[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 121

Testing is always a nerve-wracking task. It’s more of an emotion close to excitement than just tension.

How much efficiency will the new features show? How much performance improvement can we expect?

So, how much shorter will the lap time be?

That is the most joyful and anticipated thing for the driver.

It doesn’t matter if the lap time doesn’t decrease dramatically. Even if it’s just a decimal change and not a unit change, what matters is the fact that it is getting shorter. A driver is someone who truly brings out their skills to maximize the vehicle’s performance.

Even a small change can make a big difference in results.

Those who create that small crack were bustling around the pit.

“The first test will be conducted with medium tires. Next will be soft, and the last will be super soft. Please prepare the tires… and get the analysis desk ready. The drivers will be here soon.”

Today’s test was for the suspension developed by Enrique and Won-jin. Enrique, in command, was giving precise instructions to the mechanics and engineers.

His concise and clear directives perfectly revealed that he was an engineer.

The senior mechanic redistributed the instructions received from Enrique.

“Bring the tires here! Two sets from medium to super soft!”

“Two sets from medium to super soft! Got it!”

Vroom, vroom! Clang, clang!

Various tool sounds echoed chaotically in the pit. All the staff, having received orders, were checking various equipment including tires, finishing preparations for the race. Leclerc and I were watching them busily from outside, and when the setup was complete, we revealed ourselves.

Enrique, seeing us, looked at us with a highly tense expression.

This suspension system was his first creation, and today was its debut at the large company Ferrari. This was not just an evaluation of the system but also an evaluation of himself, so there was no way he wouldn’t be nervous.

Moreover, he had to entrust his results to drivers, someone else’s hands.

What do you call this? There was a term for it… Was it NTR?

Anyway. I approached him, deliberately wearing a bright expression, hoping to ease his stiffness even a little.

“Enrique! We’re here.”

“Oh, you’re here? Both setups are almost finished, so if you could change and wait, that would be good.”

“I’ll change quickly. By the way! I feel good today, so I think we can expect some good results!”

“I hope the results are good…”

His overt expression of hoping I would relieve his tension wasn’t a harmless lie or hypocrisy. I actually felt good. Since joining Ferrari, my physical condition was at its best thanks to a balanced diet and constant exercise.

My driving technique and real combat sense were sharp from For One.

So, there was no reason to worry at all. Just looking at the team members involved in this project, it was clear they were extraordinary.

Without mentioning myself, Leclerc just happened to meet a bad team? He is a top-notch driver by driving technique. Won-jin is young, but being young allows him to shine with creative ingenuity. Enrique himself graduated at the top of the automotive engineering department from a world-class university, truly one of the best of the best.

Even the engineers and mechanics, who make up the overwhelming majority, are at the pinnacle of the industry belonging to the global company Ferrari.

All conditions necessary for success were perfect. There was no need to worry at all.

“Everything is ready. If the setup is complete, I’ll start right away.”

However, one cannot hastily assume the pressure the person involved faces. Although I understand, I am not Enrique.

There is a very quick and effective method used in situations like this. It is to face the results without delay. Don’t hesitate and just roll the dice to gauge the magnitude of the numbers.

I’m a driver, not a gambler. The biggest help I can provide is to race on the track as soon as possible.

Twisting the steering wheel, stepping on the pedals, pressing various buttons to produce results is the only help I can give.

“I spoke with Enrique about me taking the system application vehicle first, and then Yooihyun will take the next. Is that okay?”

“Do as you see fit.”

The test was conducted by running both the new technology application vehicle and the non-application vehicle simultaneously for quick comparative analysis. It was an individual race for securing accurate and objective data rather than having the two run together in competition.

It wouldn’t be difficult. Repeatedly delving into the Imola Circuit with Leclerc at For One was all for this day. By comparing our records and sharing strategies for the corners where we each excelled, we sought the best answers together.

Though we have yet to achieve the level in this world. With two top-level drivers from past lives working together,

We could produce a level of productive strategies for the Imola Circuit that would be sufficient to write a thesis right away.

Even so, the shortened lap time wasn’t significantly noticeable… but through each other, we expanded our perspectives on the corners and driving.

This isn’t limited to a specific strategy for the Imola Circuit; it will provide new cracks that twist our preconceived notions that have become standardized at the top.

We shared each other’s philosophies, marking the start of innovation and evolution.

“I’ve driven this circuit so many times that I feel a little less nervous. I just need to adapt to the race car.”

“Since the engine hasn’t changed, the adaptation shouldn’t be too tough. The key will be how well the suspension functions.”

Leclerc seemed completely unfazed. After all, he had been with Ferrari for a long time and knew the vehicle characteristics thoroughly. The Imola Circuit is his home circuit. It truly is home ground.

However, even he, who remained calm, did not lose his sharp gaze. There’s no way he could.

This was the first result of the talented individuals that Director Binotto had ambitiously recruited while shouting to open a new era. Today essentially marked a day that would open the door to Ferrari’s future development potential.

For someone who signed a long-term contract with Ferrari, today was basically a judgment day that would determine his driver career.

As if praying to God, Leclerc, with a determined gaze aimed at the sky, spoke in a firm voice.

“Alright… Shall we go?”

“Yeah. Let’s start.”

We picked up our red helmets with our initials and boarded the race car. Even though we had gotten into the race car hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of times, this mood felt different. It’s been a long time since I squeezed myself into this desperate desire.

Before lining up on the grid, I noticed the mechanics gulping and the engineers with completely parched expressions.

“Ah…”

Could it be that the fact there are so many people with as much passion as I have resonates so deeply with me? Rather than feeling unfortunate, my heart swells.

With that level of desperation, it feels like anything would be possible.

“I’m moving.”

Vroom!

After making a brief communication through the mic embedded in the helmet,

I remembered each of the faces resembling mine one by one and drove the race car towards the grid.

On the front row of the grid was Leclerc’s race car, which had started first. Perhaps due to the low growl of the engine, it looked like a predator hiding in the bushes, lying flat as it targeted its prey.

I crept slowly and slipped into his line.

“Ah, ah. Mic test. It’s Enrique. Can you both hear me well?”

Right after the alignment finished, Enrique’s voice rang in my ears.

“It’s Leclerc. I can hear you well.”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

It seemed like Leclerc and my communication networks were connected as our audios overlapped.

“Yeah. I can hear both of you well too.”

Enrique, confirming the audio state, seemed like he didn’t want to waste any more time and added without any delay.

“Since today’s main purpose is a performance test rather than a race, I, who am in charge of the project, will hold the megaphone instead of the race engineer.”

While it remains a fact that we need to focus on the race, it isn’t strange today that Enrique manages the audio since strategy wouldn’t be important.

It should also be easier for him to provide systematic feedback.

Well, Enrique is set to become my race engineer later… but let’s put that aside.

“Drivers, please don’t worry about other things and focus solely on getting the shortest lap time. Other than that, just perform the requests I make during the race. Then… please prepare. The signal is going up.”

With Enrique’s words coming to an end, the red signal began to fill the black boxes.

The tension-heightening red glow ominously sparkled in that scene where only calmness stared at us.

One… two… three… four…

🔴 🔴 🔴 🔴 🔴

Five.

It was just before the Pandora’s box opened in Leclerc’s and my hands.

*

*

*

Mattia Binotto, Shin Juhyun, and Logan. Although the three were in high positions that operated the F1 Ferrari team,

They stealthily hid in the race control center of the home circuit, avoiding the eyes of the staff.

Shin Juhyun swept down his tightened chest and exhaled the breath he had been holding.

“Surely no one saw us?”

“They probably didn’t, Senior.”

“Do we really have to go to these lengths?”

Binotto pouted in dissatisfaction. As he said, there’s no need to go through all this trouble to observe the test. With their positions being what they are, they could just watch openly.

Nonetheless, they attempted to sneak in because Shin Juhyun and Logan didn’t want to place extra burden on the staff.

Although initially, Binotto was reluctant to create even a slight tension for efficiency, there was no need to pressure the talents who were already performing well. Otherwise, it could lead to counterproductive effects.

Still, feeling that there’s no need for this sort of thing is inevitable.

Ignoring his complaints, Shin Juhyun and Logan pressed against the floor-to-ceiling glass wall overlooking the track.

The two red race cars on the grid were aligned at positions one and two.

“It looks like they will start soon.”

“Let’s keep an eye on it.”

While Logan powered on the device showing the overall information about the race, the test started, and not long after, the project’s results began to show on the screen.

“Impressive. It definitely… has significance.”

“I never dreamed it would be this good… I wonder if it’s the system’s performance, or the drivers utilizing it well. Or maybe it’s both…”

And the results were shining brightly enough to dream of hope.