Chapter 68 - 31: The Last Year

Chapter 68: Chapter 31: The Last Year

As the race in Salerno concluded, word of Wu Shi’s performance in KZ2 quickly spread.

Oftentimes, all it takes is watching a driver for a couple of races to gauge their skill, and this was certainly true for Wu Shi.

Upon hearing the news, Jos returned and went straight to Wu Shi and Max. "I’ve reached an agreement with the Dutch Team, Van Amersfoort Racing," he said. "Max can start practicing in a Formula 3 Europe Championship car this year."

VAR was a team Jos had raced for, and his ties with them ran deep. That’s why he could arrange for Verstappen to bypass Renault Formula and go straight to practicing in the F3.

After he finished, he turned to Wu Shi. "You’re just too young. We’ll have to wait until at least next year to get you a chance to test a car. By the end of next year, though, you’ll be able to compete in Renault Formula."

"Sigh. My age is really holding me back," Wu Shi sighed.

"Haha, kid, don’t be in a rush. There’s a spot saved for you. In a few days, Sid and I are heading to Holland to negotiate the details."

In the days that followed, Wu Shi prepared himself to race alone. But just a month later, Verstappen was back.

"What happened? Did the test not go well?" Wu Shi asked.

"No, it’s the car. It has absolutely no speed." Verstappen shook his head, his face contorted in frustration.

"Is it that uncompetitive?"

Wu Shi was surprised. At the formula level, even though major component suppliers and detailed performance specs were still regulated, there was ultimately more room for adjustments. As a result, performance gaps had already started to appear between cars from different teams.

In reality, just like in F1, it was best to join a top team even in the lower-tier formula series. Otherwise, no matter how skilled you were, a bad car would drag you down and leave you at the back of the grid.

"Yeah, it’s completely undrivable. The speed gap to other teams is just too big." Verstappen shrugged. "I think I’ll finish out the karting season and then move on to Renault Formula. I still haven’t even made it onto the podium in an FIA-CIK-organized event."

As Verstappen said, that was the normal career path for most drivers.

You start in the lowest karting categories and work your way up, then move to Renault Formula, then F3, F2, and finally hunt for a seat in F1.

While chatting idly with Verstappen, the two of them continued to compete in one event after another, each in their respective categories.

Verstappen wasn’t always able to secure consistent wins. Sometimes he’d finish in the teens, or even outside the top twenty. He especially struggled to get his desired results in major FIA-CIK events like the European and World Championships. Lock, on the other hand, was achieving some decent results.

Wu Shi took stock of the karting scene. The older Gasly had already moved up to formula racing last year, and O’connor, who’d had a falling out with Gasly, had left this year as well.

Russell from the United Kingdom and Stroll from Canada had also started competing in continental and world-class karting series.

「By September」 Because the KZ2 and KF2 Karting World Cup Championship events were held on separate dates, Wu Shi decided to compete in both.

Aside from a near-accident caused by debris on the track during the KF2 World Championship, Wu Shi maintained his dominance over the next few races.

Meanwhile, in Suayla, Spain, Verstappen finally made it onto the podium of an FIA-CIK event he had so desperately coveted. Even though it was only third place, he was ecstatic. After all, it seemed like he had a personal feud with FIA-CIK-sanctioned races, as his results in them had been poor for years.

「On January 19, 2013」 The FIA-CIK held a ceremony at Gabriel Hall in Paris to celebrate the 2012 karting champions.

After giving a brief acceptance speech, Wu Shi descended the steps to a chorus of cheers and applause. Jos, Sid, and an elderly gentleman with glasses and white hair were all clapping for him.

"This is Michel Leconte from the Balaz-Epsilon Team," Jos said. "We’ve settled everything. In October, you and Max will go to the United Kingdom together to test a Renault Formula car at the Pembrey Circuit."

"Wow, that’s fantastic. Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity," Wu Shi said politely.

"The honor is all ours. All of Europe has seen your talent," Michel Leconte replied with a friendly chuckle.

"For the first half of the year, he’ll still be competing in KZ1 and KF1 karting events," Sid added. "He’s hoping to cap off his karting career on a high note."

"I’m looking forward to seeing your performance in the Renault Formula series."

After the celebration, life returned to normal.

During a break before the next race, Wu Shi had a rare chance to go home to Italy.

"Ugh, this is so hard," Louise moaned, her face pressed against her homework in despair.

"You’re moving up to the next school level soon, right? What are your plans?" Wu Shi asked.

Martina’s approach to education was open-minded yet strict. She allowed Louise to cultivate her interests and pursue them as a potential career, and even though Louise was only in middle school, Martina had already discussed it with her several times.

"Hmm, I want to study economics in Germany."

"Aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to graduate?"

"Hmph! No way. I’m too smart for that!" Louise sat up straight.

"Yes, yes, of course. Now, my brilliant little Princess, hurry up and do your homework. If you don’t finish, Aunt Martina won’t take us out tonight."

"GRRRAAAGH!"

Louise had no choice but to pick up her pen and resume her battle with homework. Outside, the sun was shining, its rays slanting through the window. Her off-white hair scattered the light, creating what looked like a faint halo.

Wu Shi blinked, then picked up his phone and scrolled through his plans for 2013.

First were the two World Championships for KZ1 and KF1, along with the WSK Master Series. These were must-attend events—the most prestigious in the world of karting.

If he had time, he should also attend the Winter Cup in South Garda and the Monaco Kart Cup.

’This is the last year of my karting career, so I should leave no regrets. I’ll compete in every major event I can.’ He had already dropped out of school to focus solely on racing, so he had all the time in the world.

「Time slipped by, and soon it was October.」

"Ah, young man! You’re finally here." Michel Leconte came out with a large entourage to greet them.

Jos felt a bit awkward. If he had only brought Verstappen, they definitely wouldn’t have received this kind of reception. In the end, it was all because Wu Shi’s performance in karting had been just too brilliant.

To put it simply, Wu Shi was the youngest-ever champion of the KF3, KF2, KF1, KZ2, and KZ1 European and World Championships, and the only driver to have won a grand slam.

In the history of karting, many drivers had won direct-drive championships, and plenty had won gearbox championships, but Wu Shi was the only one to have won championships in both classes.

Furthermore, after he won the championship in KZ1—the highest level of karting—quite a few teams had extended an olive branch.

"We’re planning to run the test on the 11th," said Michel Leconte. "The car is a Formula Renault 2.0."