CHAPTER 174: CHAPTER 116: GRAND PRIX PREPARATIONS (PART 2)

"Boss, don’t worry, I know what I’m doing." Qin Miao patted his chest and assured.

Roxin still seemed a bit uneasy. However, during Qin Miao’s upcoming interview, as the team leader, he couldn’t accompany him. Even staying nearby to watch Qin Miao wasn’t allowed because that could send a message that could be misinterpreted.

To avoid complications, Roxin had to steer clear during Qin Miao’s interview.

A little later, a young man in a suit and shirt, along with a cameraman holding a camera, found Qin Miao in the paddock area.

"Hello Qin, I’m a reporter from Liberty Media Group. Are you available now? I’d like to ask you a few questions. It won’t take up much of your time."

Having mentally prepared for this, Qin Miao naturally had no reason to refuse, nodding in agreement for them to proceed.

The questions were rather formal, and heeding Roxin’s advice, Qin Miao responded in a standard manner, without causing any trouble. He then left amid the reporter’s courteous thanks.

Qin Miao’s standard responses became the opening interview for the practice session.

No matter how much friction Qin Miao had with the Ferrari Driver Academy drivers internally, he was still a member of the academy. Ferrari itself held a special status in F1 and even within the entire FIA.

Therefore, the organizers naturally showed more consideration for Ferrari drivers.

After lunch, Qin Miao went back to rest, while the technicians from Prema Racing moved their equipment to set up in the pit lane area.

This spot was essentially the open area in front of the F1 team’s paddock.

When Qin Miao returned to the team’s temporary paddock after changing into his racing suit and grabbed his helmet, the team was already prepared. Both Prema Racing cars were set up and equipped with brand new tires.

Since Qin Miao entered the track from the pit lane entrance, he had to pass by many teams’ parking areas on the way to his own team’s spot.

Among these teams was Zhou Guanyu’s team.

Not seeing Zhou Guanyu, he didn’t stop and went straight to his temporary paddock.

Having completed all tasks and resting against the supporting pillar at the paddock entrance, Sui Wentao noticed Qin Miao approaching and quickly handed him a document from the tire rack.

This was a car inspection report. After every pre-race check by the technicians, this report had to be given to the driver for cross-verification, ensuring the car’s condition before the race: "The inspection report is here, just confirmed everything, the car’s fine."

Qin Miao nodded, then reached out to wipe the bright red five-starred flag beside his name on the car, establishing a connection with it. This also showcased his ’Man and Car Unity’ skill, allowing Qin Miao to sense the car’s current state clearly.

As Sui Wentao had mentioned, the car indeed had no issues.

Deciding not to check it himself, Qin Miao directly signed the document in Sui Wentao’s hand, acknowledging the pre-race preparations.

Seeing Qin Miao’s action, Sui Wentao was taken aback, but before he could say anything, Qin Miao handed the signed document to Roxin at the command desk, completing the handover.

When Roxin took the document from Qin Miao, he offered him a few words of encouragement.

Qin Miao just nodded, then returned to his car.

After stretching beside the car, he put on noise-canceling earbuds, a sweat-absorbing hood, and finally, his helmet.

This helmet was a gift from Zhou Guanyu. Since it was Qin Miao’s first official F2 race, he felt wearing a helmet with sentimental value would be fitting.

With everything set, Qin Miao sat in the cockpit. With ten minutes until the F2 practice session, he needed to sit in the car to get a feel for it and calm his excitement about racing on the track for the first time.

"Frankie, didn’t I send you a playlist before I came? There’s still some time before the race starts. Shuffle it for me, would you?" Qin Miao said over the team radio.

Frankie didn’t say anything, but after a while, a familiar melody started playing in Qin Miao’s headphones:

...

Run forward, amidst the sneers and cold glances

The vastness of life, how can one feel it without hardships?

Fate cannot make us kneel and beg

Even if blood drenches our embrace

...

Qin Miao always liked this song, which is why he added it to his playlist. However, at this moment, while trying to calm his anxious mind, this song seemed to have the opposite effect...

But before Qin Miao could ask Frankie to change the song, he felt someone tapping on his helmet.

Perplexed, he turned his head and saw Zhou Guanyu standing beside his car, looking at his helmeted self.

Seeing Qin Miao look over, Zhou Guanyu extended his hand, and Qin Miao reached out to shake it.

"First official practice session, feeling nervous?" Zhou Guanyu asked after shaking hands, then sat on the side pod of Qin Miao’s car.

"Don’t you dare break it!" Qin Miao joked, knowing that the carbon fiber side pod wasn’t going to get damaged by Zhou’s weight. It was just a joke.

Still, Qin Miao answered Zhou’s question, "It’d be a lie to say I’m not nervous, but not much. It’s more exhilaration, a strong desire to show off... to make an impression, and the bigger the impression, the better."

Zhou Guanyu was speechless, "At least you’re honest. After the practice session, do you want my car’s setup for reference?"

"No need, an FIA investigation would be a headache. Besides, with the skills I’ve got, there’s no need. But what about you? Want my tuning data?"

"I’m no less afraid of the FIA than you are. Seeing your carefree vibe, I’m relieved," Zhou said. Then, he gave Qin Miao’s helmet a couple of hard rubs, causing it to bang against the headrest. After that, Zhou turned and ran off.

Qin Miao instantly realized the cheeky prank Zhou Guanyu played on him. As Zhou fled, Qin Miao cursed under his breath, trying to catch him with one hand. However, due to his seatbelt and the inclined position the F2 cockpit puts drivers in, his hand didn’t even extend beyond the car’s body, watching Zhou’s silhouette recede.

Sitting in his car, Qin Miao’s mind was filled with thoughts of how he couldn’t settle for this and swore to get back at Zhou Guanyu.

So, he flipped open his headrest, unbuckled the seatbelt, and with his helmet still on, made his way towards Zhou Guanyu’s team’s location.

When Qin Miao reached Zhou Guanyu’s team, Zhou was already busy. But as he was putting on his helmet, Qin Miao managed to catch him unawares.

And with his knack for mischief, Qin Miao quietly moved behind Zhou Guanyu as he donned his helmet.

The folks at UNI-Virtuosi Racing were aware of the close friendship between their stakeholder Zhou Guanyu and Qin Miao.

So when they saw Qin Miao sneak up behind Zhou, they didn’t alert him.

These playful antics between friends were just something fun to watch rather than interrupt.

After Zhou Guanyu put on his helmet and secured the chin strap, Qin Miao slapped the top of the helmet.

Knowing Zhou had his helmet on, and with the renowned shock-absorption feature of racing helmets, Qin Miao didn’t hold back, putting all his strength into the slap. Despite the limited impact, the unexpected force caught Zhou off guard.

Having landed a successful hit, Qin Miao didn’t hesitate and took off running.

Of course, he didn’t forget to laugh mockingly as he ran, "Hahahahahahaha!"

Realizing what happened and spotting Qin Miao’s fleeing figure, Zhou yelled angrily, "You little rascal! You just wait!"

He shouted while chasing after Qin Miao.

Meanwhile, up above the paddock, Qimeng, holding a cup of milk tea, witnessed the whole scene, pouting, "Childish!"