Chapter 1519: Accidents Keep Happening (8K, Making Up for Yesterday’s Missed Update)

Reyes: “Don’t say it like that, you’re making me feel like I don’t really want kids anymore.”

“By the way, why did you ask me to come here this time?”

Seeing that Reyes brought up the main topic, Qin Miao didn’t beat around the bush and said directly, “You already know that next season I’m going to switch to Ferrari. Going to a new environment requires time to adjust, understand the people around, and get familiar with a team’s working process. So, I want to bring you with me to Ferrari. We’ve worked together for so long and are familiar with each other, which can save me a lot of unnecessary steps in a new environment.”

Reyes lowered his head and said nothing, taking a sip of coffee.

After seeing Reyes’ expression, Qin Miao spoke up, “I know you still have two years left on your contract with Mercedes. As long as you agree, I can go to Toto to help you terminate the contract with Mercedes. If Mercedes doesn’t agree, I can also pay the penalty for you. But these are worst-case scenarios. With my relationship with Mercedes, there’s a high chance they’ll give me face and just release you.”

Reyes shook his head, “That’s not what I’m worried about. I would actually love to continue working with you. Maybe you don’t know, but in the Mercedes team, our group is actually the one that Hamilton’s team members most want to join.”

Qin Miao was quite surprised; he hadn’t heard this before, so he asked curiously, “Why?”

“In your group, our workload is actually much less compared to other groups. You rarely have accidents on the track, the probability of car damage is very low, and we don’t need to spend time fixing the car, which means no overtime during Grand Prix weekends. Plus, you’re very clear on what kind of setup you want, and once it’s adjusted there’s practically no need to change it again. So during a Grand Prix weekend, besides regular maintenance, all we need to do is ensure your car’s working condition and that the race setup hasn’t been altered,” Reyes said with a smile, clearly very happy talking about this.

It’s a bit like an ordinary office worker getting a cushy job with high pay but less work and close to home.

Qin Miao was a bit puzzled, “Isn’t this a normal situation?”

“No, compared to other drivers, you’re actually the abnormal one,” Reyes said.

Qin Miao didn’t delve deeper into this topic since he wasn’t here to chat about that with Reyes today.

“Alright, let’s assume that’s true.”

“Then what’s your concern? What reason is stopping you from coming with me to Ferrari?”

Reyes said, “It’s widely known that Ferrari has severe internal political struggles. I don’t want to be involved in that because I don’t have the brains for it.”

“You also know Ferrari has already missed out on a lot due to internal politics, and even directly missed out on you. I’m worried that after going to Ferrari, I’ll get caught up in it too. Also, have you considered the other members of our team?”

At this point, Qin Miao seemed to understand, realizing that although Reyes spoke of political struggles, he was actually worried about losing his status at Ferrari.

It’s understandable, considering that in the Mercedes team, Reyes is the chief engineer of a championship team. But after moving to Ferrari, he’d just be a regular engineer with a lower salary than before. Who would be happy with that?

“In my team, the reason I’m only asking you is simple: you’re single, and you’re conveniently my chief engineer. You understand my habits well, so at Ferrari, I don’t need to adjust to a new chief engineer. I’m willing to let you handle everything,” Qin Miao began to clarify for Reyes. “As for your worries… they’re really unnecessary.”

“I can give you my word right here, that the position you have at Mercedes will remain the same when you go to Ferrari, and your benefits will be better than those at Mercedes.”

With Qin Miao’s guarantee, Reyes’ face broke into a smile, “No need for formal assurances; I trust you.”

“And since you’ve put it that way, I don’t think I have any reason to refuse.” Reyes stood up and offered his hand to Qin Miao.

“I think you won’t regret the decision you’re making today,” Qin Miao also stood up and shook Reyes’ hand.

“I’m of the same mind,” Reyes said after shaking hands with Qin Miao.

After releasing hands and both sitting back down, Reyes looked at Qin Miao and asked, “What about the other members of our group?”

Qin Miao replied, “If they’re willing to join, I’d welcome them. But unlike you, most of them have already settled down in the UK. Even those who haven’t, either own property locally or are locals themselves.”

“I don’t think they’d be very likely to come with us to Brackley, since not everyone can leave with no strings attached like you.”

“That’s true,” Reyes nodded thoughtfully before adding, “I’ll try to persuade them, if they agree…”

“I can handle that; trust me. As long as they want to join my team, I’ll welcome them warmly.”

“With what you just said, I’m much more at ease.”

Qin Miao laughed and said, “What? Did you think I’m some sort of cold-hearted person? We’ve been working together for so long; how could you have no faith in me at all? Have all these years of friendship gone to the dogs?”