Chapter 1365 - 513: The Grand Performance Begins (6K, Bonus Update 6/14)_2

Chapter 1365: Chapter 513: The Grand Performance Begins (6K, Bonus Update 6/14)_2

However, to maintain a good state during the race, most drivers either meditate in their positions or train their reaction abilities and physical coordination using tennis.

No one would just wander around... right?

Under the broadcast camera, Qin Miao had wandered next to pole position Verstappen’s RB19, and under the vigilant gaze of the Red Bull team staff, Qin Miao began to examine the car from a safe distance.

But Qin Miao wasn’t looking for long before Reyes pulled him away.

Qin Miao’s behavior was indeed somewhat rude.

As time passed, Qin Miao also completed the final preparations before the race.

After donning his gear, putting on his balaclava and helmet, Qin Miao entered the W14 and with the help of Reyes and the others, fastened his seatbelt.

"Final ten-minute countdown, good luck in the race, we’re all waiting for your great news!" Reyes, having fitted Qin Miao with new soft tires and checked all his equipment, affirmed everything was ready and spoke.

Qin Miao reached out to shake hands with Reyes, smiling, and said, "Are you still not confident in me?"

Reyes also smiled and patted Qin Miao’s helmet: "Good luck with the race, and although it’s a bit inappropriate, I hope you prioritize safety while pursuing the limit."

Qin Miao didn’t say anything, just gave Frankie a thumbs-up.

After completing all the pre-race checks, Frankie and the team withdrew Qin Miao’s spare tires from the track, leaving a few to keep Qin Miao’s tires warm with tire warmers.

Five minutes later, as indicated by the signal light, all remaining personnel from Qin Miao’s team removed the tire warmers, revealing his set of new soft tires.

Subsequently, all team technicians withdrew with their equipment to the trackside.

Once everyone had withdrawn, the signal light turned green.

Verstappen took the lead, driving out of the parking position, starting the warm-up lap for the opening race of the 2023 season.

After one lap, Verstappen returned to his position and parked, while Qin Miao also parked in the fourth starting position.

For some reason, while parking and waiting for the other drivers to line up, Qin Miao felt somewhat nervous?

Even though Qin Miao’s current nervousness compared to his first season’s first race was much less, it felt much tenser than last year’s opening race.

Qin Miao had a feeling that the race hadn’t even started yet, but his heart rate was already nearing 120 beats per minute.

As De Vries parked the black-gold Lynk & Co, the safety car took its position smoothly.

The race was about to begin.

Meanwhile, the three commentators from Five-Star Sports were already eagerly prepared, having anticipated the entire season, and today the F1 race would finally begin.

"Alright, we can see the safety car is in place, five red lights are on!"

"The five red lights are off! The 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix has officially started!"

At the instant the five red lights went off, Qin Miao instantly released the clutch button, the new car’s clutch and engine shaft engaged with each other, and the W14 shot forward like an arrow leaving the bowstring.

Qin Miao’s starting speed was as always, incredibly impressive, without any mistakes.

In fact, after starting, Qin Miao’s main focus was on Hamilton ahead.

Because Qin Miao’s starting reaction speed this time was faster than his teammate’s, Qin Miao had a chance to overtake Perez and attack his teammate Hamilton.

However, while driving, a flash of red appeared in Qin Miao’s left side mirror.

When Qin Miao glanced over, he saw Leclerc’s Ferrari almost alongside him.

While Perez was forced to the outside line.

Qin Miao was stunned; damn it, Red Bull playing dirty is one thing, but you, big-browed Leclerc, playing dirty too?

But this was clearly overthinking as Leclerc’s start reaction speed today was particularly fast, only 0.14 seconds.

Fastest in the entire field, even Qin Miao’s start reaction speed was 0.22 seconds.

Leclerc’s start reaction speed was completely capable of competing for the fastest start reaction speed of the 23rd season.

Such a quick start reaction speed, reaching T1 barely able to be parallel with Qin Miao.

It could even be said, despite having such a fast start reaction speed, nearly reaching the braking point at T1, Leclerc hadn’t brought pressure onto Qin Miao, this clearly indicated Ferrari’s weak speed this season.

Leclerc was essentially bringing Ferrari to a height that didn’t belong to it.

It’s somewhat reminiscent of last season’s Qin Miao.

Qin Miao’s starting reaction speed was faster than Hamilton’s, but after Hamilton started, pressured by third-place Perez, he was forced to take the outside line.

Meanwhile, Qin Miao had Leclerc on the inside line, his teammate Hamilton in front, and Perez blocking on the front-left, unable to find space to showcase his abilities for some time.

So after starting, Qin Miao was effectively trapped in the car group, unable to find any overtaking gaps.

Of course, similar was Leclerc in the red Ferrari on the left, having the best start in the field but unable to gain even a single position after the start.