(Note: This chapter contains a large amount of data and system-related content, necessary for connecting later plot developments.)
The noise in the pit lane hadn't fully died down when Alex Sun, gripping the half-finished bottle of champagne, threaded his way through the busy mechanics and headed straight toward the UNI team area where Guanyu Zhou was.
His emotions were still in turmoil—there was the joy of stepping onto the podium through promotion, and also the sense of release from having fulfilled his promise to Ferrari. He had done it. With this podium finish, the evaluation period of his Ferrari junior contract had officially come to an end.
At the moment, Guanyu Zhou was slumped in a chair in the team's private rest area. His helmet lay tossed aside, damp strands of hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. His brows were still tightly knit as he repeatedly rubbed a crumpled strategy sheet in his hands, his expression filled with frustration and unwillingness to accept the outcome.
"Zhou."
Alex Sun stopped at the edge of the rest area, lightly tapped the partition, and handed over the champagne. "Just got this from the podium. Thought I'd clink a bottle with you—and check in."
Guanyu Zhou looked up, recognized him, and his tense expression eased slightly. He took the champagne but didn't open it right away, only shaking his head with a wry smile.
"Congrats. First time racing Monaco in the wet and you still take third—impressive. Not like me. I got hot-headed and gambled on pitting for a tyre change, thinking I could turn things around.
Turns out the track conditions were still awful. The supersofts had no grip at all. I threw away every advantage I had, and all the effort from the whole race went to waste."
Regret weighed heavily in his voice as his fingers unconsciously tightened around the strategy sheet.
Alex Sun pulled over an empty chair and sat beside him, giving his shoulder a reassuring pat.
"Zhou, racing is full of variables. Taking risks is part of it—you were just unlucky this time. Honestly, my third place had a bit of luck in it too."
He paused, thinking back over the past seventy-five days since he'd arrived. Guanyu Zhou had taken good care of him the entire time, sharing everything from racing lines to wet-weather rhythm without holding anything back. Alex Sun felt genuinely grateful.
"And those wet-track tips you taught me really saved me this race. If you hadn't kept reminding me, 'In the rain, better slow than chaotic—finish first, overtake later,' I probably would've crashed early on. I wouldn't have even had the chance to get promoted onto the podium."
Hearing that, a faint smile finally tugged at Guanyu Zhou's lips. He took the champagne, poured half a glass, and handed it to Alex Sun.
"You've got talent, and more importantly, you can stay calm. That third place was well deserved. I was just too impatient—wanted more points in the second sprint at Monaco, and ended up losing my rhythm."
They gently clinked glasses. The cold champagne went down smoothly, easing Guanyu Zhou's gloom just a little.
"The feature race is still here at Monaco," Alex Sun said firmly, resting a hand on his shoulder. "After a night's rest, the track should be much more stable. You'd better get yourself sorted—don't let me catch you in the standings."
Guanyu Zhou nodded, drained the rest of his glass, stood up, and patted Alex Sun on the back.
"Kid, you've still got a long way to go before you catch me. You just made the podium—your team's probably busy as hell right now. I won't hold you up. Looking forward to seeing you do even better in the feature race tomorrow."
After saying goodbye, Alex Sun turned back toward his own rest area. He had barely sat down when he suddenly remembered that mechanical voice from the podium—something he'd completely ignored in the rush of excitement.
With a thought, he actively activated the system, and a brand-new interface instantly appeared before his eyes.
[F1 Legend System – Team System Unlocked]
(All attributes require corresponding personnel recruitment and role assignment to take effect. All are currently in a pending state.)
[Team Management]
Collaborative Synergy: 30 (Pending; Core effect: Improves internal communication and coordination, laying the foundation for cross-role collaboration)
Mental Alignment: 30 (Pending; Core effect: Coordinates team mentality under high-pressure race conditions, ensuring operational stability)
Talent Alignment: 30 (Pending; Core effect: Precisely identifies core needs for each role, improving recruitment fit and onboarding efficiency)
[Technical Development]
Aerodynamic Adaptation: 30 (Pending; Core effect: Optimizes aerodynamic design to enhance stability and speed)
Floor Optimization: 30 (Pending; Core effect: Improves chassis floor design, increases downforce, enhances handling)
Power Calibration: 30 (Pending; Core effect: Matches the power unit with the overall car for efficient, stable output)
Durability Enhancement: 30 (Pending; Core effect: Improves component reliability, reduces failure rates during races)
[Maintenance Support]
Pit Stop Coordination: 30 (Pending; Core effect: Improves pit stop workflow efficiency, reduces pit time)
Fault Repair: 30 (Pending; Core effect: Rapidly handles on-track failures, ensuring race continuity)
[Commercial Operations]
Team Visibility: 30 (Pending; Core effect: Integrates sponsorship resources and manages team finances, ensuring operational stability)
[Available System Rewards: None]
[Unlock Condition: First podium finish achieved]
Alex Sun felt a jolt of excitement as he stared at the words "Team System," frowning as he questioned the system internally.
"Team System? What does that mean? Is this panel based on the Prema team I'm in now?"
[No.] The system's mechanical voice replied immediately.
[This Team System corresponds to the F1 category—specifically, a new F1 team entering the 2022 season. You need to understand that your current identity is that of a replacement for the original host, who was merely a Prema test driver and could have been eliminated at any time.
Your poor early results didn't get you replaced by a faster reserve because the system had already established a dedicated company and proactively negotiated with Prema, converting you from a test driver into a sponsored driver.
With sponsorship backing, the team had no reason to drop you easily. All of this is preparation for securing your eligibility as a driver for a new F1 team.]
As soon as the explanation ended, the interface refreshed sharply, and a striking notification appeared:
[Core Main Quest Triggered — F1 Customer Team Creation Plan]
Alex Sun's pupils shrank slightly. "F1 Customer Team Creation Plan? What exactly do I need to do?"
[Main Quest: F1 Customer Team Creation Plan]
[Requirements:
Core Prerequisite: Win the 2021 F2 Drivers' Championship and obtain eligibility for an F1 Super Licence upgrade;
Time Limit: Complete the full preparation process for an F1 customer team within one year after the end of the F2 season;
Specific Objectives:
① Funding: Accumulate at least USD 300 million in preparatory funds (including sponsorship);
② Team Building: Assemble a core team (including five key roles such as Technical Director and Sporting Director) and pass FIA approval;
③ Technical Cooperation: Sign and register a technical partnership agreement with an existing F1 manufacturer team;
④ Commercial Registration: Complete team registration, submit a business plan, and pass the FIA financial sustainability review.]
[Rewards:
Core Reward: Official F1 race entry;
Financial Benefit: 20% reduction on all related expenditures;
Race-Linked Rewards: Future F2 podium finishes grant funds and visibility boosts —
Third place: USD 2 million + Visibility +5;
Second place: USD 4 million + Visibility +10;
First place: USD 7 million + Visibility +15.]
[Failure Penalty: Revocation of F2 driver status and return to the original parallel world.]
Alex Sun had just finished digesting the key points when the system notification sounded again.
[Long-Term Side Quest Triggered — F1 Car Technology Accumulation Plan]
"A side quest too? How does this connect to the main quest?" Alex Sun immediately asked.
[Long-Term Side Quest: F1 Car Technology Accumulation Plan]
[Requirements:
Time Limit: Entire 2021 F2 season;
Core Requirement: Each time you reach the podium in F2, you must simultaneously complete a learning record for a corresponding F1 technical direction;
Conversion Requirement: All acquired F1 car construction concepts must be fully researched and absorbed by the core technical team before entering F1. Any concept not fully studied will become invalid.]
[Rewards:
Fixed Rewards: Each podium finish grants +5 to all team attributes, funds equal to the Main Quest reward, and team visibility;
Selectable Reward: Choose one of the four core F1 technical directions (Aerodynamics, Floor, Power, Durability) to obtain a construction concept. Concept quality depends on finishing position (Champion unlocks advanced concepts, Runner-up intermediate, Third place basic);
Synergy Effect: Converted technical concepts will directly enhance the performance of the initial F1 car, allowing the creation of a car tailored to the driver's style. This side quest lays the technical foundation for the customer team's first F1 season and complements the main quest.]
The system's information was clear and well-structured, allowing Alex Sun to quickly grasp the core logic.
Everything revolved around entering F1 with a brand-new team. The main quest focused on completing the full preparation for a new F1 customer team in the 2022 season, while the side quest existed to accumulate the initial car technology for that team.
Every future podium would become a crucial stepping stone—bringing in funds, boosting visibility, and building technical reserves.
For Alex Sun, this wasn't just a clearer career path. It was exhilarating. This podium wasn't merely a moment of glory—it was the true starting point of his push toward F1 and the creation of a team of his own.
...
(20 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser