Chapter 157: Is Wu Shi Too Fast, or Kimi Too Slow?
"Welcome to live coverage of qualifying for the opening round of the 2015 Formula 1 World Championship—the Australian Grand Prix."
David Croft's familiar voice rang out across the broadcast.
"This season, four rookies have entered Formula 1. Among them are Chinese driver Wu Shi for the Williams team, and Brazilian driver Felipe Nasr for Sauber."
Croft methodically walked viewers through the driver market changes. Without such explanation, even long-time fans might struggle to keep up.
Naturally, Wu Shi and Max Verstappen received special attention.
"The Chinese driver, Wu Shi, car number fifty-nine—not only the first Chinese driver to compete in a Formula 1 World Championship event, but also the youngest driver in Formula 1 history. Sixteen years and one hundred and one days old. He still has two hundred and sixty-four days before his seventeenth birthday."
"It's remarkable to see someone so young at this level. Even after dominating FIA Formula 3 last season, there are still questions. Does he have the experience? Can he manage an F1 car at the limit? Most importantly—can he bring it home safely?"
"His teammate this year is Felipe Massa, a veteran of the sport. He'll be a valuable reference point. Either way, let's see what Wu Shi can do."
What Croft didn't mention was that the FIA had already begun discussing tighter Super Licence age regulations—largely because of Wu Shi and Verstappen.
Two of the youngest drivers in F1 history arriving at the same time raised an uncomfortable question:
Was this a golden generation—or were teams pushing too far, too fast?
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Wu Shi sat strapped into the FW37 as Jonathan Carter crouched beside the cockpit.
"This is your first official qualifying session," Jonathan reminded him for the third time. "Getting the car back safely is the priority."
"I understand," Wu Shi replied calmly.
Jonathan wasn't being overly cautious. Rookie crashes could define—or derail—entire careers.
After winter testing, Wu Shi knew this car well. Unless he exceeded its true limit, surprises were unlikely.
The cockpit display showed live conditions.
Ambient temperature: 29°C
Track temperature: 38°C
Ideal.
Tyre overheating wouldn't be an issue today.
But another warning flashed on the weather overlay.
Crosswinds: up to 2.6 m/s
Strongest between Turns 9 and 10
All teams had noticed it during practice.
Local crosswinds were unpredictable. There was no solution—only acceptance.
"My recommendation is to go straight out on soft tyres and secure Q2," Jonathan said.
Wu Shi shook his head. "Mediums are enough. Soft tyres are crucial for Q2 and Q3. If we waste them now, we'll pay later."
Albert Park heavily rewarded soft tyres over a single lap.
Jonathan hesitated—then nodded.
"Alright. Mediums."
---
Car number 59 rolled down pit lane, the green light blinking.
A lap time around 1:28 would be safe for Q2 based on FP3. Wu Shi began his out lap, steadily building temperature into the tyres.
Q1 wasn't rushed.
He crossed the line and began his flying lap.
At Albert Park, kerb usage was delicate. Too aggressive, and the car would be thrown onto grass with zero grip—race over before it began.
Exiting Turn 16, the long straight opened up.
"Starting the lap," Wu Shi said.
DRS open.
The FW37 surged forward, low-drag configuration doing its job. G-forces pressed him into the seat as the engine screamed.
Crossing the timing line—303 km/h.
Wu Shi kept accelerating.
One hundred meters before the orange barrier marker, he eased off slightly.
Speed: 319 km/h.
As the marker flashed past, he stood on the brakes—trail braking deep, rotating the car into Turn 1.
Turn 1 and Turn 2 formed a tight sequence. He clipped the first apex, straightened briefly, then turned left again.
Mid-corner, the car hesitated.
"Bit of understeer," Wu Shi reported.
The left-side tyres climbed the kerb.
On exit, full throttle.
The rear stepped out.
From the onboard camera, it looked dramatic.
Wu Shi didn't lift.
A quick steering correction—precise, instinctive.
The rear tyres caught up with the car's speed, grip returned, and the FW37 fired down the straight.
A near-spin.
Saved.
Meanwhile, the broadcast was focused elsewhere.
Kimi Räikkönen was on a lap for Ferrari—on soft tyres. While most of the field ran mediums, Ferrari had gone aggressive.
Everyone was watching Kimi.
Wu Shi, meanwhile, was completely composed.
Out of Turn 2, DRS open again. Rapid upshifts. Speeds brushing 310 km/h.
Turn 3 loomed—heavy braking, uphill. Turn 4 followed immediately, a long-radius left-hander where momentum was everything.
The medium tyres still lacked bite.
Wu Shi resisted the urge to push harder.
After Turn 5, he crossed the first sector line.
29.001 seconds.
Strong.
He attacked Turns 6 and 7 cleanly. Turn 8—long radius, throttle balanced carefully. Turn 9, a sharp right. Turn 10, flowing but treacherous.
Street circuit geometry dictated compromises everywhere.
The FW37 screamed toward Sector 2 timing.
28.678 seconds.
Jonathan pressed his lips together.
That was extremely quick.
Especially on medium tyres.
Comparable to Räikkönen's sector time—on softs.
Which raised an uncomfortable question on the pit wall.
Was Wu Shi too fast?
Or was Kimi Räikkönen too slow?