[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 148
In order to complete the big picture within the time limit, small elements must inevitably be excluded.
Out of the two hours given to me, I must complete the background of the painting, which will be the forest, within one hour, and I cannot afford to get bogged down with the details of every single blade of grass or tree.
Thus, it was important to sketch the composition of the painting reasonably.
It involved deciding where to place what, how to highlight points, and what overall shape or atmosphere to convey in a macro conception.
If I can structure the background in a cohesive way, the rest is just a matter of execution.
By drawing out my maximum abilities and using various colors and techniques, I would finish the painting brilliantly and stylishly, incorporating my own flair.
“The rest is just the details.”
If I were to translate this painting task into designing a race, sketching the background would be akin to plotting the racing line while considering the characteristics of the race car, and filling in the details would mean how meticulously I navigate the corner that becomes the turning point of the competition.
So, the canvas is the track, the paint is the race car, and the brush is the driver.
As is often the case with subjective fields like art and sports, the methodologies vary greatly among individuals and change constantly based on the given environment, leaving no definitive answers.
However, in the chaotic charge toward the goal, finding my own shortest path is the only true answer.
Yes, today I found that answer too. I invested 40 minutes of Session 1 to identify the optimal strategy for today’s Bahrain-Shakir International Circuit.
Considering the characteristics of the race car, V-1, the temperature, the track conditions, and Enrique’s advice coming through the earpiece… I integrated and controlled all those elements, including myself, “Yooihyun,” to outline the optimal record line.
So now, as Session 1 has 20 minutes left in the countdown, I only have the task of showing off my skills and filling in the canvas with color.
Weeiiing-!!!
I passed another starting line, not knowing which number it was, alongside the roaring race car, and radioed Enrique at the pit wall.
“I’ve been too focused on creating the racing line to pay attention to the corners yet. Since I still need to drive V-1 more anyway, let’s just adjust the details from now on.”
-Right. We still have the second session left, so let’s spend the remaining 20 minutes preparing for Session 2.
“Let’s take it one corner at a time. If there’s a miss in control along the way, give me feedback immediately.”
-The telemetry modelers have roughly finished their analysis after 40 minutes. I’ll let you know if you’re slower than the speed we calculated.
I charged through the bright lights illuminating the track.
From corner 1 to corner 15, I had to confirm whether the background I had envisioned was coming out as I imagined, while also completing as many laps as possible and perfectly dissecting as many corners during the remaining 20 minutes.
Despite having saved a lot of time, there was still no time.
Someone might question why I was in such a hurry, suggesting that it would be better to leisurely invest more time in Session 2 to improve accuracy, rather than risk losing precision while rushing.
However, considering the objective ranking of Ferrari’s race car compared to teams like Mercedes, Renault, McLaren, and Red Bull, and our arrogant shared goal of taking the number one grid in qualifying despite being in a relatively weaker position…
There couldn’t be a more complacent and lazy thought.
“You’re doing well right now.”
“You’re doing well enough.”
“At this point, you’ve done your best.”
Words like these might feel good to hear at the moment, but they are utterly useless in pushing a person forward.
So, what words actually move a person?
“Is that all you can do?”
“You’re just about there, aren’t you?”
“That’s your limit. Give up.”
These are somewhat violent and unpleasant words to hear.
Ironically, what motivates humans most effectively springs from an original greed born of inadequacy and inferiority.
Of course, there are plenty of cases where sharp words cut and leave someone unable to see the light…
If one was easily swayed by such critical or disparaging remarks, that would merely indicate the extent of their potential.
I’ve rambled for too long, but to summarize, we don’t have the luxury of being buried in comforting words.
The research and development of the race car were conducted hurriedly in a shabby makeshift sleeping quarters created in one corner of the laboratory, and the fact that time was short hadn’t changed, even if the space had merely shifted from the lab to the track.
Therefore, I must absolutely nail down the details within the next 20 minutes. It’s always an arduous task, but I must always deliver.
Even if operational methods differ from circuit to circuit, ultimately, the common denominator of corners can always be solved with a common strategy. Mastering and navigating those corners is the responsibility of a complete driver.
From now on, I have no choice but to trust my finely honed senses as a driver, not as part of Team Ferrari, but as an individual.
Sports begin with meticulous calculations, yet creating the miracle ultimately lies with those who execute it.
I firmly gripped the steering wheel and said to Enrique,
“Just trust me. I will definitely deliver.”
It was not to reassure Enrique; it was a heartfelt declaration brimming with conviction.
My declaration of doing it without fail was a genuine truth.
How tirelessly have I worked to make miracles happen as if they were ordinary occurrences?
Not to mention in my past life, but even in this life, I have resolved to treasure my own life as “Yooihyun,” yet not once have I been insincere about F1.
From the hundreds and thousands of repeated races in For One to tests at Imola Circuit, and even the research and development unrelated to driving.
Every single moment has been time spent preparing for days like today.
Today is the day when the long and arduous time of waiting shines.
I pressed the gas pedal firmly.
Vroom-!!
With instantaneous acceleration, the engine roared roughly.
There was no hesitation.
There was no fear.
Only certainty remained.
*
*
*
Swooosh-!!!
Cutting through the steamy and unpleasant night air of Bahrain, Yooihyun’s race car, V-1, was speeding along as if rapidly seeking the answer. No, it was moving as if it already knew the correct answer.
While running according to the predetermined pattern, the slightest, barely noticeable changes in the steering were occurring. These changes were trivial and minute, but the impact on lap times was truly dramatic.
18:03… 16:56… 15:50…
As the remaining time in Session 1 dwindled, Yooihyun’s lap time changed rapidly from decimal to whole seconds.
Yooihyun, once barely holding onto 11th place with a time of 1:10.394, had completely transformed.
Swooosh-!!!
The sharp sound zipped past the starting line as one lap was completed.
⑨ Yihyun Yoo 1:08:556 – Ferrari
Vroom-!
With a sonic boom-like burst, the race car shed the air enveloping its chassis as it completed another lap.
⑧ Yihyun Yoo 1:07:448 – Ferrari
Swish-!
As debris scattered, disappearing into the serene stillness, yet another lap was run.
⑦ Yihyun Yoo 1:06:201 – Ferrari
The position was continuously climbing, yet the speed was not an uphill but more akin to descending a steep slope.
It was a level that could only be explained by hiding one’s full power.
The changes in lap times were so dramatic that neither the spectators nor the commentators could keep up, leaving no one willing to speak.
Then, the commentators, recalling their duty, began to hurriedly speak.
[What’s going on? Yooihyun, who had long been barely holding middle-tier results, has suddenly succeeded in shortening her lap time to within a second of her teammate Leclerc…!]
[Has she perfectly adapted to the race car or built the racing line perfectly, or has she finally shaken off the pressure of being a rookie driver…? We may not know the reason, but it’s impressive regardless.]
The commentators could not explain the sudden change in lap time. They could only speculate.
No commentator had been closely observing her driving before she changed.
It was closer to indifference than hostility.
“If you’re doing that, then of course.”
“Serves you right.”
These were harsh standards to hold for a rookie driver.
Indeed, it was understandable since Yooihyun, who debuted with worldwide popularity, had initially disappointed by only maintaining mid-tier results.
But now…
[Yooihyun’s lap time has finally surpassed Leclerc’s record…!]
[Is this… is this her true skill? I can’t believe it.]
[Already in 3rd place. Ferrari’s wild horse has caught up to the tip of the Mercedes star!]
The commentators realized they had been completely wrong.
There was no limit felt in the galloping of the wild horse, fiercely chasing the star set high in the sky.
Seeing that fierce momentum pursuing the sky, perhaps they should be calling it a unicorn instead of a wild horse.
Keep going forward, forward.
There seemed to be no hint of faltering at all, only an inexplicable nobility yet to be found in any rookie.
Screech-!
[This concludes FP1…!]
[Yooihyun is showing a great performance by continuously reducing her lap time until the very end!]
The sound marking the end of Session 1 was the only thing that could halt the relentless gallop of the wild horse.
[Will there be more to show in FP2?]
[I think we can expect that…!]
And with everyone’s hopes, Yooihyun started running once again.
It was the start of Practice Session 2.