Lu Zhizhou a much grander vision.

A playful glint appeared in Lu Zhizhou's eyes. "Why?"

Lebak was taken aback.

"Because of the victory in Australia?" Lu Zhizhou seemed particularly relaxed. "It's just a Grand Prix victory. It's precious, but not that precious. After Verstappen won his first career victory, how long did it take for him to win his second? More than a year? Aren't you guys jumping to conclusions too quickly?"

A hint of appreciation flashed in Lebak's eyes. "No."

"Of course, a race win is very important; it's a key to success. But as you said, a single race win doesn't mean anything."

"It's because of the process of this race, the composure in the face of opportunities, and the calmness in handling pressure. With Mercedes having a better car, you were able to withstand Hamilton's continuous attacks. Believe me, there are very few people in the entire paddock who have such confidence."

"It was also because of your performance after the competition, the FIA ​​investigation, the media frenzy, and the chaos that comes with overnight fame. It was a shock to everyone, but the temperament and attitude you showed made people believe that you were ready to face even more severe and extreme challenges."

"Finally, there's what's in front of us."

LeBak paused, and Lu Zhizhou's lips curled into a smile. "Lucian, my pride is starting to swell rapidly. Are you sure you want to continue?"

"Haha." Lebak laughed out loud. "See? That's it. That frank and unrestrained attitude."

"To be honest, when rookies find out that sponsors are willing to renew their contracts early, nobody cares about anything else and just wants to get it in writing immediately."

"But you didn't."

At this moment, Leback's voice calmed down and became slightly serious, "The paddock is not that simple; it can be heaven, and it can also be hell."

"Just like Haas, who was about to achieve the best record of the season, but in the blink of an eye, it all vanished. Reality may be even more cruel."

“The whole paddock is questioning whether you’re ready. But in my opinion, you’re not just ready to step onto the pitch, you’re ready to make your voice heard. If people think this season will be Hamilton and Vettel’s party, then you’re going to disappoint them.”

He paused, then sat up straight again. "So, we at Richard Mille want to seize the opportunity to extend your contract before you become unattainable."

This time it was Lu Zhizhou's turn to burst into laughter.

LeBark, too, had a smile in his eyes. "More importantly, we hope to grow together with you, build the brand image hand in hand, and embark on this journey together."

"Zhizhou, are you willing to have Richard Mille as your partner and comrade-in-arms, to face the challenges together?"

The air fell silent, the noise from the cafeteria filling the air and making the unseen tension between Lu Zhizhou and LeBak even more apparent.

Then, Lu Zhizhou's lips curled up again, "Then it depends on Richard Mille's sincerity."

Lebak opened his mouth slightly, and after a brief moment of surprise, a smile burst from his chest.

Who would have thought that the key turning point in Richard Mille's entire brand positioning and marketing would actually happen in the canteen at Ferrari's Maranello training base?
(End of this chapter)