[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 180
I instinctively knew that Minoto had something to say when he came to see us. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have waited for us, not knowing when we would show up.
The position of a director isn’t one that allows for endless waiting without a purpose.
So I guessed it must have been something important, whether the overall strategy had been modified or whatnot.
However, I never dreamed it would be this kind of talk.
“What? What did you say?”
When I first heard those words, I involuntarily raised my voice and furrowed my brow. It was something I simply couldn’t understand.
Minoto reaffirmed it as if to drive a nail in.
“Yooihyun, it is a directive from above to appoint you as the First Driver. I just received the order directly from the Chairman.”
“No, what does that even mean…?”
That was the command from Enzo Ferrari, the living legend of the drivers and the man who holds real power at the gigantic company Ferrari.
I was dumbfounded. Being named First Driver at F1 Ferrari is prestigious in itself, but there’s no way such an honorable position is without conditions.
Just like on the Earth of my previous life, the criteria for becoming a Ferrari man in this world is also very stringent.
Achieving a championship once, having more than three years of service, and meeting the dignity appropriate for a Ferrari man.
The third condition doesn’t even have a clear standard or timeframe, so that’s whatever, but the first two conditions didn’t apply to me at all.
I was a rookie with zero Grand Prix participations, only now preparing for my debut, let alone having achieved a championship once. I was essentially an outsider, having joined Ferrari less than six months ago.
So while the future “me” might qualify, it’s clear that the current “me” has no right to sit in that position.
And this isn’t merely about qualifications. It would be a declaration to completely overturn the well-maintained balance at F1 Ferrari, where Leclerc and I had been sustaining a 50-50 competition.
Investment, personnel, strategy, development direction for race cars… even the inevitable public interest that could only be skewed towards one side during this process.
That means all tangible and intangible values would be concentrated on me. Naturally, Leclerc would have to be excluded.
Is this what an overthrow of the system feels like? My head was filled with anger at the shocking news.
Knowing it was meaningless, I vented my frustration towards Minoto, who was only the messenger. If I didn’t do this, I felt like I might smash the race car right then.
“Why? Why does it have to be this way? We were doing so well… This isn’t right…”
Leclerc and I, we had done so well. How did we manage to give wings to a team that finished the overall team standings in 8th place?
All the arduous past efforts flashed before my eyes like a passing parade.
Won-jin’s expression when he was thrilled about devising the hybrid suspension, the breathtaking moment when we completed the hybrid suspension together with the team members, engineers who were buried in blueprints insisting on creating a new and innovative engine, and the peaceful scenes of the temporary resting place where such firm wills took a brief respite…
It felt absurd that all the time I endured, supported by my colleagues, was about to be shattered by a single word from the Chairman.
However, Minoto’s resolute words dismissed all my grievances and anger.
“I can’t understand it either. But… that doesn’t mean I can stop it. We have no choice but to accept…”
Minoto’s expression, delivering words he didn’t want to say, wasn’t good at all. Did he want to convey such news? As the director responsible for F1 Ferrari, he surely didn’t want to convey this bad tidings the most.
In fact, although Minoto hadn’t committed any crimes, he was holding his head down like a sinner with his gaze on the floor.
“I’m sorry. I have no words for you or the team members. If I had done better, this wouldn’t have happened…”
He seemed to think it was his incompetence that caused this issue, with a face filled with regret, remorse, and guilt. Surely he knew that the Chairman’s arbitrary decision didn’t come without reason.
The Chairman had grounds to issue such orders, as Ferrari had recorded underwhelming performances over last year’s season, the season before that, and the year before that… spanning several seasons. Perhaps it was a relief that it ended at this level. At one point, rumors had circulated that the entire F1 Ferrari staff was going to be overhauled.
But how could this be solely Minoto’s fault? Even at his age, there was no way such an enthusiastic Minoto had neglected his duties prior, nor did the same go for his subordinates.
It’s just that where there are heights, there are also lows. There are times when the glory of Ferrari wanes, and that’s simply where we are now.
Reading deep regret in Minoto’s voice, I asserted to him.
“Why are you apologizing for whatever the Director did wrong? Don’t say that. I may not know much, but you’ve always done your best. You’re still doing that now.”
I must have seemed like a clueless young kid trying hard to console an adult like him, as he gently ruffled my hair and replied.
“…Thanks for saying that.”
Minoto’s feeble smile was pitiful.
While comforting Minoto, one person came to mind who would also be shocked by my designation as First Driver.
“Leclerc.”
Right next to me, how could I forget about him…
Feeling remorse for having forgotten, I turned to look at him,
“Uh? What’s wrong?”
Unexpectedly, Leclerc appeared fine. To be precise, he didn’t seem affected by the fact that I had just pushed him aside.
However, his expression didn’t look good, and he seemed to share the same worries as Minoto and me.
Since we seemed to have the same concerns, perhaps the conversation was getting longer, which prompted Minoto to appropriately intervene.
“Let’s talk later; for now, both of you go in and get some rest. Morning is coming soon.”
“Understood, Director.”
“Yes….”
Alright. We should get our rest since the main event is just a few hours away.
As Minoto bowed and addressed our backs as we were about to return to the accommodation, he said,
“And I’ll do my best to fend off whatever until this Grand Prix is over, so don’t dwell on such matters. Got it?”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you. You get some rest too, Director.”
On the way back, I couldn’t help but feel my feet were heavy, making it hard to take a step.
By the way, is Leclerc really okay? He was walking silently without any change in expression.
Surely, we should have this conversation… but right now, all that matters is sleeping, and there’s no time to talk. I don’t know.
When we reached the accommodation, Leclerc said,
“Good night, Hyun.”
“You too, good night.”
Leclerc walked in with firm steps.
I was exhausted, but sleep didn’t seem likely.
*
*
*
It was hard to believe. No, I just couldn’t believe it.
“Yooihyun is the First Driver.”
Minoto’s expression, delivering the thunderous news in a calm voice, revealed that his earlier words were not a joke.
‘Why? How?’
Only such questions remained in my head. I couldn’t understand what prompted such a decision, nor how it was approved.
I know Yooihyun is doing well. I even acknowledge she’s showing better performance than I am. But regardless, the position of First Driver is absolute; you must achieve a championship and have three years of tenure before being selected.
So how? Why? What reason could there possibly be…
While those questions began reasonably, they ultimately led me to one destination.
Why is it Yooihyun and not me?
‘Oh…’
Arriving at that conclusion was like a lightning strike, and I paused momentarily.
‘What a ridiculous b*stard…’
I was disgusted with myself. I thought I was questioning the legitimacy of Yooihyun becoming the First Driver rationally, but it was actually about feeling unjust that she was chosen instead of me.
After all, I was in no position to object either. In F1, everything is proven and determined solely by skill. No matter how many years of experience, if you’re lacking in skill, being pushed back is to be expected.
Perhaps I struggled to accept the fact that I was inferior to her.
She, with her abundant consideration, cautiously called my name, looking both worried and guilty.
“Leclerc?”
She wasn’t at fault, yet her eyes showed so much gratitude and apology that it made me feel even more sorry.
Desperately trying to act as if I was fine, I softened my expression and replied.
“Uh? What’s wrong?”
“It’s really hard, isn’t it?”
The way she answered made her eyes look even sadder than mine, and I made a vow.
‘Let’s follow. No matter what I have to give up, let’s follow. Let’s keep running together.’
It has to be, after all, that the situation ended up this way because of me. Because I hadn’t lifted a single trophy during my years as a Ferrari driver, this must be a justifiable punishment.
So, if I had done better, this wouldn’t have happened.
By attributing everything to myself, my mind felt lighter. Since it was all my responsibility, I felt that if I worked hard, it could be resolved.
Yeah. It felt comfortable to think that way.
I can do this.
I am a driver for Ferrari.
I am Charles Leclerc.