How Did I Become an F1 Driver?-Chapter 610 - 265: Verstappen Learns from Qin Miao

After Qin Miao stopped, besides changing the tires, the team's mechanics violently ripped off a piece of debris connected by carbon fiber filament from the side pod of Qin Miao's car, then directly sealed the hole with duct tape.

At the same time, the damage on Qin Miao's floor was also sealed with duct tape by the team's mechanics at the break point.

The main purpose of doing this was to reduce the negative impact on the car's overall aerodynamic effect caused by the uneven gap at the carbon fiber break point.

The whole process lasted about 20 seconds, and Qin Miao completed the simple car repair at the entrance to the team's pit area.

Although it took this long, when Qin Miao returned to the track, his position still hadn't changed; he was still behind Verstappen and in front of Gasly.

During the previous period, the gap created by the three of them was too big, so even wasting 20 seconds repairing the car in the pit would not affect their positions after coming out.

Moreover, because there was a safety car on the track at this time, Qin Miao had caught up with Verstappen and Hamilton at the scene of the collision.

Although Hamilton was not involved in the collision between Qin Miao and Verstappen, Hamilton was actually the biggest loser from their collision.

The time advantage he painfully gained in the front was temporarily set aside; just missing the window to pit and change tires when the safety car was deployed made Hamilton very unfortunate.

The most crucial part was that if he pitted after completing a lap under the safety car, he would fall between the two Ferrari drivers, Leclerc and Sainz.

However, he had no choice but to pit because, with the safety car continuing to operate, the drivers they had lapped or been overtaken by would return to the rear of the field.

By then, everyone would be using new tires, and Hamilton alone would be on old tires. The scene would be miserable, to say the least.

The race had reached this point, and the director appropriately displayed the in-car footage of Qin Miao and Verstappen's recent collision and their team radio communications at that time.

"Damn! Are you fucking blind? Can you even drive? You ran into me?" Qin Miao burst out in Chinese.

"What the ***? Qin Miao blocked my line!" Verstappen began citing rules.

Although it was Verstappen who actively went over and collided with Qin Miao, Verstappen felt he had the right of way, and Qin Miao should have obediently made way for him!

From Qin Miao's perspective, he was driving normally, and then Verstappen forcibly changed lanes and hit him.

Although many people sympathized with Qin Miao, and domestic fans loudly condemned Verstappen for dangerous driving.

However, from a rules standpoint, Verstappen indeed entered T12 earlier than Qin Miao and had the right of way, so Qin Miao needed to yield to Verstappen when entering the turn.

Therefore, as the director replayed the slow motion of their collision, the race officials indicated in the broadcast that they were starting to investigate the collision between the two.

"Ok, Qin Miao, according to our observations, Verstappen's car damage is more serious than we thought. His car's balance and speed will be severely compromised," Frankie's voice sounded as Qin Miao waited for the race to restart following Verstappen: "So our suggestion is to push immediately after the race resumes, do everything possible to overtake Verstappen ahead of you, and try to open up a gap in a short time."

Mercedes also understood that although the collision was caused by Verstappen, and his actions were unethical, they indeed fell within the rules.

So, given the usual practices of the race officials, the final result after the beginning of an investigation was likely to be a time penalty for Qin Miao.

At least 5 seconds, at most 10 seconds.

If it's 5 seconds, Qin Miao still has a chance to contend for the final championship, but a 10-second penalty could mean even losing second place for Qin Miao.

On the other hand, Red Bull also began advising Verstappen:

"Max, I know the forthcoming race will be very challenging, but we need you to defend against Qin Miao as much as possible. Even if Qin Miao overtakes you, stay within five seconds of him. Horner is doing everything he can to appeal to the FIA, aiming for a minimum five-second penalty, maximum ten seconds.

But if you want to secure this race win, getting within five seconds of him is the safest bet."

"Copy that." Verstappen responded, glancing in the rear-view mirror at the Mercedes behind him.

Fueled by adrenaline, Verstappen felt a mix of dissatisfaction and even anger in his heart.

Do you even know how to drive?!

[Verstappen Pressure Level: 45%]

At this time, Hamilton had pitted for a tire change, but what made him and his crew ecstatic was.

Almost all drivers opted to pit for tire changes after the safety car came out, so Hamilton was not caught between the two Ferrari drivers. After exiting the pit, he just saw Gasly still running on old tires ahead.

Gasly did not choose to pit.

Although Gasly had the option to pit for a tire change, after coming out, he could only get a fourth place at best, but if he stayed on track without pitting and persevered, he might secure a podium finish.