[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 142
“Today is the last day! We need to finish up everything by the end of the day. Move quickly!”
“Let’s make sure we double-check everything from start to finish. Start with the basic design and check every little detail, even the obvious ones.”
The laboratory was busy right up until the moment they were about to head to the airport for the first Grand Prix in Bahrain.
Engineers were brainstorming better designs and concepts, mechanics were checking all equipment and parts repeatedly, while Leclerc and I were on the circuit sharing information and adapting to the V-1 as quickly as possible.
Everyone at Ferrari was making a last-minute push.
The time was flying by with just a few days left.
Given the limited time, everyone was feeling rushed, hastening the passage of time.
“Pack everything up! Heavy equipment should be grouped to one side. We’re loading it all onto the trailer at once, so only bring what’s absolutely necessary!”
Just before heading to the airport, Logan shouted while helping staff move the luggage.
A commotion erupted as everyone hurriedly packed and moved their things.
“Oh, can someone help me lift this?”
“You can just put that over there. Why are you trying to carry it, you idiot!”
“I was just asking for help to move it over there…”
“Get some exercise…”
“Hey! Someone pack that! I’ve told you a million times not to bring that document pile; it’s all uploaded to the server!”
“I’m sorry! I just wanted to familiarize myself with it on the way…”
“Don’t you have a phone!?”
“I find it easier to see it in person… I’m sorry. I’ll throw it away right now.”
“Pack that. Just that, okay?”
“Thank you!”
The director barely made a difference. With so many people and so much luggage, even with preparations made the day before, the chaos was overwhelming.
Even a giant corporation like Ferrari couldn’t help but experience this. No matter how thoroughly people prepare, when the actual situation arises, shortcomings inevitably become apparent.
Watching this unfold, I had a question and turned to Leclerc, who was packing his personal equipment.
“But why is everyone moving like this? This isn’t just a few people; it’s like relocating a whole base…”
All major devices, like computers, had been completely disassembled, removing hard disks and SSDs. Even the document piles were all gathered in one place to be incinerated.
Outside, there were a staggering six massive trailers moving equipment, and an uncountable number of buses were packed tightly. It seemed to be enough to carry every employee of F1 Ferrari.
So, my question was this: why is every employee moving?
Normally, only essential personnel would move, but this felt like a mass exodus, and I couldn’t understand why everyone was heading to Bahrain.
Leclerc’s answer was both enlightening and a reminder of the immense popularity of F1.
“You’re right; it’s exactly a base relocation.”
“A base relocation?”
“Yep, base relocation. We’ll be doing this a few more times too. This will be the first base relocation to Bahrain this year, so thinking about the remaining 21 races means we have 21 more to go.”
“We’ll have to do this 21 more times?”
Was I hearing him correctly? We had to go through this tedious task 21 more times?
I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in disbelief.
“There’s a Ferrari research facility prepared near every circuit where F1 races are held around the world. We have all the equipment and personnel just like the headquarters, so it’s no different. Right after a Grand Prix ends, we immediately gather information and analyze the race car for research and improvement. Previously, only essential personnel would move, but that led to communication gaps, so it’s been a while since the entire team started relocating together.”
“That’s insane.”
“Of course, it’s become possible because F1’s popularity has skyrocketed, along with the increased funding.”
“So, only big corporations like ours, Ferrari, and sponsors with plenty of funding can relocate like this?”
“No, all 10 teams competing in F1 have bases.”
“All of them have bases? How is that possible? Lower-tier teams can’t even cover R&D costs, let alone have a base.”
“Our teams without funding issues handle it themselves, but the lower-tier teams are supported by For One, the biggest sponsor of F1, for their missing funds. They provide basic research facilities on a rental basis to ensure fair competition and more exciting racing.”
The fame of F1 is astonishing, but on top of that, For One, the largest and strongest gaming company, has an even greater following.
Indeed, if For One is providing support while accumulating money from around the world, it’s not surprising.
I moved the last piece of luggage and hopped into the car with Leclerc, continuing to ask questions.
“That would mean upper-tier teams would be pretty upset. Isn’t funding a key competitive factor?”
That was a reasonable question.
F1 is a sport where 10 teams compete, and the discrepancies in R&D costs can range from hundreds of millions to billions.
Naturally, those who spend more create better race cars, while those who spend less produce inferior ones.
That’s why some lower-tier teams rely on paid drivers to obtain a bit more funding.
Considering that Kang Ho-yun, who recently joined His, was partly brought in as a paid driver, funding has always been a significant issue in F1.
“That was true before For One became a sponsor of F1, though.”
It seemed like a reference to the past.
“To be precise, funding is still an important competitive factor now. However, since For One got involved, its weight has significantly diminished.”
Leclerc turned to me, examining my reaction before continuing.
“As I mentioned, For One provides indirect support by renting out research facilities or assisting with confidential information. They don’t give funding for direct R&D but help reduce external costs, allowing teams to invest more in research and development.”
“Those costs must still be substantial.”
“Exactly. And it has certainly shown results. As funding increases, the overall performance of lower to middle-tier teams’ race cars improves, enhancing their competitiveness.”
“Then, in the end, this might disadvantage the upper-tier teams that are overflowing with funds.”
“Not really; it’s actually a good thing.”
“A good thing?”
I asked again, confused.
“Anyway, there’s a limit to how much For One can be involved due to the cap. No matter what, upper-tier teams can’t catch up. The reason lower-tier teams still use paid drivers is rooted in that.”
“So?”
“That means it’s important that lower to middle-tier teams are starting to gain competitiveness. The dynamics of competition among lower-tier teams, which rarely had upsets, are changing. Simply put, lower to middle-tier competition has become entertaining. F1, which used to be only interesting for the top-tier battles, now has engaging points in all tiers—upper, middle, and lower—leading to increased viewer ratings and a surge in fans. And what do ratings and fans mean for sports?”
“Money.”
“Exactly, money. Thanks to For One, the F1 market itself has grown larger. Because of that, upper-tier teams enjoy significant indirect benefits even without receiving funding, and when they reach the podium, For One gives them extra prizes, so rather than complaining, they welcome it. They gather both money and honor.”
So, the upper-tier teams that don’t receive funding are gaining more fans and viewers, thereby acquiring wealth while indirectly contributing to a fair and thrilling competitive environment, all while gaining prestige.
But… what about us, Ferrari? Isn’t “Ferrari = lower-tier” an established fact? Even though we’re a mega-corporation, why aren’t we receiving support?
That felt unfair.
“Our team? While I generalized it as lower-tier, I meant teams that lack funding capability. Most lower-tier teams lack funding, but as with everything, there are exceptions, and it’s time for us to shake off that stigma.”
Our team being lower-tier and unable to receive funding felt frustrating.
I felt embarrassed for some reason.
“Looking at it this way makes it feel endlessly embarrassing… Ferrari fighting…!”
“Fighting…!”
I shouted quietly in a support chant with Leclerc as we boarded the Ferrari team plane heading to Bahrain.
Outside the window, the race cars were being loaded into the cargo of the trailers that had arrived.
Some parts protruded while others sank; the sleek and futuristic shape of the red race car evoked images of an alien civilization.
It was Yooihyun and Charles Leclerc, Minoto and Logan, Enrique and Won-jin, and Jihyun Lee.
In other words, it was the opening ceremony of the F1 team Ferrari.
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“There are really a lot of people…”
Even on a Friday during practice, the grandstands were packed. The crowd was so overwhelming that even I, who had been famous in a past life as an F1 driver, was taken aback.
Not only in the grandstands, but outside the circuit, starting from the parking lots to the roads leading in, people who couldn’t acquire tickets surrounded the circuit.
If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it.
I don’t mean to belittle my profession or F1, but why is this happening? Why have so many people gathered for this?
The heat was so intense that the funding of For One, which provides research facilities to each circuit, was almost suspicious.
Wearing my red racing suit adorned with the names and logos of dozens of sponsors like badges, I walked toward a full-length mirror.
“Ferrari…”
Ferrari. A wild horse with bulging muscles raised its front legs high in a raw logo that caught my eye immediately.
Next, the fiery red racing suit glowed like it was on fire.
Then came the image of Yooihyun, with her hair neatly styled, exposing a clean and smooth neck, making what would have been called pretty sound humble.
The racing suit clung to her body, showcasing her feminine curves without concealment. With this face and this figure in a racing suit, it was truly a scene right out of a photo sh**t.
I was lost in seeing myself after a long while.
Having completed her preparations, Leclerc knocked on the locker room door and cautiously entered.
“You look good.”
“I should look good. I’m a Ferrari driver.”
“Should we head in soon?”
“Yeah, it’s better to enter together, right?”
“Maybe? I don’t think there’ll be any nerves, but don’t be tense. There will be interviews, so if there’s anything you’re unsure about, I’ll take care of it.”
“Got it. Let’s go right away.”
After finishing the final checks in the mirror, I followed Leclerc inside the circuit.
“Leclerc! I love you!”
“Yooihyun! Yooihyun! Yooihyun!”
“Ferrari fighting! Tifosi fighting!”
There were so many people. With every step, people and camera flashes welcomed us. For a moment, I felt a bit overwhelmed by the intense welcome, but I quickly adjusted.
After all, I had been a champion in my past life.
At the entrance, numerous broadcasting companies and reporters lined up to interview drivers and directors.
The definitive number one from the previous season, Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes Benz, Max Verstappen.
Second place, Carlos Sainz from Renault and Valtteri Bottas.
Third place, Lando Norris from McLaren and Steven King.
Fourth place, Daniel Ricciardo from Red Bull and Sergio Pérez.
Fifth place, Pierre Gasly from AlphaTauri and Kevin Magnussen.
Sixth place, Lance Stroll from Aston Martin and Sebastian Vettel.
Seventh place, George Russell from Williams and Nikita Mazepin.
Ninth place, Antonio Giovinazzi from Beta Romeo and Esteban Ocon.
Tenth place, Mick Schumacher and Kang Ho-yun from His.
And in eighth place, Charles Leclerc and I, Yooihyun from Ferrari.
As the cameras stopped, the interviews paused, and all eyes momentarily turned towards me. I didn’t step back and locked eyes with each of the world’s top athletes brimming with ambition.
These were the drivers I’d race alongside in the upcoming 31st season.
Some faces were familiar, while others weren’t. Regardless of who they were, the result would remain the same.
I was a champion, and I would definitely become a champion here too.
Greeting the approaching reporters, I introduced myself.
“This is Yooihyun from Ferrari.”
It was the moment where my name would rise again on the grand stage of F1.