[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 182
[The Formation Lap is about to begin!]
“Ha… Let’s do well, Yooihyun.”
At that moment, just before the formation lap started, a scene flashed through my mind like a violent storm, regardless of my will. The short but intense conversation with Leclerc.
Thud! Thud…! Thud……! Thud…… Thud…
As I recalled that scene, my focus wavered, and the scenery blurred as if it had been mosaic processed, while the roaring engine sound gradually slowed down and diminished until it vanished completely.
It felt like time had stopped. In that fleeting moment that one could only feel at the brink of life, I remembered the conversation I had back then.
It all started with Leclerc.
Dressed in his fire suit, Leclerc began the conversation with a calm expression in the waiting room.
However, contrary to his gentle demeanor, his eyes were filled with a resolute belief of someone who was prepared for something.
“Yooihyun.”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t worry about anything today. Just drive as you did in For One.”
Don’t worry about anything and drive as you please.
If you think simply, it was a caring statement from a senior comforting a junior.
But that was only the surface. If you look deeper, it was Leclerc’s consideration, conscious of the first driver incident that happened today, and his firmness with himself.
Was the ‘nothing’ he mentioned truly ‘nothing’?
Absolutely not. It must mean the burden I would feel because of him.
He wanted to say, “During the process of pursuing your ideals and goals, I hope my existence won’t hinder you.”
“……”
For a long time, I couldn’t bring myself to speak. The mix of guilt and gratitude tangled together, making it impossible to find the words I needed to say.
Saying I’m sorry felt like it would trample on his resolve, and thanking him made me feel too shameless.
So, I chose to answer by simply not avoiding his gaze. I thought facing his sincerity and determination head-on would be the best response.
Thus, I stared into his eyes for a while.
“I will make choices for Ferrari.”
With a bright smile, Leclerc continued speaking.
“Since I am a Ferrari driver, it’s only natural. That’s who I am, Charles Leclerc.”
I saw light in him. I saw an intense light that would never dim even if the oldest darkness engulfed the world.
Among those who have been denied everything by the world surrounding them, who could say such words without the slightest tremor?
Just looking into his eyes, I could clearly see his firm resolve.
When I regained my senses, I found my fist clenched tightly.
He must have gone through a patience and pain that I couldn’t even dare to imagine to reach that resolution.
That’s why he could speak to me with such unwavering composure.
I didn’t have the courage to count those moments, so I decided to say what I could right away.
“I’ll drive as I please. So, please be with me so that I can drive as I want, Leclerc.”
After that, we didn’t converse anymore. Without words, we could feel each other’s sincerity and hearts through the time and space we shared.
The silence was completing the conversation.
*
*
*
[The formation lap begins! Twenty race cars are starting in unison, following the safety car!]
Grrr…
“Phew…”
Shaking off my thoughts, I focused on the booming speaker sounds and the roaring engines that echoed around the circuit.
Thus began the formation lap.
Grrr! Grrrr!
The race cars were growling fiercely because they couldn’t release the heat of their bodies, leading the line at a restricted speed due to the safety car. They were built to go fast, so it was bound to be noisy when they went slowly.
I kept moving left and right to warm up the tires a bit more. Tire management is important, but the surface needs to melt adequately to secure at least minimal grip.
The front and back rows were already going back and forth across the circuit’s width.
From the grandstands, it would look like a snake slithering.
How many minutes had passed as I diligently turned the steering wheel? The long formation lap on the Bahrain Circuit, where a lap time wouldn’t take even a minute if it performed at its best, finally concluded.
The twenty race cars had rearranged themselves at their respective places.
It seemed all ten teams were thoroughly prepared, as no drivers were complaining about any malfunctions or issues.
Everyone had passed the first hurdle to participate in the main event.
– All good?
As expected, I received a radio message from Enrique, the hope of Ferrari and my race engineer.
“Don’t worry. No problems at all.”
– How’s the setup? Does it seem right?
“Just as it is. The steering and pedals feel just like I’m used to.”
– I didn’t change anything, so I’m glad to hear it’s all good.
The condition of the race car and the setup had no issues at all.
The sensitivity and responsiveness when turning the steering wheel, the amount of pedal push and rebound, and elasticity; everything was just as I had been using it.
“My condition is perfect.”
So, I would say that both I and V-1 are at their best.
Even if I lose, I can’t blame outside factors for the defeat.
However, I don’t feel any pressure. The causes of defeat have always been within me, are within me, and will be within me.
That mindset has been ingrained for a long time to reach the pinnacle and continue to improve even after reaching it.
It’s a given to me.
So, let’s get started. The preparations ended a long time ago, so let’s begin. I’m ready to accept the harsh realities and powerless feelings of defeat; bring it on. I will fiercely resist and ignore all the rules of your world where downfall and despair were taken for granted.
Thus, I will stand at the end.
At last, the dim traffic light began to emit an ominous red light.
[ 🔴 ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ]
The harsh reality.
[ 🔴 🔴 ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ]
The powerless feeling of defeat.
[ 🔴 🔴 🔴 ⚫ ⚫ ]
Downfall.
[ 🔴 🔴 🔴 🔴 ⚫ ]
And despair.
[ 🔴 🔴 🔴 🔴 🔴 ]
Therefore, the rules of the world that were taken for granted.
[ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ]
I will ignore them all. I will resist fiercely.
That’s all I can do.
*
*
*
[The race begins!]
[Everyone is aggressively going for it! There doesn’t seem to be any intention to concede!]
[Is Hamilton still in a champion battle with Max? There seems to be little camaraderie!]
Grrrr!
With the roaring race cars, the cheers of the audience, and the commentators’ shouts, the race has begun.
The Bahrain Grand Prix. No… It can’t be defined so simply.
Lewis Hamilton.
Max Verstappen.
Carlos Sainz.
Valtteri Bottas.
Lando Norris.
Steven King.
Daniel Ricciardo.
Sergio Pérez.
Pierre Gasly.
Kevin Magnussen.
Lance Stroll.
Sebastian Vettel.
George Russell.
Nikita Mazepin.
Antonio Giovinazzi.
Esteban Ocon.
Mick Schumacher.
Kang Ho-yun.
Charles Leclerc.
Yooihyun.
A total of twenty drivers, each with their own names and lives, embarking on a long and grueling race.
Truly, they raced aggressively as if everything they had was on the line for this race.
There was no concession. They pressed the pedals with disdain and grit, creating intimidating situations wheel-to-wheel while merely demanding concession from their opponents.
But who would concede? All twenty drivers were individuals who stood in positions that no one could touch in their worlds.
No one was afraid. If one pressed harder, another would press harder still; thus the cycle continued.
[The starting formation looks very unstable. We need to be cautious to avoid getting caught up in accidents.]
As the commentators mentioned, the starting formation was indeed very unstable.
It was common for tires to collide. Tires protruded in four directions, and tires threatened dangerously around the race car’s body.
If someone suddenly sped up or slowed down, it could lead to an accident.
Given the entangled nature of the starting grid, it could easily result in a major crash.
At that moment,
[Yooihyun has changed his course from in-course to out-course!]
In a situation where one couldn’t guarantee avoiding an accident, Yooihyun suddenly bounced out to the left outside.
Considering the deep first corner that turned right just a short distance ahead, it was as risky as getting caught up in an accident.
If he missed the merging timing, he wouldn’t know how far he could drop in the rankings.
However, Yooihyun did not hesitate.
He was forging his path as he believed.
[That’s very unexpected. He has just managed to secure 6th grid in qualifying, but it could all go to waste just as the race starts.]
[Is this the right choice? The drivers are about to enter corner one.]
The commentators also cast doubt on his choice.
While he had built trust with proof, an incomprehensible choice is still incomprehensible.
However, Yooihyun had conviction and faith in his choice. Pioneering was a challenge and resistance based on those beliefs.
The answer would be rewritten and created anew.
[Oh… Yooihyun!!!]
[What on earth is happening here?]
In a direction no one had anticipated.