[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 38
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【 DRS Activation 】
Vrooom!!!
Changing DRS, which was a simple function for straight-line tracks, into a driving technique is truly fun.
Excluding the external factors of tire strategy, pit stops, and driver capabilities, it relies solely on the driver’s skill.
After several decades, Formula 1 has finally introduced the DRS functionality, which allows for differentiation between drivers.
So how can this not be exciting?
For those who have reached the pinnacle in a particular field, often dubbed as ‘veterans’, even the slightest change is welcome.
Adapting to that change and creating new things by merging it with existing elements are tasks only possible for those at the peak of their fields, providing the greatest enjoyment that veterans can feel.
“Racing has been a bit boring lately, but why is today so fun?”
[Lol, it’s fun because you’re driving like that]
[If you drive like that in a competition, how could it be anything but fun?]
[Games are originally about outsmarting your opponent, right?]
[The DRS button is crying out for help, teacher?]
[There’s a 2-lap gap with that guy, and yet I’m being demolished]
[KING, change your nickname. It doesn’t suit you. EMPEROR would be more fitting]
[It is a fun game, but why does it keep getting faster?]
Viewers could feel bored in such a one-sided match, yet they seemed excited about my experimental driving.
Seeing them light up the chat room, they seemed even more thrilled than I was…
In the solitary days when I only aimed for first place, I felt a warmth and pure joy I could never have imagined.
The viewers blooming conversations around me, the pleasantly popping donations and messages…
And I, responding to it all, continued a conversation filled with laughter.
It was enjoyable and peaceful.
I didn’t even remember the tension and coldness, loneliness, and isolation of my days as an F1 driver.
This is why I realized the joy of being a streamer.
“There are already only a few laps left. I just started having fun…”
With less than 5 laps left until the finish of the 66th lap.
Both my senses and the viewers’ tension were at their peak, making it feel regretful to end it like this.
However, there are many opportunities ahead.
I’ve become free from money, which was the biggest obstacle to living as Yooihyun, and I’ve dropped out of the academy, allowing me to pour my entire life into this now.
I can run on the circuit together with the viewers anytime.
I suddenly recalled a man as I raced toward the fluttering checkered flag.
One Man Show, Kang Ho-yun.
If I were to surpass New Age, he would become my opponent in the 64th round and my disciple.
It would be great if Kang Ho-yun wins, but I couldn’t be sure.
The key was to shake the psyche of the young New Age player, and I wasn’t sure if the diligent and honest Kang Ho-yun could pull that off.
“I wonder how it’s going…”
The only way to find out was to quickly finish the race and check his match directly.
Clack!
【 6th gear – 7th gear ↑ 】
Grrr…
I quickly picked up the pace to watch my disciple’s race.
*
*
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[One Man Show] VS [New Age]
In the 128-player tournament featuring 64 matches, this match was shining with a viewer count of 400,000, standing out among powered players like KING, Verstappen, Steven, and Yoo Seon-jin.
This was not just due to One Man Show, but thanks to the rumors circulating about New Age being nurtured as a promising talent in F1 teams.
Even in pure rankings, One Man Show was around 500th, while New Age was about 200th, so everyone’s focus was not on whether New Age would win, but rather by how much gap would be created!
Therefore, before the match even began, commentators and viewers united to predict a landslide victory for New Age.
“This race will be quite challenging for One Man Show, won’t it?”
“Yes, indeed. There’s a 300-ranking difference, which in F2 translates to at least a two-tier gap.”
“I see. What does guest commentator Kimi Raikkonen think?”
“The Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit is essentially a difficult circuit for overtaking. In a formal F1 event, if you take the lead, you can delay your pit stop recklessly. And when it’s hard to overtake, it means it’s easier to maintain your position when in front.”
“So if One Man Show loses the lead, the race will flow unilaterally.”
Retired F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen emphasized One Man Show’s disadvantage repeatedly, making it clear.
When the waiting time ended and both players’ cars were on the grid, their pessimistic outlook continued even as they confirmed the starting tires of both players.
“Recognizing his disadvantage in performance, One Man Show also chose SS tires instead of extending. It looks like he intends to create variables, whether through wheel-to-wheel in the early stages.”
“Yes, given the mismatched skill levels, it seems like a good choice. However, New Age also used SS tires.”
“Still, since the first corner is a long straight, we’ll need to observe, but even if he takes the lead, it won’t be easy to defend.”
A completely biased commentary flowing towards New Age!
However, since Kimi Raikkonen was among those most familiar with F1, the flow was unavoidable.
[Hope for the young ones, New Age, fighting!]
[I’m Korean too, but there’s no chance One Man Show will win. If you think he will, that’s pure nationalism.]
[Lol, how can a 500 rank beat a 200 rank?]
[I hope One Man Show wins… It’s One Man Show!!! Do something!!!]
[Kang Ho-yun will win. Go, bro!]
[Ugh, those fans are disgusting.]
Even the Korean channel chat seemed to be rooted in the idea that Kang Ho-yun would lose, only carrying on cheers stemming from being fellow Koreans or fan sentiments.
“Still, since we have to race 66 laps, anything could happen. New Age’s pace might waver.”
“Yes! Just as you mentioned, the race is starting now!”
As the red traffic light went out, a race without much tension began, and One Man Show and New Age’s race cars charged forward, scraping the surface.
Vroom-!!
One Man Show ran parallel to New Age.
It appeared he was trying to create variables through wheel-to-wheel, as the commentators expected.
However, One Man Show, despite gaining the opportunity to alleviate this extreme skill gap, did not act rashly.
He formed his racing line until the first corner!
This was contrary to expectations of making an early move.
“One Man Show seems to be trying to settle into his own strategy?”
“It seems that the psychological battle will be the winning point… Is it because of his pride as a driver, Kimi Raikkonen?”
“Perhaps? While F1 is about using any means to win, the opponent is just a child after all.”
“I’ve heard that One Man Show is known for his honest and mannered racing style. This match may not culminate in victory, but it seems he wants to uphold the dignity of a driver!”
The tensionless race became even more sluggish due to Kang Ho-yun’s diligent driving.
However, the commentators, watching with eyes wide, and viewers were soon struck with astonishment.
The Spanish circuit features a gently curving and long right corner after passing the first and second corners.
Corner 3.
Though it is a corner, it is a high-speed corner where race cars test the limits of downforce and tire grip.
Not dangerous in itself but risky enough to illuminate a driver’s techniques and capabilities.
That’s where One Man Show’s change began while racing level with New Age.
“Uh? What is this?”
“What on earth is happening, One Man Show!!!”
“Is this… really the same player who is ranked 500th?”
One Man Show, with a level of skill that was hard to believe for being ranked 500th, was pressing against New Age in corner 3.
Vroom!!!
One Man Show calculated the maximum speed possible in the corner, considering tire grip, and was drawing out ultimate downforce from the chassis.
It seemed as if he might lose grip and spin out at any moment, yet he performed a risky daredevil maneuver that didn’t result in such.
However, those who knew the effort and passion Kang Ho-yun had poured into this driving would never dare to call it a ‘daredevil’ move.
That daredevil maneuver had already been absorbed as part of Kang Ho-yun through rigorous training.
He was slowly inching ahead while driving outside of New Age’s line.
As he passed the apex of the corner, Kang Ho-yun’s race car moved ahead.
That shocking sight sent shivers down the spines of everyone who had anticipated his overwhelming defeat.
Name / Time / Laps
① One Man Show No record 1/66
② New Age No record 1/66
“An unbelievable event has occurred! One Man Show overtakes New Age, who is ranked 300 places above him, in corner 3 on just the first lap!”
“What a magnificent cornering! Adjusting the steering wheel, controlling the acceleration and brakes to perfection! One Man Show is making me doubt if he’s truly ranked 500!”
“The outer cornering was bold and the exit timing was impeccable!”
[Wow, what the heck is that?]
[Sorry. I drew attention to show this. Is this really the Kang Ho-yun who seemed like such a loser, ranked 500?]
[I’m genuinely in shock. What’s up with One Man Show’s form these days? This is insane.]
[Oh my God, bro, I love you! (Oops)]
[Did New Age just get overtaken in one lap? Lol]
[What on earth happened in just a few days since the last stream… Did he go to the Room of Time and Space?]
[Today’s race is everything, lol.]
[Ordering chicken was a good idea ^^]
Kang Ho-yun’s super play turned the atmosphere upside down in an instant, stimulating excitement not just in the commentators but also among viewers.
The expectations that had been heavily centered on New Age suddenly poured over to One Man Show, Kang Ho-yun.
And, living up to that expectation, Kang Ho-yun continued to reward it with his fluid driving technique through the early, middle, and late stages of the race.
Vrooom!!!
Of course, he didn’t maintain the pace of that beautifully perfect cornering in lap 1, but without a single major mistake, he presented a fun race that rivaled F1 drivers despite being ranked 500th.
[One Man Show! One Man Show! One Man Show! One Man Show!]
[ONE MAN SHOW! ONE MAN SHOW! ONE MAN SHOW!]
[ワンマンショー! ワンマンショー! ワンマンショー!]
[独角戏! 独角戏! 独角戏!]
Kang Ho-yun’s name was resonating around the world once again in various languages.