Chapter 90
It was past seven o'clock when Friday's game was completely over.
Stepping off the field, it was still a bit chilly in the wind.
"How does it feel? You got three pole positions right away," Verstappen joked.
"It's alright, I'm used to it."
"Haha, that's the truth." Verstappen couldn't help but sigh and said, "My limit for this car here is only one minute and fifty-one and four seconds."
This was his lap time in his first qualifying session. He improved his racing technique afterward, but his lap time became even slower. Of course, this was partly due to the poor track conditions in the second qualifying session.
"You're already very close to your limit," Wu Shi nodded.
"Hey, stop joking. Does being a second off mean we're very close?" Verstappen shook his head.
Wu Shi clicked his tongue and said, "When I drive F3, I have a built-in one second, just like when I drive a go-kart, I have a built-in 1.5 seconds."
"That's true, I really don't know how you drove it." Verstappen scratched his head. Joss wasn't here for this game, so he had no one to analyze the data with.
Back at the inn, Wu Shi did not rest, but instead recalled the scene of the ranking ceremony that day.
For drivers, memorizing track points is a repetitive process because different track conditions and tire conditions can have a slight impact.
While others need the help of engineers and data analysts to conduct the review, he can do this step on his own.
With my eyes closed, I could see every detail of Silverstone Circuit's eighteen corners.
The driving style used in the first qualifying session cannot be used in the race, as it would cause significant damage to the tires, as evidenced by the torn rubber.
However, this means you can't run like that in the main race.
Then every braking point needs to be subtly modified. At this point, the data accumulated in practice can provide feedback, and he needs to constantly remind himself of the specific location of the braking point.
Generally, drivers will choose reference points as braking points, similar to how ordinary people learn to drive.
This might seem too unskilled, but the difficulty of doing this at 5 km/h and 190 km/h is worlds apart.
Wu Shi's control over braking points is not much different from that of most drivers. He uses reference points to warn himself that he needs to brake.
Secondly, you can find specific reference points on the track near the exact braking point to brake precisely, but the downside of doing this is that it makes the driving too mechanical.
Therefore, he often incorporates experience and intuition into his movements, which is faster and more accurate than consciously trying to brake. Scientifically speaking, this is muscle memory.
When Verstappen spoke with him, he also mentioned these three control methods.
Now, compared to other drivers, Wu Shi has a more unique fourth method of control, so he can only review the game silently in his mind.
"So in F3 racing, what I should be most careful about is not being hit by the cars behind me."
He thought this before going to sleep.
F3 racing is far more brutal than F1, after all, there is a difference in experience. Young drivers, if they act impulsively, may "sweep away" or "clear the table in one go".
When you're in first place, the risk is less, but the fear is that the second or third driver might torpedo into the corner.
In his dream, Wu Shi saw himself again, wearing a red racing suit, standing on the podium, holding the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix trophy, listening to the team shouting:
"We are champions!"
The shouts continued until the moment the car crashed into the guardrail.
"call!"
He woke up suddenly, checked the time, and it was only six o'clock.
He didn't stay in bed; after going downstairs to exercise and having breakfast, he headed to the track early to prepare.
The event organizers arrived even earlier, and some of the car crews also arrived, sitting in chairs chatting while holding cups of coffee.
"Hey, Wu, you're here early."
"See that? We've polished your race car to a gleaming shine! Let's use it to bring victory home today!"
Wu Shi looked at the race car that had been set up but not yet fitted with tires; it was indeed beautiful.
"Of course, let me start this year's journey with a PTW!"
I chatted with the crew members for half an hour, and as the sun rose higher, the preparations began in full swing.
On the track, staff are conducting final checks.
The technicians performed standard checks on the vehicle's various data according to the manual.
The team leader also convened a meeting of all personnel in the conference room to discuss strategies.
At this stage, F3 racing does not involve refueling or tire changes; the strategy focuses more on choosing between new and old tires, adjusting engine power settings, and predicting the weather.
Today, London is covered in thick clouds, with only a few slivers of blue sky peeking through the gaps.
But according to the weather forecast, it won't rain, and the clouds will even disperse later.
"First race with new tires, second race with six laps on old tires, third race with nine laps on old tires." Wu Shi didn't have many ideas about his strategy.
"Okay, Max, your words are new, old, and outdated," the team leader said.
"No objection." Verstappen nodded. He finished fourth in the first race, the highest among the three races, so he could take a gamble and naturally opted for the new tires.
After preparing several contingency plans for various unforeseen circumstances, the meeting concluded.
Wu Shi put on his racing suit and entered the race car.
At this moment, sexy women in yellow clothes were already standing in front of each starting grid on the track, holding up the starting grid number and the corresponding driver.
Wu Shi turned his head to look at the broadcast screen and saw the camera pan across a woman whose figure was perfectly outlined in a yellow bodysuit.
Wu Shi quickly looked away. Europeans and Americans love to do this. He's almost sixteen, and doing this before a match is too distracting.
He quickly glanced down at the seatbelt. Luckily, it didn't get stuck in his testicles, otherwise, once the race car started moving, it would have been a disaster!
At 10:05, the maintenance area access was opened, and all vehicles drove out of the maintenance area in an orderly manner, conducted a reconnaissance circle, and stopped in their respective starting positions.
Taking this opportunity, the commentator began to introduce each contestant, and the cameraman also turned the camera to Wu Shi, who waved to the camera when he came to Wu Shi's side.
"Wu Shi! This is a driver who just joined the F3 racing series this year. He is from China, born on December 3, 1998. He is not yet sixteen years old, but he has achieved excellent results in European and world-class karting championships!"
Upon seeing this scene, the commentator immediately began to speak.
At 10:08, a warning signal sounded, indicating that the maintenance area access would be closed in two minutes, and vehicles that had not yet left the maintenance area for reconnaissance must leave the station.
At 10:10, the maintenance area was closed, and the second warning signal sounded.
At 10:15, a warning sounded, and everyone except the drivers, race officials, and team technicians began to leave the starting grid.
The woman in yellow and the cameramen left the track, leaving only some technicians and their vehicles.
"Keep it up, stay calm, and maintain your lead," Alan said.
Wu Shi reached out and shook his hand tightly. He wasn't nervous, but the quiet waiting made his heart race.
At 10:19, the staff standing on the platform started the timer and issued the evacuation order.
Buzzing!
Once the engine started normally, the crew members began to leave the departure area in an orderly manner.
At 10:20, the racers waved the green flag, and the warm-up lap began.
Wu Shi did not practice starting the car, nor did he overdo it. Knowing the rules by heart, he would not make such a controversial move.
He doesn't know how the tournament organizers will treat him, and if they inexplicably penalize him later, he'll have nowhere to turn to complain.
Shortly after, all vehicles stopped in their starting grids, and five seconds before the start, the race drivers raised up signs.
The red light came on, then suddenly went out, and the race officially began!
Wu Shi reacted quickly at the start, with almost no delay, and Bromquist, who was right behind him, also had a very good start, with the yellow car following closely behind!
This was a safe start, without any unexpected events.
The twenty-six race cars were like a dragon, almost forming a continuous line at the beginning, but when they passed Turn 1, the cars suddenly became separated.
"Wu's start was excellent! Much faster than Bromqvist! But Bromqvist wasn't slow either; he almost immediately took the lead over Ocon by 0.3 seconds!"
"Oh! We're entering Turn 1! Will Bromqvist launch an attack too? No, he can't. Wu only hesitated for a moment before quickly diving into the apex of the corner, instantly widening the gap to 0.7 seconds!"
"Judging from Wu's leading momentum, is he already going to secure the victory before even completing one lap of the race?"