[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 106
“Have you talked with the drivers?”
What started as a simple curiosity turned into a heavy statement from Won-jin, striking Enrique like a heavy stone.
Perhaps it was a statement that pierced through the essence. It’s the engineers who create the race cars, but it’s entirely up to the drivers to drive them. Worrying about the added burden on the drivers due to the addition of a button is nothing but overstepping one’s bounds.
Even if something is generally considered difficult, if the person involved can handle it, then what does the gap in difficulty matter? Whether it’s loading and unloading in a warehouse or manual labor on a construction site. These tasks could be seen by someone as part of their everyday life, as natural as breathing.
Adding one more button would be like placing another brick on a mountain made of hundreds already resting on one’s shoulders — it would go unnoticed.
Moreover, if the person carrying that brick is a 0.001% specialist competing for the title of the best in the world?
They would probably be clamoring for just one more to be added.
“The matter was dropped during the meeting, so I haven’t spoken with the players.”
“Then how about we discuss this issue with Yooihyun and Leclerc and make a decision? We’re experts in making it, but executing it is their specialty.”
Yooihyun and Charles Leclerc. They are the relief pitchers who may save the struggling Ferrari, and among the best specialists in F1.
Although Yooihyun had no experience in F1, and Leclerc’s performance wasn’t at the top level, Yooihyun was someone who could compete with the next champion, Max Verstappen. Meanwhile, Leclerc, despite driving the historically worst Ferrari, often managed to score points.
Additionally, both were young, with bright futures ahead. They were promising prospects with great potential.
Realizing his delay in recognizing their genius, Enrique couldn’t help but blame himself for closing off potential.
Who is worried about whom, really?
While he hasn’t set limits on himself, he ended up recklessly estimating others’ limits to avoid burdening them.
For a moment, Enrique’s gaze, having sunk into a pit of self-reproach, soon surfaced above the waters.
“Wonjinn is right. I’m not the one driving, yet here I am, overstepping by worrying about them.”
“That’s not what I meant…”
The situation made it seem as if Won-jin pointed it out unnecessarily. As Enrique wallowed in self-pity, Won-jin waved his hands in denial.
According to the logic of efficiency, it was suggested to turn the project’s goals from automatic to manual, but Enrique’s automatic conversion design was, indeed, perfect.
Although it only existed theoretically before production, it didn’t escape Won-jin’s notice that, on the drawings, it would demonstrate functionality without flaws.
That’s why he respected him, considering Enrique to be on par with or even superior to himself.
“It’s okay. You don’t need to make excuses. I understand it wasn’t meant that way. It’s just… I feel a bit embarrassed.”
“Embarrassed? Absolutely not! No way!”
Enrique lowered his head with an awkward smile. As the team leader of this project, every mistake in the progression of the work was his responsibility.
“Then I’ll report to the team leader so we can talk to the players today.”
“Yes! I will work hard too! Team Leader Enrique!”
The shout filled with the new member’s enthusiasm stood out amidst the noisy laboratory. It was natural for several eyes to focus on them.
“Wah, Mr. Won-jin. Please spare me the comments. I’m still not used to it…”
The title of team leader still felt heavy for Enrique. It was like wearing clothes that didn’t fit; whenever the word “team leader” was placed before his name, he wanted to throw it off as soon as possible.
“What does it matter? For this project, you are indeed the team leader. Who would say otherwise?”
However, as Won-jin pointed out, he was currently leading his team as a leader, and he knew he would lead more people in the future.
So, just a little,
“Call me small. Not big, just small as ‘Team Leader.’”
“Understood. Team Leader…”
I thought maybe I should take on some ambition… no, a sense of responsibility.
*
*
*
Haerari’s pink race car, reminiscent of cherry blossoms, appeared in an instant, like the fleeting nature of spring.
It zipped through the checker flag.
Name / Time
① Haerari 1:37:520
② Rallyking 1:38:553 0.633
③ Manjumandu 1:44:004 6.084
:
:
– Haerari secured the first place, bringing the first Grand Prix victory for KING and Haerari’s team!
– As the race progressed, Haerari’s focus, which grew sharper, truly shone!
– After being overtaken, her quick undercut decision took advantage of the new tires. That, combined with Haerari’s clear late-race potential, maximized the synergy.
– Yes, as commentator Lee Jeong-hyuk mentioned, Haerari was indeed flying in the second half. It was impressive enough to question if they were in the same class.
[Wowwwwwwwwwwwwww]
[Congratulations on winning, Haerari! Congratulations on winning, Haerari!]
[Beauty? The decisive fighter? Haerari?]
[Hahahaha, Rallyking fans are utterly obliterated.]
[Applause emoji]
[At this momentum, she will surely win again!]
[I want to lick Haerari’s sweaty soles…]
[Geez, Haerari, nice!!!!!!]
《Haerari fan number 1 has donated 100,000 won!》
– Let’s go for first place in the next race, Haeri!!!!
When the owner of the podium was decided, both commentators and viewers burst into countless cheers. This was the first game of the Cheongchul Aram Event and the first protagonist.
It is natural for a protagonist to have blind faith and affection. As Haerari joyfully lifted the trophy on the podium, even the commentators reached maximum affection for her. It was not surprising that fans of other streamers changed their nicknames and joined Haerari’s fan club.
At this moment, Haeri was at the center of it all.
Support for Haeri and KING continued to pour in endlessly. Although they held different words, the underlying meaning of congratulations was the same, erupting like champagne bursting open.
This is what a glorious moment would be like.
Being drenched in sweat due to the heat of the race car. The view looking down from the highest place on a lopsided podium for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. The enthusiasm of millions dedicated solely to oneself. A trophy made of cold metal, yet endlessly warm.
The only difference from the ranking matches was that it was a tournament. What made the emotions feel so unique?
In this first experience, Haeri felt the vortex of uncontrollable emotions gathering in one place.
Those emotions included joy, excitement, passion, and perhaps even madness. It was something that couldn’t be defined with a single word.
Even Haeri, who had engaged in endlessly rational races, was caught in the whirlwind enough to stray from the eye of the storm.
“I won!!!”
It was an overwhelming moment.
“Well done, Haeri.”
I applauded Haeri as she passed through the fluttering checker flag. Indeed… Haerari’s driving after the pit stop was so dominant that it was overwhelming compared to the other participants.
It wasn’t just that her physicality was superior; the real-time learning effect during the race was exceptional. Rather than following the ideal racing of the pro level, she tackled the corners with a method optimized for her current driving.
From lap 1 to lap 78. The Monaco Grand Prix she refined to perfection proved her sharp intellect with the result of finishing in 1st place. A prestigious student isn’t prestigious for no reason.
To be honest, while I did teach her, I must admit I had my doubts. Suddenly awakening to show several levels of performance in dramatic situations is something possible only in a comic.
Perhaps Haeri knew this too; instead of panicking after being overtaken, she seemed to become more composed. Since she couldn’t immediately increase her physicality, observing the race from another’s perspective to find an objective answer fits perfectly.
Indeed, her cornering and overall race management improved, meaning her intuitive strategy was quite successful.
“Teacher, Teacher!!!!”
Having enjoyed the glorious moment on the podium, Haeri rushed toward me without even resetting her body condition yet, shaking her hair soaked with sweat and champagne.
Well… it was the same feeling as fans who carefully preserve the hand they held with their favorite idol. A manifestation of wanting to forever contain the emotion of that moment.
Unidentifiable droplets, either sweat or champagne, fluttered from her hair in all directions.
I opened my arms wide, smiling brightly without the ability to evade her.
What does it matter if my body gets a little dirty? This moment is time when it is okay. No, it must be that way. Those aren’t filth but rather scars of glory, and as comrades, I ought to share them.
“Come here!!! Haerari!!!”
“Teacher!!!”
Finally, I embraced Haeri as she charged toward me like a wild boar. I thought she would feel light, but she was surprisingly heavy.
Haerari, nestled against my chest, was either laughing or sobbing, struggling and burying her face deep. I realized it was her sobbing by the irregular, significant movements of her back.
Tears are the only proof that humans can feel both sadness and joy simultaneously. While I couldn’t know the reason behind her tears, what’s important isn’t the reason.
“You did well, you did well. That was really amazing, Lee Haeri.”
You did well, Lee Haeri.