Speed ​​God

Chapter 42 Growing Pains
"A large convoy."

Before Zhou Guanyu could finish speaking and Leclerc was still thinking, Lu Zhizhou's answer was delivered without hesitation.

Zhou Guanyu was taken aback. "But in a large racing team, all the resources are concentrated on that one person. You're just a runner-up, the one standing in the shadow behind the spotlight."

Lu Zhizhou shrugged slightly. "In a big racing team, you can at least stand in the shadows; but in a small racing team, you might not even have the right to get close to the spotlight."

Zhou Guanyu was completely stunned.

Lu Zhizhou, however, appeared remarkably calm. "Xiao Zhou, racing, racing, we all know that without an excellent racing car, everything else is in vain."

"People often say that in motorsport, a top-class car accounts for 70% or even 80% of the success, while the driver is the only one who makes up the remaining 20%."

"Of course, this does not mean that drivers are not important. Those who truly understand motorsport know that this 20% is the essence and soul of the sport. The other 80% is all about preparation, the condensation of the entire team's efforts, and the foundation for victory, but the final race must be completed through this 20%."

"Although racing is based on vehicles, it is ultimately a human sport, not computer-controlled or just mechanical."

"Those standing on the track, those standing on the battlefield, are the drivers. These 20% are the ones who truly fight tooth and nail to determine the winner."

Lu Zhizhou picked up a slice of fresh beef with his chopsticks. The steaming hot pot rose, and the cold outside made the air inside the room feel even warmer, making their conversation more relaxed.

"If the race car is the body, then the driver is the soul. Only by infusing the race car with a soul can it have vitality. Then the driver can understand, interpret, and perform to see how much of the race car's potential the driver can bring out."

"So, I understand what you mean."

“Going to a smaller team, even if the car isn’t fast enough, as long as the driver can unleash 100% or even 120% of the car’s power, people can still see the driver’s talent, and it can even highlight the driver’s talent more.”

"After all, when a big team achieves good results, people will say, 'Haha, it's all because they have a good car'; only when a small team achieves good results will people see the driver's talent."

"Schumacher. Senna. They both worked their way up from small teams. Believe me, we all have the same dream: to become the next Senna and make a comeback."

In just two months, although it wasn't enough for Lu Zhizhou to transform into an F1 doctor, he was no longer completely ignorant of those familiar histories, and he could now speak fluently and confidently about them.

"But times have changed."

"In the past, good wine needed no bush, but now even good wine needs to know how to market itself."

"Therefore, the most important thing is that we need a good car."

"Indeed, in a large motorcade, all resources are tilted towards the inner circle, and you can only play a supporting role and live in the shadows next to the spotlight; but the key point is that you still have exposure, you can still be seen by people, and you can still be active in people's discussions and attention."

"You can think of it this way: would you rather stand in a corner where no one is watching and sing your heart out, or would you rather stand on a stage under the spotlight as a backup dancer?"

"In a small team, you fight for points, and everyone knows how good you are, but you just can't win points because the car's ceiling is there; in a big team, you fight for the podium, and even if people don't understand your talent, you keep standing on the podium and getting exposure, so naturally people will see you."

"This is the packaging and marketing of a commodity society."

It was extensive and magnificent.

Although Lu Zhizhou was the only one speaking throughout, I didn't feel any pressure at all. His playful and teasing tone, full of ups and downs and unexpected twists and turns, easily grabbed my attention. Before I even realized it, a smile had already crept onto my lips.

Finally, Lu Zhizhou shrugged slightly, "Of course, this is just my personal opinion. I don't think there's a right or wrong choice between the two. If you're a truly excellent driver, no matter which path you choose, you'll eventually reach the finish line, just like you."

After speaking, Lu Zhizhou looked at Zhou Guanyu. Zhou Guanyu was slightly taken aback, and seeing the trust in Lu Zhizhou's eyes, he couldn't help but feel a little reserved, before grinning—

This has been a persistent problem for Zhou Guanyu. Exactly one year ago, he won the runner-up title in the Italian F4 Championship, which earned him the qualification to compete in the F3 European Championship.

At the time, Zhou Guanyu was preparing to join the championship team Prima, but a rich second-generation, Lance Stroll, joined the team with his own investment and all resources were tilted towards Stroll. After hesitating and struggling, Zhou Guanyu decided to avoid his sharp edge and join the small team Motopark to make his mark.

Ultimately, he only ranked thirteenth in the annual rankings, instantly fading into obscurity.

In the blink of an eye, it's the offseason again and the new season is approaching. Zhou Guanyu is thinking about whether he should make a change.
However, the problem still looms large: in the Prima team, Stroll left and Schumacher arrived.

Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, has also joined Prima with his own investment and seemingly out of nowhere.

As a result, Zhou Guanyu faced a familiar choice: should he return to Prima or continue to work hard at the motorcycle park?
This is also why Zhou Guanyu ended his vacation early.

He wanted to return to training early, he wanted to continue pursuing his dream, otherwise he would always feel uneasy, always worried that he would repeat the same mistakes and miss the opportunity.

However, things were not that simple. Zhou Guanyu wanted to ask Lu Zhizhou for his opinion, but he hesitated and was unsure whether Lu Zhizhou could offer any advice.

Now, everything becomes clear.

As the initial panic and anxiety subsided, Zhou Guanyu looked at Lu Zhizhou again, and a smile quietly brightened in his eyes.

Changing the subject, Lu Zhizhou spread his hands, "After all, not everyone has a choice, Xiao Zhou, this is a happy problem."

Although the words were spoken in a teasing tone, a hint of wistfulness could be heard in them.

Zhou Guanyu and Leclerc exchanged glances, and Leclerc teased lightly, "Believe me, with your abilities, you have choices, lots and lots of choices. Be careful not to get overwhelmed by the choices."

Lu Zhizhou's lips twitched slightly, revealing a hint of helplessness. "No, I should leave Maranello by the end of February. My mother still doesn't approve of my racing."

The air seemed to freeze instantly. Zhou Guanyu and Leclerc were both stunned. Neither of them had expected such a bombshell to be thrown out so casually.

For a moment, the two of them were completely stunned.

Lu Zhizhou? Leaving?

This is a possibility they never considered.

But Lu Zhizhou appeared remarkably calm, as if they were discussing the weather. "In fact, I secretly ran away to race. Entering Maranello was a complete accident. My mother still can't forgive me now that she knows."

"But I have no room for rebuttal, because I did make a mistake. I don't blame her, and I understand her concerns."

"So, once this training is over, I'll go home."

Gumbling.

The hot pot was still boiling and bubbling, but the noise and bustle in the room subsided and fell silent, as if you could hear the sound of snowflakes falling outside.

　Dear readers, following this book is crucial; it not only determines whether and when this book will be released, but also its very survival. I sincerely implore you all to please read the latest chapter. Even if you're just waiting for it to be released, please lend a hand during the new book period. Thank you! Thank you all so much!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)