Speed ​​God

Chapter 168 A desperate move

Without a doubt, Monaco is a very special racetrack.

Not only is it narrow, but the widest part of the track is only ten to twelve meters wide; and there are many and complicated curves, a total of nineteen curves, mainly low- and medium-speed curves, with no high-speed curves. All of them are curves where the speed must be controlled below 180 kilometers per hour.

So, what does this mean?
In F1, the top speed on the straight can exceed 300 kilometers per hour. In Monaco, drivers must continuously reduce their speed from 300 kilometers per hour to 180 kilometers per hour or even lower to navigate complex corners. Furthermore, low-speed corners are the core of this track, with 70% of the corners requiring drivers to keep their speed below 100 kilometers per hour, posing a severe test to downforce, mechanical grip, and cornering precision.

It presents a top-level challenge to the car's performance, and an even more hellish level of focus and endurance for the driver.

This season, Ferrari and Mercedes cars have generally performed better on straightaways and high-speed corners, but slightly worse on medium and low-speed corners.

Of course, this is not a fixed value. Different tuning and component upgrades are made according to different tracks, which is something the racing technology team is always busy with.

In Monaco, Mercedes' power unit had the advantage and was the strongest in the paddock, but the cost of sacrificing downforce was insufficient mechanical grip in low-speed corners, accompanied by understeer.

Comparatively, Ferrari's performance on the straights was slightly inferior to Mercedes-Benz. However, their excellent chassis performance allowed the car to find balance in the continuous low-speed corners. Overall, compared to the first few races of the season, they were more balanced than Mercedes-Benz in Monaco.

but!

Monaco, however, was Red Bull's shining track, with the Red Bull RB14 being the true champion, turning the season around in one fell swoop.

This season, Red Bull's power unit performance has been inconsistent, with Horner complaining about the Renault engine. They are completely outmatched by Mercedes and Ferrari on straightaways and high-speed corners. However, their strengths lie in chassis, traction, and mechanical grip, giving them an absolute advantage in low-to-medium speed corners.

In Monaco, Red Bull's strengths are perfectly suited to their position, making them the leader among the Big Three.

This was also fully demonstrated in the free practice matches.

Ricardo dominated all three free practice sessions, demonstrating an unshakeable advantage.

Verstappen finished second in all three free practice sessions, demonstrating the full potential of the Red Bull car.

Red Bull is far ahead, while Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz are neck and neck, constantly chasing each other.

Although Lu Zhizhou's performance in car number 22 during free practice was still lackluster, no one in the paddock was buying it anymore; everyone believed it was a smokescreen from Ferrari.

However, it is undeniable that Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz cars here are inferior to Red Bull in terms of performance; that is a fact that is right before our eyes.

That's why the news that Verstappen wouldn't be able to make it to qualifying in time was so shocking, and the whole paddock was filled with murmurs of excitement.

No spying was needed; the FIA ​​quickly updated its official statement: Verstappen crashed into the wall during the third free practice session, wrecking his car. Although Red Bull's technical team worked like a spinning top, reassembling a car before qualifying began, they discovered just before qualifying started that the power unit was leaking oil.

Everything was destroyed in an instant.

Therefore, Verstappen not only missed qualifying and was eliminated in Q1, but he also had to replace his power unit, which, according to the race rules, meant he had to start five places back on the grid for the race.

At this point, it becomes clear that missing Q1 was not Verstappen's fault, but rather a power unit malfunction, just like Lu Zhizhou's predicament in Spain. This was an unavoidable factor. The difference is that Lu Zhizhou's power unit malfunctioned during the race, forcing him to retire directly, while Verstappen still had a chance to salvage the situation.

Since he did not have a Q1 result, he naturally did not meet the 107% rule. However, the main reason was mechanical failure, so Verstappen was exempted and could continue to participate in the main race.

Despite this, the hunting grounds remained bustling with noise.

Red Bull, which showed dominance in free practice, lost a player in Q1. Does this mean that the competitive landscape will open up in Q2 and Q3?

Greenwood immediately informed Lu Zhizhou of this news, which could potentially affect the upcoming qualifying strategy.

However, Lu Zhizhou was thinking further ahead, not just about the qualifying rounds, but also about the main race.

Indeed, Monaco is a very difficult track to overtake, but if the car has an absolute advantage in performance, coupled with an aggressive driver, overtaking is not impossible.

In this way, Verstappen, who starts from the back of the grid, will be in great danger. Whether he starts from twentieth or from the pit lane, he will not stay obediently in the back.

A storm may be brewing from behind, so does that mean the safety car may make its twelfth consecutive year in Monaco?
At the same time, because overtaking in Monaco is very difficult, each team needs to think not only about qualifying strategy, but also about potential strategies for the race.

Of course, Lu Zhizhou cannot predict the future. He doesn't know what will happen in Q2 and Q3, let alone what will happen in the main competition. But he feels that he can sow some seeds and see if they will take root and sprout.

Lu Zhizhou is considering that Q2 drivers can freely choose between red supersoft tires or purple ultrasoft tires, and use different tire choices to match different race start strategies. However, considering the grip issue, almost all drivers will choose purple ultrasoft tires to help with the start.

So, if he also uses the purple ultrasoft tires, achieves an excellent time in Q2, and ensures his entry into Q3, he should avoid a second flying lap to minimize tire wear.

While this doesn't guarantee anything in the main event, could it allow them more options when developing their strategy?

Especially when facing the two Red Bulls, Ricciardo and Verstappen, sandwiching him from the front and back at the Monaco circuit.

However, the risks are extremely high.

Firstly, the ultrasoft tires, which reduce the number of laps, have an uncertain advantage in the race due to the limited lifespan of soft tires.

Secondly, Q2 only ran one lap and was eliminated, so all the strategies we had planned were useless.

So, should he take a gamble for even the slightest possibility?

That's why Lu Zhizhou didn't have time to pay attention to Verstappen's situation; he had to make quick calculations before Q2 started and then make a judgment based on the information Greenwood provided.

"...David, if Q2 is completed in under 12 seconds, can you guarantee a spot in Q3?" Lu Zhizhou asked.

Greenwood's heart skipped a beat, and his mouth went dry.

The gap between the winners and losers in Q1 is very small. Lu Zhizhou is only 0.6 seconds behind Aokang, who is in 15th place. The situation in Q2 should be similar. A slight mistake could mean elimination in Q2.

However, another fact is clear: Ricardo is far ahead, leading Lu Zhizhou by more than 0.4 seconds, and this is even without going all out in Q1. Red Bull's advantage in Monaco is very obvious.

Without a doubt, Red Bull is the target that all teams must defeat this weekend.

Greenwood immediately understood Lu Zhizhou's strategy: he was making arrangements for the qualifying and main races, but the risks were extremely high.

Greenwood swallowed hard. "We could take a gamble, but it's not certain."

Lu Zhizhou pondered for a moment, "Let's postpone our entry onto the track a little longer and see how the others do first."

Taking risks is one thing, but rushing forward recklessly and taking a gamble after careful planning are two different things.

Greenwood's palms were sweating. Shouldn't Lu Zhizhou be the first to take the track and get a time to see if the other drivers could overtake him? That way, even if they were overtaken, they could save their options and Lu Zhizhou could take the track for a second flying lap without having to be so worried.
So, was Lu Zhizhou arrogant or wise?
……

Didn't Lu Zhizhou consider what Greenwood was thinking?

No, of course not.

The key point is that everyone in the paddock is shrewd. Lu Zhizhou is scheming against others, and others are scheming against him. Every driver and every team is scheming.

It's not just them; every team has a strategy team that monitors data and controls the overall situation during qualifying and the race, adjusting strategies as needed. Just like playing chess, it all comes down to who can strategize better, who can see further ahead, and who can take the initiative.

In Lu Zhizhou's view, he could take the lead and set a new lap time, but taking the lead would mean being conservative, leaving room for maneuver, and making himself a target for other drivers to attack his lap time. In that case, he would have to take the lead and set a second flying lap, and his strategy would fail.

Therefore, once you choose to take a risk, you can't look back and hesitate.

Moreover, Lu Zhizhou was not a reckless fool; he knew that the Monaco circuit was prone to accidents with a low margin for error and was more risky than other circuits.

When he takes the stage, if the first lap is clearly not going to work, or if an unexpected situation arises, he is prepared to immediately take the second lap, just like in Melbourne. Taking risks is one thing, but adapting to the situation on the spot is another. When formulating a strategy, one must think three or even five steps ahead for every step taken.

After his brain started working at high speed, Lu Zhizhou entered a state of complete concentration, and his excitement and elation slowly settled in his blood, evolving into a state of engagement.

As expected, from a mathematical perspective, Lu Zhizhou's judgment was correct.

In Q2, the average lap time is still just over 1 minute 12 seconds, a slight improvement over Q1, but the increase is limited. This is not only due to direct competitors for Q3 positions such as Renault and Force India, but also Mercedes-Benz, which is not far behind. Therefore, as long as you can get under 12 seconds, you may not be able to secure a front-row position, but getting into Q3 should not be a problem.

The question before us is, if Lu Zhizhou is given only one chance to complete a high-speed lap, can he do it?

Perhaps Vettel and Hamilton can, given their experience and ability, but this is Lu Zhizhou's first time racing on the Monaco circuit. Is there really no problem?

Whether it's a mule or a horse, you'll only know after you take it out for a spin.

Amidst the sweltering heat, drivers took turns completing their flying laps, a dazzling spectacle. But soon, Arno noticed that Lu Zhizhou remained motionless in the pit lane, unable to guess what he was thinking.

Soon, others noticed as well, and the laughter and teasing could no longer be contained.

"Are you scared?"

"They were probably terrified when the race car broke down."

"If it doesn't work out, it's not too late to announce your withdrawal from the competition now."

Not only the onlookers, but also the hearts of the people at Tiefo Temple were clenched tightly. They were already worried about the combination of Lu Zhizhou and Monaco, and since yesterday, they had been feeling uneasy with their eyelids twitching. The slightest sound made their hearts tremble. Their fragile nerves could not bear any more torment.

Anxiety and unease are testing everyone's will.

And then, finally!
The live stream showed Lu Zhizhou slowly leaving the pit lane, Greenwood finding a window where Ferrari's No. 22 car was preparing to take the stage and complete its flying lap.

A roar erupted from the main stands, and the overwhelming red wave of excitement conveyed the unparalleled power of the Iron Buddha Temple.

After a brief period of jubilation, the Iron Buddha Temples faced a new round of challenges—

Lu Zhizhou was worried when he wasn't on the track, and he was so nervous that he couldn't breathe after he got on the track.

Inside the race car, Lu Zhizhou was in a completely different state.
But he was completely immersed in racing, transforming his mental image of the Monaco circuit into a three-dimensional reality through the tires as he raced, feeling the air, the breeze, the streets, and the sounds surging in the space, his heartbeat and the engine perfectly synchronized.

After successfully navigating Turn 18 (Lassus), I skillfully found my exit speed and sped through the final Turn 19, flooring the accelerator and driving at full speed through the starting straight.

One lap to decide the winner, here it comes—

The heat and the road surface hit you in the face. The No. 1 St. De Vault Bend is not only uphill but also narrow, with a sharp right turn, like the mouth of a bottle that can hold up a thousand troops.

The Monaco circuit is a tough test from the very beginning. If you brake a little too late, you might hit the wall, but if you brake too early without matching the cornering angle, you'll scrape the right side. It's like a narrow bridge on Mount Hua, perfectly showcasing the characteristics of the Monaco circuit in one go.

It's narrow and the path is steep! Not even the slightest mistake is permissible!

Buzzing, buzzing!

Arnaud involuntarily held his breath, his gaze only able to catch that streak of red, like a stream of light, swiftly connecting the entire first timing segment, the straightaway speed and the S-curve of the casino plaza, all executed in one smooth, seamless motion, transforming Ferrari's speed into an art form.

Graceful, fluid, vibrant—a word of praise stuck in my throat, unable to escape, while my heart raced uncontrollably, rising higher and higher with the speed of the race car.

From the unbridled speed of the initial burst into the complex and continuous second time slot, the car suddenly slowed down, passing through the world's slowest hairpin turn, number six, at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour, showcasing Lu Zhizhou's precise control down to the last hair.

In the super slow motion, everything was like a slow-motion replay, clearly showing the details of the operation that were comparable to art. The four tires drew a beautiful arc as if they were their own arms, pulling the hearts of the audience high into the air, making their hair tingle, and causing them to scream wildly with goosebumps.

Thrilling, exciting, and fraught with danger, it's like pushing your limits on a high-altitude tightrope, where the slightest deviation could mean certain death.

However, Greenwood, inside the repair wall, remained remarkably calm, completely trusting Lu Zhizhou. He found a sense of tranquility and focus in the absolute speed and precision of his control, without any worries, and followed that afterimage, opening his arms to embrace the deep blue expanse directly in front of him.

Before they could even blink, the race car plunged like a roller coaster toward the iconic No. 8 right-angle turn in the port area. Red lights poured down like a flood, and the roaring wind turned into towering waves!
Just as it was about to crash into the wall, veer off the track, and into the ocean, it made the most of the peak of the corner, but at the last second, it relied on perfect coordination of braking and steering to glide lightly through, drawing a perfect curve.

With only a hair's breadth between the tires and the guardrail, pushing the track to its limits, maximizing exit speed while minimizing time loss, and hurtling towards the top of the speed charts in a whirlwind-like rush—

tunnel!

With the turbochargers revving and the engines roaring, the speed and allure of Formula One racing is unleashed in this moment. This is not only the fastest spot on the track, but also one of the few overtaking points in Monaco.

A pure visual treat.

However, the tunnel has limited light. The speed was pushed to the limit as it went from light to darkness; then it pierced through the darkness and rushed into the light. The speed of 300 kilometers per hour suddenly dropped sharply to control. It passed through the "凸"-shaped deceleration curve of the new port area with a clean and crisp approach. The wonderful route control perfectly left the raised shoulder and avoided losing speed.

From one extreme of speed to another, freely switch between release and control.

Amidst the howling wind and shifting light and shadow, Arno tiptoed slightly to welcome Lu Zhizhou back to the other side of the main grandstand VIP lounge in the swimming pool area.

Before he could even finish breathing, the red figure left only a long afterimage swirling in the air, quickly passing through the 12th right-angle turn and the subsequent straightaway, leaving all the admiration and shock of the second time segment behind, and launching a final assault on the complex and unpredictable last time segment ahead.

Arno's mind was buzzing as he greedily peered toward the end of the track, trying to catch a glimpse of what was going on. He had a feeling that Lu Zhizhou's performance on this lap would be absolutely amazing.

After a slight pause, Arnault immediately returned to the other side of the VIP lounge, back to the starting straight, eagerly awaiting the appearance of that splash of Ferrari red—

coming!

A mighty, stampeding force rushed towards us, the scorching, pungent air swirling in the roar of engines overwhelmed our reason. Just as our wildly beating hearts were about to burst out of our chests, race car number 22 roared past, abruptly cutting off our breath, as if the whole world had been put on pause.

1: 11.298!

Time freezes, Q2, Lu Zhizhou reaches the summit, overlooking all the mountains below!

Wow!
In an instant, a gasp rippled through the air, and Arnaud raised his hands high, shouting with delight.

The next second, thunderous applause erupted, and the entire VIP room erupted in cheers. The excitement and jubilation on every face could be clearly seen, and the surge of adrenaline quietly loosened the constraints of etiquette.

Arnaud turned around impatiently and saw Leback holding a glass of champagne with an elegant posture, his arms outstretched like a gorilla's. Their eyes met, and they were slightly taken aback.

LeBark pulled his right hand out of his trouser pocket and gave Arnault a high-five, both of them beaming with smiles.

"Pretty!"

"Lu Zhizhou takes the top spot! Lu Zhizhou ran an unparalleled lap in Q2, becoming the fastest in the entire race so far, securing a place for himself in Q3 in advance."

"His performance on this lap was fluid and pleasing to the eye. His transitions and connections in the tight space were superb. His control of the brakes and steering demonstrated top-notch skill. Lu Zhizhou once again proved with his actions that it was no accident that he was able to wear the red Ferrari jersey. He deserves this seat."

Praise flowed naturally; watching Lu Zhizhou's qualifying matches was always like this—a dual enjoyment of sight and sound, bringing joy to both body and mind.

Despite facing layers of doubt and criticism, Lu Zhizhou remained focused and calm, turning pressure into motivation and responding with his performance on the track.

One can imagine the disappointment and lamentations of those haters and trolls right now. Even though it's only Q2 and the ranked season isn't over, the anxiety is already gripping their hearts.

Greenwood's right hand clenched into a fist instantly. "First. Continent. First. Can return to the maintenance area."

"Received." Lu Zhizhou remained focused, showing little excitement, his attention already shifting to the Q3. "Where's Red Bull?"

Greenwood: "Ricciardo is second, 0.033 seconds behind. But Ricciardo is also heading back to the pits, it's uncertain whether he's preparing for another flying lap."

Ricciardo was right in front of Lu Zhizhou, having just set the fastest lap time in Q2. Immediately afterward, Lu Zhizhou set a new lap time, and the two were very close.

Lu Zhizhou quickly recalled the overall situation and immediately understood, "Ricardo's plan is the same as ours."

Red Bull has a clear advantage. Although it is temporarily behind Lu Zhizhou in Q2, the difference is very small. It is obvious that Ricardo, which also uses the purple ultra-soft tires, is not going all out.

Based on the current situation, Ricciardo is unlikely to run a second flying lap, in order to conserve tires for the race.

Horner and Lu Zhizhou shared the same idea.

This means that Ricciardo and Lu Zhizhou have the same tire advantage; it also means that Red Bull has more room to adjust its pit stop strategy in the race, and if Ferrari wants to turn the tide, Lu Zhizhou and Vettel must cooperate.

Lu Zhizhou is willing to cooperate with the team; but Vettel? That's questionable.

However, that's already the main event strategy. Now the focus should be on Q3. Even teamwork needs to be based on the qualifying results.

"What about Vettel?" Lu Zhizhou asked. If Ferrari wanted to turn things around in the race, both of them needed to perform well in qualifying.

Greenwood: "Seba is getting ready to go on the track and set his second flying lap."

"receive."

Everything went as expected. Ricciardo returned to the pit lane and did not come out again. Like Lu Zhizhou, they were the only two drivers who only completed one flying lap in Q2.

All the other drivers completed two flying laps. Monaco is undoubtedly the essence of F1 racing, with a margin for error that is so small that it is almost negligible. It gives each driver extremely little room to make mistakes, and even world champions like Hamilton and Vettel need to be on their toes.

With Q2 concluded, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Force India all advanced to the next stage with two cars each. Meanwhile, Red Bull's Ricciardo, McLaren's Alonso, Renault's Sainz, and Toro Rosso's Gasly advanced to Q3 alone. After a short break, the fierce qualifying battle resumed.

Monaco is an incredibly difficult track to overtake, arguably the most difficult all year round. Since the millennium, there have only been seven instances where a pole-sitter has missed the championship, and in those seven instances, the winner was almost always a second or third-place finisher on the grid.

In other words, qualifying is crucial, as the outcome of the main race can be largely determined after qualifying.

That's why the qualifying rounds are so intense and full of tension.

Q3 was slightly different. All ten drivers used purple ultrasoft tires. However, compared to Q2, considering the tire operating temperature and the tire rubber that accumulates on the track to increase grip, it was easier to achieve good results as the race progressed, barring any special circumstances. Moreover, the drivers pushed their limits without holding back.

At this point, with all cards on the table, there's no need to keep hiding anything. You can freely choose which track to take based on the available information.

Lu Zhizhou didn't wait indefinitely; this time, he chose to strike first. Red Bull could sit back and relax, while Ferrari would have to battle Mercedes. So, he took the lead and achieved a good result to put pressure on his rivals.

As expected!

With a time of 1:11.099, Lu Zhizhou's first lap was stunning, taking the lead by more than 0.2 seconds over his competitors and becoming a benchmark for everyone.

Following his outstanding performance in Q2, Lu Zhizhou continued to shine in Q3. So far, he is the driver closest to breaking the 11-second barrier and is temporarily in first place with a new track record.

A rustling sound filled the air, followed by an uproar.

Wasn't Red Bull supposed to be far ahead of the pack? Wasn't Lu Zhizhou supposed to be imprisoned? What are those people yelling for Lu Zhizhou to get out of the hunting grounds thinking?
Is Ferrari hiding its true strengths?

However, Vettel's first flying lap wasn't that amazing. He was 0.032 seconds behind Hamilton, ranking third behind Lu Zhizhou and Hamilton. Ferrari and Mercedes were indeed neck and neck, which meant that Lu Zhizhou's performance on this lap must have been pushed to the limit.

Hearts pounded wildly. Whether it was anticipation or tension, supporters or opponents, all eyes were focused on the racetrack.

Bottas and Ricciardo are currently on flying laps, and other drivers are unable to break 12 seconds. The gap between Bottas and Lu Zhizhou's lap time is almost a full second, and they have basically lost their competitiveness. Now it depends on Mercedes and Red Bull. The close qualifying is pushing the limits.

The entire audience was on the verge of suffocation.

Then--

"Ricardo!"

"Daniel Ricardo!"

The crowd erupted instantly. Red Bull maintained its dominance throughout the race weekend. Ricciardo overtook Lu Zhizhou by 0.066 seconds, not only temporarily taking the lead but also further improving the track record that Lu Zhizhou had just broken, instantly igniting the entire Monaco.

Tension, taut and constant; the overwhelming pressure is almost turning into a substantial weight that will crush everything.

Everything hinges on that final flying lap. Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes-Benz have pulled out all the stops, leaving nothing to chance.

Monaco, the jewel in the crown of F1, is the most historically rich and romantic Grand Prix. Every year, it is the ultimate dream of all drivers, and perhaps even the stage where they dream of reaching the top is the moment they start driving a go-kart. Even passersby who know nothing about F1 are captivated by it.

The final battle of the qualifying rounds has finally begun!

The first of the three starters to appear... was actually Hamilton.

After a disappointing start to the season, Hamilton was in a slump, overshadowed by his teammate Bottas in both Bahrain and Shanghai. However, the four-time world champion still showed his best, winning in Baku and Barcelona and setting his sights on Monaco.

However, Monaco is clearly not Hamilton's best track. Although he won the championship twice, in 2008 and 2016, he also witnessed his teammate Rosberg win the championship for three consecutive years from 2013 to 2015 during the peak of Mercedes' dominance, which was not a pleasant experience.

This season has started with clashes and tension, and Hamilton's desire to turn things around in Monaco is stronger than ever.

With a roar and a thunderous roar, the sound of the engine engulfed the entire track like a tidal wave as the silver No. 44 race car tore through the hot, heavy air and crashed into the No. 1 St. Devotard Bend.

In an instant, eyes glued to the screen, breath held—

With effortless grace and a seemingly unremarkable driving style, Hamilton's driving style always manages to handle every corner entry and exit perfectly on the track. The silver arrow nimbly weaves through the narrow city streets, and the commotion in the main grandstand VIP lounge completely disappears, almost to the point of stillness.

In the pit lane, Wolff subconsciously clenched his fists. Although Mercedes-Benz was at a disadvantage in Monaco, the only thing he could rely on was Hamilton's driving skills to turn the tide. They needed a perfect lap, and he practically peeked into the screen.

--tunnel!
With a thunderous roar, a silver beam of light plunged into the cave where light and darkness mingled, then swooped out at near-limit speed, instantly igniting the tense atmosphere of the battle.

"First timeout! Hamilton is 0.031 seconds faster than Lu Zhizhou. Mercedes-Benz has fully utilized its advantages!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the sound in the live stream was cut off.

Hope is ignited; perhaps Hamilton can truly create a miracle?

However, before the cheers could even escape his throat, at the "U-shaped" bend after leaving the tunnel, Hamilton pushed the car and the track to their limits. His braking point was slightly too slow, only a meter or two, and his right front wheel was already on the curb!

The road shoulders here are completely raised. When a high-speed race car is thrown off the ground, it will lift off slightly. Although it will immediately return to the ground and continue moving forward, even a fraction of a second can have a significant impact on the entire Monaco circuit.

Huh!
Cheers choked in his throat, and he stared in disbelief as that silver streak passed through the pool area; his heart stopped beating.

+0.052.

The advantage gained in the first timeout was completely squandered in the second timeout, and the expectations of all Mercedes-Benz fans sank slowly like the Titanic.

Eyes remained fixed on car number 44. If anyone in the paddock could create a miracle, Hamilton would undoubtedly be the first choice. The complex low-speed corners of the third timeout were the ultimate test of skill, and Hamilton clearly hadn't given up, continuing to push the car to its limits.

however--

1: 11.232.

"Hamilton, cross the finish line!"

"Behind Ricciardo and Lu Zhizhou, he is currently in third place. Hamilton missed pole position, and his starting position for the race will depend on the performance of the other drivers."

Amidst wailing and sighs of despair, large numbers of Hamilton's fans in the VIP lounge and stands expressed their unwavering disappointment.

The Mercedes-Benz service area was deathly silent. Wolf stood frozen in place, staring intently at the screen, saying nothing and not moving an inch.

However, there was no time for regret, because Vettel had already begun his racing lap, setting a personal best in the first timeout, which was almost the same as Lu Zhizhou's.

"Wow!"

A gasp of amazement erupted as Vettel stood almost pressed against the wall in the port area, making it appear to the naked eye that he was about to climb onto it.

But he didn't.

By a hair's breadth, he grazed the wall, truly squeezing the track space to its limit, dancing wildly on the edge of the cliff. As last year's Monaco Grand Prix champion, Vettel once again demonstrated his outstanding performance on this track.

"Extremely aggressive driving! Vettel pushed himself to the limit on his last flying lap! A slight deviation could have led to a completely different outcome."

The air was thick with tension as the two four-time world champions danced wildly on the steel cable, showcasing their individual abilities without reservation.

This time, Vettel had the upper hand, cutting through the Newport Lagoon deceleration corner without repeating Hamilton's mistake. He sped past it, setting personal bests in two consecutive timed segments. The extreme tension engulfed the entire track in a wave of heat, almost to the point of explosion.

And then, boom!

Exclamations of admiration, wonder, and wonder filled the air; the entire city was ablaze with excitement, adrenaline surged, and the live stream audience erupted in cheers.

"1:11.039!"

"Unbelievable! Vettel has truly pushed himself to the limit, trailing Ricardo by only 0.006 seconds! He has surpassed his teammate Lu Zhizhou and is currently in second place."

"The difference is as thin as a hair. It is no exaggeration to say that such a slight difference is no less than that of the Olympic 100-meter sprint."

"The intense battle in Monaco qualifying is reaching a new climax! The suspense over who will take pole position is about to be revealed, and three drivers are ready to give it their all!"

"Ricciardo, Lu Zhizhou, and Bottas—the top drivers from three top teams—will make a final push for pole position in Monaco!"

Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful!

Vettel clenched his fists, his whole body tense to the extreme, all his excitement and agitation subsided, transforming into a suppressed cheer and release.

Indeed, this wasn't pole position, just 0.006 seconds, which is regrettable. But Vettel believes he has pushed the Ferrari car to its limits. That tiny difference is the difference between Ferrari and Red Bull cars; it may seem insignificant, but it's a huge gap.

Upon arriving in Monaco, Lu Zhizhou's presence created an immense sense of pressure. The overwhelming pressure from the sidelines transformed into a burning passion, so much so that Vettel could clearly feel the uncontrollable fighting spirit and a palpable sense of crisis.

He cannot back down, he cannot lose, he must explode.

So he went all out, rediscovering his former high spirits on the last flying lap of qualifying, daring to challenge the entire paddock.

He is Ferrari's number one driver and the only hope for winning the Drivers' World Championship!
The 2018 season should belong to Vettel and Hamilton, with two four-time world champions locked in a fierce battle! The spotlight should be on them!
Once again, Vettel proved himself on the track with honor!

Now, all the pressure is being shifted to those behind.

So, what about Lu Zhizhou?
Completely focused and absorbed in the race, unmoved by anything else, his target wasn't Vettel or even Ricciardo—

It's this Monaco racetrack.

A challenge, the ultimate test of speed and skill. Even with layers of external pressure, the only thing that matters to him is still the track itself.

Since first stepping onto this track last year, he has been eager to drive a race car on the city streets, pushing the speed to its limits in the suffocating heat, to see how far he can push the track and the car's potential, and to explore the ceiling of his current abilities.

Q3. The second lap of the race: give it your all without reservation. That's the only important thing right now.

The entire audience was focused on him, and Lu Zhizhou lived up to everyone's expectations.

St. Devonte's Bend is as steady as a precision instrument; at Casino Plaza, race cars speed by like streaks of light, leaving no time to even blink.

The roaring engine swept through the city streets, carrying waves of heat, and the hearts of the entire audience surged uncontrollably toward the track, exploding in an instant!

"First time trial, purple!"

(End of this chapter)