Chapter 1499 - 547: I Can’t Stand a Single Day of This 2023 Season

Chapter 1499: Chapter 547: I Can’t Stand a Single Day of This 2023 Season

"Although the size of that house might seem a bit small compared to your current status, I believe that house holds a unique significance for you. I hope you like this gift."

"Oh, by the way, other people have subsequently lived in that house, since it was considered a Ferrari employee dormitory. I hope you don’t mind, but the internal setup hasn’t changed at all. If you’re not satisfied, we can exchange it for another."

Qin Miao waved his hand with a smile: "I don’t have a cleanliness obsession about these things, and being able to reminisce about the past is quite special for me. Thank you all, I really like this gift."

Vassel said: "That’s good."

...

The rest of the time, Qin Miao and Vassel chatted together for the whole afternoon.

However, they didn’t talk about work matters, but rather the gossip within the paddock.

This old man Vassel has a knack for livening up the atmosphere.

Chatting with him doesn’t feel boring, ranging from some amusing stories in the paddock to the whereabouts of retired drivers, and even discussing how to make more money off drivers’ fame through side businesses.

After dinner, Qin Miao put on his disguise again and left the restaurant.

Although Qin Miao has now become a Ferrari shareholder, the effective date of Qin Miao’s contract is January 1st of next year.

Now Qin Miao has work to complete at Mercedes, and this week is a Grand Prix weekend. Qin Miao squeezed in the time to come here and sign the contract.

Returning to the hotel after bringing the contract, Qin Miao stored it away and went straight to sleep.

Next, Qin Miao’s schedule was no different from the normal preparation time before a Grand Prix.

This Grand Prix weekend the Catalonia track layout had a major modification.

The two slow corners, T14 and T15, in the third sector were removed, turning it into a straight.

This modification felt comfortable for the drivers.

By coincidence, nearly all drivers prefer tracks with smoother turns when driving F1 cars and dislike sudden hard braking.

After all, for drivers, enduring lateral G-forces is definitely more comfortable than enduring backward G-forces.

And everyone prefers the sensation of speed rather than frequent acceleration and deceleration.

However, this modification wasn’t exactly good news for Mercedes.

While the high-speed corners at the Catalonia track indeed allow less hard braking, braking is still required.

On such a track, apart from the main straight and another DRS zone being advantage sections for the W14, the other sections of the track would limit the high-speed performance of the W14.

Nevertheless, the race must go on; at this point, all Qin Miao could hope for was that the upgrades brought by the team this week could be effective.

Very quickly, Thursday arrived.

Qin Miao went, as usual, to attend the pre-race press conference and track walk.

What surprised Qin Miao was that during the pre-race press conference, a reporter asked Qin Miao about the next season.

Leclerc happened to be sitting beside Qin Miao, and the host asked, "Qin Miao, according to rumors in the paddock, you’ve already signed with Ferrari, right? We’d like to ask about your feelings about becoming teammates with your friend Leclerc next season?"

Upon hearing this question, Qin Miao was dumbfounded.

Because he remembered signing the contract with Ferrari happened on Monday, how come within just three days it’s been exposed?

Furthermore, it seems everyone knows about it.

However, the news about joining Ferrari next season has already seeped out, which is why many speculated that Qin Miao had already signed with Ferrari before officially signing the contract, even though neither Ferrari nor himself announced that the signing was successful, many fans probably assume the deal was done.

Qin Miao didn’t argue, returning his attention to the host’s question, he turned his head towards Leclerc beside him and asked, "Shire, how do you feel about becoming my teammate next season?"

After finishing, he handed the microphone to Leclerc.

It was rebellious that belonged to him.

Leclerc glanced at Qin Miao in surprise, you’re so straightforward, aren’t you?

At this time, you’re still a Mercedes driver, when faced with such a question you could just skip it, not answer it, what’s with throwing the question back to me?

Despite this, since Qin Miao asked, Leclerc thought about it and responded, "Firstly, I’m very happy to have the opportunity to serve Ferrari alongside Qin Miao, it makes me feel honored, after all, Qin Miao is considered one of the best drivers currently active.

I look forward to competing with Qin Miao on the track to see exactly whose speed is faster, although privately we also often compete on the racing simulator to see who is faster on a single lap, the simulator isn’t a real race, it can’t simulate the real-time conditions of the racetrack."

Privately, Qin Miao and Leclerc don’t shy away from this topic.

Privately, they even joke about this topic.

However, if discussing this matter in a public setting, it becomes inappropriate.

Qin Miao could not answer this.

If Qin Miao said he wasn’t as good as Leclerc, wouldn’t that be indirectly saying Ferrari was blind?

Not recognizing the presence of a genius driver within the team and still recruiting another?

But if Qin Miao claimed he could beat Leclerc?

Wouldn’t that affect Qin Miao’s relationship with Leclerc?

Therefore, at this point, Qin Miao had two suitable courses of action, either changing the topic or outright refusing to answer.

And so Qin Miao transferred the topic back to Leclerc.

After all, rather than feeling uncomfortable himself, Qin Miao preferred to enjoy a bit of fun watching Leclerc.

Nonetheless, Leclerc’s answer didn’t have any problems.

Even the host knew his question was somewhat sharp, so after Leclerc answered, they shifted to other topics.

After the pre-race press conference ended, Qin Miao and Leclerc left the conference room together.

On the way, Leclerc asked Qin Miao, "Honestly, now that we’re teammates, how does it work on the track? Is it life or death between us?"

Qin Miao rolled his eyes, "Could it be life or death for you?"

"Come on, even at your age, you still want to gain the upper hand verbally." Leclerc grumbled, but then said, "But I still feel my winning chances are bigger, after all, I’m more familiar with Ferrari’s operation and car characteristics."

Upon hearing Leclerc’s words, Qin Miao’s gaze towards Leclerc turned peculiar.

If Vassel didn’t negotiate with Qin Miao on Monday, Leclerc’s words wouldn’t be problematic at all.

But thinking back to the negotiation with Vassel not long ago, Leclerc might not have to wait until next season, he’d begin complaining to the team about the car handling during the latter part of this season.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"No reason, just admiring your good looks." Qin Miao said calmly on the surface, but truth be told, Qin Miao was starting to feel sympathetic for Leclerc.

Nevertheless, Qin Miao could never have imagined that Leclerc’s adaptability to the car was also incredibly strong, and with Ferrari spared no expense in developing the car’s performance, the only victim was Sainz...

Returning to the team’s pit room, Qin Miao tidied up a bit, then set off with Frankie Barber and Reyes to walk the track.

Since this Grand Prix weekend the Catalonia track underwent a revision, Qin Miao and these drivers needed to familiarize themselves with the track layout anew, and according to the new track find braking points, entry lines, and apex points.

Basically, all drivers arriving at this track followed similar preparation procedures.

Except for Alonso.

Because Alonso is the only current driver who has raced on this track layout.

That’s the experience of old man.

Even Hamilton, this middle-aged legend, hasn’t driven this layout; naturally, neither have Qin Miao and the younger drivers.