Chapter 8 – Ferrari isn’t a match for you

Editor – Chubby Dragon

Proofreader – PenguinStel

Hunter unhurriedly turned his face and saw Winston in his racing outfit standing beside him. 

“Your practice match has ended?”

“The first round¹F1 racers have 2 practice sessions (one in the morning, the other in the afternoon) on the first day of the Grand Prix. More information about F1 will be at the bottom. of the practice match ended. There’s still a second round at 2.30,” Winston’s eyes drooped midway, he raised his chin a little and looked at the cigarette between Hunter’s fingers.

“You should bring some… Wait, you smoke?” 

“Not much.”

“I can’t imagine you smoking”

“Well, you can see it right now.”

Hunter squatted by the roadside, while Winston sat beside him.

The good-for-nothing and the noble aristocrat——This idea appeared in Hunter’s mind. 

“I only have one cigarette.” Hunter slanted his eyes and looked at the other.

Logically speaking, when Winston was willing to befriend him, he should be feeling flattered enough to give everything.

However, as far as Hunter was concerned, ‘friendship’ didn’t have hierarchy regardless if the latter was a genius or a loser. So, even in front of Winston, both had equal standing. He would neither eagerly offer everything, nor become submissive. 

“I’ll only take a puff since you’ve already smoked half of it.”

Winston’s voice was still icy and there weren’t any unnecessary expressions seen on his face.

As if saying, “Not wanting the whole stick is already your greatest favour.”

So pissed!

But, good things, other than women, should be shared between friends. Although smoking doesn’t count as anything good.

“Fine, I’ll let you take a puff.”

Hunter turned around, using his index and thumb to pinch the cigarette, passed it to the other’s direction.

Originally, he thought he would take off his racing gloves to accept it, but unexpectedly, Winston’s hands remained propped at the side. He only tilted his face and leaned in Hunter’s direction. 

At that moment, Hunter had an illusion that the other wanted to kiss him.

His lips parted slightly and sucked the cigarette. Coincidentally, Hunter’s fingertips too were taken in a little by the latter. 

The tip of his tongue slightly pushed the cigarette and that subtle push was transmitted to Hunter’s fingertips. 

In a split second, Hunter almost threw away the cigarette.

He really only took a puff and exhaled a gentle smoke ring.　

As a fellow man… Hunter had to admit this guy was very sexy. 

“Are you familiar with the Gilles Villeneuve circuit?” Winston asked. 

“I’ve thought about it in my mind countless times, and even simulated it in an emulator.

But you’ve already participated in the Grand Prix for 3 years and ran this circuit 3 times, right? I don’t have the kind of experience that you have.” Hunter squinted his eyes and smiled.

“Now, close your eyes, imagine you’re at the start of the race at Gilles Villeneuve.”

“Huh?” Before Hunter could express his doubts, Winston’s icy gaze swept over.

This kind of pressure that seemed to wordlessly reign control over other people felt discomforting.   

Yet, Hunter subconsciously closed his eyes.

There was no other choice, he still had another match. If Hunter diminished his competitive spirit by not following him, would he be blamed?

“The length of each lap is approximately 4.4 km, a total of 70 laps. If you want to get the points from the top 8 positions, my suggestion is to take a two stop²Cars would make a pit stop to replace their tires and any other broken parts caused by collision or wear, or as a result of a penalty during a race. strategy. The third stop would be a waste of time. If you can maintain around the 12th position by the 15th lap, then you can take a break at the 20th lap. Wait till around the 40th lap to charge to the top 10, then execute the second stop before the 50th lap. The goal is to take the 8th to 6th place. “  

Winston’s rational voice carried a hint of firmness.

Hunter wanted to open his eyes to say something, however, Winston stretched out his arm to cover his eyes.

“I didn’t tell you to open your eyes.”

“Ok, fine!” Hunter raised both his hands in surrender.

“At the first curve of the race track, shift down to second gear, after that, slow down at the hairpin curve³ A road with a very acute inner angle. It looks exactly like the bend of a hairpin that you would somehow lose on a daily basis. . This place is your moment to breakthrough. If you prevail, everything is possible. Before entering the third curve, increase the speed. After that, slow down at the turn. This place is a gem for overtaking cars. If you have confidence, you can compete with the driver that’s in front of you. Be careful to not bump the flank of the car.”

The thundering engine spun together with the speed of Hunter’s thoughts, paired with the whistling winds.

“Now, you’ve accelerated past the fourth and fifth corners, the challenging part comes next. There is a sharp left turn, you need to drop from the previously high speed to below 85km.” 

Hunter’s vision grew more distinct, Winston’s voice kept him clear-headed and helped him begin his endless imagination.

“Exit the straight line after the hairpin curve. The speed can be over 310. This section is extremely crucial for overtaking cars. No matter which opponent is in front of you, you will take his position.“

“Winston! Heavens! You’re over here!” Assistant Annie’s voice resounded, “The second practice round is about to start!”   

“En.” He stood up. 

Hunter also stood up. 

“I want to take another puff.” Winston leaned in Hunter’s direction.

His eyes were very close to his, seemingly peaceful and collected yet brewing a silent tide.

By a curious coincidence, Hunter sent the pinched cigarette to Winston’s lips, clearly watching the tip of his tongue and felt the slight intensity of his smoking.

“Thanks,” Hunter spoke to Winston’s back. 

Thank you for letting me experience the feeling of racing on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

When the third round of practice session ended, Hunter followed the team to a hotel.

The team started a meeting, focusing on McGrady and Luke’s racing strategy. 

Hunter who was listening only felt like yawning repeatedly. Instead, he recalled Winston’s analysis of the race track in his mind once he closed his eyes.

He felt like giving it a try…

As these thoughts swept through Hunter’s heart, he felt slightly stunned.

He used to love the feeling of driving a car. In kart racing matches, he had found every match very refreshing… There were many Formula Renault and kart racing drivers that longed to enter the Formula 1 competitions, including him. 

However, when he finally entered, why didn’t he feel any desire to win? 

“Hunter! Hunter, what are you thinking about?” The technical director⁴A technical director needs to ensure that the car is legal, fast and safe. And also ensure that the required amount of technical resources is directed to the right people. looked over, showing his obvious discontent.

Probably, everyone in the team had labelled him as a problematic child. He failed to perfectly execute the team tactics in all 3 matches and even dragged down McGrady when Duchovny blocked him out of the top 8 positions.

“He’s thinking if he can go back to kart racing the moment he’s driven out of the team!” McGrady looked at him with undisguised disdain.

“Say, McGrady, are you in love with me?” Hunter widened his eyes and asked.

“I’m in love with you? You’re out of your mind!”

“Then, how would you know my way of thinking?”

McGrady rolled his eyes. He realised that no matter how much he humiliated this guy, it was of no use because his skin was already very thick. 

Marcus even followed by shaking his head and sighed. 

Teammate Luke patted Hunter’s shoulders, and comforted,  “Don’t be like this, maybe it’ll be your chance in the next match?”

“Thanks. Don’t curse yourself too.”

Unless Luke placed 15th in the next match, the team wouldn’t switch him in. 

The qualifying match was about to start, the whole team got busy but only Hunter was going everywhere while playing Anipop happily. 

Maybe it was time for him to consider what path to take once he quit F1. Since he had not scored any points, even the smallest team wouldn’t sign him in. Even if he went back to kart racing, the estimated amount of taunts he would get would be more difficult to bear than McGrady’s.

It’s just that… Like this, was he really willing?

But, does it matter if he wasn’t willing? No one held any sort of expectations from him, in any case. 

All of a sudden, he bumped into someone. Hunter took a small step back, on the contrary, the other was steady like Mt Tai, unswaying. 

His phone fell, and the latter reacted quickly and effortlessly to catch his phone. 

“You’re still playing this?”

“Huh?” Hunter raised his head and faced a pair of calm eyes.

It was Winston.

“Yes, this one is really fun.” Hunter smiled and took his phone back.

“You’re passionate about a lot of things.”

“What?”

“You’ve already played this game for 5 years.”

“Ah? How did you know?”

On the contrary, Hunter thought that he could easily feel enthusiastic about anything. 

However, Winston didn’t intend to continue discussing Anipop.

“Later on, in the qualifying match, don’t be too concerned about the number of tires left, try to fight for the top rank as much as possible.”

“You… you should have already known right? I didn’t participate in the practice match, the team has chosen to send McGrady and Luke for this match…”

“Hunter, are you thinking of quitting F1?” Winston asked.

Hunter paused, then shrugged his shoulders, and said indifferently, “What else? I didn’t enter the top 12 spots in the last 3 matches. After the next match, the team should be focusing on Luke and I won’t stand a chance anymore. After this year, Marcus’ team won’t renew their contract with me, and there won’t be any other teams that will want me. Unless you’re able to convince the Ferrari team to sign me on?” 

“Ferrari isn’t a match for you,” Winston replied.  

Hunter looked into his eyes, although seemingly calm, there were many emotions brewing under. It was too deep to predict.

He doesn’t understand. Why was Winston using a gaze filled with emotions akin to someone looking at precious things at him? 

“Then… what would be a good match for me?” Hunter smilingly hit Winston with his fist. “Fine, fine, I know that we only became friends just recently, and you would feel that… you would lose me, but rest assured, as long as you’re still on the track for a day, I would cheer for you in my heart.”

“You will have the best crew with the most outstanding power unit designers and suspension system engineers, and a strategy analyst that understands you. That is the team that would match you.”

These were clearly just words of comfort, yet Hunter felt as if this inconceivably brilliant team was so close at hand.

“Thanks.”

At this moment, a yell from Marcus came from behind, “Hunter —— Hunter! Where did you run off to again?”

“Huh?” Hunter turned around. 

Marcus’ face flashed an anxious look, and upon seeing Winston behind Hunter, he became slightly stunned.

Winston just slightly nodded his head, which could be counted as a greeting. 

“Get ready! I need you to join the qualifying match immediately!”

–

The author has something to say:

When frying eggs:

Hunter: I love to have a cigarette before a match, it freshens up the brain! What about you?

Winston: I love holding you while having a cigarette.

Hunter: Huh?

Winston: But I suppose you won’t even wake up.

Tn’s rambles:

Winston’s already taking advantage of Hunter o-off

Some background knowledge of how Formula 1 matches work:

A race weekend consists of 3 practise sessions, 3 qualifying sessions and the race itself.

Each team can only have 2 drivers representing the team on the track.

Usually, on Fridays, there are two 90 minute practice sessions(called free practice 1-FP1, and free practice 2-FP2, held in the morning and the afternoon), with a 60 minute session on Saturday morning(called free practice 3-FP3) ahead of a 60 minutequalifying session on Saturday afternoon.

There are three stages to qualifying – Q1, Q2 and Q3: In Q1, 20 cars have 18 minutes to clock the fastest time(they can do as many laps as possible in this time). 5 of the slowest cars are eliminated once time runs out and will start the race in the final five places on the grid. (P16-P20)

In Q2, the times are reset and the remaining cars participate in a 15-minute session with the aim of recording a time that will secure their place in the top 10. 5 of the slowest cars are eliminated and will fill places 11 to 15 on the grid. (P11-P15)

For the final part of qualifying, Q3, times are once again reset and the remaining 10 cars have 12 minutes to clock their fastest possible time as they compete for pole position for the race, as well as the remaining places on the grid. (P1-P10)

The race usually starts on Sundays. The total distance for each race must be at least 305km(the number of laps differs from circuit to circuit), excluding Monaco(260km). However, the race itself cannot exceed two hours, unless it is red-flagged (stopped because of an accident or poor track conditions). In such circumstances, the total duration of the race and any red-flag stoppages cannot exceed four hours.

There are 2 championships in F1, one being the World Constructors Championship, the other being the World Drivers Championship. The team with the highest points accumulated will win the World Constructors Championship, while the driver with the highest points gained individually will be rewarded with the World Drivers Championship.

Text taken from this bbc article.

(I have added a little more information to better explain some areas, some details may not be extremely accurate, but please understand as I’m not very educated in this sport and there might be changes in the rules from time to time uwu)

If you don’t want to read through this, I would recommend this youtube video, but it’s about 24mins >< 

• 1
  F1 racers have 2 practice sessions (one in the morning, the other in the afternoon) on the first day of the Grand Prix. More information about F1 will be at the bottom.
• 2
  Cars would make a pit stop to replace their tires and any other broken parts caused by collision or wear, or as a result of a penalty during a race.
• 3
  A road with a very acute inner angle. It looks exactly like the bend of a hairpin that you would somehow lose on a daily basis.
• 4
  A technical director needs to ensure that the car is legal, fast and safe. And also ensure that the required amount of technical resources is directed to the right people.