[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 201

Naturally… it’s fair to say that our Ferrari has garnered more attention than any other team or driver.

In terms of rankings, it should be expected that the overwhelming first-place Mercedes Benz and the second and third places of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen would take the spotlight at the Bahrain Grand Prix. However, it was a moment that rendered those rankings meaningless.

“Driver Yooihyun! You just finished your first Grand Prix; how do you feel about it?”

“More than just finishing my first Grand Prix, it’s a fresh experience to have done it with Ferrari.”

Having already been through the rigors of the circuit, I really don’t have strong feelings about the ‘first Grand Prix.’ It’s only meaningful because it’s my ‘first Grand Prix’ with ‘Ferrari.’

“Please share your feelings on finishing in sixth place during your first Grand Prix!”

“I still feel like I’m lacking. I don’t think Ferrari or I have found our places just yet. So, I feel regret… but today’s result is satisfactory as it reflects our best effort.”

Of course, saying I’m satisfied with my answer doesn’t mean I’m finished here. It’s undeniable that today’s result is a glorious spot for the current Ferrari.

“Not only did you defend against Red Bull, but you also managed to pull away from them in the latter part of the race! They’re already calling you a once-in-a-century genius; what do you think about that!”

“A once-in-a-century genius? Hmm… please add just one more digit. One more zero in front of 100. I think that would be just right.”

I smiled brightly while joking, and it seemed like both the journalists and the audience were delighted. They burst into laughter, and some took pictures of me with fatherly smiles.

…Is it because I’m cute, or is the atmosphere just that pleasant?

On a separate note, I genuinely disagreed with the notion that I was a once-in-a-century genius. If a capable person is overly humble, it can be quite unpleasant; my self-assessed value is far beyond just a century.

Of course, anyone can just talk big, so I’ll have to prove myself to the world moving forward. I must ensure that when the existence of Yooihyun is mentioned, it’s accompanied by not just 100 but 1000, and that no one questions it.

“Is it true that Director Minoto shouted out the Master Plan and was beaten up by the team members?!”

“……?”

Where on earth are they pulling such gossip from? Our Director Minoto’s Master Plan is a very well-crafted plan.

Minoto over there in some Third District might mess things up with a poor strategy that could ruin Ferrari. The blackened Leclerc has been performing well in every Grand Prix only to end up DNF, leading to frustration and despair…

Oh, surely such a world can’t exist! It shouldn’t! Am… it can’t… right?

If it does, what of it? If such a world exists, when I d*e and be reincarnated, I will surely be born in that world and save Ferrari once more!

I waved my hands dismissively.

“It’s completely unfounded. Please do not spread rumors!”

Let’s quickly move on to the next question.

“I understand you received scout offers from strong teams like Benz, Renault, and McLaren, so why did you choose the weaker team Ferrari?”

“Do you plan to continue your career with Ferrari in the future?”

“Your customization in For One suggests a special affection for Ferrari; what does Ferrari mean to Driver Yooihyun?”

“Hmm…”

The rapid-fire questions made my head spin. Most of the questions were related to Ferrari. They were not questions I could answer lightly, plunging me into deep thought.

What does Ferrari mean to me, and what do I mean to Ferrari…?

After a moment of contemplation, I could soon organize my thoughts.

“I know it’s funny for someone who has been here for less than a year to say this, but… Ferrari is my everything.”

“Everything? Specifically, what does that include?”

“All my memories and experiences, my entire past have been intertwined with Ferrari. Ferrari may not think so, but… at least for me, that’s how it is. That’s why I wanted to be with Ferrari, which has given me the present.”

To me, Ferrari is ‘me,’ and I am ‘Ferrari.’ However, I can’t say such things yet because my connection to Ferrari in this world is still shallow.

If it was simply Ferrari, then I would have confidently said, “Ferrari is me, and I am Ferrari.” No question would even arise before that. For Jin Hyun-woo, such a question would be akin to asking, “Do you breathe through your nose?”—a truth devoid of right or wrong.

“I will conclude the interview here.”

With that final question, the interview came to an end. Although there were still journalists lined up, I couldn’t address them all.

Soon, the award ceremony for those who made it onto the podium was scheduled, so I had to move in that direction.

As I was walking with my entourage, Leclerc asked in a noticeably more relaxed tone.

“Did you not have any difficult questions?”

“Other than the constant mentions of Minoto and the Master Plan… I don’t think so, why?”

“Oh, really? It’s nothing.”

“It’s nothing, huh? The way you trail off makes it sound like there was something.”

Leclerc cleared his throat and scratched his head as he spoke.

“They kept asking me what kind of relationship we have… so I wondered if you were in the same boat.”

“What relationship? It’s a very reliable and supportive colleague relationship.”

“Well, yes… that’s true; but do you think the journalists asked with that meaning?”

“Do they think it’s a romantic relationship?”

“Exactly.”

No way, these crazy people. Leclerc and I have a seven-year age gap, and they ask such questions? Especially since I’m still a minor?

“I’m insane. This is nuts. How on earth does the world operate… To mix a minor with an adult like this?”

Even now, if the picture of me hugging Leclerc were to circulate, I can’t even imagine what people would say. There would be some words too hard to even speak.

“World, please! Just see colleagues as colleagues!”

I felt like shouting that to the whole world.

After walking for a while, the dazzling and elevated podium soon came into view.

At a height where one can only look up from below, the drivers standing atop it reminded everyone of their position, while those below could only look up in awe.

“Whoever made this, what a devil they are.”

Always being on top, I chuckled lightly as I stood next to Leclerc at the designated ‘Farrari’ spot. Once all the drivers finished their interviews and lined up, the award ceremony finally began.

The ceremony was nothing special. A handshake, receiving the award with respect, greeting the crowd, waving goodbye, and done. As a bonus, they even had to pop the champagne. It was incredibly extravagant and formal, but really, it was just an award ceremony.

Starting with third place Sainz, they began to receive medals and trophies, followed by Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Puff puff! Bang! Puff!!!

Fireworks exploded in thousands, beautifully decorating the dark expanse of Bahrain’s night to celebrate their podium entrance. Seeing fireworks explode from beyond the circuit, it seemed that those camping outside were also setting off fireworks as a celebration. Truly, it was as if the sun had risen, filling the surroundings with radiant light.

Places at 12 and 2 o’clock were especially bright, likely indicating where the Mercedes Benz and Renault labs were located.

“Wow!!!”

“Wooow!!!”

As the sounds of fireworks created brief pauses, the cheers from the audience filled the space. In fact, their cheers might have even drowned out the sound of the fireworks.

“I had no idea from just words, but the scale of F1 in this world is astonishing…”

Each time I turned on Kiwich broadcasts and saw the exponentially increasing viewer counts, I imagined F1’s popularity, but experiencing my first Grand Prix made that immense scale feel all the more real.

“That also means the burden has become heavier.”

Hence, the weight of the responsibilities and burdens on a driver must also weigh more. If I were to ruin a race myself, the whole world would point fingers at me. I could vaguely imagine the weight of ridicule and criticism that Leclerc must have borne for years.

Leclerc, standing next to me, couldn’t take his eyes away from the podium. His gaze shifted from sadness to aspiration, repeating that ebb and flow as he looked at the podium.

In his past, the podium would have been like a rainbow to him—something he could never catch, no matter how hard he ran or how much effort he put in. Despair must have existed only in his eyes at that time.

However, he was different now. The podium was still high up, yet it was no longer an unscalable wall. I made it that way, he made it that way, and Ferrari made it that way. And even if it were the sky, we had the will to climb it.

“Leclerc.”

“……Yeah.”

“I will definitely put Ferrari on that stage.”

A statement that’s outrageous for a rookie to make. However, it’s a weight that can be carried because it’s me.

In an instant, sparks lit up in Leclerc’s eyes.

“I will do the same.”

Definitely.

The heat from Bahrain was intense.

Yet, an even hotter flame of Ferrari began to sprout in Bahrain.

In a form hotter, stronger, and more persistent than anything else.

It was ready to engulf the world.