How Did I Become an F1 Driver?-Chapter 645 - 276: Norris’s Desire (Part 2)

But this issue doesn't significantly affect the Mercedes cars.

The Mercedes cars naturally bear a heavier tire load on the track, which means the tires wear down more than other cars during the race. Naturally, this also means the tires heat up faster.

It's even fair to say that the characteristics of the Mercedes cars are particularly suited for tracks with cooler temperatures.

This is also why the Mercedes cars have consistently performed strongly in Sochi.

After getting the information he wanted, Qin Miao left the meteorology department of the team contentedly.

When he stepped out of the meteorology office, Qin Miao bumped into Norris in the paddock.

Since the two of them occasionally play games together, their relationship has quickly warmed up.

So when he saw Qin Miao, the cheerful Norris initiated a greeting: "Hey, Qin Miao!"

"Lando, how's it going today?" Qin Miao approached Norris with a smile and shook his hand.

"Pretty good, even though I was so excited last night that I couldn't sleep, but I feel quite good today. I have a premonition that this race might be my first career grand prix victory."

Qin Miao raised an eyebrow and then said with a smile, "Well, I'd have to congratulate you thoroughly when you win today, you'll have to treat us."

"Of course, if I really win, I'll take you, Shire, and Zhou Guanyu back to the UK to see the sights," promised Norris, patting his chest.

However, seeing Norris so overly confident, Qin Miao advised him from a friend's perspective: "There will always be opportunities, but I feel, Lando, that you're a bit too excited, you need to calm down."

Norris paused for a moment and then said with a smile, "Thank you, Qin Miao, truly, but I'm very clear-headed now, I've never felt this good before.

I understand your concern for me, but you haven't experienced my feeling, so you can't empathize with me at this moment.

I've been in F1 for two years longer than you, and this is my third year, yet all this time, my 'prodigy' reputation hasn't yet earned me a single grand prix victory."

Norris paused here: "Now, I've secured my first career pole position, and I have the chance to strike for my first career victory. It's normal for me to be a bit uncontrollably excited."

Qin Miao took a careful look at Norris.

Comparing with what Norris said to him, it seemed like Norris was genuinely just overly enthusiastic, not irrational.

Although he still had some doubts in his heart, since Norris had already said this, Qin Miao couldn't say much more.

"Well then, it seems I was worrying too much, but let me just say, although I'm starting from sixth, I won't give up the chance to chase you and Hamilton, don't cry if I overtake you."

"Ha, that's impossible, just wait, I'm definitely winning today!"

After a brief chat, Norris walked away.

Qin Miao watched Norris's slightly hyped up figure walking away and still felt a little worried.

Hopefully, Norris won't have any accidents in today's race.

As for victory...

Getting overtaken by me on the track wouldn't really be an accident.

...

In the afternoon, after a relaxing lunch break, Qin Miao and the Mercedes staff got busy again.

Until the time just before the start of the race, no one had time to rest.

Finally, after all the pre-race preparations were complete, Qin Miao returned to his familiar cockpit.

Despite being a little exhausted from the triple-header half a month ago, after two weeks out of the car, Qin Miao found himself missing the feeling of sitting in the car, waiting for the start signal.

At this point, all the drivers had completed the pre-race procedure of listening to the Russian national anthem and pledging to abide by F1 regulations.

The turnout today was great, with the stands opposite the pit box densely packed with fans, and a five-star flag was hung below the stand where Qin Miao would start.

As Qin Miao was making his final preparations in his car, seeing the flag in the stands gave him a feeling that someone had always been supporting him.

Although this feeling would be thrown out of Qin Miao's mind once the race started, it effectively eased his pre-race anxiety before the start.

And it gave Qin Miao a bit more confidence.

It's worth mentioning that today's race brings Hamilton a chance to secure the 99th grand prix win of his career if he wins.

If Hamilton wins just once more this season, he could achieve the historic milestone of 100 grand prix victories in his career.

Regardless of historical standing, just achieving 100 grand prix victories would, statistically, make Hamilton the number one in F1 history.

So with Hamilton starting further ahead of his teammate today, he was also going all out in this race.

Soon, the organizers gave the notice for all staff to leave the track, and the warm-up lap began.

Qin Miao also opted for medium tires for this race because soft tires struggled to heat on this track, and it was a long circuit, making tire wear very fast if kept at optimal temperatures.

So after weighing the options, they decided Qin Miao should use the yellow-white one-stop strategy.

The advantage was that the low temperature made engine cooling easy, so the team added two extra laps of fuel, allowing Qin Miao to push as if every lap was a qualifying lap.

The old man's strategy compared to Qin Miao's was quite normal, just a conventional yellow-white one-stop, and chase Norris as much as possible.

Soon, a warm-up lap was completed, and the drivers returned to their respective starting grids.

In the final moments, Qin Miao received a TR from the team: "According to the meteorological department's report, it might rain in the last ten laps of the race, but it won't be heavy; we'll alert you."

"Received, but knowing this, I'm starting to regret opting for these medium tires."

"I understand your thoughts, but the cost-effectiveness of hard tires isn't high, and the rain won't be heavy."

"Alright... "

After a brief communication with the team, Verstappen at the back also stopped where he should be.

Adjusting the car system to starting mode, deploying full ERS power, Qin Miao looked at Alonso in his rearview mirror, and then at Ricardo in front of him on the left and his teammate Hamilton right ahead.

Actually, many past races have proven that starting from the dirty side on Sochi track is a disadvantage, as it doesn't have the same grip as the racing line side.

Moreover, a right turn follows immediately after the start, putting inner drivers at a disadvantage.

So despite having confidence in his starting speed, Qin Miao couldn't help but take another look at his two main rivals and mentally simulate the potential post-start scenarios, how he should seize opportunities, and avoid dangers.

Finally, as the medical car responsible for pursuits took its position, the green flag at the back waved, and five red lights began to illuminate one by one.

Qin Miao slightly stretched his hands and then began increasing the engine's revs, eyes fixed on the distant lights.

"One, two, three, four, five...the five red lights are out!"

"The race begins."