F1: Starting with a Simulator Master

Chapter 128 Public Relations Crisis

"Congratulations on achieving a P2 ranking result!"

Verstappen started off with a serious, professional interviewer's air, but then he abruptly changed the subject.

"What are your thoughts on not securing pole position?"

Luo Xiu was taken aback, and before he could answer, Verstappen continued speaking on his own.

"Ha~ just kidding~"

"But seriously, that lap you did was absolutely insane!" Verstappen spoke incredibly fast. "I just saw it on your in-car camera. In the first time trial, from T8 to T10, you didn't upshift at all when you were cutting those corners, right?!"

"That's a blind corner with crosswinds! You're driving right up to the redline without upshifting, trying to use engine braking to stabilize the car, right? That's insane! Do you think you're still playing a simulator?!"

This barrage of hard-hitting questions, like a sudden blow, created a vacuum that lasted for several seconds in the originally noisy interview area.

Rosberg, who stood to the side empty-handed, did not step forward to say anything. A hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of the former world champion who had once gone toe-to-toe with Hamilton on the track.

Only true experts who have handled F1 cars can understand the terrifying car control game behind the few words Verstappen just uttered.

Meanwhile, dozens of meters away, inside the media enclosure separated by barriers, the reporters, who didn't even understand the concept of pneumatics, were completely bewildered by what they heard, but their keen professional instincts were completely ignited by this extremely dramatic scene!

Verstappen grabbed the official microphone during the live stream just to chat with a Chinese newcomer about racing news?!

In an instant, the close-up clicks of camera shutters exploded like a torrential downpour.

But for the slightly tired Luo Xiu, Vestapan's words were like a shot of adrenaline, which revitalized him.

Upon hearing the other party discuss the specific controls, Luo Xiu became interested and quickly moved closer to the microphone.

"The Ferrari has a lot of downforce on the rear axle, so after the front wing is leveled out, it's not easy for me to enter corners —"

"—At that moment, I felt that the only way to stop the race car was to do this—"

Once Luo Xiu started talking about racing, he couldn't help but go on and on.

And so, in front of hundreds of millions of viewers across the internet, these two top drivers, who had just demonstrated amazing strength in qualifying, completely ignored the official interview guests and talked about track feel that was difficult for ordinary people to understand, such as "front wing downforce balance", "high-speed cornering floorboard bottoming out" and "tire heat fade".

Verstappen held the microphone and gave most of his speaking time to Rosiu.

This seemingly outrageous or even rude behavior is actually a form of extremely domineering protection by Verstappen.

This Dutch maverick, widely regarded as the most difficult person to deal with in the paddock, is using this racing language that only a few people can understand to rudely shield Roche from the media that he hates.

He was more like using this official microphone to announce to the entire F1 paddock:

This newcomer, with whom he could have a long talk about the limits of the track, was a rival he personally acknowledged.

However, this rare and pure exchange about racing will eventually come to an end.

The informal interview had just ended when several public relations personnel wearing Ferrari's matching red T-shirts quickly entered the room and professionally surrounded Luo Xiu, cutting off outsiders' view.

Ferrari's PR manager quickly approached, his expensive cologne clashing sharply with the pervasive stench of sweat on the track.

Immediately afterwards, he lowered his voice and urgently reminded Luo Xiu.

"Don't directly address the issue of Sainz's slots. Go around in circles and focus on tomorrow's main race, understand?"

Luo Xiu glanced coldly at the wall of people blocking his way, nodded slowly, and had already prepared his response in his mind.

This was immediately followed by the post-race drivers' press conference.

"Luo Xiu! Look this way!"

An Italian journalist practically shoved his microphone into Rochefoucauld's chin, asking, "After this amazing qualifying session, would you consider staying with Ferrari long-term and completely replacing Sainz?"

The reporter's eyes gleamed with greed for a headline-grabbing story.

Luo Xiu's gaze was calm, and he delivered his prepared statement without any emotion.

"I don't have any other plans. All my energy right now is focused on how to run well in tomorrow's main race. That's all."

Before the reporter could even express his disappointment, someone else immediately asked a question loudly.

"Why did you only pit in Q3 at the very last minute? That almost prevented you from achieving a result! Was this some kind of extreme secret strategy by Ferrari, or a huge internal communication failure?"

The PR manager standing behind Luo Xiu couldn't help but hold his breath slightly.

"Thanks to the team for their accurate timing predictions."

Luo Xiu didn't even frown, and said in a normal tone, "My car got the perfect entry window, and the credit for crossing the finish line at the last minute is entirely due to the team's excellent strategy group."

This flawless, standard cliché perfectly whitewashed a near-total defeat as a display of foresight from Ferrari's top management.

The PR manager, hidden behind him, let out a very slight cough with satisfaction.

Everything was proceeding smoothly according to the established script, until a reporter with a London accent suddenly jumped out.

"Please comment on Zhou Guanyu, a fellow Chinese driver?"

The British journalist deliberately raised his voice, throwing out a dirty and low-level trap: "He crashed in earlier practice due to a basic mistake, damaging not only the car but also preventing him from qualifying. And you, as a temporary substitute, have taken P2 here."

After this question was raised, all the red lights on the cameras started flashing frantically.

"Given the label of being a Chinese driver, how do you assess the enormous gap between you?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Xiu stopped in his tracks, which was about to end the interview and leave.

He astutely grasped the malice and provocation behind this seemingly trivial question.

Based on the previous indication that Ferrari's public relations manager declined to comment, he could have simply ignored it and walked away.

However, Luo Xiu was all too aware of the British media's ability to distort the truth.

If we don't clarify things now, tomorrow's headlines will inevitably be filled with relentless attacks and smear campaigns.

Instead of leaving as requested, Luo Xiu reached out and pushed away the public relations manager's arm that was trying to block him.

"First, let me correct your first common-sense mistake."

Luo Xiu's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable coldness: "Never use the logic of lower-level racing to judge F1 lap times."

"The reason I'm sitting here today with a P2 is because I'm sitting on a Ferrari."

The surrounding noise was briefly suppressed by this sudden and forceful counterattack.

"And I can tell you very frankly. If I were to compete today in Zhou Guanyu's Sauber race car, my results wouldn't be any better than his."

Luo Xiu paused, his voice icy, stating the facts plainly without leaving any room for ambiguity.

"The performance gap between the race cars is too large."

Luo Xiu stared at the reporter whose face was gradually turning ashen, and continued speaking expressionlessly.

"I suggest you go home and review your basic F1 knowledge before you try to get the microphone."

This blunt and direct statement, highlighting the huge gap between F1 cars, plunged the audience into a deathly silence that lasted for several seconds.

The seasoned reporter quickly realized what was happening and attempted a final, persistent attempt to get back at them.

"So you're admitting that the Sauber team is industrial junk? Does that mean you'll be a Ferrari driver for the upcoming Shanghai race?"

>