Speed ​​God

Chapter 39 The vast sea and sky
Marchionne looked up at his youth training technical department head, glanced down at his watch, and said, "Are you in a hurry? I'm just about to head to the airport."

The footsteps of the Christmas holidays are already lingering on the street corner. This usually diligent and dedicated iron-fisted boss only has this one holiday a year, so he will not only refuse all work and leave his only holiday for his family, but also extend the holiday a little and clear his schedule.

Montfati clearly understood this as well: "I came here specifically to finish the report before Christmas."

Marchionne immediately understood that youth training was indeed the most urgent matter, but he didn't stop what he was doing. "Come with me, let's talk as we walk."

“If you need a ride, come with me to the airport, and then I’ll have the driver take you back, Ferdinando. Nobody can stop me from going home.”

As he spoke, Marchionne blinked, clearly in high spirits with the holiday approaching, unaffected even by the light drizzle.

Monfatini stepped aside and waited for Marchionne to come out before catching up. "Sir, I'd like to talk to you about Lu Zhizhou."

Marchionne's eyes gleamed with a smile. "I had a feeling." This catfish, just as expected, was stirring up a storm at the youth academy, changing the atmosphere inside and outside the entire academy. The current momentum was very satisfying. "So, good news or bad news?"

Instead of giving a direct answer, Montalcini cut straight to the point, "I'm considering whether we can find a competition slot for Lu Zhizhou next year?"

Marchionne paused, clearly surprised. "Oh?"

Monfati explained, "F4 is fine. His talent, ability, and genius are all amazing, but he lacks experience, which is his weakness. He needs to get on the track and into real competition. He needs to accumulate experience and be tempered through real races. Only then can he truly grow."

Marchionne raised the end of his eyebrow slightly—

No one in the entire youth training academy knew that Lu Zhizhou's contract was only for three months, and that it wasn't Ferrari's decision.

If others knew that Ferrari had groveled and begged Lu Zhizhou to sign them, where would they put their faces? Would Marchionne ever be able to face anyone again?
But now?
Marchionne raised his chin and glanced at Montaffartini. "Are you sure? He's only been in the academy for a little over a month."

Despite Marchionne's high hopes for Lu Zhizhou, and the more outstanding Lu Zhizhou's performance, the more effective the stimulus to the youth trainees would be. If Lu Zhizhou could become a talent, then Ferrari would be the biggest winner. However, Marchionne still couldn't believe that things would develop in such a surprising way.

Monfatini didn't offer an explanation, but instead handed over the hastily prepared materials he was holding.

The two got into the car, and Marchionne called out to the driver to start the car, while his hands continued to flip through the pages.

Although Marchionne wasn't completely ignorant about racing, it didn't mean he knew everything about it. He turned to Monfatini and asked, "So?"

蒙法蒂尼确认马尔乔内已经阅读完数据，“目前，F3赛车在菲奥拉诺的干地成绩普遍在1分10秒到1分12秒左右；而湿地成绩则保持在1分17秒到1分20秒左右。”

"This is Lu Zhizhou's result today in rainy conditions."

Following Monfatini's finger, Marchionne saw that set of data, and his eyes lit up—

It's not just a new wetland best; it improved by a full second! Moreover, it further narrowed the gap with the dryland best, a feat that is truly remarkable.

Montfati nodded slightly. "And I don't think this is his limit yet."

Marchionne closed his eyes and fell into deep thought, his heart pounding like a drum.

Everything before him was exactly what he had hoped to see, but things happened too fast. Before 2016 was even over, the opportunity had already arrived.

Marchionne tried to calm down, stay rational, and clear his mind. It was precisely at times like these that rationality was needed, and he couldn't recklessly ruin the opportunity.

Montfati knew he was taking a risk, but he was more excited than nervous; he hadn't felt this excited in a long time.

"Of course, not now." "On the third day on the track, and the first time facing rain, Lu Zhizhou delivered a perfect performance. For the first time, he truly felt the moment when the tires were out of control on the water film. He did not struggle. He has an innate quality: to read the track, to read the rain, and to read the race car."

Montfati exhaled softly.

"He was born for speed."

Marchionne opened his eyes and looked over, a smile playing on his lips. "I've never seen you like this before. This guy is really something."

Montfatini understood it was a joke, but he wasn't in the mood for it and simply looked quietly at Marchionne.

Marchionne said with a hint of regret, "Jean Todt is much more endearing." He then quickly regained his composure and rationality, adding, "So, based on this performance alone?"

Montfatini shook his head. "Of course not."

He met Marchionne's gaze, conveying his determination.

"A lap time can tell a lot, but it can't tell everything. You've seen him build track models on simulators to explore the limits of racing cars, and it's the same today."

"His understanding of speed is what's truly amazing."

Montfati paused, his tone softening but becoming more weighty.

"At the academy, we are responsible for training qualified drivers who have potential, are disciplined, and know how to seize opportunities. But ultimately, they still need to step onto the track to be tested and hone their skills."

"Lu Zhizhou, on the other hand, never waited patiently for opportunities, but instead constantly created them."

“The youth training academy is too small a pool for him; it can’t hold him for long.”

“There are still four and a half months until the new season. We can continue training, but I believe that by then, he will be ready to face the new challenges.”

“For an athlete like Lu Zhizhou, you need to keep him facing challenges and pushing his limits so that he can stay motivated to keep going; otherwise, he will quickly lose interest and may even turn away from the sport to skydive, rock climb, or challenge the limits of other life forms.”

The last sentence inadvertently touched a chord in Marchio's heart, because he knew that Montalcini was right, and Lu Zhizhou had never intended to stay here for long.

Marchionne looked at Monfatini, but Monfatini, unaware that his words had inadvertently revealed the truth, looked back at him with a puzzled expression.

Does this prove that Marchionne, Todd, and Montfattini all reached the same conclusion about Lu Zhizhou: that he is an uncontrollable and unrestrained genius?
As Todd once said, the short-term "catfish effect" is one thing, but true long-term investment is quite another.

Once you join a team and secure a racing seat, it means Ferrari will have to pay one million euros, or even more.

Moreover, Lu Zhizhou's lack of experience is not just a lack of experience; he is a complete inexperienced intruder. This is already alarming enough in a youth training academy, but his entry into the world of racing would be even more of a bombshell. And the fact that he came from Ferrari's youth training program makes it easy to predict the tumultuous events that will ensue.

Clearly, things have gone off track again, continuing to explore in the unknown.

Marchionne couldn't help but wonder what he would witness next.
After a pause, Marchionne turned to Monfati, his expression eager and expectant. "Why don't you tell me about today's training in detail? Was it... a perfect lap?"

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(End of this chapter)