[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 191

“……You really are good.”

“Who’s your friend? Of course, they’re good.”

Two young engineers, one of whom was Won-jin who developed the hybrid suspension, and the other was Ji-hyun Lee, a friend of Yooihyun and an intern at F1 Ferrari, were whispering in a corner of the pit while watching Yooihyun’s personal screen on a tablet.

“How can someone with no relevant knowledge understand this so well?”

Won-jin couldn’t help but be amazed by Yooihyun’s overwhelming talent that surpasses other drivers, as well as her understanding of the vehicle and technology.

Yooihyun’s play was flawless. Even while moving along seemingly ideal paths that everyone dreams of, her unique maneuvers, which appeared unexpectedly, raised questions at first but later brought realizations.

Seeing the results of her questionable choices made one exclaim, “So, that’s how you break through that situation…!” This was an attempt that completely shattered existing frameworks and was already a finished ‘something.’

Even the audience enjoying For One, who had a good basic understanding of racing, as well as other drivers racing alongside her, felt their knowledge of the race deepen by observing Yooihyun’s solutions.

However, no one thought they could implement what she did. It was her unique style and movements that far exceeded their understanding.

They understood it theoretically, but could never follow suit. It was the movement of someone enlightened, unsure whether they could achieve such things even in their dreams.

Compared to others, the depth of understanding of the sport called ‘racing’ was extraordinary. That’s why she could always be a step ahead and compete on equal terms with Red Bull, even while driving a car that lagged behind by a class or more.

“The hybrid suspension is not a technology you can use so easily…”

With his mouth agape in admiration, Won-jin spoke in a somewhat grumbly tone.

“I have seen the AI system sneakily once, but it was incredibly complex and difficult to understand… Anyway, isn’t it good that Hyun is doing well?”

Ji-hyun turned to Won-jin with an innocent smile. It was as if she was questioning whether there was a need to doubt if their team was doing well.

“Of course, it’s good. It’s obviously good if sister Hyun is doing well…”

But for some reason, it was annoying…

Swallowing back the words he couldn’t say in front of Ji-hyun, Won-jin recalled the source of this troubling feeling, which soon revealed itself.

It was, after all, Yooihyun.

“I really can’t stand it.”

Even upon rethinking, no matter how much he considered it, Yooihyun was an incredibly fortunate person. It wasn’t in a bad sense, but she was someone who was remarkably fortunate in an incredibly good way.

An unrivaled, exceptional talent. Whatever task was thrown at her, even if it was her first time, she produced optimal results with mastery. For those who assigned the task, it was a culmination of long efforts just for her to handle it like it was nothing, making them feel more deflated than moved.

Just look at the hybrid suspension that Won-jin collaborated on with top engineers. It was clearly assumed that it would be difficult for drivers to use. In fact, Leclerc struggled a lot to adapt, but Yooihyun was so proficient from day one.

Now, at the season’s first Grand Prix at the Bahrain Circuit, one could say her driving reached a level of completion and understanding.

So, the reason Won-jin was annoyed was that the masterpiece he poured everything into was being handled so easily by Yooihyun as if it were a toy.

“No, then you should put in some effort and act a bit pompous, right? Isn’t that how it should be?”

Just that alone made her strike him as lucky, and yet this person was not only humble but also extraordinarily modest. She had never elevated herself even once, always deflecting praise to others and speaking of repaying their efforts.

It was precisely that which earned her recognition and respect from all at F1 Ferrari, despite her being new to the team, having no experience, and being quite young.

This means that it wasn’t merely her skills that made people trust Yooihyun.

Considering that Won-jin, as the youngest and a genius engineer, hadn’t been recognized by his peers, one could see how significant the influence of character was, beyond just skills.

Won-jin shook off the embarrassment of his past and began to focus again on the race.

“Even Yooihyun can’t escape the performance gap of the race car…”

Just as Yooihyun could overwhelm other drivers with her extraordinary talent, Ricciardo was trying to outpace her with the overwhelming performance of his race car.

“Ah…!”

Ji-hyun’s excited exclamation.

So it was on lap 15. The moment Ricciardo began to move passionately, Won-jin sensed Yooihyun’s impending defeat.

“I really can’t hold on.”

Won-jin’s intuition was grounded in his very existence. He was not just anyone but a distinguished engineer and a genius who had directly participated in the core technology and engine production of V-1.

In F1 Ferrari’s pit. Regardless of anything else, Won-jin had more extensive knowledge and experience about V-1 than anyone here.

Although Yooihyun’s capabilities were invaluable, knowing the limits of V-1, he sensed a thorough defeat based on rigorous calculations upon witnessing B-31 accelerate.

Natural disaster. It’s an unavoidable circumstance. Something that cannot be changed by human power.

The true gap between V-1 and B-31 was exactly that.

“Giving up ranks and aiming for 8th would be better. At this rate, not only will Perez overtake her, but also Steven in 9th.”

It was clear that trying to fight back awkwardly would lead to irretrievable loss. For Yooihyun, she would need to expend everything to defend, but Ricciardo wouldn’t even need to exert full strength.

Thus, this battle was best avoided. There would be no outcome if she pushed forward. Giving up ranks and ensuring next time would be the rational choice.

But Yooihyun did not stop. Facing the massive tidal wave just behind her, she confronted it head-on.

“That’s insane. That can’t be.”

It was madness. It was still lap 15, only the early part of the race.

Yet would she risk everything here?

“What are Enrique, the director, and F1 Ferrari doing, not stopping her!?”

Woefully staring at the screen all day, Won-jin jerked up his head to look at his teammates.

No one was moving. Minoto was lost in overwhelming excitement, and Enrique had his mouth shut with the microphone off.

“Has everyone given up? Is that it…?”

All Won-jin could do was put his head back down and watch Yooihyun.

Vroooom!!!

Yooihyun was moving busily, desperately. To avoid being swept away by the tide, she continuously read the flow and adjusted her speed.

Finally, the tide engulfed her, and her figure disappeared.

Name / Time / Laps / Team

⑥ Maniel Ricciardo 0:58:093 +5.205 15/57 – Blue Bull

⑦ Yihyun Yoo 0:57:866 +4.978 15/57 – Ferrari

The rankings flipped in an instant, making the brutal struggle of the past 6 laps seem insignificant.

“It’s not over yet. Next is Perez…”

The tide did not end in one go.

A second wave was now closing in behind Perez.

At that moment, as Won-jin sighed resentfully, blaming Yooihyun for her worst choice and the teammates for being passive.

⑥ Yihyun Yoo 0:57:866 +4.978 15/57 – Ferrari

⑦ Maniel Ricciardo 0:58:093 +5.205 15/57 – Blue Bull

Yooihyun, who had been swept away by the giant tide, reemerged.

If Ricciardo was the wave, then Yooihyun was the surfer.

Similar to surfing, V-1 was racing along that precarious boundary where the wave crashed down.

A speed faster than the falling wave. Yooihyun’s figure escaping the tide with a bounce would not be out of place in a movie scene.

“……!!!”

In the face of that thrilling sight, Won-jin was left speechless.

He thought he knew V-1’s limits better than Yooihyun, but now he believed V-1 was at its limits.

“How far is the limit…?”

Watching V-1 sh**t out at an unbelievable speed, he now had no idea where the real limits lay.

Was it Yooihyun who was amazing or was it V-1…?

Yooihyun was breaking through her world, and at the same time, she was breaking through Won-jin’s world. A new horizon was opening from her hands.

Mercedes Benz.

Renyo.

McLaren.

The path that had been tightly blocked by the three powers was opening.

Yooihyun. The three-letter name with slender history was leading the charge.

With the name of Ferrari on her back, she was becoming the light that opened the way.