[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 37
“Move quickly! Finish setting up the room in advance and let the players in!”
“I told you to check on the players’ condition 10 minutes before the race started! Isn’t it that hard to send a message?”
“Hey! I’m already busy, why do you keep making things worse? Just do what you’re told!”
The waiting room of the KiwiChi official channel was filled with the shouts of the crew.
“I’m sorry! I will check again!”
“I will do as you said!”
“I will correct it!”
The waiting room was also filled with the screams of the junior staff reacting to these commands.
The waiting room of the KiwiChi official channel was packed with people preparing for the upcoming Round of 128 broadcast, creating a chaotic scene.
Alongside the KiwiChi officials, numerous commentators and invited guest commentators were also contributing to the hustle and bustle.
Round of 128, 64 matches.
Since each of these matches had to be broadcast separately, more than a hundred commentators were invited.
Retired F1 drivers, current F1 drivers who did not participate or were eliminated, strategy directors from F1 constructors, among others.
All famous personalities related to F1 were invited to commentate, making it impossible not to be busy with the preparations for the broadcast.
“Channel 1! Over here!”
In a corner where special treatment was given compared to other areas, an interview was in full swing to fill the boring waiting time.
The star of the interview was none other than Lewis Hamilton.
The first driver of Mercedes Benz and currently the best driver in F1.
A unique driver who has lifted the season championship trophy 7 times, tying the record of F1 legend Mr. Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton, who was also considered a strong candidate for victory this season, was expected to become a new legend in F1 by lifting the trophy for the eighth time this year.
In summary, if someone claims not to know Lewis Hamilton on this earth, they would be at a level of such global recognition that they cannot be considered an earthling.
Thus, the treatment was bound to be exceptional.
“Hello, Lewis Hamilton. Please greet the viewers watching the live broadcast.”
“Hello, everyone, all F1 fans around the world. I’m Lewis Hamilton, a driver with Mercedes Benz.”
[God has come]
[Let’s break Schumacher’s record after 8 wins!]
[I love Hamilton. Please marry me.]
[There’s a tournament where guest commentator is Hamilton? KiwiChi’s social power is off the charts]
[Hamilton is a god. Benz is invincible]
[I want to d*e under the front tire of the race car Hamilton drives. Please k*ll me…]
Matching his fame, the number of viewers exceeded millions, and donations in the millions were occurring regularly.
Cha Ji-yoon, a beautiful Korean reporter with black straight hair assigned to interview Hamilton, continued to ask questions without being flustered by the explosive reactions.
“Wow, Hamilton’s popularity really peaks to the sky. He truly deserves the title of 7-time champion.”
“Thank you very much for your interest.”
“Yes, Hamilton! You were a guest commentator for this tournament as the winner of last year’s KiwiChi Championship; please tell us your thoughts.”
After pondering for a moment, Hamilton raised his head and shifted his gaze to the imaginary camera floating in the air.
“First of all, I want to express my gratitude for inviting me to commentate. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“What are you looking forward to?”
“Although the 1-on-1 tournament differs from an official F1 tournament, I think it’s an opportunity to showcase one’s own racing techniques. I hear there are many new faces in this tournament compared to the last one, so I’m curious to see what they will show.”
Cha Ji-yoon nodded at Hamilton’s words and briefly summarized the contents for the viewers.
“You mentioned that you are looking forward to the techniques that unique and skillful rookie drivers will showcase. Is there a particular driver you are personally looking forward to?”
“A driver I’m looking forward to…”
Even for Hamilton, who has built an unparalleled career, there is a driver he is excited about.
Hamilton pretended to be lost in thought, but the driver he was keeping an eye on was already decided.
Rather, it would be more accurate to say he couldn’t help but keep an eye on him.
His driving technique and style were so radical and shocking even for Hamilton.
“The driver I’m looking forward to is one who goes by the nickname KING.”
“Oh, KING! He’s the one who achieved an incredible win rate in ranking matches and recently entered the top 100 in F2, truly a rising star, right?”
Cha Ji-yoon left it at that regarding her description of KING.
There was no need to explain further about KING.
He was receiving such intense attention that he was chosen as the second most popular figure in For One after Hamilton.
The viewers would know him better than anyone else, and she felt it was unnecessary for her to elaborate.
And that judgment was spot on.
[Hamilton acknowledges Korean KING]
[Wow~ I’m feeling national pride like never before…]
[The current F1 top dog acknowledges KING… This can’t be brushed off as mere national pride]
[Info) KING’s ranking match record: 114 matches – 1st 107, 2nd 7, 3rd 0]
[I can’t believe I hear Hamilton say KING’s name…]
The viewers were proving KING’s popularity by listing his records and achievements at various circuits as if competing in fan pride.
“Is there a specific reason you are looking forward to participant KING?”
“KING is an amazing player who feels both like a rookie and a veteran. His technique resembles that of a veteran, yet his daring and bold racing feels like a debuting rookie. That contrast makes me excited.”
Hamilton wrapped up his assessment of KING, but within those few short words, there was a depth of praise and expectation that was hard to quantify.
This was the first time the proud Hamilton had praised someone to such an extent.
At that moment, it wasn’t just Koreans who were caught up in the frenzy.
And KING indeed did not disappoint Hamilton’s expectations.
“This is quite a difference right from the start, don’t you think, Hamilton?”
“It’s still early in the race, so I think we need to watch more, but KING’s start is definitely impressive.”
In fact, from the start, the gap began to widen significantly from the first lap.
Just by observing how he tackled corners, KING was several levels ahead of Chris Bauer.
‘It seems like it will end in a runaway.’
He merely said that to maintain fairness as a commentator, but Hamilton’s eyes were only following KING’s movements, not focusing on the race content.
Lap after lap…
As the laps continued, the distance between him and Chris shifted from seconds to minutes, then to laps.
Hamilton had anticipated this as soon as he saw the first corner, but reality exceeded his imagination.
Every lap KING took was stable, without fluctuation, and his precise racing line left no room for error.
It was as if a highly advanced artificial intelligence was racing in For One under the name KING, with every lap being a perfect display.
The racing line of KING being broadcasted was nothing short of art.
Dumbfounded by the overwhelming performance difference, the commentators excitedly continued the broadcast, with Hamilton at the center.
“The meaning of the race has been lost now. Already starting to establish a one-lap lead, KING is solidifying his victory in just 18 laps.”
“Yes, although it shouldn’t happen, even if an accident occurs, it seems hard to turn the tables. Oh, speaking of which, KING is making a pit stop.”
“He’s changing from SS tires to S tires. Naturally, it seems like he’s prepared for a two-stop strategy, and it looks likely that he will use either SS or S for his final tire as well.”
Hamilton was so immersed in KING’s racing that he forgot about his commentary, capturing every one of his movements with his eyes.
However, after the 18th lap, KING’s movements began to change from before.
He suddenly started using DRS indiscriminately!
He began to engage in eccentric behavior not usually seen, either keeping DRS on for the entire lap or switching it on and off repeatedly.
‘What is he doing?’
Hamilton, taken aback by KING’s sudden actions, slowly began to perceive his intentions like a true F1 champion.
To put it simply, he was doing it to go faster.
He was experimenting with a new driving technique using DRS, which had never existed before, without hesitation on the circuit.
– DRS, which weakens downforce, should not be used in corners or in bad weather.
This fixed idea, or rather, this completely logical and rational answer.
KING was directly confronting that solid wall that he believed could not be broken, based on his belief in himself.
“KING’s driving is somewhat different now. His lap time has slowed down a bit. Is that due to changing tires?”
“That might be part of it, but KING’s use of DRS has become a bit odd. What do you think, Hamilton?”
“…”
“Hamilton?”
Feeling as if struck by a blunt object, Hamilton, overwhelmed by shock, managed to stutter out a response.
“Ah… I think he is experimenting with something using DRS.”
“Experimenting with something? Are you saying he’s trying something new?”
“Yes. If you look at the mini-map that’s displayed, you can see that the sections where he turns DRS on vary from lap to lap.”
In fact, on the mini-map appearing on the screen, KING’s racing line showed clear differences in the sections where DRS was turned on and off from lap to lap.
The commentators and Hamilton continued the race commentary based on that data.
“However, judging by the lap times, it doesn’t seem like the experiment has been successful.”
As the commentary pointed out, initially it was slow, then it was slow again, and then it was slow again.
However, as time went on, it was almost like a miracle; KING’s race car began to speed up.
‘Even in this short moment, he is finding the answers…’
The sporadic use of DRS began to activate uniformly as if he had found the answer, and his racing line gradually stabilized.
It was still hard to say he had found the perfect answer, but he seemed to have formed his own formula.
Looking at each individual corner, the corner exit time post-18 laps was quicker than pre-18 laps and after the start of the experiments.
KING.
A player worth looking forward to, just to that extent.
But right now, he was an innovative player paving a new path.
At the same time, he was a threatening player that even Hamilton had to worry about his own safety.
After a long time of being halted, Hamilton’s heart began to race again.