Chapter 128: Familiarizing Yourself with the Track
Wu Shi was genuinely surprised.
Was it because Martina had worked at Ferrari for so many years that she could remain so clear-headed — free of blind loyalty — and give him such a rational answer?
Sensing his thoughts, Martina smiled.
"Ferrari's internal situation isn't stable," she said. "Montezemolo is offering you this seat because he wants to use you. There's a real chance he won't even last the year. If he leaves, you'll immediately become part of the old faction — and that won't be a good position to be in."
If Montezemolo stepped down, Wu Shi would effectively become a political leftover.
Life at Ferrari would not be easy.
More importantly, once he signed a formal Ferrari driver contract, all connections with Mercedes would be severed immediately. This was no longer a letter of intent — driver contracts came with strict exclusivity clauses.
"I understand," Wu Shi sighed. "Then… let's refuse."
"Good."
Martina stepped outside and called the Ferrari representatives back in.
"Gentlemen," Wu Shi said calmly, "after careful consideration, I've decided not to sign the driver contract."
Both Ferrari representatives froze.
Rejected?
A Ferrari F1 contract… rejected?
They immediately understood the implications and turned toward Martina. One of them said coldly, "Martina, you are interfering with Wu Shi's independent judgment. I will report this to the Chairman truthfully."
Wu Shi stood up.
"This is my decision," he said firmly. "It has nothing to do with Martina."
He knew very well that a private conversation followed by an immediate rejection would reflect badly on her — but if Martina had already advised him this way, then she had clearly considered the consequences.
There was no reason to hesitate.
"Hmph. Very well."
The two packed their documents, slammed the door, and left.
Once they were gone, Martina laughed softly.
"Tsk. You've become quite impressive," she teased. "From now on, you can introduce yourself as the driver who turned down a Ferrari F1 contract."
"Please," Wu Shi sighed. "You're not helping."
"Well," Martina smiled, "once you're inside the hunting ground, everything becomes possible, doesn't it?"
She stood up and waved lightly.
"I'm heading back to Italy."
"Yes, Auntie. Safe travels."
Martina waved him off herself, then paused at the corner, ruffled his hair, and said with a smile:
"You're taller than me now."
"Hehe."
Martina waved and disappeared down the corridor.
Wu Shi kept waving.
Then she suddenly turned back.
"Oh — one more thing. About the letter of intent you signed with Ferrari earlier: given your results, it's basically time to trigger the breach clause. I'll have Sid speak with Mercedes. Since they're the ones trying to poach you, they should at least cover half the penalty."
Wu Shi froze for a second, then nodded.
"Alright."
"Good. Bye-bye~"
This time, Martina really left.
Wu Shi stood alone in the empty corridor, a wave of loneliness washing over him.
Just as the feeling began to settle—
Martina's footsteps returned.
"Oh, and Louise asked me to tell you," she said casually, "that she hasn't seen you in a long time and misses you very much."
"…Okay."
"Well then. Goodbye."
---
Spa-Francorchamps
Rest days never lasted long.
After composing himself, Wu Shi returned to the team.
The next round was Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium — one of the most iconic circuits in the world, famous for its high-speed nature and the legendary Eau Rouge–Raidillon complex.
From Turn 2 through Turn 4, the cars plunge downhill before climbing sharply uphill — a total elevation change of nearly 40 meters, equivalent to a ten-story building.
An F1 car clears it in roughly two seconds, pulling close to 4G.
It's visually spectacular — and physically brutal.
"I'm very familiar with this circuit," Verstappen said after finishing his physical training.
"I know what you mean," Wu Shi smiled. "You want to win here."
"Haha — exactly," Verstappen said, patting Wu Shi's shoulder. "You know, I was born in Belgium."
"That explains it," Wu Shi grinned. "But coincidentally… I'm also very familiar with Spa."
"I don't think there's a track you aren't familiar with," Verstappen shrugged, already immune to Wu Shi's confidence.
---
Preparation
The three races at Spa would begin on June 20, leaving twenty days of continuous preparation.
With Hamilton potentially running a Suzuka test, Wu Shi incorporated Suzuka simulator sessions into his routine.
More importantly, he intensified physical training — especially neck strength.
Unlike F3, insufficient neck strength in F1 meant losing control under sustained G-forces.
By the time Spa arrived, Wu Shi's neck had thickened noticeably — nearly wider than his cheeks.
---
Weekend Format
Friday, June 20
Two Free Practice sessions (morning)
Two Qualifying sessions (afternoon)
Saturday, June 21
Race 1 (morning)
Race 2 (afternoon)
Sunday, June 22
Race 3 (morning)
The F3 round ran alongside the WTCC Belgian event.
Wu Shi wasn't particularly interested in touring cars.
Verstappen was.
"One day, I'll start my own touring car team," Verstappen said excitedly.
"If I can't make F1, I'll join you," Wu Shi replied casually.
"Then we'll race together," Verstappen laughed — clearly serious.
---
Qualifying Day
Morning practice passed quickly. Most drivers were familiar with Spa from their Formula Renault days.
Before qualifying, the team gathered.
"Rain is expected after 3 p.m.," the team principal warned.
"The second qualifying session could be affected," Wu Shi said.
"Exactly. Conditions might change at any moment."
The message was clear: set a strong lap early.
After the meeting, Verstappen asked, "Where do you gain time here?"
Wu Shi didn't hesitate.
"I stay flat through Eau Rouge."
"…What?" Verstappen stared. "You'll fly off!"
"I won't," Wu Shi said calmly.
Verstappen looked troubled.
Wu Shi was slightly worried too — worried that Verstappen might actually try it.
With F3 downforce, lifting was normal. Staying flat was madness.
---
Qualifying 1
The session began at 2:10 p.m.
Wu Shi warmed the tires for three laps, then pushed.
Onboard footage showed Car No. 32 blasting down the main straight, downshifting into La Source, then accelerating hard downhill.
No braking.
Alan clenched his fist.
"Lift… lift…" he muttered.
Telemetry showed no lift.
"This isn't an F1 car!" someone exclaimed.
But Wu Shi went through anyway.
"Slow down, slow down!" Alan shouted on the radio.
The engine screamed.
The downhill compression hit — weightlessness, then crushing G-force.
"I know the line," Wu Shi replied calmly. "Blind apex, uphill exit — it's all in my head."
The car snapped left, then right, climbing sharply.
The tires screamed.
But Car 32 survived.
Moments later—
"…Yeah," Alan exhaled. "I didn't mean the blind corner. I meant we should slow down here."
The garage was silent.
A data engineer finally spoke:
"Extreme tire stress. Near-loss of grip. Severe surface graining."
Everyone stared.
"That was insane," Alan muttered.
"He's always insane," the team principal replied.
Wu Shi set a 2:09.567.
Ocon followed with 2:10.049.
Back in the pits, Wu Shi laughed and put an arm around Verstappen.
"Looks like you're not as familiar with Spa as Ocon."
Verstappen was silent for a long moment.
"…I'll show him in the race."
---
Qualifying 2
Rain arrived as predicted.
Lap times dropped by over 15 seconds.
Wu Shi still took pole.
Second place went not to Ocon or Verstappen — but to teammate Gustavo Menezes.
"Guess Gustavo's more familiar than you," Wu Shi joked again.
Verstappen clenched his fist.
"I'll show him in the race."
---
Race Day
The rain cleared overnight.
Dry conditions returned.
Wu Shi started P1 in all three races — and never relinquished the lead.
Verstappen did exactly what he promised.
Three races.
Three P2 finishes.
Especially in Race 3 — aided by a Safety Car — he charged from P6 to P2, overtaking four cars cleanly.
Watching the replay, Wu Shi smiled.
"Looks like you're familiar with Spa now."
"No," Verstappen said, shaking his head.
"Still not as familiar as you."