Undercurrents in the Enclosure

Chapter 129 Undercurrents in the Enclosure
Norris looked up at Lu Zhizhou, who was laughing heartily, then down at the towel in his hand, his face full of hesitation. "You were just joking, right? This isn't a real tablecloth, is it?"

"Haha. Hahahaha." In response to Norris, Lu Zhizhou burst into laughter, almost laughing until tears streamed down his face.

Seeing Norris's conflicted expression, Lu Zhizhou patted him on the shoulder, "Even though Ferrari mistreats its drivers, they wouldn't go so far as to ask me to clean the pit lane."

"Besides, Lando, isn't it perfectly normal to get some oil on your face when repairing a race car?"

Norris said earnestly, "No, you can't say that. I no longer have a height advantage; I rely entirely on my looks. I must ensure that my looks are as lethal as possible."

His serious expression made Lu Zhizhou burst into laughter again. As he laughed, his knees went weak and he almost couldn't stand up. Before he became even more disheveled, Lu Zhizhou simply sat cross-legged on the ground, completely different from his previous domineering demeanor.

Turning his head slightly, Lu Zhizhou noticed the confusion in Norris's eyes and offered an explanation, "I'm pretty much the same. My insides are churning. I'm like a paper doll right now; a gust of wind could send me flying into the Red River Valley. So, how many laps did you run?"

“Thirty laps.” Norris chuckled, “A paper doll, hahaha,” then sat down next to Lu Zhizhou. “And you?”

“Twenty-seven laps,” Lu Zhizhou said. “I originally wanted to run two more laps, but they were worried that Max would crash me into the wall, so they quickly called me back.”

"Haha." Norris chuckled. "You guys see Max as Darth Vader, right?"

Lu Zhizhou, "And in your eyes?"

Norris thought about it seriously, "Fool."

Lu Zhizhou: ...

Norris said earnestly, "I'm serious, I'm not joking."

Lu Zhizhou nodded. "Yes, I think so too. I second that."

Amid Norris's unrestrained laughter, Lu Zhizhou asked curiously, "Are you and Zack on good terms?"

“Yes,” Norris said crisply, then added, “To be precise, we have a business partnership. He chose to take a gamble on me, but I have to thank him because he chose me instead of one of the other three hundred young drivers in the paddock.”

Lu Zhizhou, "Like me."

Norris: "Haha, yes, like you. Oh God, I must be thankful that Zach didn't abandon me."

Seeing the smile on Lu Zhizhou's face, Norris spread his hands, his face full of sincerity.

"I was serious."

“I love racing, I’ve loved it since I was a kid. I just wanted to sit in a go-kart and race on the track. Every kid in the paddock was taller than me, and they would laugh at me for being so small. I didn’t care because on the track, I was faster than them. I could overtake all of them, including Max.”

“My parents knew nothing about racing, but they still chose to support me. They didn’t know how to get into the system, and they didn’t think I could really get into F1, so I raced all over the world, in races big and small, you know, I’ve raced almost every kind of race.”

"But no one ever contacted me. There was no youth academy, no team. Maybe they didn't believe a small guy could win a world championship."

Lu Zhizhou looked at Norris. Although Norris smiled throughout and spoke in a light and cheerful manner, only Norris himself knew the tossing and turning and self-doubt hidden behind those days and nights. "Zack is the first?"

Norris nodded. "Yes, Zach was the first."

Actually, Norris didn't need to say it out loud; you could tell from Brown's actions of taking care of Norris that Norris was also special to Brown.

In today's free practice session, rookies Lu Zhizhou and Norris took to the field together, and the entire paddock was quietly watching and comparing their performances.

result--

Lu Zhizhou burst onto the scene and took first place, while Norris was at the bottom of the class with the fastest lap time ranking only nineteenth. If it weren't for the problem with Williams' Massa car causing a malfunction that ended the free practice session after only three laps and didn't result in a final lap time, Norris would likely have been at the bottom.

There is no harm without comparison.

While the media was praising Lu Zhizhou, another group of media outlets were attacking Norris.

Clearly, Brown stepped forward to help Norris avoid the attack.

Lu Zhizhou witnessed all of this, and Norris, as one of the parties involved, was extremely grateful.

“I know he’s a businessman too, and racing is a business, but I’m still grateful that he was willing to take the risk on me. He said he saw a champion’s mentality in me. I don’t know if he’s kidding me, but I’m prepared to believe him.”

"Because I really want to become the world champion."

After speaking, Norris scratched his head awkwardly, looking slightly shy.

"Damn it, it feels a bit stupid to just shout out your dreams."

Lu Zhizhou's lips curled up slightly. "Oh no. Your dream may never come true. You've been ambushed by me right here in Spa."

"Lando Norris's dream is over."

Norris stared at the sky in silence.

"roll!"

Norris held up his middle finger at Lu Zhizhou and shouted, "Get lost!"

“I’ve decided that an apology alone isn’t enough. Because of your reckless overtaking today, you have to treat me to dinner. You have to. There’s no room for negotiation.”

Lu Zhizhou: "Okay. What would you like to eat?"

Norris: ... "Pizza".

Wait, something seems wrong. Why does he feel like he's been tricked?
As Lu Zhizhou and Norris sat in the maintenance area admiring the drifting clouds, little did they know that a storm was sweeping across the entire enclosure, engulfing Lu Zhizhou.

Indeed, it's just a free practice session, there's no need to make a fuss. It's not qualifying pole position, let alone a podium finish in the race, so there's no need to blindly hype it up.

However, for true professionals, what matters is not just the "1:45.488" ratio, but the potential and talent revealed by this data.

Professionals know how difficult it is to drive an unfamiliar race car of a different level, and the No. 7 car was tailor-made for Raikkonen, which doubled the difficulty; in the first free practice session, Lu Zhizhou’s adaptability, adjustment ability and crucial teamwork were truly remarkable.

In addition, his first time on the F1 stage and his first time at the Spa circuit were both challenging tasks, and Lu Zhizhou's strong mental fortitude was even more impressive.

The comprehensive qualities and enormous potential displayed under such circumstances are truly invaluable, far more important than worthless titles like "first place in the first free practice race." Everything about this quietly aligns with the potential that Lu Zhizhou demonstrated in the GP3 arena.

They validate each other and shine together.

With ease, all the attention that had been swirling around him turned to Lu Zhizhou, who stood out from nowhere and truly took center stage in the F1 spotlight.

Unlike any other time before—

Absolutely the hottest topic!

Mercedes-Benz, Red Bull, McLaren, Renault, and Haas—half the paddock is already a hot topic of discussion, with Force India and Williams also joining in the fun as spectators.

F1 is a very small circle, and it hasn't been this exciting for a very long time. Even Verstappen couldn't generate this much buzz back then.

Now, after the upheaval caused by Verstappen, people know what it means and what it might lead to, and the clamor is growing ever stronger.

So when Hamilton saw Wolf come to visit him in person, he didn't need to guess what was going on: "You're here to talk to me about that young man, aren't you?"

Wolff, quite frankly, asked, "Lewis, what do you think?"

Hamilton shook his head. "I don't like him."

Calm, composed, and unperturbed, Hamilton did not appear overly agitated.

Clearly, he was mentally prepared. The media attention, the team rumors, the paddock commotion—everything kept swirling in his ears. If he still couldn't see the signs, he might be devoured alive in the paddock environment. F1 is never just about the racetrack.

So when Wolfe appeared, Hamilton got straight to the point, without beating around the bush—

Lu Zhizhou is the absolute focus of this season.

Wolf was slightly surprised, but he didn't hide anything. "Oh, I thought you would like him. His performance at Spa today reminded me of you."

In 2007, Hamilton entered the paddock for the first time, representing McLaren. He finished third in his first race in Australia and went on to finish on the podium for nine consecutive races. He also won his first race in Canada, making an incredible debut.

This series of records is part of F1 history.

Today, everyone in the paddock marvels at Verstappen's talent, but a full decade ago, Hamilton's meteoric rise was truly breathtaking.

In just one free practice session, Wolff compared Lu Zhizhou to Hamilton, the underlying admiration of which couldn't be clearer.

Hamilton didn't seem to mind, remaining nonchalant. "Indeed, he has speed. To perform like this on his first time at Spa is remarkable."

"But at the same time, he also has a free spirit that he cannot control."

"Can you imagine? At the start of today's free practice, on the third lap, before the tires were fully warmed up and he hadn't familiarized himself with the track, he just wanted to experience the limits of speed, so he drove the Ferrari and pushed the speed over 300 kilometers per hour on the Kaymer Straight?"

Incisive, sharp, and accurate.

"Toto, he's just a rookie, his first time driving an F1 car on a real track, his first time challenging Spa, and on the most dangerous Red River Bend, and he dares to push the speed to the limit?"

"What if it gets stuck on the wall? What if the car is completely wrecked? It's not just one car; it could ruin Ferrari's entire weekend."

"Does he care? No, I don't think he does."

"Because he has a free spirit that no one can control. I don't know what Maurizio thinks, but this shouldn't be the first time within Ferrari."

If Marchionne had heard these words, he would surely have applauded Hamilton for his accurate assessment of the situation.

Wolff remained silent, patiently listening and waiting for Hamilton to finish speaking. "But it's not uncommon in the paddock, is it?"

Wolff disagreed with Hamilton's view because he believed that this was the temperament a champion needed. True champions all have their own personality and edge. F1 is not a competition to select good people. Kindness and humility cannot help drivers reach the top of the championship. They need to be aggressive and determined.

Although Rosberg dealt Mercedes a heavy blow, he must be commended for the courage he showed in his pursuit of the championship.

Therefore, Rosberg won last year's World Drivers' Championship.

Frankly, Wolff would still prefer Rosberg over Bottas, which is a major reason why he has been indulging Bottas's "title declarations" all season.

“Max, he can’t control it either,” Wolf said, unintentionally throwing out a bait.

Sure enough, Hamilton didn't notice and insisted, "No, Max isn't completely uncontrollable."

“Jos and Helmut can control him; he won’t disobey Jos’s orders. In some ways, Christian can also control him.”

"Indeed, he was impulsive, reckless, radical, and often made foolish mistakes, but aren't all young people with unchecked teenage hormones the same?"

"However, he is not."

Although no name was mentioned, the two instances of "he" clearly refer to completely different people.

Wolff looked slightly surprised. "You mean, if it were between him and Max, you would choose Max?"

“Yes,” Hamilton said without hesitation.

Hamilton looked Wolff straight in the eye. "If Ferrari really uses him, then Ferrari's nightmare has only just begun. Do you think Sebastian is willing to back down? Do you think Maurizio is willing to obediently hand over the initiative?"

"I don't know what Ferrari's situation is right now, but there's no doubt he's in the spotlight; not everyone likes him."

"Toto, don't let the rhythm get you carried away."

Hamilton was referring to Ferrari in his words, but his clear, transparent gaze, fixed on Wolff, was subtly alluding to Mercedes-Benz.

Wolff, however, did not compromise so easily. He would not be easily swayed by the trends of the paddock, nor would he be easily swayed by Hamilton.

When asked to test the waters directly, Wolf immediately backed down, neither giving a direct answer to Hamilton nor confirming or denying it. "I'm just curious, everyone says he's just like you when you first started out, I'm a little curious about what the person involved is thinking, and now it seems we should shut the media up."

With the summer break over, Mercedes-Benz must make a decision as soon as possible if it doesn't want to repeat the mistakes of last year and find itself in a passive position.

Unable to persuade Verstappen in a short time, Red Bull dealt Wolff a heavy blow; now Hamilton is resisting Lu Zhizhou, and Ferrari's contract with Lu Zhizhou is also an obstacle, which means Wolff needs to make a quick and decisive decision.

If Wolff is planning to renew Bottas' contract, he must do so as soon as possible, even if it's just for a year. This would help him extricate himself from the turmoil in the paddock.

Perhaps, they should first extend Bottas' contract for another year, and then prepare for both possibilities. On the one hand, they should continue to observe young drivers and bring in young talents for the 2019 season, perhaps Lu Zhizhou or Verstappen, or perhaps Russell; on the other hand, they should refocus their attention and concentrate on challenging for this year's championship.

Mercedes-Benz still aspires to defend both the driver's and constructors' championships. Renewing Bottas' contract now will ensure that Bottas can focus on his work and stabilize the team. More importantly, it leaves the uncertain factor of Lu Zhizhou to Ferrari, hoping to create some disruption.

In the blink of an eye, Wolff had already gathered his thoughts and, without attracting any attention, quietly led the Mercedes-Benz into the rear, quietly watching the show unfold.

For Wolff, the anticipation was less about Lu Zhizhou's performance and more about the potential upheaval his arrival might cause within Ferrari.

This time, Ferrari made an exception and invited Lu Zhizhou to participate in the first free practice session. Now, Lu Zhizhou has delivered a perfect performance and fulfilled the opportunity. This has put Ferrari in the eye of the storm, and everyone is curious about Ferrari's reaction and their potential next move.

But what about Arivabene?

Calm and composed, seemingly oblivious to the storm.

"Oh, Lu, a very good performance, very good."

“We are very satisfied, and more importantly, we are very satisfied with the car’s performance at Spa, which proves that we are just as competitive here.”

Raising high and lowering gently, the storm didn't have time to cause damage; Arrivabene had already effortlessly brought the situation under control and back on track.

Maurizio Arrivabene, whose appearance is similar to an eagle, has earned the nickname "Uncle Eagle" among Chinese motorsport fans.

In fact, this team leader also operates in the same way: patient and ruthless, he doesn't act unless he's absolutely sure of it, and he's good at observing the overall situation. But at the same time, he also has his own pride and obsessions, a strong sense of territory, and he protects his own little territory very strictly.

Standing at the eye of the storm, how could Arivabene not be alert?

However, in Arrivabene's view, it is far too early to be alarmed. Even if Lu Zhizhou makes his appearance in the free practice match and performs brilliantly, looking beyond the surface, it is just a free practice match and it is ultimately difficult to shake the paddock where interests are intertwined. Things need to be considered in the long term.

Panic? How could that be!

Faced with a media frenzy, Arivabené handled the situation with composure, handling everything with ease and leaving no loopholes.

The paddock was noisy and chaotic. Media reporters seized on the topic of "Lu Zhizhou" and bombarded him with questions, creating a chaotic scene. Horner and Wolf, two old foxes who loved to watch the drama, kept adding fuel to the fire. The two, who usually disliked each other, showed a rare tacit understanding when they were attacking Arivabené. They called him a rising star and an unparalleled genius, which was like putting Arivabené on the fire.

With Zach Brown and Cyril Abiteboul also joining in, the scene was incredibly lively.

However, in Arrivabene's eyes, it's just a piece of cake, an ordinary daily routine. That's Ferrari for you; win or lose, they're always the center of attention.

However, things gradually started to go wrong, and Arrivabene began to feel uneasy—

It does not originate from external forces, but from internal structure.

To be precise, it wasn't because Marchionne said anything, but precisely because Marchionne said nothing at all, and was even frighteningly quiet.

Arrivabene originally thought that Marchionne might come to Spa to promote Lu Zhizhou and was paying close attention to the situation.

But no, nothing at all, as if Marchionne wasn't the mastermind behind all the hard work that secured Lu Zhizhou's free practice match opportunity.

This made Arivabene uneasy.

The last time Marchionne was so quiet, the result was the current situation: Lu Zhizhou suddenly appeared out of nowhere to run the free practice race and swept all the attention.

So what is Marchionne planning this time?
Before the summer break, Arrivabene had urged Vettel to step up. As the current core of Ferrari's championship aspirations, his words carried considerable weight. Even Marchionne, for the sake of the team's stability, dared not make any rash moves. But now it seems that the situation has not calmed down.

Knock. Knock.

Arrivabene tapped the table lightly, lost in thought.

Then there was a knock at the door. After receiving permission, Frankie Penny came in and said, "The technical team is ready. The meeting can begin."

Arivabene nodded, looked up, and said seemingly casually, "Sylvia, can you feel it?"

Frankie Penny asked, puzzled, "What?"

Arrivabene: "It's been a turbulent time. The summer break is over, and we should calm down, stay focused, and work together to win. Right now, the championship is the most important thing for us. Everything else can be put aside for the time being. We should stay focused on winning."

"But right now..."

Frankie Penny immediately understood, "The stroller driver?"

Arivaben nodded, deliberately letting out a long sigh, looking as if he were speaking frankly, "Indeed, he is excellent, but what we need to care about now is not the future, but the present."

Frankie Penny: "Of course. We haven't been this close to the championship in a very, very long time."

Arrivabene grinned and said, "That's good. I hope we can all reach a consensus."

Patting Frankie Penny on the shoulder, Arivabené walked away, leaving Frankie Penny alone in the spot.

Arrivabene was well aware of Frankie Penny's position. This shrewd public relations professional was undoubtedly a very important figure in the Ferrari team. Moreover, she had close relationships with many high-ranking Ferrari executives, and sometimes her words were more effective than Arrivabene's.

Now, Arrivabene hopes to pass the message up through Frankie Penney.

He might not be able to stop Marchionne on his own, but the power structure of a large corporation like Ferrari is not so simple.

call.

Arrivabene breathed a sigh of relief. He was very satisfied with the team's current lineup and did not want any changes. He liked not only Vettel, but also Raikkonen.

Perhaps, to others, Vettel and Raikkonen had conflicts on the track, but to him, everything was under control.

On his way to the conference room, Ariwabé glanced out the window. The lush mountains stretched to the horizon, serene and profound, a picture of tranquility. Yet, Ariwabé felt a lingering unease, a sense of impending doom, as if a shadow was approaching.

Sure enough, the storm came—

On Sunday morning, a torrential downpour began, as if a huge hole had been torn in the sky and floodwaters were pouring down.

The sky was completely covered by boundless dark clouds, obscuring the sun. The rushing water roared between the mountains.

Because the rain was so heavy, the organizers were even prepared to cancel the race. The track conditions were simply not suitable for racing, especially at the extremely dangerous Spa circuit. For the safety of the drivers, the FIA ​​had to consider all aspects, and not only GP3, but F2 and F1 might also have to be canceled.

As a result, the Belgian Grand Prix may end prematurely.

In the match that concluded on Saturday, Lu Zhizhou, standing under the spotlight, once again defended his dominance.

In the F2 race, Leclerc, who started from pole position, unfortunately failed to finish the race. After a mid-season surge of three consecutive race wins, he failed to reach the podium in both the Hungarian and Belgian Grands, highlighting the fierce competition.

This time, however, the difference is that GP3 ​​has garnered even more attention than F2.

Clearly, Lu Zhizhou, standing under the spotlight, felt the pressure coming from all directions. If the first F1 free practice session could make a stunning debut, should GP3 show an even stronger dominance?

Although true professionals know that things cannot be equated in this way, those who love to watch the drama continue to sit back and enjoy the show.

It was in this atmosphere that the GP3 weekend slowly began—

Lu Zhizhou first secured pole position with a huge advantage of 0.447 seconds, putting him on a completely different level from his competitors, continuing the dominance and strength he displayed in the F1 free practice sessions.

He then displayed unparalleled control in the main race, dominating the competition and turning it into a one-man show, winning the championship with a lead of more than nine seconds.

They remain undefeated in the main competition of the season.

ART team continued its dominance throughout the season, with Lu Zhizhou, Russell and Han Shilong sweeping the podium, while Hubert was unlucky and suffered a car malfunction, unfortunately unable to finish the race.

If all Sunday's races are cancelled, it won't be good for GP3, because competitors won't be able to gain more points through the sprint races to put pressure on Lu Zhizhou and ART, who have huge leads. The suspense of the season may be eliminated early, and the remaining races seem to be garbage time.

Competitors and onlookers alike are more eager than ever for a sprint race with a reverse start to break the deadlock.

Unfortunately, they don't have the power to make decisions; everything depends on the weather.

Then, the rain gradually subsided, and although it was still raining, it was now just a light drizzle, and a sliver of sunlight even peeked out from behind the dark clouds.

The FIA ​​immediately convened a meeting to discuss whether it was safe to continue the race in such weather conditions, whether the slippery surface could pose a danger, and how the GP3 teams and drivers viewed the situation, and whether they were willing to risk racing in the rain.
The meeting proceeded intensively.

The FIA ​​announced that the GP3 sprint race would proceed as scheduled, and the entire paddock breathed a sigh of relief, with everyone's eyes brimming with barely suppressed excitement.

It's not just because competitors are preparing to continue their attack on ART, but also because car enthusiasts who are seeing Lu Zhizhou for the first time are ready to watch the drama unfold.

Can Lu Zhizhou maintain his strong performance in the final sprint?
Moreover, it was a battle fought in the rain!
……

A light drizzle pattered against my helmet, and through my goggles I could see the fine raindrops bouncing and splashing, with glimmers of light dancing in the air.

The roar of the engine, enveloped in the dampness of the drizzle, began to sound gentle and distant, like a wild beast lurking underwater.

Inside the cabin, the entire sensory experience is completely different; it's stuffy and humid, the body feels slightly heavy, and the perception of the race car's structure by the toes and fingertips seems to become sticky and dull in the mist.

Buzzing, buzzing—

Amidst the cacophony, the noise gradually faded away, and all other sounds from other vehicles were shut out, leaving only himself ready to race.

The world fell silent, with only one's own breath and heartbeat touching the vibrations of the engine.

But Lu Zhizhou clearly knew this was an illusion, because there were nineteen other cars on the track. If he really thought he was the only one there, he might be rear-ended in the fog or rear-ended by the car behind him, and be eliminated before he could even react.

"Zhizhou, Zhizhou!"

The radio crackled with Borrepeller's voice, interrupting his thoughts and pulling Lu Zhizhou back to reality. The noise in the rain and mist became clearer again, surging in like a tide, and the weight of reality began to rumble into his ears.

"Zhizhou, the terrain at Honghe Bend is low-lying, so the drainage speed is not as fast, and there may still be water accumulation. We need to be careful, as the grip is different today."

Lu Zhizhou's attention was back on the track. "Roger that. Let's do a warm-up lap first and check out the track conditions."

Borrepeller felt a little relieved, while Lu Zhizhou remained focused and experienced.

He knew that Lu Zhizhou was different from other young drivers and didn't need to be worried; but when he calmed down, he couldn't help but worry. The paddock was a man-eating devil, and Lu Zhizhou was just a seventeen-year-old boy. No matter how calm and composed he was on the track, he was still a child.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Zhizhou, you know you've performed exceptionally well, I mean, exceptionally well. You don't need to prove yourself to anyone, right?"

In the final sprints of the last two races, Lu Zhizhou's dominance has clearly declined, finishing second in one race and fourth in the other.

In reality, everyone understands the principle that no one can win every race, especially in formats like F2 and GP3; but principle is just principle, especially at Spa-Francorchamps, where first the F1 free practice session set a new fastest lap time, and then the GP3 qualifying and race once again demonstrated dominance—

Expectations have already skyrocketed.

The pressure that weighed heavily on Lu Zhizhou's shoulders was completely different; it seemed that failing to win the sprint race was a failure.

This is utterly absurd. Real professionals should know that even if Lu Zhizhou didn't achieve any results in the sprint race at Spa, it doesn't mean he failed. But the trend on social media went astray, and the buzz in the paddock started to get heated and sharp.

Borrepeller was almost suffocating, let alone Lu Zhizhou?
Then, Lu Zhizhou's voice came through the radio, "Pierre, don't you have faith in me?"

Borrepeller was taken aback, then realized Lu Zhizhou was teasing him. As expected of Lu Zhizhou, he still had the mood to joke at this time. He couldn't help but chuckle, "No, I have confidence. You know, I always believe in you."

"Anytime? Pierre, thank you." Lu Zhizhou laughed cheerfully. "Pierre, I'm not going to prove myself to anyone, but I want to pursue the ultimate speed. I want to see where my limits are."

"This is Spa in the rain, what a rare opportunity, isn't it?"

Borrepeller: ...

His smile held a hint of helplessness, but he couldn't help joking, "Yes, Mr. 328km, but you should know that the weather is different today than on Friday, so the strategy is different too, right?"

Lu Zhizhou: "Hey, so this is why you exist, right, partner?"

Borrepeller paused, a smile creeping onto his lips. "Understood, partner."

As they spoke, the tire warming ring began—

In the sprint race, I was in the same familiar position, eighth place, a routine I knew all too well; and all around me were familiar faces.

Seventh, Russell, an old teammate and an old rival.

Ninth, Carri, Alden team.

In the 2017 season, everyone believed it would be a clash of titans, "Han Shilong vs. Alesi," but no one expected it to turn into a new generation showdown, "Lu Zhizhou vs. Russell."

Currently, Lu Zhizhou is far ahead in the drivers' standings, while Russell is the only driver who can compete with him.

It's not just about points; the same goes for the racetrack. The two drivers have already delivered many spectacular battles this season.

In yesterday's qualifying and race, Lu Zhizhou completely destroyed the paddock, overwhelming all opponents, including Russell, proving that his outstanding performance in the F1 free practice lap was no accident. It is foreseeable that Russell will not surrender easily today, and the opportunity in the sprint race is even more precious than in the race.

An exciting match is about to begin.

After the warm-up lap, the cars moved into the starting grid, while the four cars led by Hubert started from the pit lane.

A closer look reveals a significant increase in the number of spectators in the main grandstand. Given that it was the first race on Sunday morning and the area had just experienced a downpour, the grandstand was initially nearly empty. However, before the GP3 sprint race began, enthusiastic fans arrived just in time.

Like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, they sprouted up wildly, and the atmosphere in the hunting grounds was so intense that one could feel it gradually heating up without needing to say a word; the air seemed to be burning in the rain and mist.

Not only them, but also the F1 team members who arrived at the paddock early turned their attention to the live broadcast screen. More and more eyes were focused on the live broadcast screen.

Curiosity is being ignited.

The red light is on.

Five. Four. Three. Two. One.

All the lights came on, then all the lights went out.

Boom boom boom, boom boom boom, the roar of the engine pierced through the misty rain, instantly releasing incredible energy that surged down like a tidal wave.

As the tires spun, rainwater rushed backward along the tire treads, instantly creating a curtain of rain. The white mist rose steadily, turning Spa into a waterfall in a second.

The view was completely cut off. Apart from Campos driver Julian Falchero, who started from pole position, and Trident driver Alesi, who started from second position, all the cars behind were swallowed up by the raging waves. Only blurry, hazy lights and shadows swirled and rolled in the mist, but they were indistinguishable.

The scene was one of utter chaos.

This is the battle in the rain, where uncertainty is pushed to the extreme. Not only can bystanders not see clearly, but in fact, even those involved cannot see clearly.

Waves of water mist assaulted my face, like attending a water festival but forgetting to bring a water gun, leaving me standing there dumbfounded, taking the hits.

Vision is completely paralyzed; no images can be seen, not even the outlines of vehicles, which are faintly visible in the mist. If you try to capture them with your eyes, you may be misled by afterimages and reflections. A rash sprint could result in a rear-end collision, ending the race before it even begins.

So, slow down and be cautious?
No, it won't work. This is a race. Lu Zhizhou is stuck in a line of cars, with more than ten cars behind him. If he stupidly stays still or slows down, he'll become a target for a bull to charge at him, and he could easily get dizzy and be eliminated.

This is when the driver's rationality and wisdom are truly tested.

The only things that can be used are hearing and intuition; one must use one's own perception to construct a three-dimensional image of the surroundings, dancing wildly on the edge of a knife.

If you're not careful, you'll be pierced by a thousand arrows.

Then, at that moment, Croft exclaimed in surprise.

"Collision! Accident!"

"It's chaos! A series of accidents have occurred at Lasos Bend! But visibility is poor right now, we can't see anything clearly, and we're unsure who was involved in the accident and who was affected!"

"My God, this is complete chaos!"

(End of this chapter)