F1: Absolute Car Feel

Chapter 285 New Season

Ahead of preseason testing, each team unveiled their 2016 car designs.

Ferrari claims that this year's car has seen a significant improvement in aerodynamics and has replaced the four-year-old tie rod suspension with a push rod suspension.

Technical Director James Ellison even hinted at Ferrari's confidence in challenging for the championship this year during the press conference.

This echoes Vettel's previous statements, suggesting that Ferrari has firmly established itself in the hybrid era after two years.

Mercedes remains low-key, focusing on optimizing details, primarily through innovation in suspension design to address tire management challenges.

From the outside, it doesn't look much different from last year.

McLaren-Honda has made significant improvements to the stability of the powertrain, and it is said that performance has also been greatly enhanced.

But we'll have to wait for the preseason tests to see how it goes.

Williams upgraded and improved the aerodynamics developed in the second half of 2015 and put it on the car.

The team's stability has indeed improved significantly compared to last year, but it's uncertain whether they can compete with opponents who have also improved this year.

Wu Shi and Massa were well aware that last year's delays had significantly hampered this year's research and development progress. They only hoped that the Mercedes engine would continue to perform well, so they wouldn't have to suffer any more.

The new team, Haas, also brought their VF-16.

This car is almost entirely based on a Ferrari, using Ferrari's engine and transmission system, and was developed using Ferrari's wind tunnel.

Last year, Mercedes reported them for this close collaboration.

Under the new regulations, the exhaust pipes for 16 race cars will be allowed to be modified, and two small pipes will be permitted.

Well, the purpose of doing this is very simple: to make the sound of the race car engine louder and more exciting, in order to respond to the criticism from fans and sponsors that the V6 engine is not loud enough.

During the two rounds of testing over the eight days leading up to the race, most teams were collecting data and conducting technical verification of all aspects of the vehicle.

Mercedes remained low-key, continuing with long-distance testing and not setting any new lap records.

Hulkenberg, on the other hand, set the fastest lap in the first round of testing, ruthlessly revealing a fact—

Mercedes' engine is still going strong this season.

Ferrari responded forcefully and achieved excellent results.

However, they have another task this year, which is to test the semi-enclosed cockpit design for F1 – namely the Halo system.

Even though the 2014 accident did not take away the talented driver Bianchi, it still could not stop F1's determination to become safer.

For motorsports, safety is an essential element for its continued development.

Wu Shi was very curious about what Halo looked like now, but unfortunately he didn't dare to touch it, because touching it would cost 5.

It's not that we can't afford to touch it, it's just that this kind of "touching the car" tactic can't be used casually.

Just like when Pan Zi deliberately touched the Mercedes' rear wing in 21, although he was penalized, it also directly forced the race organizers to inspect the Mercedes' rear wing, becoming one of the reasons for Mercedes to replace the rear wing.

There's clearly no need to resort to such underhanded tactics now.

“Hey, Wu Shi, it seems you’re quite interested in that.”

As Wu Shi walked by, he was caught by reporters.

Now he is one of the top celebrities in the paddock, and his every move is recorded by the camera.

“Of course, I’m very interested in this and wouldn’t mind giving it a try,” Wu Shi said.

"You mean you want to sit in a Ferrari?" the reporter immediately asked.

"?"

Wu Shi immediately realized that this stupid reporter was trying to create a news story.

"Halo's design will make F1 safer, and I support the adoption of this structure in F1."

You ask yours, I tell you mine.

Wu Shi once again experienced the disgusting nature of some reporters, and stared at the reporter for a few seconds.

The reporter didn't care; that's his job, and he believed that's how it should be done.

On the other hand, Kimi, as a tester of the new system, also expressed his support for it in an interview:
"I think its structure does not obstruct the view, which is a positive for the development of F1."

After a winter break, Rosberg was in much better shape, and his blond hair had become shiny again. He also agreed wholeheartedly.

"It will save many people, and that's exactly what we need."

Wu Shi nodded in agreement. Most drivers hadn't realized the importance of Halo, including Hamilton, who was still expressing his opposition.

“Please, don’t do this. This is the worst-looking model in F1 history,” Lewis said on camera.

Wu Shi thought of the 2021 match where Verstappen literally "outshone" Hamilton; without Halo, Hamilton's situation would probably be dire.

Hulkenberg didn't like this thing much either, saying:
"This sends the wrong signal. Current F1 racing is already very safe."

These opposing views from the drivers cannot stop F1 from pushing for the implementation of Halo.

F1 only needs to confirm two things: first, adding Halo won't hinder the driver's driving; and second, adding Halo will make the car safer. Clearly, both are now certain.

After completing the tests, Wu Shi and Massa underwent intensive training with the team on the new regulations for 2016.

First, there are changes to the tires, with the official introduction of purple supersoft tires, and three different dry tire compounds will be available for each race.

This is becoming increasingly similar to the rules of later generations.

Secondly, there is the reform of the ranking system.

The qualifying rounds are still divided into three quarters: Q1, Q2, and Q3.

The difference is that Q1 lasts for a total of 16 minutes. The slowest driver is eliminated 7 minutes after the clock starts, and then the slowest driver is eliminated every 90 seconds.

A total of 7 drivers were eliminated, leaving 15 drivers to advance to Q2.

Similarly, in Q2, drivers were eliminated continuously after 6 minutes of the race, with 7 drivers being eliminated, leaving 8 drivers to advance to Q3.

The same applies to Q3, until only one driver remains.

“Although we already knew, it’s exactly the same as in the game, which is not good news for us,” Wu Shi said.

"Yes, our strategic space will be compressed, and we will have to focus on timing management."

"Also, TR is still being monitored, so we can't give you too much guidance on your setup on the field."

The last sentence was mainly addressed to Massa, as Wu Shi's adjustments to the racing car's parameters have always been comparable to or even surpassed the system's recommendations.

As the opening race, the Australian Grand Prix, draws ever closer, the factory is busier than ever.

Because of the large amount of sponsorship he received, Wu Shi had to travel frequently for work.

Fortunately, such interference will be contractually binding during the competition week, but without the interference from sponsors, interference from reporters has emerged.

Reporters who hadn't caught Wu Shi all winter were eager to bombard him with questions at the press conference.

F1 was aware of Wu Shi's current popularity, so they specially arranged for him and Hamilton to sit together at the press conference.

"Hey, long time no see," Wu Shi greeted the drivers.

“Welcome, world champion,” Verstappen said immediately.

"Trying to play games with me, huh!" Wu Shi immediately stepped forward and grabbed his throat.

Thank goodness Norris and his gang didn't come in, otherwise greeting them would have turned into a monkey stealing peaches.

Verstappen rolled his eyes, stuck out his tongue, and yelled, "I'm going to die! I'm going to die!"

"Ha, I just put my hand on your neck," Wu Shi laughed.

After the old man sat down, he politely returned the greeting. This social media influencer had angered the FIA ​​by posting a video of himself speeding on a motorcycle on the Little Blue Bird app.

Hamilton dismissed the notion that F1 drivers shouldn't set such a bad example.

After the six people sat down, the reporters, who had already prepared their answers, immediately began asking questions.

"First, a reporter from the Italian newspaper Post asked Wu Shi: 'Hello, the youngest newly crowned world champion, do you have any plans to defend your world championship title this year?'"

The camera immediately zoomed in on Wu Shi's face. Holding the microphone, he considered for a moment and said:
"I think if you asked any driver this question, their answer would be yes. No driver sitting in F1 doesn't want to be a world champion."

"But we will always face the realities of life, and we do not yet know how many challenges we will face this year."

"Of course, I will give it my best and fight for every point I can."

Wu Shi smiled and nodded, indicating that he had finished speaking.

After nodding, the host continued, "Next is a question from the BBC. They said, 'Last year, FW37 was the fastest car in the paddock. Will the slower speed of this year's FW38 make it impossible for you to compete for the world championship?'"

Wu Shi frowned. Why is the media so malicious these days?

This question is full of traps.

"With such a deep understanding and confidence in the speed of racing cars, he shouldn't be a journalist; he'd be better suited to developing racing cars in a factory."

"Of course, if I were reviewing a resume, I would definitely throw it in the trash."

Verstappen covered his mouth, trying not to laugh; Wu Shi's aggression was just too strong.

Hamilton lowered his head and suppressed his smile upon hearing this.

The host was also stunned. Is this the tone of a world champion?

After seeing the examples from the front lines, many reporters not only didn't revise their questions, but even became more aggressive.

"Ignore them," Kimi nudged Wu Shi's arm.

"OK, thank you."

Wu Shi nodded, realizing that he had indeed been too impulsive and that he couldn't do that again later.

　Thank you so much, Alliance Leader Li Ge Xue Xin! Thank you for your support! Wishing you good health and prosperity! If I type fast, I'll add an extra chapter tonight; otherwise, it'll be tomorrow.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)