Speed God
Chapter 176 Murderous
Chapter 176 Murderous
On the computer screen, various data and charts were dazzling. Everyone was wearing headphones, communicating online, and completely immersed in their work.
The entire space was quiet; as long as the door was closed, all the noise and distractions were blocked out and could not disturb their attention.
Lu Zhizhou's voice came through the headphones, steady and powerful.
"...I don't think this is the right direction for upgrading."
"From the perspective of existing car design, the constant attempt to forcibly increase the pace of low- and medium-speed corners may actually disrupt the overall aerodynamic balance and lead to a loss of straight-line advantage."
“I understand our disadvantage in low-to-medium speed corners, but the biggest risk of rashly breaking the balance during the season is that we will lose sight of the bigger picture and end up losing more than we gain.”
"Compared to making up for shortcomings, I think we should find a better balance by maintaining the current state, maximizing strengths and minimizing weaknesses, so as to adapt to the needs of different tracks."
"As for the parts that the race car can't do, we drivers can make the adjustments."
"Of course, now that we've upgraded, if we don't plan to go back, then I think we should make adjustments to the suspension and brakes, otherwise we're losing too much time in medium-speed corners; in addition, the brake overheating problem has started to disrupt the balance, and I can't effectively control the car..."
With complete focus and concentration, all members of the technical team were present and the meeting was proceeding intensively without any disruption.
Through extensive data analysis, from theory to practice, and from feedback on actual match conditions back to theory, ultimately leading to conclusions, Lu Zhizhou, like a little sun, firmly captured everyone's attention. He actively expressed his opinions and completed exchanges during team technical meetings, working alongside the team.
Lu Zhizhou's performance at the Canadian Grand Prix... cannot be blamed.
Ferrari brought upgrades to Canada in hopes of improving the pace of low-to-medium speed corners, but these upgrades not only failed to improve the pace, but also brought a series of problems.
On the one hand, the straight-line speed is affected, and on the other hand, it has a ripple effect, causing the race car to lose balance and problems in different parts.
In Montreal, Lu Zhizhou's brakes started having problems starting on lap fourteen. Throughout the race, he relied on his individual skills to control the car and maintain his line. Later, the tire wear curve began to drop rapidly, and even continuing at a normal pace resulted in tire blistering issues, let alone pushing forward.
To be honest, everyone in the pit lane thought Lu Zhizhou might fall out of the points zone, but he managed to make up for his shortcomings with skill and finished the race smoothly, withstanding wave after wave of attacks from Hulkenberg behind him, finishing in sixth place. The entire pit lane erupted in cheers, once again demonstrating Lu Zhizhou's tenacity.
This sixth place was truly hard-won.
Not only Lu Zhizhou, but also Vettel.
Vettel had a chance to reach the podium and even win the championship, but he pushed too hard during the attack, causing his tires to lock up and turn into a 360-degree spin. Sky Sports thought it was Vettel's old problem recurring under pressure and didn't pay attention, but it was actually a problem with the car.
In Montreal, Mercedes performed well, but the real standout team was Red Bull, who continued Monaco's strong performance and demonstrated competitiveness. After Vettel made a mistake, Red Bull was unable to catch up with Verstappen and Ricardo ahead of them, and their performance was barely mentioned throughout the match.
At the first moment, Lu Zhizhou sounded the alarm—
Everything seemed familiar.
In the first half of the 2017 season, Ferrari ignited hope and brought surprises, dominating Mercedes all the way; but after the summer break, everything changed, Mercedes not only overtook Ferrari, but also completely widened the gap, and Ferrari buried its own championship hopes.
Of course, the reasons are complex and cannot be simply generalized. This is a team effort, and problems cannot be simply attributed to one link in the chain.
But Lu Zhizhou immediately raised the alarm because he noticed that Ferrari's upgrades and strategic direction seemed to be repeating the same mistakes.
Over the years, Mercedes-Benz's racing car design has been the benchmark in the paddock, and their four consecutive years of dominance are definitely not a matter of luck.
Car balance is the core key, and the upgrades during the season are made around the details of balance. The cars are constantly updated based on driver feedback and track characteristics to improve competitiveness. The overall strength and stability of the two cars are unique in the paddock, truly deserving of the nickname "Mars cars".
Ferrari and Red Bull, on the other hand, have a different style of car design. They are always pushing the limits, either pushing straight-line speeds to the extreme or achieving unparalleled speed in low-to-medium speed corners. In short, they maximize their strengths by sacrificing some advantages.
In reality, it's just a matter of racing car design philosophy; there's no right or wrong. Choosing balance or pushing the limits are both valid approaches. These are two very common philosophies. Achieving balance and pushing the limits are both difficult to accomplish in practice. What truly matters is whether these philosophies can be consistently implemented and upgraded in the right way as the season progresses.
On the right track, competitiveness can be enhanced; off the track, competitiveness will be a complete mess.
It was obvious that Ferrari's upgrade strategy was flawed last season, resulting in a disastrous second half; and this season, Lu Zhizhou immediately sensed something was amiss—
The same old thing happened again.
Lu Zhizhou's performance in Monaco, in particular, gave Ferrari confidence that they could also perform well in low-to-medium speed corners.
In Monaco, Vettel, who was in third place, was unable to overtake Ricciardo, who was suffering from a power unit malfunction, and was frustratedly stuck behind him for the second half of the race. If Ferrari's upgrades had worked, this would not have happened again, and Vettel would have been able to overtake on his own.
That's why Ferrari brought the upgrades to Canada immediately.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. The upgrade failed to help the team increase its competitiveness and instead led to numerous difficulties.
Therefore, after the competition ends, the most important thing is not to condemn mistakes and hold people accountable, but to start communication.
Lu Zhizhou understood that he was a nobody and his words carried no weight, not enough to sway the team's technical team and the team leader's ideas. But as a driver, it was his job to provide feedback to the team on his feelings, the data he collected on the track, and his driving experience, and to offer suggestions.
After the Canadian Grand Prix main event ended, Lu Zhizhou and his team stayed in the conference room until nightfall, completely absorbed in their work and unaware of the passage of time.
Lu Zhizhou checked the time and realized it was already past nine o'clock. He hadn't noticed it while he was engrossed in his work, but now he was starving.
"Dinner! What good food is there in Montreal? My treat!"
This move was suggested by Lorenzo.
Lu Zhizhou knew the importance of the technical team. He needed to establish a good working relationship with his maintenance area. Rosana had realized this and helped to connect them by designing a surprise birthday party.
But Lorenzo said that special events should be held, but not too many, because Europeans value personal space. If Lu Zhizhou organizes parties every now and then, it's like bringing work into life, which team members may not like.
Therefore, it's best to stop short of the main point, accurately seize opportunities, and appropriately enhance camaraderie during the work session. Overtime work like tonight is a perfect example.
After going through thick and thin together, a delicious dinner is the perfect way to end things, even if it's not a party, it's a good way to relax.
really--
In short, the entire conference room erupted in cheers, with Claire leading the charge in shouting, "Zhizhou! Zhizhou! Zhizhou!" The atmosphere was incredibly lively.
As they approached, they could see Megise's smile. Lu Zhizhou stretched and said, "Laurent, what would you like? Montreal should have plenty of French food."
Megis smiled slightly. "I trust your taste. You're the most knowledgeable about food in the entire repair area. Whatever you order, I'll order too."
As they spoke, Megis sat down next to Lu Zhizhou and quietly cast his gaze at him.
Lu Zhizhou noticed and smiled, "What's wrong?"
Megis paused, looking slightly hesitant, but ultimately decided to tell the truth. He believed it was the right thing to do when facing Lu Zhizhou.
“You held back just now, you didn’t say everything. That’s not like you. I heard that in Maranello, you always express your thoughts without reservation.”
Lu Zhizhou chuckled and nodded slightly. "That was a test, this is real combat. The positions are different, so the methods are naturally different as well."
Megis was not surprised at all; Arrivabene, Vettel, and others still treated Lu Zhizhou like a child.
Indeed, he is only eighteen years old, but think about it carefully. How could an eighteen-year-old kid be able to impress two old foxes like Todt and Marchionne, and rightfully occupy a Ferrari driver's seat in just one year? He is no ordinary eighteen-year-old.
Lu Zhizhou's wisdom and maturity once again surprised them, and Meiqis stopped beating around the bush. "So, shall we chat privately in private?"
Lu Zhizhou watched Meiqis quietly. There were some things he couldn't say, because what he said might ignite a powder keg. But Meiqis was different.
"I think we are repeating the mistakes of last season." Without further concealment, Lu Zhizhou spoke the truth, but didn't pour out everything at once—
Click till.
However, in just one sentence, Mekis was completely stunned. Was Lu Zhizhou challenging the decision of technical director Mattia Binotto?
Mekiss thought he was mentally prepared, but he still paused briefly and swallowed hard.
He glanced instinctively in Binotto's direction, worried that Binotto might have overheard him.
“However, I may not be right.” Lu Zhizhou shrugged lightly, seemingly unaware of the bombshell he had just dropped.
“I’m just a driver, I can only see a part of the whole, I can’t see the full picture yet, so we’ll see as we go and keep improving.”
That being said, Megis saw a certainty in Lu Zhizhou's eyes, a confidence hidden behind humility. This was not just empty talk. While he was alone here, feeling uneasy and worried that Binotto would find out, Lu Zhizhou's expression only showed an unwavering belief.
After calming down, Meqis wondered why Marchionne had such high regard for Lu Zhizhou, and why the Maranello testing team had been so full of praise for him.
Mekes needed to confirm, "This isn't the whole story."
Indeed, that's not the whole reason.
Lu Zhizhou remained clear-headed. He was indeed a rookie in the F1 world, still learning. What he could see, the technical team might also be aware of. Moreover, even if he was right, he still needed time and opportunity to gain the team's trust; trust needed to be built up through cooperation and practice.
Everyone has a mouth, and anyone can spout nonsense and boast at will.
In addition, it is also the most important point.
Assuming he is correct and the team is willing to listen to his opinion, F1 car design is precise and complex. It is not possible to solve all the problems by simply adjusting one position. In the end, a lot of testing and adjustments are needed for theory to evolve into reality.
If you jump to conclusions based on just one race, the Canadian Grand Prix, and act on every rumor, you might end up losing your composure and suffering a complete defeat.
Everything needs to be done step by step, and patience is required.
From the outside, the Canadian Grand Prix was the best opportunity to attack Lu Zhizhou; but from Lu Zhizhou's perspective, it was the best opportunity for the team to build cooperation.
A crisis can turn into a disaster, but it can also become an opportunity to break free from constraints.
Such moments are precisely the dividing line between excellent and top drivers in the world of competitive sports, and Lu Zhizhou is not prepared to miss this opportunity.
"Does the reason matter?" Lu Zhizhou asked instead of continuing.
Megis paused, a smile appearing in his eyes. No, of course it doesn't matter. What matters is that the whole team is on track and working closely together.
Including Binotto.
This small detail reveals Lu Zhizhou's maturity.
Mekes chuckled. "I was worried about your reaction. Those media outlets always seize any opportunity to attack, no matter the cost."
“Like hyenas,” Lu Zhizhou said.
Megis paused, then burst out laughing. "Yeah, like hyenas. But it seems they might have to play by themselves now. So how's the exam?"
A smile appeared in Lu Zhizhou's eyes. "You are the second person in the hunting grounds who cares about my exam."
"Who's the first one?"
Mattia.
Megis's eyes widened. Binotto?
Wait, does Binotto know that Lu Zhizhou is questioning his decisions?
Looking at Megis's expression, Lu Zhizhou could see Binotto's signature curly hair moving near his line of sight without even turning his head. He could no longer contain himself, and his smile blossomed completely. "Relax, Laurent, we're not defusing a bomb right now."
The tension, anxiety, and trepidation subsided, and Mekis straightened his back slightly. Although Ferrari faced a severe test and the competition would not be easy, looking at Lu Zhizhou in front of him, the challenge and adventure seemed to have become a kind of enjoyment. He couldn't help but look forward to the next French Grand Prix.
Everything is going as expected—
After a short break, the French Grand Prix began, and Lu Zhizhou once again silenced the critics with his outstanding performance on the track.
Actions speak louder than words.
In fact, even after adjustments, Ferrari still struggled slightly, barely making it through qualifying, and trailing behind Mercedes and Red Bull throughout the weekend.
Although Vettel and Lu Zhizhou both made it into Q3, Grosjean's wall-hanging incident completely disrupted the plan, so much so that Lu Zhizhou had not made any effective results and only had one last racing lap left to gamble.
At a crucial moment, Lu Zhizhou seized the only opportunity. With his tires slightly locked up, almost everyone thought there was no hope. But Lu Zhizhou still turned the tide and achieved a valid result, ranking sixth and starting alongside Ricciardo in the third row.
Mercedes dominated the front row, with Hamilton taking pole position.
Vettel fought his way to third place, but was stuck between his competitors.
Red Bull continued its strong upward momentum, with Verstappen in fourth place and Ricardo in fifth.
Everyone could see Mercedes' dominance; Hamilton's pole position time was 0.7 seconds faster than Verstappen and 1.028 seconds faster than Lu Zhizhou.
Without a doubt, Mercedes-Benz is the one everyone needs to defeat this weekend, and for Lu Zhizhou, the test remains severe.
The competition was a battleground from the very beginning!
At the first corner, ahead of the pack, Vettel, starting third, attacked Bottas, who started second. Their wheels collided, Vettel's front wing was completely destroyed, and Bottas' left rear tire blew out. Debris flew everywhere.
It comes rushing in, impossible to defend against.
Lu Zhizhou, starting from the third row, was completely blocked in the traffic jam, with Bottas, Ricciardo, and Vettel all around, leaving no room to maneuver in front of him.
To make matters worse, Sainz and Magnussen, who were waiting in the wings, took advantage of the situation to occupy the left side of the track, leaving no room for other cars. As a result, Lu Zhizhou had to leave the track on the right to avoid the car debris, and had to take a detour to avoid the out-of-control Bottas. When he returned to the track, he lost his position in the chaos and slipped to eighth place.
A bad start!
Chaos! Disaster!
One starting line can disrupt the entire game.
Vettel and Bottas were both forced to pit on the first lap; not only that, both Williams cars and McLaren's Alonso also suffered damage and were forced to pit.
however!
Incredibly, without a safety car, the race miraculously continued.
Unfortunately, the chaos didn't last long. At Turn 8, the safety car was finally deployed, and the initial chaos was brought under control by the authorities, bringing order back to the scene.
The main reason came from behind the pack, where Force India's Ocon and Toro Rosso's Gasly were involved in separate collisions and stopped at different points on the track, both retiring from the race.
At the very beginning, seven race cars were involved in a chain accident. In such a chaotic situation, Lu Zhizhou only lost his position but was still left on the track unharmed, which was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.
Immediately afterwards, Lu Zhizhou demonstrated his ability to create and seize opportunities amidst the chaos.
On lap seven, the safety car returned to the pits, and the race restarted.
Many eyes fell on Lu Zhizhou. Amid the chaos, Sauber's Leclerc rose rapidly and inexplicably came up behind Lu Zhizhou. The two talented rookies were about to have their first head-to-head matchup of the season; but before the suspense could rise, it was already nipped in the bud by Lu Zhizhou.
Lu Zhizhou didn't look back, but forward, taking the initiative to launch an attack and making full use of the advantages created by the safety vehicle.
Overtaking and overcoming obstacles all the way, from eighth to sixth, and from sixth to fifth, it advanced almost to the beat of the drums. When the audience came to their senses, the number 22 red Ferrari had already climbed to fourth place!
He is only behind Hamilton, Verstappen, and Ricardo.
In other words, the "Lu Zhizhou vs. Ricciardo 3.0" showdown is about to unfold, with the two vying for a podium position. What's truly admirable is that their attacks aren't reckless brute force; they rely on the car's performance to overpower their opponents, and there's a strategic plan behind it all.
Controlling the pace, creating opportunities, and delivering a decisive blow—while maintaining patience and composure, one must also remain sharp and agile. A series of attacks should be swift and efficient, avoiding getting bogged down in traffic and preventing severe tire wear, thus strategizing for the entire game.
The live stream audience was full of praise for it.
Clearly, Lu Zhizhou's goal is not just to be fourth.
Next, Lu Zhizhou began to systematically and rhythmically close in on Ricciardo. Although Ferrari's performance was slightly inferior to Red Bull's, Lu Zhizhou continued to exert pressure, which kept Ricciardo in a difficult position.
Under immense pressure, Horner made his move, and on lap 28, Verstappen was the first to pit, followed by Ricciardo on the next lap.
Red Bull became the first team to break the deadlock in the repair area.
It's rare to see both Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari having their own plans and remaining steadfast despite their rivals' actions.
On lap 33, Hamilton pitted.
Lu Zhizhou entered the pit on the 38th lap.
Then, the question arises—
After leaving the station, Lu Zhizhou fell behind Vettel and was temporarily in fifth place.
From Ferrari's internal strategy perspective, Vettel's pit stop on the first lap disrupted the entire plan, and they are discussing the possibility of Vettel running all the way.
After all, there are only 15 laps left in a 53-lap race.
However, Vettel's tires were beginning to wear out, and in order to protect them, he dared not push forward at all, spending all his energy on defense. He was determined to hold onto his position. He was now averaging more than two seconds slower per lap than Hamilton, who was leading, and the gap between him and the three drivers ahead of him was widening.
However, Lu Zhizhou had just changed to a brand new set of tires, and Ricciardo, who was in third place, was eight seconds ahead of them, so he still had a chance to overtake and reach the podium.
In short, it was a wise choice for Vettel and Lu Zhizhou to switch positions. A situation reminiscent of Shanghai has emerged, and this time is no exception.
Vettel refused to give up his position.
Vettel also has his own races to go, he is also fighting for the podium, and he is doing his best to prevent Hamilton from widening the gap in the drivers' championship.
Take precautions!
Vettel completely blocked Lu Zhizhou's line, and the four-time world champions displayed top-level defensive skills, as if they were fighting for their lives.
It's both laughable and infuriating.
In Lu Zhizhou's opinion, Vettel had time to waste energy defending him with tires that had been used for thirty-nine laps, so he should save his energy to defend against Hulkenberg and Bottas who were chasing him closely.
After all, if Bottas surpasses Hulkenberg, he will definitely not miss the opportunity to attack Vettel.
"I'm preparing to attack." After waiting for a moment and still seeing no movement from Vettel, Lu Zhizhou prepared to strike, but at least this time he notified Ariwabene.
Emerging from Turn 5, I caught the slipstream on the straight, quickly turned around, floored the accelerator, and cleanly overtook the car, perfectly embracing the apex of Turn 6.
There was no chance left. The difference in tire condition was irreversible. Vettel had no chance at all. All his previous efforts were in vain. It looked like a death struggle.
Lu Zhizhou had no time to worry about Vettel's wounded pride; his attention was already focused on Ricardo ahead.
At this point, Verstappen and Ricciardo's tires had already completed twelve more laps than Lu Zhizhou's. Once Lu Zhizhou's tires reached their operating temperature range, their advantage was fully realized. Lu Zhizhou quickly closed the gap by averaging one second faster per lap, and in just seven laps, he had caught up with Ricciardo.
"Lu Zhizhou VS Ricardo" has finally been staged once again.
Having experienced the head-to-head match against Monaco, one knows that despite Ricardo's offensive prowess, his defense is equally impressive, always managing to control the driving lanes.
In addition, Red Bull's car tuning is indeed superior, so it won't be easy for Lu Zhizhou to overtake Ricardo just by relying on his grip advantage.
Therefore, Lu Zhizhou adjusted his offensive strategy, targeting Ricardo's weaknesses to launch an attack.
Under pressure, Ricardo's defensive rhythm became less fluid, making him prone to errors.
In other words, the approach isn't to focus on the route, but rather on the rhythm. Of course, the key question is whether Lu Zhizhou can apply enough pressure.
Starting from the compound bends beginning at Turn 3, Lu Zhizhou began to apply pressure. Not only Ricciardo, but even the entire live stream audience fell for it. They all believed that Lu Zhizhou was preparing to attempt an overtake on the straight between Turns 7 and 8, since Ferrari was indeed slightly better than Red Bull in terms of straight-line acceleration.
Ricciardo skillfully held his lane, using his exit speed to withstand Lu Zhizhou's straight-line attack, drawing admiration from the live stream audience.
However, before they could catch their breath, Lu Zhizhou launched his second attack at Turn 10, showing his determination to win.
"Lu Zhizhou! Draw! Outside shot!"
"Shoulder to shoulder! Wheel to wheel!"
"In the compound spiral bends of No. 10 and No. 11, Lu Zhizhou launched an attack from the outside, while Ricardo held on tightly to the inside of the bend, refusing to give up his line."
"But! Lu Zhizhou!"
"Unbelievable! The throttle and steering control were exquisite and precise, keeping Ricciardo close behind, using the rhythm in the corners to exert pressure, and overtaking from the outside! Red Bull couldn't gain any advantage at all!"
"Lu Zhizhou! He's overtaken!"
"Lu Zhizhou! In the lead!"
"straight line!"
In an instant, the entire stadium held its breath, eyes glued to the No. 3 and No. 22 cars racing side-by-side, locked in a tight contest at the spiral bend.
From car number three taking the lead to the two cars being side-by-side, and then car number twenty-two taking the lead, the intense, head-to-head battle was breathtaking.
Just as they exited the corner, the red Ferrari was slightly ahead by a single nose wing, the difference being minuscule.
But the speed at which they exited the corner created a formidable barrier between the two race cars, and in the blink of an eye, the outcome was decided.
Lu Zhizhou strode away!
"Wheel to wheel!"
"Lu Zhizhou's overtaking maneuvers on the outside were firm and aggressive, holding off Ricardo tenaciously and refusing to give an inch, demonstrating an unstoppable and determined offensive."
"Out of the corner! Top speed! Beautiful!"
"Lu Zhizhou instantly widened the gap, his car and the track working perfectly together, relying on his exit speed to overtake Ricciardo completely!"
"Oh, Ricardo! Lock it down!"
"At Turn 12, Lu Zhizhou entered the turn first, grabbed the apex, and secured his position, completely squeezing Ricciardo behind him!"
"Lu Zhizhou has risen to third place!"
In the compound corner, Ricciardo tried to brake late to maintain his position, but he missed his chance due to Lu Zhizhou's aggressive counterattack, and his right front wheel locked up, emitting a puff of white smoke.
In that brief moment, Ricardo watched helplessly as Lu Zhizhou broke free from the entanglement and drove away, leaving only a red blur fading into the distance.
A wave of frustrated gasps erupted from inside the Red Bull repair wall, with Horner clutching his head in his hands, realizing how close they had come.
"Lu Zhizhou VS Ricardo 3.0", Lu Zhizhou wins!
However, Horner immediately realized that the crisis was not over yet, as Lu Zhizhou had entered advance mode and was pursuing Verstappen.
Horner was taken aback, and couldn't help but swear. Had that guy lost his mind?
At this point, with five laps remaining in the race, everything was essentially settled, and unless the car difference was within the DRS range, it would be difficult to turn the tide.
Hamilton, who was in first place, was nearly five seconds ahead of Verstappen, who was in second place, while Lu Zhizhou, who was in third place, was more than eight seconds behind Verstappen. With only five laps left, the best strategy would be to finish the race peacefully and steadily. However, Lu Zhizhou was currently sprinting at full speed in push mode.
Horner immediately realized—
Catching up with Hamilton is no longer possible, but Verstappen still has a glimmer of hope, as Lu Zhizhou's tires are thirteen laps newer than Verstappen's.
Of course, the hope is slim, and Lu Zhizhou is now doing everything he can for that 0.01% chance.
"That newbie..." Horner was both amused and exasperated.
Only young novices have such high morale; after six months of honing their skills in the paddock, they would no longer harbor such naive and almost foolish ideas.
But Horner remained calm. He hadn't forgotten Lu Zhizhou's final burst of energy in Shanghai. "Max, you need to pick up the pace. Lu Zhizhou is chasing you."
Verstappen was completely focused and feeling bored. He was in a position where he couldn't catch up with those in front, but he also couldn't catch up with those behind. He tried to stay calm and focused, not to ruin his race with a hot-blooded impulse, and to cross the finish line steadily, where he would be on the podium.
result?
"How's his rhythm?"
"It's 1.5 seconds faster per lap on average."
Having received the answer, Verstappen remained silent, but responded with concrete actions—
He knew that Lu Zhizhou's tires were more durable than his own. At this moment, Lu Zhizhou entered propulsion mode and chased after him at full speed, but this did not mean that he would just sit there and wait to die.
Perhaps his tires can't go full speed, but he can still overcome the disadvantage.
then.
"Lewis, Max is starting to pick up the pace. You need to be a little careful," came the warning over the radio.
Hamilton was completely bewildered. "What happened?"
"Lu Zhizhou begins to advance, pursuing Max; Max then accelerates, chasing you and transferring damage. But you don't need to worry too much, we have enough advantages, just reminding you to be a little careful, and prioritize safety and stability."
Hamilton: "Received."
Immediately, a magical scene unfolded in the live stream.
Hamilton and Verstappen, who were leading by a wide margin and whose performance was so good that the live broadcast cameras didn't even bother to capture them, have returned to the screen.
With Lu Zhizhou pushing forward at full speed, the two leaders also increased their pace, but only to a limited extent. Lu Zhizhou could still be clearly seen closing in little by little, like herding cattle, creating a massive, surging wave as he caught up with the leaders. The three race cars left everyone else far behind.
Ricardo couldn't keep up at all; the gap between him and Lu Zhizhou had widened to two seconds and was still increasing, with the live broadcast camera focused entirely on the leading group.
Car number 44, car number 33, and car number 22 were lined up in a row.
Incredibly, as they entered the final lap, the gap between the three cars was less than two seconds, and all three could be seen in the same frame at the same time, seemingly bringing the suspense back.
The stands were clearly in an uproar; the suspense of the match was reignited just as it was about to end, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
"Wow!"
"Great! What a surprise! Another exciting match!"
"The suspense lasted from the first lap to the last. Just when the race was about to enter a stable closing phase, Lu Zhizhou's outstanding performance stirred up the waves again. Hamilton, Verstappen, and Lu Zhizhou continued their race in different styles, making the atmosphere tense."
"What a pity! If the race had gone on for a few more laps, there might have been a fierce battle to come. But now, the race is about to end, and we can only look forward to the next one. Hopefully, we will have another chance to witness cars number 22, 33, and 44 engage in a spectacular showdown on the track."
Ultimately, Mercedes and Red Bull's car setups were slightly superior. Lu Zhizhou chased after them at full speed until the very end, but he couldn't close that small gap. The race didn't leave any more room for Lu Zhizhou to make any more risky attempts, and the checkered flag at the finish line was already within reach.
Hamilton, Verstappen, and Lu Zhizhou finished in the top three, closely linked at the finish line, with a gap of about two seconds between them. The small ripples in the final stage ultimately failed to reverse the situation, and they maintained their original rankings to finish the race.
However, although!
Starting sixth, losing his position due to early chaos, and finishing third, Lu Zhizhou once again earned his fifth podium finish of the season with a brilliant race.
A direct response to the doubts.
After a minor setback in Canada that was hardly a low point, they quickly returned to the podium in France, delivering a resounding slap in the face.
Actions are always more direct than words.
In an instant, those aggressive trolls transformed into whining, hesitant losers, furious yet dumbfounded as they stared at the scene before them, their envious, jealous, and hateful remarks revealing their ugliness and twisted nature.
No one expected Lu Zhizhou to rebound so quickly this time. He had previously struggled in Baku and Barcelona, but what about this time?
It's just one event!
Canada's sixth place has already become third place in France, so what's next? Is it going to take off in Austria?
Amidst the turbulent waves, Lu Zhizhou is rapidly gaining a foothold and earning himself a place in the hunting grounds through concrete actions.
Whether they admit it or not, no one can continue to ignore Lu Zhizhou's existence, let alone underestimate him. Every question becomes an opportunity for Lu Zhizhou to establish his position!
At this time, it is clear that more and more people in Tiefo Temple are beginning to be captivated by Lu Zhizhou. His talent is evident to the naked eye, and he is demonstrating top competitiveness in one competition after another. After a short period of adaptation, he is catching up with the competitive pace of the hunting grounds in all aspects. Tiefo Temple's momentum has turned 180 degrees.
Even his "disadvantage" of skipping three levels to enter the paddock due to lack of experience has now become the best proof of his "unparalleled talent"!
First, Leclerc was hailed as the "Prince of Ferrari," and then Lu Zhizhou won the title of "Young Master of Ferrari." In every corner of Italy, you could see the Iron Buddha Temple fans cheering for Lu Zhizhou. Ferrari, from top to bottom, welcomed a rare and joyous scene. After waiting and waiting, they finally found Ferrari's own unparalleled genius!
Tiefo Temple is celebrating the Chinese New Year!
Now, Vettel's fans can no longer sit still: if Lu Zhizhou is the Ferrari heir, what will happen to Vettel?
Previously, they had remained calm and steadfast, displaying the demeanor of great generals, believing that Lu Zhizhou was not a threat. Arrivabene and Marchionne would stand by Vettel without hesitation, and a young rookie was simply not worth mentioning.
But in France, Arrivabene asked Vettel and Lu Zhizhou to switch positions for the second time over the radio, as the number one driver's position was under full threat, which immediately sounded the alarm.
Even before the match ended, social media had already turned into a funeral parlor, with a massive and widespread attack erupting.
"Heh, next time, should we just ask Seba to pull the tail of that baby?"
"This is truly eye-opening! It's always the second driver who gives way to the first driver, but in my lifetime I've actually seen the first driver give way to the second driver. It's an absolute joke, Ferrari has certainly made history in a unique way."
"In that case, why don't we just announce that Lu Zhizhou is the world champion?"
(End of this chapter)
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