Chapter 127: World Champion Is More Important
Montezemolo's position within Ferrari was becoming increasingly precarious.
Since taking office in 2009, he had pushed aggressively for internal "Italianization." While the policy strengthened national identity within the team, it also led to the marginalization — and eventual departure — of many non-Italian technical experts.
During the final years of the naturally aspirated V8 era, Ferrari had managed to remain competitive on accumulated experience. But once Formula 1 entered the 1.6-liter turbo-hybrid era, Ferrari struggled badly to adapt.
By the conclusion of the Monaco Grand Prix, Ferrari's best result of the season remained third place, achieved by Fernando Alonso in Shanghai. Outside of that single podium, the team hovered around the lower points positions, consistently outpaced by Mercedes, Red Bull, and even Williams.
From the outside, the season already looked like a failure.
And inside Ferrari, everyone knew it.
Montezemolo grew increasingly anxious. He believed there were only two ways to reverse the situation:
either the team demonstrated sudden, overwhelming competitiveness — or he made concessions to Ferrari's international board members.
At this moment, Wu Shi represented an opportunity.
Behind Wu Shi stood Chinese capital. While the international faction favored American backing, Chinese investment was more than sufficient as leverage — at the very least, a counterbalance.
Martina, growing frustrated with Montezemolo's bluntness, finally said:
"The board won't approve an F1 seat for someone who's never raced in Formula 1."
"I can try," Montezemolo replied calmly. Then he asked, "I heard you secured a very large sponsorship deal in China?"
Martina frowned slightly, then shook her head.
"Interest in motorsport in China is still limited. Very few companies are willing to invest seriously. You know that better than I do."
Montezemolo nodded. It was only a test question.
After all, news had spread that Mercedes had asked Wu Shi for sponsorships totaling nearly 50 million US dollars, followed by Martina taking Wu Shi back to China. The intentions behind those moves were obvious.
"If you agree," Montezemolo said firmly, "I'll raise the proposal at the board meeting."
"I need to discuss this with Wu Shi first," Martina replied.
"Very well," Montezemolo said, his tone heavy. "I'll wait."
---
Hungary – Total Domination
The three races at the Hungaroring unfolded without suspense.
Wu Shi won all three, bringing his season total to eleven victories.
The result elevated him beyond a rising talent — he became the brightest new star in global motorsport.
Italian media scrambled to reach Sid through every possible connection, all hoping for exclusive interviews.
International outlets followed closely, eager to uncover Wu Shi's future plans.
Many revisited his bold statement from the start of the season:
"Twenty-one wins equals an F1 seat."
The paddock had never treated it as a joke.
That was precisely why Sauber had already contacted Sid. Once Wu Shi reached 21 wins, Ferrari would almost certainly give him a year — just as they had done with other Ferrari Driver Academy graduates.
And Wu Shi, after all, had grown up inside Ferrari's system.
Martina herself was a Ferrari employee. If he didn't dream of driving for Ferrari, that would be strange.
Faced with the growing media storm, Wu Shi deliberately pushed Sid to the background.
He no longer needed exposure.
What he needed was stability.
Instead of chasing interviews, he preferred to train — even if that meant returning to his "old man's" simulator.
But with his photos spreading rapidly and his Chinese background drawing attention, Monaco was too risky.
If reporters caught him training alongside Hamilton, it would violate team protocols. If weighed seriously, both he and Hamilton would be implicated.
So Wu Shi stayed in the Netherlands, training quietly day after day.
Trouble, however, rarely waits for invitations.
Martina arrived at his residence — accompanied by Ferrari representatives.
---
The Question
"So Ferrari can confirm the seat directly with me now?" Wu Shi asked.
His hands were hidden beneath the table, fists clenched, palms damp. His thumb rubbed restlessly against his index finger.
If someone asked whether Wu Shi dreamed of driving for Ferrari, he desperately wanted to shake his head.
But he couldn't.
In his previous life, he had worn Ferrari red, fighting Verstappen for championships.
Ferrari had given him a chance back then — even without dazzling results.
Like Zhou Guanyu, he had entered Formula 1 through Ferrari's junior pathway.
But memory also meant clarity.
Ferrari's car in the coming years wouldn't be bad — but it would never be enough.
Mercedes would dominate Formula 1 for eight straight seasons.
Not until 2021 would a real challenger emerge — and it wouldn't be Ferrari.
Even Ferrari's strong start in 2022 would collapse into chaos.
"Yes," Martina answered.
Wu Shi lowered his head and fell silent.
Which mattered more?
Sentiment — or a world championship?
"Excuse us for a moment," Martina said gently. "I need to speak with him."
The Ferrari staff left the room.
Martina tousled Wu Shi's hair.
"Come on," she said softly. "Tell Auntie what's bothering you."
Wu Shi thought carefully before speaking.
"You can't have both fish and bear's paw."
"Oh?" Martina laughed. "Testing my Chinese now? Then tell me — what's the fish, and what's the paw?"
"I like Ferrari," Wu Shi said.
"Of course," Martina nodded. "Who wouldn't?"
"But this season," Wu Shi continued quietly, "teams using Mercedes power units are clearly stronger."
"You think Mercedes will maintain the advantage?" Martina asked.
"That's inevitable."
Wu Shi lowered his voice.
"The Mercedes dynasty isn't luck. The core reason is the engine."
The paddock didn't yet realize it — but in 2015 and 2016, everyone would understand just how terrifying Mercedes' hybrid power unit truly was.
And alongside that, the questionable relationship between Mercedes' engine program and the FIA would slowly come to light.
With Daimler's unlimited investment and an elite technical team, Mercedes ushered in a new era.
No matter how perfect the driver, no one could overcome a fundamental hardware gap.
"If that's the case," Martina said after a pause,
"then the world championship is more important."
Wu Shi looked up at her.
"Think about it," she continued. "Once you're covered in titles — do you really think Ferrari would refuse you?"