Speed ​​God

Chapter 165 The Center of the World
In "Spirited Away," small coal balls constantly emerge from every nook and cranny of the boiler room. One moment it seems empty and nothing can be seen, and the next it's completely surrounded and besieged.

This is what it looks like right now.

Arnaud swore he had been sitting in the hotel lobby for over thirty minutes, with people coming and going without stopping, but he had never noticed so many people before.

Where exactly were they hiding?
Arno was full of questions. He looked left and right, and more and more people emerged, two here and three there, completely overwhelming him, gathering from all directions toward the Land of the Continent.

The bodyguards dutifully advised Arnault to leave, saying they shouldn't join the commotion and that he needed to be careful. They warned him that such a crowded situation could easily lead to an accident, and a stampede could easily occur if he wasn't careful, making the situation completely uncontrollable.

Arnault should abandon the plan.

This left Arnault somewhat frustrated; he felt that he had devised a perfect plan, only to have it fall apart before it even began.

However, at that moment, a scream, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, "Lu Zhizhou ahh ...

One stone stirs up a thousand waves; order is broken, and one can instantly feel the air transforming into a heat wave, surging in from all directions.

Frenzy!

Arno turned to look at Lu Zhizhou, who was checking out at the hotel front desk. In a fraction of a second, he cut off his hesitation, stood up, and rushed out.

Bodyguards: ? ? ?

Arnault ran all the way. Despite his tall and thin frame, he was a big sports enthusiast, with tennis, running and surfing being his hobbies.

However, he had never run wildly in public before. It felt a little strange and exciting, but he couldn't care less about that at the moment.

Arnaud had only one thought in his mind: opportunity.

Since he didn't want to meet Lu Zhizhou in a formal setting and exchange empty official pleasantries, but instead wanted to see Lu Zhizhou's true colors in private, this was the opportunity.

Should not be missed.

Without hesitation, Arno made his move, completely unlike his usual self, and charged towards Lu Zhizhou.

"run!"

Arno shouted to Lu Zhizhou, waving his right hand repeatedly, signaling Lu Zhizhou to leave the encirclement and that getting rid of it quickly was the only right choice.

Little did Lu Zhizhou know that this scene was completely different in his eyes. The tall, thin guy was just another enthusiastic car enthusiast, no different from the crowd that was flocking from all directions; moreover, there were men and women around him, nothing special.

Moreover, Lu Zhizhou didn't have time to carefully examine every face around him; he only felt the surging air currents and sounded the alarm.

I've only been through this once at the airport, so I lack experience. But based on that one experience, getting away in time is the right thing to do. Once you're surrounded, you can't fight them all, and you'll likely end up in a very embarrassing situation.

Without hesitation, Lu Zhizhou turned to the front desk and pushed his keys over, saying, "My agent will be checking out in a bit. Sorry."

The receptionist smiled and said, "It's alright, Mr. Lu, please leave first."

But Lu Zhizhou had no time for pleasantries. He turned around and prepared to take a step, only to be met with a wave of energy—

The tall, thin man was exactly like the fat monk from "The Deer and the Cauldron"—thin and tall, with unbalanced limbs. He burst out first through the bustling crowd, but his feet slipped, he lost his footing and couldn't brake, crashing straight into us. It looked like a chain-reaction car accident was about to happen in front of everyone.

Lu Zhizhou stepped aside, refusing to play the role of a buffer, and then Fat Monk was about to crash into the front desk at a speed of twenty meters.

Arnault: ?

At that moment, Lu Zhizhou raised his right hand and placed it on the fat monk's right shoulder, using the force of the blow to push him gently. He then took a step forward, and the fat monk, still attached to Lu Zhizhou's arm and back, smoothly completed a 360-degree turn, easily neutralizing the momentum that had caused him to lose control.

Arnaud felt dizzy, his mouth was dry, and his heart was pounding so hard he felt like he was going to vomit. Yet, he also felt a strange sense of elation and excitement.

But at this moment, he couldn't care less about any of that. Arno immediately stood to Lu Zhizhou's left, blocking the crowd like a bodyguard, and turned around to ask.

Where are your bodyguards?!

Lu Zhizhou blinked. Bodyguard? What bodyguard? Where would he get the funds to hire a bodyguard? But it was clear that the fat monk in front of him seemed prepared to help.

"Unemployed," Lu Zhizhou replied.

Arno caught the joke in his words and burst out laughing. "You need to leave as soon as possible, or the situation will get out of control."

Lu Zhizhou didn't answer. He could see the two men in black suits following closely behind. They looked like Fat Monk's bodyguards. They were anxious and efficient, cutting a path through the crowd and rapidly approaching their location.

So, this fat monk in front of us isn't an ordinary car enthusiast?
Just then, thanks to the actions of the two bodyguards, the surging crowd slowed down its encirclement.

opportunity!

Without time for conversation or questions, Lu Zhizhou patted the shoulder of the stranger in front of him. Since someone was there to act as a shield, there was no need to refuse. "This direction."

The two men, one leading the way and the other blocking the way from behind, moved toward the door with surprising coordination, leaving Lu Zhizhou completely overwhelmed.

Looking at the waves of enthusiastic fans approaching him, he smiled and nodded, "Sorry. Next time. Please be careful."

One by one, people stuffed gifts into Lu Zhizhou's arms. Lu Zhizhou had never seen such a scene before, and he was unsure whether he should accept them. But then he thought that he couldn't possibly accept all the gifts, so he simply refused them all, saying, "I'm sorry, I can't accept your gifts."

"But thank you."

Amidst the hustle and bustle and the crowd, the two quickly left the hotel lobby, a chilly wind hitting their faces as they were met with a sweltering heatwave, a storm raging.

The car that had been waiting in the outer lane moved forward in time. Lu Zhizhou was the first to climb into the car. He was about to turn around and thank the fat monk and the two bodyguards for their help when he saw the fat monk being pushed and shoved into the car by the crowd. He closed the car door and blocked the crowd outside.

However, the two bodyguards in black suits were also turned away at the door.

The two were clearly terrified. They rushed ahead, quickly closing in and banging on the car window, seemingly shouting something anxiously.

Unfortunately, the fat monk didn't care at all, and patted the driver's shoulder in the driver's seat, "Let's go. Now."

Upon seeing the overwhelming scene of zombies surrounding the city, the driver didn't have time to ask any questions. He released the handbrake, and the vehicle slowly started moving, finally leaving the surging crowd behind.

Looking back, there was a dense, dark mass of people, with some still relentlessly chasing after the sports car, trying to catch up on foot and shouting at the top of their lungs.

Of course, two bodyguards in black suits were also in the crowd, hands on their hips, looking at the rear of the car with resentment, panting heavily.

Turning their gazes away, Lu Zhizhou and the other man exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.

Despite looking somewhat disheveled, drenched in sweat, and with messy hair, showing signs of having just escaped death, the exhilaration and unbridled joy in his chest continued to surge, and his smile was fully on display.

Lu Zhizhou, “Should I drop you off at the next intersection? Otherwise, once we get on the overpass, you’ll have to come with me to Pudong Airport, and your bodyguards might be terrified.”

The first half of the sentence was fine, but in the second half, you could clearly see the fat monk's smile slowly crumbling.

So that's how they found out?
……

From childhood, Arnault lived a life of luxury, tightly protected in a cage like a canary, with no freedom whatsoever.

Of course, Arnault didn't complain. In fact, he thoroughly enjoyed this hedonistic lifestyle and readily accepted his inherent privileges. Not long after graduation, he smoothly entered the family business and was eager to make a name for himself in the LVMH Group.

However, very, very occasionally, Arnault would wonder if it would be a different experience to deviate from the path a little and take a risk.

So, after graduating from university, he tried starting his own business; in addition to aristocratic sports such as tennis and equestrianism, he also tried surfing.

It's the same today.

Although everything was a carefully planned coincidence for the group's future strategic layout, he found it particularly exciting when things deviated slightly from the plan.

A sense of exhilaration, a sense of unbridled freedom.

Arnault was about to launch into a long account of what had just happened—a veritable rollercoaster ride—when he turned around and—

"Should I drop you off at the next intersection? Otherwise, once we're on the overpass, you'll have to come with me to Pudong Airport, and your bodyguards might be terrified."

That's it?

Her smile vanished instantly.

Arno could hardly believe his ears. Instinctively, he tried to struggle, "...What did you say?"

A smile flickered in Lu Zhizhou's eyes. "Bodyguards. I just noticed, two men in black suits. They look very worried about your situation."

Arnault: ...

@#%&$€, a bunch of gibberish, all in French. Although Lu Zhizhou couldn't understand it all, after spending a lot of time with Leclerc, he could tell that the language wasn't so beautiful.

Arno looked at Lu Zhizhou with a look of utter despair, without saying a word.

Lu Zhizhou shrugged lightly. "Do you need me to pretend I don't know anything? I can do that."

Arnaud finally couldn't help but chuckle, his expression relieved. "If I said it was all a coincidence, would you believe me?"

"Yes, of course, why not?" Lu Zhizhou said frankly, his words, though seemingly affirmative, were unmistakably sarcastic, clearly a tease. "Just like how Fat Monk went to ambush Wei Xiaobao, it was all a coincidence."

"Fat?" Arnaud looked down at himself. "Are you sure?"

Lu Zhizhou then realized what was happening and began to explain the origin of the fat monk to Arno. He was originally fat, but he ate a kind of poison. Because there was no antidote, his body shape changed, and he was transformed into a skinny bamboo pole. This was a plot and character from a martial arts novel.

Arnaud was taken aback. "How did you know I was fat when I was a child?"

Lu Zhizhou blinked. "...I don't even know your name, so I guess I'm a prophet but I haven't realized it yet?"

"Haha." Arno could no longer contain himself and burst into laughter.

As expected, Lu Zhizhou is an interesting guy!

Arnaud extended his right hand and introduced himself, "Frederick, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Lu Zhizhou".

Arno squinted, a hint of interest in his eyes. "I'd heard before that F1 had a new driver this year who was eloquent and witty. Now I've finally experienced it for myself."

Lu Zhizhou opened his mouth slightly, unable to hide his astonishment. "This is not fair. You know me very well, but I know nothing about you. Why do I feel that this is a trap?"

Arnaud deliberately suppressed his smile and adopted a serious demeanor. "No, you are a prophet. You already know the childhood secret I've kept for so many years, don't you?"

Lu Zhizhou raised an eyebrow slightly. "Thank you for the inspiration. Now it seems that if I leave the hunting grounds one day, I may not need to worry about making a living in the future."

“Ha.” Arno. “You? I don’t believe it. The whole paddock is watching you now. You don’t need to worry about making a living.”

"Just like they're paying attention to Max Verstappen?" Lu Zhizhou asked rhetorically.

Arno was taken aback.

Lu Zhizhou said, "In the world of competitive sports, there is no mercy. Without results, everything is fake, and sponsors have very limited patience."

Arnault said, "Then let's seize the opportunity now, sign as many sponsors as possible, make a quick buck and leave. Anyway, they have such a large budget, so why not take it?"

"Haha." This time it was Lu Zhizhou's turn to laugh heartily. "That's a good idea. I should remind my agent to seize the opportunity right now."

"Unfortunately, I don't like being a puppet."

A hint of confusion flickered in Arno's eyes. "Puppet on a string? What does that mean?"

“Puppet, literally.” Lu Zhizhou shrugged lightly. “Brands sponsored him one item after another: T-shirts, watches, shoes, backpacks, food.”

"You've seen the mannequins in the display case, right? They're right there, changing clothes all year round, but nobody ever notices their faces. They can be replaced at any time; there are always younger, fresher, and prettier faces lining up."

Arnaud gently raised his chin. “But you can seize the opportunity now, ask for the highest price possible, make a quick buck and leave. If you get replaced, so be it; all those checks are already in your pocket.”

"And then?" Lu Zhizhou asked.

Arnaud, "And then?"

Lu Zhizhou: "Yes, and then there was nothing more."

"Because you are just a lifeless and soulless display stand, brands cannot see your value, and neither can the market."

“Brand sponsorships are hoping to see market feedback, but if the general public doesn’t feel that the model and the brand are a good match, they will naturally refuse to buy it. If there is no market value, other brands will not come to you. This is equivalent to cutting off your own escape route, like a gambler.”

"In Chinese, this is called 'draining the pond to catch all the fish.'"

Calm, composed, wise, and far-sighted.

Arno couldn't believe that Lu Zhizhou, who was even younger than himself, had remained clear-headed amidst the wave of overnight fame, without losing his mind in ecstasy.

So, is it that Richard Mill saw this quality in Lu Zhizhou?
It was originally just a trial, but now Arnault is really interested. However, on the surface, Arnault doesn't show it. "Talking about brand image and brand value from the beginning might be a bit difficult."

Lu Zhizhou waved his hand generously, "Don't worry, even if I lose my job, I can always look at the crystal ball or read the tarot cards, so I shouldn't starve."

"As for today, the one I just predicted for you will not be charged separately, as a way of thanking you for your kind help in the hotel lobby."

Arno hadn't anticipated this unexpected turn of events. Looking at Lu Zhizhou's serious expression, he couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.

Feel comfortable.

Arno was wondering where to get off when he noticed the car pull into a hotel driveway and slowly come to a stop. He looked out the window in astonishment, his eyes widening with surprise and shock as he stared incredulously at Lu Zhizhou. They were back!
Lu Zhizhou met Arno's shocked expression and said, "In Chinese, this is called a counterattack."

Sure enough, the area in front of the hotel had quieted down and the crowd had mostly dispersed, but Arnault's two bodyguards in black suits remained standing there, making phone calls.

Arno could hardly believe what was happening before his eyes. When exactly did Lu Zhizhou arrange all of this? How could he have so thoughtfully and meticulously arranged everything?

As soon as he got out of the car, two bodyguards in black suits rushed up to check on Arno's condition, but Arno just stared blankly at Lu Zhizhou as he drove away.

He felt that although Lu Zhizhou was now under the spotlight and the focus of everyone's attention, no one had truly seen through the potential of this young man.

Are baby stroller drivers really that inexperienced and naive?

……

"Watch out! Watch out! Excuse me! My vision is limited right now, I can't see ahead, please be careful!"

Zhou Guanyu was holding a brown cardboard box filled with all sorts of trophies, which stubbornly and wildly grew towards the sky, blocking his view. As a result, he had to be careful when going up the steps and kept making noises to remind himself.

Just as he put down a box, Hubert turned around and quickly came to greet him, "Guanyu, come on, leave it to me!"

Zhou Guanyu's voice came from behind, "No, no, no, don't worry, I can do it."

Hubert quickly made way for Zhou Guanyu to enter the second floor, staring at the box in disbelief. "Why did you choose this box? Charles should have carried it himself."

Zhou Guanyu looked around and placed the box on the dark gray coffee table. "Because this is the lightest one. You should look at the boxes behind it."

Seemingly honest, but actually cunning, Zhou Guanyu chuckled.

Hubert was taken aback, then gave Zhou Guanyu a thumbs up, "Smart!"

Only then did Zhou Guanyu have time to look around, and he couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "Wow, you wouldn't guess from the outside that this space is so spacious. A balcony? There's actually another balcony? The view outside is truly..."

I was speechless with admiration!

As if mesmerized, Zhou Guanyu involuntarily left the hall and walked towards the balcony outside.

Before you is a spacious two-bedroom apartment with a room on each side and a bright, open hall in the center. Pushing open the door, you can see the golden sunlight streaming down and the endless blue ocean stretching to the horizon, where the sea and sky merge into one.

The space wasn't very spacious, but it had a refreshing and pleasant feel to it.

The decor, featuring light gray, dark blue, off-white, and charcoal black as its main colors, exudes a unique texture. It is simple and elegant, yet subtly reveals a touch of sophistication. The furniture is all complete, so you can move in immediately. At this moment, every corner of the space is gradually being filled with luggage, and you can feel the vitality again.

This is Monaco, a city where land is incredibly valuable, and also the heart of the motorsport world—

There are currently 20 F1 drivers in the paddock, 12 of whom live here.

Undoubtedly, the tax advantages are indeed unique, but that's not all. For F1 drivers, geographical location and environmental advantages are also crucial.

Monaco is only 24 kilometers from Nice International Airport, a 30-minute drive or a 7-minute helicopter ride. This convenient transportation allows them to easily travel to the competition and return home to rest as soon as possible afterward, rather than staying in a hotel.

In addition, not only active drivers, but also many retired drivers and drivers waiting for the opportunity to return to the paddock all live here, gradually forming a small circle of F1 drivers. They are not only well-informed, but also support each other and learn from each other. They are competitors, but also colleagues. In the face of capital, the unity among drivers is crucial.

Of course, there is another crucial factor that cannot be ignored: capital.

Monaco is open year-round, attracting top brands, the wealthiest individuals, and the most powerful capital. Many negotiations and collaborations take root here. If needed, taking a yacht away from the public eye and conducting private negotiations in the open waters of the Mediterranean is also an option.

For various reasons, Monaco holds a unique position in F1, and drivers often yearn to live there, as if it were their backyard when entering the paddock.

There are only a few exceptions, such as Alonso, who still enjoys his life in Spain; and French drivers like Grosjean and Ocon, who do not enjoy tax advantages in Monaco and therefore choose to live in Switzerland.

However, not every driver can afford to live in Monaco.

A typical apartment rents for 5,000 euros or more, while a slightly more spacious one can cost 8,000 or even 10,000 euros. And that's just the rent; parking, property management fees, daily living expenses, and so on all add up to huge costs.

In response, Lu Zhizhou joked that even breathing air there must be more expensive.

Since the start of the new season, Lu Zhizhou has been living in Maranello, which has not affected him at all. It is not only convenient for his work, but also allows him to travel with the team, which is worry-free and effortless. This has been of great help to him as a rookie in F1. However, Nicolas has a different opinion.

Monaco is not only a place to enter the heart of the paddock and get used to the racing atmosphere; it is also part of the brand image and is crucial for reaching brand sponsors.

However, Monaco is indeed expensive, and given Lu Zhizhou's starting salary, it's simply unaffordable; moreover, sponsorship payments aren't deposited all at once. Therefore, Nicolas was constantly communicating, trying to find a better solution, and he ultimately succeeded—

Lu Zhizhou and Leclerc shared an apartment, with Ferrari sponsoring part of the rent.

Just then, Leclerc had been considering moving out of her mother's apartment and starting to live independently; sharing an apartment would not only share the burden but also allow them to find a better apartment in a better location.

Everything was perfect, and so it happened. After the Shanghai leg of the competition, the two young people began their busy move.

Watching Zhou Guanyu's steps, Yu Beier couldn't help but follow. Bathed in the early spring sunshine, with his arms outstretched, he seemed to be wandering in endless gold and blue. A gentle breeze was blowing, and the air was filled with a lazy and casual atmosphere. He couldn't help but let time slowly slip through his fingers.

Hey! You two! Help me out!

A voice came from behind. Gasly was panting and sweating profusely, with a box in front of him, his hands on his hips, pushing the box forward with his knees.

Gasly and Hubert are roommates and currently live in Nice. Today, they came to help out along with Zhou Guanyu.

Gasly casually left the box near the door, not caring whether it was blocking the way, and plopped down on the sofa, grumbling, "No, I can't do it anymore, you guys continue."

Lu Zhizhou's teasing voice came from the doorway, "Oh, Pierre, is that all? Girls don't want to hear that."

Gasly sat bolt upright. "Hey! Lu Zhizhou, don't talk nonsense!"

Hubert smiled broadly, but without saying a word, he quickly stepped forward to move the box left by Gasley away, so as not to block Lu Zhizhou's way.

Seeing that Zhou Guanyu had also come to help, Lu Zhizhou shook his head. "There's not much left. Should we decide what to have for lunch first?"

Gasly yelled, “Make Charles treat us. Treat us! It’s almost all his luggage, has he emptied his house?”

Hubert looked around. "Yeah, Zhizhou, you only have one suitcase? Is that all you have?"

Lu Zhizhou shrugged lightly, "I don't know how things got to this point. I'm still not mentally prepared to live in Europe."

From three months of college life to a year of GP3 and then to entering F1, to be honest, Lu Zhizhou was prepared to leave at any time. Perhaps part of the reason he has been living in Maranello is that he has never truly believed that he has entered the world of F1. His luggage is not much different from when he came to Rome to run street races. He can pick up his backpack and leave at any time.

Finally, he has a foothold in Monaco. Does this mean that Lu Zhizhou has finally established himself in the world of motorsports?

……

“Indeed, you were planning to leave the academy back then.” Zhou Guanyu recalled that just a year ago, Lu Zhizhou was preparing to turn around and leave gracefully.

Hubert and Gasly were unaware of this and made no attempt to hide their astonishment.

“How could Ferrari possibly let you leave?” Hubert exclaimed.

Gasly patted Hubbell on the shoulder. "Of course they didn't want to, so he's here, driving the Ferrari that everyone dreams of."

"Now that he wants to leave, Ferrari is even less willing."

Lu Zhizhou looked at Gasly with a smile, "I didn't know you liked Ferraris too?"

Gasly: ​​"...Go away, I was born a Red Bull man, and I'll die a Red Bull ghost. Just you wait, I'll be overtaking you in a Red Bull race car soon."

Lu Zhizhou raised an eyebrow slightly. "Not a Red Bull Racing Team 2 car? Oh, your team leader will be heartbroken."

Gasly rolled his eyes and turned to Hubert. "Was he this annoying back at ART?"

With a serious expression, Hubert replied, "No, he has always been very likable."

“Antoine! Whose roommate are you anyway! Mine! Mine!” Gasly yelled in despair.

Leclerc's panting voice drifted from the doorway, "You...you...didn't you say you were here to help?"

Lu Zhizhou turned around and rushed forward to help, but Gasly chuckled and complained from behind, "Don't you even look at your luggage? It's all yours alone. I don't think this apartment can fit it all."

Leclerc finally straightened his knee, and Hubert casually tossed him a bottle of mineral water, which Leclerc caught. "There are two more boxes down there. We need to hurry, or the traffic police will come and give us tickets."

Zhou Guanyu hurried over, and Hubert was also ready to help, but Lu Zhizhou waved his hand, "Antoine, lunch, we need to order lunch first. I don't trust Pierre. If we wait for Pierre to order, we might not get anything to eat until evening, and then we might really have to eat tree bark."

As they talked, they followed Zhou Guanyu downstairs to get busy, while Gasly's voice complaining and protesting could be heard from behind.

Leclerc stopped the Frenchman, saying, "Pierre, move my things to the bedroom first, so they don't get in the way here. I'll tidy them up slowly tonight."

Gasly tried to drag Hubbell into the mess, but Leclerc interrupted him, "You're the only one slacking off, hurry up!"

Gasly was utterly dejected. Despite getting busy, he couldn't stop muttering complaints, "Where did you get all this stuff? Look at Zhizhou!"

Leclerc didn't care at all. "I've moved all my stuff out of the house, of course there's a lot. Zhizhou has practically nothing in Maranello, it's like staying in a hotel. You'll see in six months, things will be different then."

"Tch, do you think Zhizhou is like you?" Gasley retorted sharply.

Even after going downstairs, they could still hear the grumbling behind them. Lu Zhizhou laughed. "Oh no, we're already getting noise complaints on our first day in the new place. We should buy some small gifts and apologize to the neighbors. Does that even work in Europe?"

Zhou Guanyu lived in London when he was thirteen years old, studying for his racing career. "Of course, a piece of Black Forest or Tiramisu would be fine."

"Small gifts, but deep feelings."

Lu Zhizhou said, "That's what I think too. After all, when it comes to financial resources, we probably don't even qualify. Who knows if the person living next door is a billionaire?"

Zhou Guanyu imagined the scene and chuckled, "You open the door and there's Dua-Lipa right next door, that's about the feeling, right?"

Lu Zhizhou's smile widened, and he glanced at Zhou Guanyu, asking in a relaxed tone, "How are you feeling so far in Prima?"

Zhou Guanyu's smile paused slightly, then he let out a long breath, "I'm adapting. Not to the team, but to the mindset for the new season."

"I want to compete for the championship."

Lu Zhizhou's eyes lit up slightly. "This is the Zhou Guanyu I know."

In the 2017 season, Zhou Guanyu ultimately chose a major team, heading to Prima to become teammates with Mick Schumacher and face fierce competition.

Zhou Guanyu performed admirably, reaching the podium five times despite Prima's resources being entirely tilted towards Mike, ultimately finishing eighth at the end of the year.

As Lu Zhizhou said, big teams mean exposure. Those teams did see Zhou Guanyu's potential and extended an olive branch. At the beginning of this year's off-season, F2 teams began to negotiate with Zhou Guanyu to see if he had the ability to reach a higher level in the 2018 season.

Hope was briefly ignited.

When they gathered for New Year's Day, their expectations for the new season were fully realized. Lu Zhizhou and Leclerc entered F1, and Zhou Guanyu also entered F2, running towards their dreams at their own pace.

However, reality is complex and harsh. The emergence of Lu Zhizhou in F1 alone is insufficient to shake the prejudices and stubbornness accumulated over half a century in the world of Formula racing, as well as the unspoken but ever-present discrimination.

The center and core of the Formula One racing world is ultimately still in Europe.

Ultimately, the negotiations with the F2 team failed, and Zhou Guanyu suffered a heavy blow, his confidence plummeting.

After all the twists and turns, Zhou Guanyu returned to Prima in F3. In the new season, he will not only face pressure from Mikel, but also the challenge from Marcus Armstrong.

Also from the Ferrari Junior Academy, he was the driver who joined two months later than Lu Zhizhou and showcased his talent during his trial with the ART team.

Undoubtedly, the pressure will accumulate in the new season. Just like Han Shilong in ART last year, the longer he stays in the same level of competition, the higher the expectations in the paddock will be. He must deliver an even better performance to prove himself, otherwise there are countless others waiting behind him.

This is the truth of the racing world.

For Zhou Guanyu, these past few weeks have been truly agonizing. Hope was ignited only to fall into difficulties, and when it was rekindled, he was unable to make a decision for a long time before it was finally extinguished.

To be honest, Zhou Guanyu is experiencing some confidence crisis.

The cruelty of dreams repeatedly hitting a wall in the face of harsh reality, the torment of hope being ignited only to be dashed again and again, is nothing short of torture.

But that's F1. Like competitive sports, it's more complex. Talent is extremely important; however, there are even more important things beyond talent. Talent is only the means to knock on the door. Whether the door will open and whether one can enter with dignity are far more complicated than that.

Lu Zhizhou tried to express his support, but he couldn't help but be cautious, because he understood the kind of blow that comes when hope is so close yet can be shattered in an instant.

Seeing Zhou Guanyu regain his smile, Lu Zhizhou's lips also curled up. "I believe you."

Zhou Guanyu was slightly taken aback. "Why? I've never beaten you in training."

Lu Zhizhou said matter-of-factly, "I know you admire me, there's no need to keep repeating it."

Zhou Guanyu silently raised one finger, the middle one.

"Haha." Lu Zhizhou laughed out loud. "Everyone thinks that racing is a competition between people, but in fact, like most sports, racing is a sport where you compete against yourself."

"Indeed, we compete with other drivers, but in fact, our biggest enemy is ourselves."

"How to brake at the highest speed, how to find the limit in a series of curves, how to drive correctly in complex driving conditions, the decision in milliseconds, always running on a tightrope in the air, everything depends on yourself."

"We may face all sorts of difficulties on the track, not to mention the complexities of real life, but the only thing that can truly defeat us is ourselves."

"Guanyu, are you ready? So, I believe in you."

(End of this chapter)