Chapter 136 - 61: Familiarizing with the Track

Chapter 136: Chapter 61: Familiarizing with the Track

Wu Shi was somewhat surprised. Perhaps Martina, being a Ferrari employee, had lost her rose-tinted glasses for the team and could therefore provide the most rational answer.

Martina seemed to read his mind. She smiled and said, "Ferrari’s internal situation is unstable. Montezemolo giving you this seat is only to use you. He might not even last through the year. Once he resigns, you’ll be left in a very difficult position."

If Montezemolo left, Wu Shi would be viewed as a remnant of the old guard. His life at Ferrari would undoubtedly be miserable. Furthermore, signing a driver contract with Ferrari today would completely sever his ties with Mercedes-Benz. A driver contract was entirely different from the letters of intent or basic agreements he had signed previously; it would come with strict, binding restrictions.

"I understand. Then let’s reject it," Wu Shi said with a sigh.

"Alright." Martina stepped out to call the two staff members back inside.

"Gentlemen, after careful consideration, I do not intend to sign this driver contract," Wu Shi announced.

The two Rafa staff members were stunned. How could this greenhorn reject a contract from Rafa?! Who on earth would turn down Rafa?! Realization quickly dawned on them, and they shot a glare at Martina. One of them spoke up. "Martina, you are interfering with Wu’s judgment. I will report this matter truthfully to the Chairman."

"Gentlemen! This is my own decision, and it has nothing to do with Martina," Wu Shi stated firmly. He knew very well that rejecting the contract immediately after a private chat with Martina would reflect poorly on her. However, since she had advised him so directly, it meant she had already weighed the consequences. There was no need for him to hesitate any longer.

"Hmph! Very well." The two packed up their belongings and stormed out, slamming the door behind them.

Once they were gone, Martina teased him with a delighted smile. "Tsk, tsk. You’ve become quite the big shot! Next time you introduce yourself, you can add that you once rejected a driver contract from the Ferrari F1 Team."

"Sigh! Stop teasing me. Didn’t I have no other choice?"

"True, you had no other choice. But as long as you make it into the paddock, won’t you always find a way?" Martina finished speaking, stood up, and waved her hand. "I’ll be heading back to Italy now."

"Have a safe trip, Martina," Wu Shi said, standing up to see her off.

"Alright, I’ll go down by myself." Pausing at the corner, Martina reached out to ruffle Wu Shi’s hair again. "You’re already taller than I am."

"Hehe," Wu Shi chuckled sheepishly.

"Bye-bye." Martina pulled her hand back, waved, and turned the corner.

"Bye—"

While Wu Shi’s hand was still waving, Martina suddenly spun around and leaned back out. "Oh, right! Given your endless winning streak, it looks like you’re inevitably going to breach the letter of intent you signed with Ferrari earlier. But I’ll have Sid go talk to Mercedes-Benz. After all, they were the ones who poached you. They should at least pay half the penalty fee, right?"

"Oh... okay." Wu Shi’s hand froze mid-air before he snapped back to reality and nodded.

"Well then, bye-bye!" Martina waved and pulled back out of sight.

Looking down the empty corridor, Wu Shi felt a brief wave of loneliness wash over him. But before the emotion could fully set in, he heard Martina’s footsteps returning. She poked her head around the corner one last time.

"By the way, Louise asked me to pass on a message. She says she hasn’t seen you in a long time and really misses you."

"Uh, okay." Wu Shi jumped at the sudden reappearance.

"For real this time, bye-bye!"

"Bye-bye."

Martina finally left Holland and returned to Italy.

Wu Shi returned to his room. His eyes fell on the group photo of the four of them resting on the coffee table beside the sofa—a picture taken at Peng City Bay when they were kids.

Rest time was always fleeting. After taking a moment to gather his emotions, Wu Shi hurried back to the team headquarters.

The next stop was the Spa Circuit in Belgium. This track was incredibly famous, renowned primarily for its high-speed characteristics and the iconic Elrogg Bend. Elrogg Bend was a combination corner made up of Turns 2, 3, and 4. Exiting Turn 1 led into a slightly curved, downhill acceleration stretch with a staggering overall drop of forty meters. Such a drop was terrifying, equivalent to the height of a dozen-story building.

And how long did it take an F1 car to navigate this corner? About two seconds. During this fleeting window, drivers were subjected to four Gs of force, putting their physical endurance to the ultimate test. Countless videos circulated online of F1 cars blasting through Elrogg Bend at full throttle. The roaring engines piercing the sky and the blurs of speed never failed to get people’s blood pumping. Of course, it was thrilling for ordinary people to watch, but if they were actually strapped into the driver’s seat, they likely wouldn’t be able to handle it.

"I’m very familiar with this track," Verstappen said, walking over to chat after finishing his physical training.

"I know what you mean. You want to take the championship here," Wu Shi replied with a smile.

"Haha, you really get me." Verstappen patted Wu Shi on the shoulder. "You know I was born in Belgium. That place is basically my hometown."

"It sounds like you’re definitely familiar with it. But what a coincidence—I’m also very familiar with the Spa Circuit," Wu Shi said with a grin.

"I don’t think there’s a single track you aren’t familiar with." Verstappen shrugged, completely immune to Wu Shi’s cheeky grins by now.

The three-race stint at Spa would begin on June 20th. During the full twenty-day interval leading up to it, the drivers wouldn’t have a moment of idle time. Because Hamilton had already revealed he might make his on-track test debut at the Neon Grand Prix, Wu Shi also had to incorporate Suzuka Circuit practice into his daily training regimen.