Disrupting the Landscape

Chapter 134 Disrupting the Landscape
In the world of Formula 1, Ferrari is a dream, and countless young drivers aspire to drive one, leading netizens to jokingly remark:
Everyone has a dream of becoming a father.

Right before our eyes, there is one: Leclerc's dream is to wear the red jersey and fight for Ferrari, and he has been striving towards this goal all along.

Now, unexpectedly, Lu Zhizhou beat him to it.

Of course, there's no contract yet, nothing is in writing, and things are still subject to change, but Leclerc still knows what that means.

A torrent of thoughts surged through his mind. Leclerc couldn't deny that he was envious, but he still managed to control himself and prepared to celebrate for his friend. Then he saw Lu Zhizhou's teasing expression, "Hey, you're so annoying. Don't rub salt into the wound, okay?"

"Hahaha." Lu Zhizhou laughed heartily. "Sorry, you should have looked at your expression just now. It would be really unreasonable not to get revenge."

Is he holding a grudge about that pinch just now?
Leclerc looked up at the sky speechlessly: Please, sir, you're about to join Ferrari, okay?

Lu Zhizhou nudged Leclerc's shoulder again, "You shouldn't be so discouraged that you'll never recover, right? You should believe in yourself, respond with your performance on the track, let Ferrari know that missing you is their loss, and earn a Ferrari seat for yourself."

Leclerc, "And then replace you, right?"

Lu Zhizhou: "Bring it on, Prince. I welcome any challenge."

His poised and dignified demeanor, devoid of arrogance or haughtiness, and his humble yet assertive attitude brought a smile to Leclerc's lips.

Taking a deep breath, Leclerc had found herself again: "You deserve it."

"Your performance on the track this year certainly deserves this recognition, it's what you get; but you should know that F1 is a completely different thing, right?"

"I will not surrender. I crave that position, and I will fight for it with all my might."

boom!
Lu Zhizhou punched Leclerc on the shoulder, a smile spreading across his face. "It seems we'll finally have a chance to face off on the track next year."

Leclerc's eyes widened. "A Ferrari against Sauber?!"

Lu Zhizhou, "What's wrong? No confidence?"

Leclerc: ...

"Hahaha." Lu Zhizhou burst into laughter.

Leclerc let out a soft breath. "Do you know why I'm so eager to join Ferrari?"

Lu Zhizhou shrugged. "Isn't it because when I was a kid, I was karting, which coincided with the peak of Schumacher and Ferrari's careers?"

Leclerc: "Indeed, that's part of the reason; another part is my godfather, Julius Bianchi."

Lu Zhizhou was stunned—

He is still gradually learning about F1, but Bianchi does know that the FIA ​​has permanently retired the number 17 car serial number.

In 2014, Bianchi suffered a serious accident at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan. Although he was rushed to the hospital, he unfortunately passed away the following July.

In an era where the FIA ​​is placing increasing emphasis on motorsport safety, tightening regulations on super license issuance, limiting car speeds, and increasing safety measures, injuries and fatalities caused by track accidents are decreasing. Bianchi's death was a severe blow to the entire motorsport world.

Who would have thought that Bianchi was Leclerc's godfather?

Lu Zhizhou was slightly taken aback. "But Julius isn't that much older than you, is he?"

Leclerc's lips curled slightly. "Yes, he's only eight years older than me. He knew my father and was the one who introduced go-karting to both Lorenzo and me. So, he's my teacher and my godfather."

"Back then, when I was almost about to give up my racing dream due to financial difficulties, it was Julius who introduced me to Nicolas, and it was also because of him that I signed with the Ferrari Junior Academy."

"In fact, he was among the earliest trainees in Ferrari's youth academy, and he came close to securing a Ferrari seat more than once. In fact, he was ready to sign with Ferrari and represent them in 2015, but..."

die young.

Fate played a cruel joke, and the talented driver, not yet twenty-six years old, perished.

It turns out that Leclerc's father's death was not the first time he had faced separation from his father, nor was it the first time he had faced the crisis of his dreams being shattered.

“So, I want to race for Ferrari, that’s my dream, but it’s more than just my dream.” Leclerc let out a long sigh.

The weight of a seat becomes insignificant in the face of dreams and life.

Lu Zhizhou smiled and said, "Then you might need to work harder. After all, I won't stop either, and it's not so easy for me to surpass you."

"So, are you ready? Let's have a good match!"

A surge of heroic spirit burst forth from his chest. Leclerc felt neither discouraged nor jealous; his fighting spirit burned brightly, and his eyes shone with brilliance.

"I can't wait," he said.

Changing the subject, he said, "Now that I think about it, I can't drive with you today. I'm too sad and disappointed to be driving for someone else."

As he spoke, he shook his head and left.

Lu Zhizhou: ? ? ?

Of course, in the end, Leclerc did not abandon Lu Zhizhou. After packing his luggage, he parked his car in front of the dormitory and waited patiently for Lu Zhizhou.

Lu Zhizhou is on the phone with Nicholas, and Nicholas will be responsible for the detailed negotiations on the contract.

After hanging up the phone, Lu Zhizhou went forward, first putting the suitcase into the trunk, then walking towards the passenger seat. Just as he was about to open the door, the car started and drove off.

Lu Zhizhou looked at the rear of the car with a puzzled expression.

Leclerc turned his head and waved his hands repeatedly, "Ah, you haven't gotten on the bus yet? I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's my fault."

Lu Zhizhou took a step forward again.

As a result, Leclerc used the same trick again, driving forward just as Lu Zhizhou was about to open the door, leaving Lu Zhizhou standing there with a sense of utter despair.

Leclerc, “Zhizhou, hurry up and get in the car, otherwise we’ll probably be late for the paddock… hahahaha…” He burst out laughing before he could finish his sentence.

In Maranello, Leclerc is playing pranks, radiating youthful energy and vitality; while in Monaco, Nicolas is lost in thought.

After hanging up the phone, Nicholas was slightly stunned, his mind racing with thoughts.

To say that Nicolas had no interest in Ferrari would be a lie; news from McLaren was immediately relayed back to Maranello. However, Nicolas remained clear-headed and rational. The Leclerc contract went through some twists and turns, but ultimately failed to sway Ferrari, and he went to Sauber.

For Lu Zhizhou, it would be even more difficult.

Therefore, Nicholas is strategizing, on the one hand stirring up trouble, causing the teams to distrust and restrain each other, thus creating opportunities; on the other hand, he is going back to the source and leveraging the situation—

In the hunting grounds, what truly determines victory or defeat?
interest.

Ultimately, F1 teams are run by a group of businessmen who are willing to take risks as long as there is enough profit, and Ferrari is no exception.

The current sponsorship for Lu Zhizhou is still too little and insufficient, so Nicholas has been busy and running around trying to attract sponsorship.

But now?
This is a surprise, but it's more than just a surprise; it's a game-changing turning point.

Nicolas had always known that Marchionne held Lu Zhizhou in high regard, and the fact that Marchionne personally approached the ART team was direct evidence of this.

But now it seems that Nicolas underestimated Marchionne's conviction and determination, and the whole situation has completely changed.

McLaren and Renault are all sidelined; Ferrari's place is truly significant.

Because of Ferrari's competitiveness, it has now returned to the top ranks of the paddock and has the ability to challenge Mercedes-Benz; moreover, because of Ferrari's brand effect, if Lu Zhizhou becomes a Ferrari official driver, his Asian identity will be a natural sponsorship attraction tool.

Exposure, topicality, and traffic are all on completely different levels, making it easy to overturn the situation.

This level of influence is unmatched even by Red Bull and Mercedes-Benz.

At this moment, Nicholas couldn't help but recall that afternoon when, amidst his hesitation and wavering, he was awakened by his father and finally made up his mind to take a gamble and risk it all on Lu Zhizhou.

But Nicholas himself must admit that even he did not expect that they would get to this point in less than ten months.

In an instant, passion surged and blood boiled.

With his eyes closed, Nicholas had sorted out his thoughts. He turned around again, a smile on his face, and said, "I'm sorry, please forgive my rudeness."

Ahead sat a middle-aged man, weathered yet dashing, wearing a sharp light blue suit and sunglasses despite being indoors.

He crossed his legs, arms outstretched as if he owned the whole world, and said with a hint of sarcasm, "Work, right?"

Nicolas could hear the sarcasm in the other person's words, but he didn't mind and shrugged lightly. "Never miss a call from Sergio Marchionne."

The middle-aged man slightly raised his chin. "That Sergio Marchionne from Fiat? What, do you have some business dealings with him, or are you asking why Jean Todt can't answer the phone?"

Nicolas maintained his smile, "No, there was no business before, but we're preparing to start now. He wants to talk to me about next year's driver contracts."

The air seemed to stagnate, and the clamor and noise from outside could be clearly heard surging in.

The middle-aged man sat up straight abruptly, leaning forward slightly. "Charles Leclerc?"

Nicholas shook his head and smiled mysteriously. "He's even younger, a young man named Lu Zhizhou. Have you heard of him?"

The man before us is the representative of the renowned eyewear brand Ray-Ban, and also the person Nicolas is seeking sponsorship from today.

Ray-Ban, with operations spanning the globe, has consistently strived to position itself as a fashionable and cutting-edge brand. They have worked diligently to collaborate with mechanical sports such as aviation and motorsports, subtly transforming their brand image.

Ferrari is one of their long-term partners and one of the most generous sponsors among Ferrari's many sponsors.

Nicholas is planning and strategizing to secure sponsorship for Lu Zhizhou, hoping to help him enter the world of F1.

At the same time, he also hopes to go beyond F1 and gradually build Lu Zhizhou's image as a fashionable and pioneering young leader through brand sponsorships, just like the watch brand Richard Mille, carefully selecting sponsors for Lu Zhizhou and building the brand image step by step.

Some say that Lu Zhizhou has nothing now, and his first GP3 ​​season is not even over yet, so how can he be qualified to pick and choose sponsor brands here?

But this idea is wrong. If we don't start planning and conceiving now, and try to change or reposition ourselves after people have formed certain ideas, that will be the real problem.

Therefore, after careful consideration, Nicolas selected a group of brands in the hope of finding a breakthrough and reversing the current passive situation. It was clear that the focus of attention in the paddock was on Lu Zhizhou, but the initiative was still in the hands of the team. They needed to gain more leverage.

Ray-Ban is one of them.

Since the other party was a major investor, they could do whatever they wanted, and Nicholas had to be careful in serving them.

But now, the situation has completely reversed.

Just like the stock market, if someone can get inside information and buy stocks before the general public knows about them, they can simply wait for the stock to skyrocket and easily make a fortune. Therefore, on Wall Street, information is money, and insiders are the channels.

The same applies to what's right now.

Ferrari is preparing to sign Lu Zhizhou. This is inside information. If we wait until it is announced to the public, sponsors will flock to the company, and Lu Zhizhou will be sitting on the sidelines instead of being picky. But now, there is still a window of opportunity before the official announcement. Whoever can seize this opportunity can achieve a big return on a small investment.

As a result, the situation was immediately reversed.

It should have been Nicholas trying to curry favor with the big spender, but now it's Ray-Ban trying to win over Lu Zhizhou.

The roles of the active and the passive can be reversed in an instant.

The area was turbulent, noisy, and bustling, though the undercurrents hidden behind the scenes went almost unnoticed, and the unseen swords and shadows were completely concealed underwater; the hunting grounds were still enveloped in a sweltering heat.

Without a doubt, Monza is an iconic race on the F1 calendar, no less impressive than Silverstone. Because of Ferrari, the Iron Buddha Temple, and Italy's rich and passionate motorsport culture, watching a race in Monza is a truly unique experience.

Moreover, Ferrari has regained its competitiveness this year and returned to the championship battle, making the competition with Mercedes-Benz extremely close.

Monza was ablaze with fervor, as a massive wave of Ferrari red cars surged in like lava, making the air, which was clinging to the last days of summer, almost seem to be ablaze.

“Ferrari!”

“Ferrari!”

The deafening shouts were deafening. It was hard to believe that this was only Thursday, media day, and the free practice session hadn't even started yet. But the Iron Buddha Temple couldn't contain their excitement and had already ignited their passion in Monza, entering party mode ahead of time.

Outside the window, the heat was intense.

Inside, however, it felt like being in an ice cellar.

Arrivabene stared at Marchionne in disbelief. He thought he was mentally prepared, that Marchionne's silence and quietness had long been an alarm bell, and that he had made plans accordingly. But he never expected that when the truth was revealed, he would still be so easily defeated, utterly humiliated.

Lu Zhizhou joins Ferrari?

No, no, no, he must have misheard, or Marchionne didn't explain clearly. How could that be?

How could this possibly happen!

Has Marchionne lost his mind?
A buzzing, buzzing sound filled Arivabe's inner eardrums. His remaining rationality gripped his thoughts, and he barely managed to stand firm. Compared to the clamor and flamboyance outside the window, he felt only cold and stiff hands and feet, devoid of any warmth. He needed to stop Marchionne from making a fatal mistake.

“No, I disagree,” Arivabené said. His voice was calmer and more resolute than expected.

calm.

Arrivabene was trying to keep his composure, but the person in front of him was Marchionne, who was completely different from the people he faced. The overwhelming pressure made his heart pound in his chest, and he could feel the threat on every inch of his skin, forcing him to tense up completely.

Especially when he thought about how peaceful the entire summer break had been, how he had been completely kept in the dark, and how he had even been distracted by the "first free practice match," spending his energy trying to find out what was going on, while behind the scenes Marchionne had already shown his decisive and swift actions, it made his blood run cold.

A deafening roar filled his ears. The more intense the shouts and cheers from the Iron Buddha Temple outside the window became, the more nauseating the scene before him felt, as if his internal organs were on fire.

With unwavering resolve, a tough stance, and a full-scale counterattack, Arrivabene mobilized all his energy.

"Do you know what you're doing?"

"This is Ferrari! We have our pride and our principles, our traditions and our bottom line. We are a belief, not a mass-produced product. Don't use the same business tactics you used to save the Fiat Group to corrupt such a glory. You are defiling it..."

His eloquent words were abruptly interrupted by Marchionne, who said, "Maurizio, watch your words."

Arivabene abruptly cut off the words churning in his mind. He realized that if he continued, he might say something that they would both regret. With a sudden stop, he regained control of himself, but that did not mean his struggle was over.

"What are we doing, Sergio!"

"What is the point of all that time and effort you've put in? A GP3 championship? We'll become a laughing stock in the entire paddock. We're not nouveau riche like Red Bull. We can't lose our pride and dignity."

"Damn it, when did we fall to this level?"

Grass!
Arrivabene cursed under his breath, trying to regain his footing amidst the chaos. Whatever the situation, he needed to stabilize Marchionne and control the situation first.

The key is to "delay" and shift the focus.

“Sergio, if you want to refresh the blood and bring some new life to the team, we can discuss this in the long term.”

“Maybe we can sign Lewis Hamilton. I know Mercedes says he’s not for sale, but in the world of competitive sports, there’s no such thing as an unsellable player. Everything has a price tag. Why can’t Lewis wear the red jersey?”

"Or it could be Daniel Ricardo. I believe Marco would be very happy to clear the way for Marco's rise to the top, and Daniel's signing is not impossible."

"Or, how about Fernando? He brought us glory before; he's experienced, capable, and ambitious!"

“This is Ferrari, not a place where any stray dog ​​picked up from the street can walk in and proudly show off in our red racing suits. Sergio, we can’t destroy our heritage and image. Once we open a hole, things can never be the same again.”

Names were thrown out one after another, a combination of firmness and gentleness, soft and hard tactics, as Arivabene attempted to control the situation and temporarily resolve the current storm.

However, Marchionne remained unmoved.

In fact, it was precisely because of Arrivabene's performance that Marchionne became even more determined that Ferrari would never reach the top if some of its chronic problems were not addressed.

Marchionne spoke again, his tone calm and light compared to Arrivabene's impassioned speech: "Maurizio, I'm not asking for your opinion; I'm informing you of my decision."

A hint of murderous intent emanated from between the lines—

The willingness to condescend to negotiate shows that Marchionne's administration is effective and prioritizes the overall situation; his decisive and ruthless issuance of orders demonstrates that Marchionne is in control of the overall situation.

Marchionne and Arrivabene are worlds apart in status, and Arrivabene should never forget that Marchionne never needed to ask for his opinion.

Arivaben's heart was pierced, and his remaining rationality desperately tried to hold the reins, but he ultimately lost control. "No, you can't."

“If you forcefully take over the driver’s seat, I will resign immediately.” Arrivabene knew this was a desperate gamble, a last resort, but he had no other choice.

“Sergio, you know that the team and the group don’t want to see this happen. We’ve fallen out, and things have turned into a farce.”

"Iron Buddha Temple would never want to see this happen. I will have the support of the media, and you should know that the Italian media will all be on my side." Whether within the company or at Iron Buddha Temple, Arrivabene has always enjoyed a good reputation and won widespread support, which is also an important bargaining chip for him.

Arrivabene also believes that Marchionne is hesitant to act rashly, otherwise he wouldn't have kept the information a secret all this time, and he wouldn't have initiated a dialogue with him today. This means that Marchionne is still wary of his presence and the balance of interests within the group and the team.

Unfortunately, this time, it didn't work against Marchionne.

“Before we completely break ties, why don’t you explain our current situation to the group first?” A glint of shrewdness flashed in Marchionne’s eyes.

"At Spa, Hamilton took the championship, not only further extending his lead in the constructors' championship, but also overtaking us in the drivers' championship. Now Mercedes has completely overtaken us."

“Throughout the summer break, we gave the team a completely free and focused working environment, and Spa is your answer to that question?”

"Now that you're in Monza, are you confident you can surpass Mercedes? Are you confident you can win the championship?"

“You know how important Monza is. If you are confident that you can win Monza and turn the tide, I will immediately step back, shut up, and give you and the team 100% support.”

The blade was pressed against Arivabene's throat.

Even if you lose, you can't lose face. Regardless of Monza's results, since the competition hasn't even started yet, Arivabené is ready to throw out some bold words.

However, Marchionne left no room for error, unleashing a furious onslaught and relentlessly suppressing Arrivabene.

"And you explain the relationship between Sebastian and Kimi."

“You told me that Seba wanted Kimi to stay, you told me they were good friends and teammates, you told me the team should maintain the status quo and keep things stable. You kept spreading these messages within the team through Seba and Silvia, as if you were afraid that I would disrupt the peace and order of the team.”

"But what about reality?"

"Seba relentlessly attacked Kimi on the track like a bulldog. He didn't care about the team; the team championship wasn't in his eyes. He just wanted to maintain his position in the team. How many times did Kimi lose his position or even have his race affected because of Seba's attacks?"

“Seba likes Kimi not because they are good friends, but simply because Kimi won’t hold a grudge against him, and Kimi won’t complain about him in front of the media, which can maintain his public image. Those brotherly and respectful social words are exactly what he needs.”

"And what about Kimi?"

"Does he really not care? In fact... yes, he really doesn't care, because he has already entered a semi-retired state, indifferent to gains and losses. He doesn't actively strive for track results, nor does he defend his performance. He hasn't contributed much to our team championship."

“I don’t like Bottas, but I would rather see Bottas fight for his career than Kimi just coasting along on the track.”

"So, how did you deal with Kimi? After we lost our lead in the constructors' championship, how did you handle driver relations and team atmosphere?"

"Why don't you explain it to the Iron Buddha Temple and tell them—Maurizio, how do you manage this team?"

Sudden winds and torrential rain, raging waves—

The only sound in the room was Marchionne's voice; even the shouts outside the window seemed to fade into the distance, leaving them abandoned on the deserted ice field.

Everything was just an illusion, a facade that Arrivabene covered his ears and closed his eyes to maintain. Once that glamorous surface was torn away, the Ferrari team was actually in a state of utter chaos and decay. If things didn't change, they might miss their chance forever.

Previously, Marchionne had been turning a blind eye, not because he was deaf and dumb, but because he couldn't find a better opportunity. There have indeed been many young drivers in the paddock in the past two years, but none of them have the ability to truly turn the tide. Even Verstappen's situation at Red Bull is somewhat struggling.

Hamilton? Ricciardo? Alonso?

They may be outstanding enough, but in essence, they are all the same, no different from Raikkonen and Vettel. They are not Ferrari's saviors.

No destruction, no construction.

Ferrari needs far more than that.

Until Lu Zhizhou appeared, indeed, adventure, unease, and doubt always existed, but it was precisely this uncertainty that triggered Marchionne's intuition.

He knew Ferrari couldn't miss out.

After a burst of fierce attacks, Marchionne stopped his aggressive approach and instead quieted down, deliberately leaving a gap to allow the atmosphere to settle and ease.

Furthermore, Arivabene was given time to digest the food.

The usually cool, rational, and decisive "Eagle Uncle" appeared somewhat flustered in front of Marchionne, like a lost child.

After waiting quietly for the silence to build up, Marchionne spoke again slowly and deliberately, and the atmosphere completely eased.

“Indeed, your sudden announcement of your resignation will cause some trouble. There will be turmoil in the racing team, protests at the Iron Buddha Temple, and media attention. The entire paddock is watching the spectacle.”

“I might even face questioning from the board of directors and anxiety from shareholders.”

"But do you think, in the end, they will choose you or me?"

It was uneventful, like a gentle breeze and light rain, without any ripples.

However, it was precisely this gentle and welcoming demeanor that made Arivaben feel a chill to his very bones. He involuntarily clenched his fists, only to find his palms damp and his fingers icy cold.

"So, Maurizio, you now have two choices."

“Continue with your foolish arrogance and stubbornness, and explain to your supporters within the company why we are suffering defeat after defeat, and why Mercedes is kicking us in the ass. If we can turn things around at Monza, everything will be fine, but if not, are you ready with an excuse?”

"Or it could be a proactive change, showcasing your wisdom and intelligence, extending an olive branch to the hope of the younger generation, demonstrating not only your belief in the championship but also your plans for the future. As the team leader, you are aware of the problem and are actively trying to solve it."

Arrivabene looked up at Marchionne, and he had never felt so small.

Marchionne smiled, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.

"Of course, you still have time. We can wait, wait for Monza to end, practice, qualifying, the main race, we can always see the results before we make a move."

"However, if the result is not satisfactory, you know the situation you will face, and you also know that if you bring up the topic again at that time to try to shift the focus, everyone will know that you are trying to shirk responsibility."

"At that point, this tactic might not work anymore."

"On the contrary, it may expose that you do not have a clear idea of ​​the current situation and circumstances of the team. You may just be grabbing at any straw. How many people do you think are still willing to believe in your ability and believe that you are the right person to lead Ferrari out of the slump and back to the top?"

"and……"

“You should know, right? We’re not the only team chasing him.”

Arrivabene choked on his words, but finally found his voice: "But they are not Ferraris."

Marchionne, "and he was no ordinary man either."

Arrivabene couldn't help but gasp: ...

Could it be? Could it be that Marchionne found Lu Zhizhou, but was rejected by him?
A thought popped into his head, and Arivabene could hardly believe his own guess. Even though it was just a thought, he immediately cut it off, not daring to think about it any further.

Gazing silently at Marchionne before him, Arrivabene momentarily paused, his mind racing with thoughts.

Then, letting out a long breath, Arivabene's tense shoulders subtly relaxed. "We're all chasing greatness, aren't we?"

Those who understand the times are wise.

When his phone started vibrating in his pocket, Lu Zhizhou and Yu Beier were reading data in the conference room. He took out his phone and glanced at the caller ID.

A completely unfamiliar number.

Lu Zhizhou noticed Yu Beier's gaze and refused to answer, "Junk call. Probably an insurance salesman. You can continue."

Hubert said, "You think Spa is exciting enough, but Monza is the real test of your throttle. You should take a look at corners six, seven, eight, nine, and ten..."

Inside the room, Arrivabene stared at his phone in disbelief, completely unable to process what he had just witnessed. His shock was no less than that of Marchionne.

He actually got hung up on?

Arrivabene looked up at Marchionne, his eyes full of confusion.

Marchionne's eyes and lips were full of smiles, but he didn't seem surprised at all. "You should try again. If it still doesn't work, you might need to go to ART yourself."

Arivaben was speechless.

However, he still lowered his head.

In fact, he could have contacted Nicholas and relayed the message through him; but in doing so, he would have lost the opportunity to extend an olive branch.

This was also the deeper meaning behind Marchionne's earlier glance. He had missed far too many opportunities and had not made any contact with Lu Zhizhou until now. If he did not seize the opportunity at hand, he would have no authority as the team leader when Lu Zhizhou joined Ferrari.

Therefore, he needed to personally tell Lu Zhizhou this good news.

Judging from Marchionne's attitude, Lu Zhizhou should be completely kept in the dark. The opportunity to announce the good news first was reserved for him, and he must seize it.

Aliwabe was fully aware of these calculations.

So, despite feeling frustrated, Arivabene suppressed his surging emotions and dialed the number a second time.

Buzz, buzz.

Lu Zhizhou wasn't going to pay any attention to the vibrating phone, but Yu Beier stopped him. "Maybe something's wrong?"

Lu Zhizhou glanced at his phone and saw that it was the same number. Generally speaking, advertising calls are not made a second time in a short period of time.

"Sorry." Lu Zhizhou gave Yu Beier an apologetic smile, but still answered the phone. "Hello, who's talking?"

“Hey, Zhizhou, this is Maurizio. Maurizio Arrivabene, we haven’t met before, but I’ve been keeping a close eye on you.”

Lu Zhizhou looked confused and looked up at Hubert. He really couldn't react for a moment. Italian names are not easy to remember.

Hubert mouthed, "Insurance?"

Lu Zhizhou tilted his head. "Who is Maurizio Arrivabene?"

Hubert: ...

"O," Yu Beier stared at Lu Zhizhou with his mouth rounded the whole time, dumbfounded, frozen in place.

Even after Lu Zhizhou hung up the phone, Yu Beier remained staring intently, unable to speak. He could only ask questions with his burning gaze, needing no words. His excitement and elation burned like flames, bursting forth.

However, Lu Zhizhou appeared remarkably calm, even slightly puzzled.

Maurizio Arrivabene?
The name was a bit hard to pronounce, and I didn't immediately recognize it. After calming down and observing Hubert's reaction, the relevant memories surfaced.

Why did the Ferrari team principal, who never showed up and only appeared in conversations, call him at this time?
Marchionne has already informed him that the heavy impact has gradually subsided, and Marchionne is currently engaged in fierce internal struggles within Ferrari, trying to break through the encirclement. Nothing is 100% certain yet, so everything feels unreal.

To be honest, even with a written contract, it still doesn't feel real. Unless you actually sit in the cockpit of an F1 car and step onto the track, nothing feels real. What's really important right now is the GP3 race.

Lu Zhizhou hadn't forgotten that every point was a bonus.

But why did Arrivabene act as if he were making a "grand entrance," seemingly expecting Arrivabene to be overjoyed and gratefully cooperate with the performance?

Looking up, Lu Zhizhou noticed Yu Beier's gaze, nodded slightly in affirmation, and was about to pull Yu Beier to continue studying the data.

As a result, "Ah!" Hubert screamed out.

Lu Zhizhou's eardrums were in agony. "Antoine!"

Yu Beier immediately covered his mouth, stood up, screamed silently, ran around the conference room twice, and looked at Lu Zhizhou to confirm.

His expression and demeanor were just like those of a cartoon character, making people unable to help but smile, and Lu Zhizhou's smile also involuntarily turned up.

Hubert raised his arms high again and quickly circled counterclockwise in the conference room. If it weren't for the limited space, he probably would have done a somersault.

The air began to boil silently.

When Qian Jun arrived at Weichang, he was in a bit of a hurry because the road from Milan to Monza was heavily congested, with almost everyone leaving the city.

Thursday was not only media day but also a fan meet-and-greet day, with F1 organizing various activities in the paddock to engage the audience.

At this moment, one can deeply feel the madness of Tiefo Temple. Even though Qian Jun had set off two hours earlier, he was still stuck in traffic to the point of despair.

I glanced at my watch; there were still five minutes until my scheduled photo session. What should have been a leisurely schedule now required me to sprint at full speed to avoid being late.

Qian Jun was somewhat annoyed. This was his first time officially taking photos of Lu Zhizhou and trying to complete a short interview within his capabilities. He didn't want to leave a bad first impression.

Thinking of this, Qian Jun quickened his pace. Despite his heavy body, he ran as fast as he could, carrying his camping backpack.

Ahead, a surging crowd filled the space outside the vehicle maintenance area, causing Qian Jun to pause slightly in his tracks.

He thought he was lost and stumbled into a Vettel fan meeting, where the enthusiastic fans surrounded the venue.

But after a slight pause, Qian Jun looked around and was certain that he hadn't gone to the wrong place; this was the ART team's maintenance area.

what happened?

Qian Jun could not comprehend the scene before him.

Currently, Hamilton is the only driver in the entire paddock with such influence, but this is Monza, not Silverstone, and even Hamilton cannot receive such treatment.

Panting heavily, Qian Jun quickly approached. The buzzing discussions in the air pieced together part of the story: they had come for Lu Zhizhou—

Rumors suggest that McLaren and Renault are doing everything they can to win over Lu Zhizhou.

For a GP3 driver, such treatment is absolutely unique. Even Verstappen didn't receive this kind of attention back then. There is no doubt that Lu Zhizhou is now in the spotlight.

At this moment, Qian Jun could finally breathe a sigh of relief. In the days following Spa, news about McLaren and Renault was indeed rampant. Social networks were filled with all sorts of different versions of the news, each one more outrageous than the last. Some even claimed with certainty that they had seen Lu Zhizhou and McLaren sign a contract in black and white, and that Lu Zhizhou would be wearing the Papaya Orange jersey next year.

Suddenly, Lu Zhizhou was thrust into the spotlight. Following Verstappen, another young man under the age of eighteen was about to disrupt the order of the paddock.

The scene before our eyes was thus explained.

Although Qian Jun was still somewhat puzzled as to how McLaren and Renault could create such a stir, considering Lu Zhizhou's background as a Ferrari junior academy graduate, it seemed only natural that he would create even more waves at Monza. The Italian media should be eager for firsthand information.

The matter was then given a reasonable explanation.

Qian Jun realized that his plans might be disrupted. He had originally scheduled an opportunity to meet Lu Zhizhou alone for a photoshoot and interview; however, the continuous surge of people in front of him made things complicated.

His brain was working at high speed, searching for a solution.

Before I could even sort out my thoughts, I could see Lu Zhizhou and Yu Beier walking out side by side, chatting and laughing, through the transparent glass wall.

In an instant, the crowd surged forward, involuntarily moving forward in unison.

Lu Zhizhou also saw the grand scene outside, but obviously he didn't know what was going on. After exchanging glances with Hubert, he pushed open the glass door and poked his head out.

"Uh, if you want to interview Fred, you may have to wait a little while."

"Qian Jun? Qian Jun!"

Lu Zhizhou called out loudly, and Qian Jun immediately raised his arm high, pushed through the crowd, and went to meet him, sweating profusely.

Lu Zhizhou patted Qian Jun on the shoulder, "Shall we finish the interview inside, or would you prefer to walk around and talk in the enclosure?"

Qian Jun wiped his sweat. "Come in. Just sit down inside."

The two entered the room, and Qian Jun asked in a low voice, "Fred...?"

Lu Zhizhou showed a hint of surprise, "Didn't you know? Our team leader has gone to Sauber, effective immediately, and has officially taken over the position of team leader in Sauber."

During the boring season, not only the drivers' seats may be in turmoil, but the team principals are also in turmoil. ART team principal Vasseur went to Sauber to take up his post and did not even wait for the winter break. He started to reorganize Sauber now, which shows that Sauber is very dissatisfied with their current situation.

Naturally, Lu Zhizhou guessed that the reporters had come for Wasser.

But before the words were even finished, the glass door behind them was pushed open again, and media reporters filed in, crowding towards Lu Zhizhou and Qian Jun.

They didn't give the two of them any time to react, surrounding Lu Zhizhou in layers.

Qian Jun had no idea what was going on. The tall and strong man looked tiny in front of the surging crowd. After all, two fists can't fight four hands.

Before them, forty, fifty, or even more people formed a dense circle, instantly sucking out the oxygen and enveloping them in carbon dioxide—

Cell phones, voice recorders, and tablets were thrown out one after another, all of them placed on the table in front of Lu Zhizhou. Excited and eager eyes were all focused on Lu Zhizhou, revealing a kind of fanaticism and sharpness, and an atmosphere of torture permeated the air.

So this is... "leniency for those who confess, severity for those who resist"?
(End of this chapter)