Chapter 67 The Last Year
With the conclusion of the Sarno match, news of Wu Shi's performance in KZ2 quickly spread.
If you want to judge whether a driver is capable, you only need to watch a couple of races. This statement is definitely true for Wu Shi.
After receiving the news, Joss returned and went directly to Wu Shi and Max, saying, "I have reached an agreement with the Dutch team VAR (Van Amersfoort Racing), and Max can try to practice driving an F3 Europa Championship car this year."
VAR is the team Joss used to work for, and he has a close relationship with them, so they were able to bypass Formula Renault and let Verstappen practice there.
After saying that, he looked at Wu Shi and said, "You are too young. You will not be able to get a test drive until next year. However, by the end of next year, you will be able to participate in Formula Renault."
"Alas, this is a disadvantage caused by age," Wu Shi sighed.
"Haha, kid, don't rush. There are seats reserved. In a few days, Sid and I will be going to the Netherlands together. We still need to discuss the specifics."
So in the days that followed, Wu Shi was prepared to run the race alone, but only a month later, Verstappen returned.
"What happened? The test drive didn't work?" Wu Shi asked.
"No, it's that car, it has absolutely no speed." Verstappen shook his head, as if he were constipated.
"Is the competitiveness really that poor?"
Wu Shi was surprised. At the Formula One level, although the suppliers of major components and the detailed specifications of component performance parameters are still stipulated, Formula One ultimately has more room for maneuver, so the cars of different teams have begun to show some differences.
Just like in F1, it's best for lower-level formula drivers to join a big team. Otherwise, no matter how good you are, you'll be dragged down by the car and end up at the bottom of the pack.
"Yes, it's completely undriveable. The speed difference with other teams is too great." Verstappen shrugged and said, "I'll finish karting first and then Formula Renault. I've never been on the podium in a FIA-CIK race."
As Verstappen said, this is the normal path for most drivers to advance.
Start by racing in the lowest class of go-karts, then move up to Formula Renault, then F3, F2, and finally find a seat in F1.
During a casual chat with Verstappen, the two discussed participating in match after match in different groups.
Verstappen is not always a consistent winner; sometimes he finishes in the teens or even the twenties, especially in major FIA-CIK tournaments like the Europa League and the World Championships, where he has not achieved ideal results. On the contrary, Lock & Lock has achieved good results.
Wu Shi glanced around and saw that Gasly, who was older, had already switched to Formula racing last year, and Ocon, who had fallen out with Gasly, had also left this year.
Russell from the United Kingdom and Storr from Canada have also started competing in intercontinental and world-class karting leagues.
September arrived, and since the KZ2 and KF2 Karting World Cups were held on different days, Wu Shi decided to participate in both.
Aside from nearly having an accident due to debris on the ground during the KF2 World Championship, Wu Shi has maintained his dominance in several competitions.
Verstappen finally stood on the podium of the FIA-CIK level event he had been longing for in Suera, Spain. Although he only won the bronze medal, he was quite excited. After all, it seemed like he had a grudge against the FIA-CIK events, as his results had been unsatisfactory for several years.
On January 19, 2013, FIA-CIK celebrated their 2012 karting championship at the Gabriele Arena in Paris.
After giving a brief acceptance speech, Wu Shi walked down the steps amid cheers and congratulations. Joss, Sid, and an elderly man with glasses and gray hair were all applauding and celebrating.
"This is Michel Lecomte, from the Balazs-Ipsilon team. We've already arranged for you and Max to travel to the United Kingdom in October to test Formula Renault at the Pembroliz circuit," Joss said.
"Wow, this is wonderful, thank you so much for giving us this opportunity," Wu Shi said politely.
"It is our honor. Your talent is recognized throughout Europe." Michel Lecomte smiled warmly and was very friendly.
"In the first six months, he will also participate in KZ1 and KF1 level karting races, striving to bring his karting career to a perfect close," Sid said.
"I look forward to your performance in Formula Reynolds."
After the celebration ended, life returned to normal.
During the pre-match window, Wu Shi returned to his home in Italli, a rare occasion.
"Ugh, this is so hard." Louise buried her face in her workbook, utterly dejected.
"You're about to go to high school, right? What are your plans for the future?" Wu Shi asked.
Martina's educational philosophy is very open-minded but strict, allowing Louise to cultivate her interests and pursue a career path. Even though she is only in high school, she has already communicated with Louise several times.
"Hmm, I want to study economics in Germany."
Aren't you afraid you won't graduate?
"╭(╯^╰)╮How could that be? I'm so smart!" Louise sat up.
"Yes, yes, yes, then the clever little princess, hurry up and do your homework. If you don't finish your homework, Aunt Martina won't take us out to play tonight."
"(〃＞ dishes＜)!"
Louise could only pick up her pen and start battling with her homework. The sunlight outside the window was just right, shining in at an angle, scattering light through her long, off-white hair, as if it were covered with a faint halo.
Wu Shi blinked, then picked up his phone again and looked through his plans for 2013.
First, there are the KZ1 and KF1 World Championships and the WSK Masters Series, which are mandatory and the most prestigious karting events.
I should still go to the Winter Cup in South Garda and the Monaco Karting Championship when I have time.
In the final year of his karting career, he should leave no regrets and participate in as many major races as possible. After all, he has dropped out of school to focus on racing, so he has plenty of time.
Time flies, and October is here soon.
"Oh, young man, you've finally arrived." Michel Lecomte came out to greet him with a large group of people.
Joss was a little embarrassed when he saw it. If he had only brought Verstappen, he would never have seen such a scene. In the end, it was because Wu Shi's performance in the karting race was too dazzling.
To summarize, Wu Shi is the youngest champion in the KF3, KF2, KF1, KZ2, KZ1 Europa League and World Championships, and the only Grand Slam champion.
In the history of karting, many have won championships in direct-drive karting and many have won championships in geared karting, but only Wu Shi has won championships in both categories.
Moreover, after winning the championship in KZ1, the highest level of karting, many teams have extended offers to him.
"We plan to conduct the test on the 11th, using the FR2.0 Renault Formula car," said Michel Lecomte.