Chapter 126: I Think Ferrari Suits Him Very Well
After qualifying concluded and the team finished dinner, everyone returned to the garage area.
Car No. 32 was raised on the jacks. The rear bodywork was removed, revealing the compact but powerful engine beneath — intake ducts and exhaust piping coiled tightly like steel veins.
"We've reviewed all the telemetry," Alan said. "There's no obvious anomaly. Are you certain something's wrong?"
"I'm sure," Wu Shi replied calmly. "We should strip it down and inspect it."
If an ordinary driver had said this, the engineers would have rejected the idea outright.
A full engine teardown was serious work — hours of labor, late into the night.
But the driver standing in front of them was Wu Shi.
A dominant force in FIA Formula 3.
Alan exchanged looks with the mechanics. In the end, he nodded helplessly.
Right now, Wu Shi's judgment carried more weight than any data sheet.
Still, this was a team, and people had opinions.
One of the mechanics couldn't help venting her frustration, half-joking, half-serious:
"We have the most complete data available. Are we really tearing down an engine just because something felt off?"
Wu Shi glanced over but said nothing.
This wasn't his place to respond.
Alan didn't reprimand her either. Instead, he spoke evenly:
"It's our responsibility to ensure the car is flawless. If Wu Shi believes there's an issue, we investigate. If nothing's wrong, we call it preventative maintenance. And if something is wrong…"
He checked his watch.
"…we still have time."
The mechanic sighed. Complaining was just habit — a reflex when overtime loomed.
If it didn't work, then so be it. That was life for the working class.
The engine was removed and carefully disassembled.
Wu Shi didn't go to the simulator. He stayed in the garage, watching.
Only when an engine is fully stripped does one understand why it's called a masterpiece of modern industry. Every contour, every surface finish, reflected the designers' relentless precision.
In his spare time, Wu Shi often watched videos titled "V8 Engine Rebuild" or "V12 Full Tear-down". Now, he was witnessing the real thing.
Van Amersfoort Racing used Volkswagen-supplied engines — comparable to Mercedes in overall architecture, though each team's calibration was unique.
Under inspection lights, the mechanics examined cylinder walls, crankshaft bearings, pistons, and exhaust channels.
Three hours passed.
Then a mechanic suddenly spoke up.
"There are contaminants in the exhaust outlet."
He wiped his glove across the opening. Blackish-gray granular residue smeared across the fabric.
"It's not severe yet," he continued, "but it's already causing a chain reaction."
Exhaust restriction slowed gas flow. Slower flow meant higher temperatures — and higher temperatures meant more buildup.
The other mechanics gathered around. After confirming the issue, they all looked toward Wu Shi.
Alan, acting as their spokesperson, asked incredulously:
"You actually felt this while driving?"
Wu Shi shrugged.
"I noticed something wasn't right in that section. It felt familiar — but not identical."
"Unbelievable," Alan said, giving him a thumbs-up. Then he turned to the crew.
"Check everything again. Clean it thoroughly. Fix it properly."
The work continued.
Cleaning. Reassembly. Verification.
By the time everything was complete, it was 1:00 a.m.
Alan repeatedly urged Wu Shi to rest, but he refused to leave until the engine was sealed.
Finally—
"Done!"
The circuit lay silent, broken only by distant insects and the faint hum of cooling metal.
"Alright," Alan said. "Now you can go rest."
"Everyone get some sleep," Wu Shi said with a grin. "Tomorrow, I'll take the win."
"Let's go!"
"Six wins in a row!"
The mechanics cheered — partly from exhaustion, partly from confidence.
After all, people might not love victory itself, but no one dislikes the bonus money that comes with it.
Wu Shi yawned and returned to his room.
This season, his car had suffered zero mechanical failures — largely thanks to his acute sensitivity.
Even back in his karting days, many of his victories came down to one truth:
No matter how good the driver is, without a reliable car, you lose.
---
Race Day
Schedule:
Race 1: 11:10 a.m.
Race 2: 4:25 p.m.
Given Wu Shi's familiarity with the Hungaroring, the outcome was never really in doubt.
The F1-grade circuit provided ample overtaking opportunities, leading to fierce battles throughout the midfield.
At the front, however, Wu Shi controlled the race from start to finish.
Wu Shi — P1
Tom Blomqvist — P2
Esteban Ocon — P3
As for Verstappen, he suffered a technical issue on Lap 6 and was forced to retire.
---
Maranello
Inside an office at Ferrari headquarters, Luca di Montezemolo leaned back after reviewing the files on his screen.
He took a deep breath and called Martina over.
"It appears Wu Shi can achieve the target I set for him without difficulty," Montezemolo said.
"Nine wins don't define a career," Martina replied with a faint smile. "Anything can still happen."
"I'm prepared to free up a Ferrari works seat," Montezemolo said flatly.
Martina's expression didn't change. She'd already guessed the topic when she was summoned.
"With two world champions leading the team," she countered, "do we really need to disrupt the balance?"
Montezemolo studied her carefully.
Internal politics were intensifying, and many preferred to avoid the issue altogether.
But Martina's hesitation wasn't about politics.
It was about Wu Shi.
While a Ferrari seat was tempting, Montezemolo's position within the team was unstable. At best, Wu Shi could be placed with a customer team like Sauber — but pushing him directly into a Ferrari works seat would come with consequences.
Even if it succeeded, the internal atmosphere would be far from ideal.
Martina understood Ferrari's situation too well to let Wu Shi become a pawn in a power struggle.
"Wu Shi's talent is unquestionable," Montezemolo finally said.
"Give him a championship-capable car, and he'll become a world champion — possibly the youngest in history."
He paused.
"I think Ferrari suits him very well."