The Chosen Son

Chapter 138 The Chosen Son

The air seemed to freeze, and the atmosphere became subtle.

Blatches, still squinting, spoke in a cold voice with a hint of scrutiny that was neither positive nor negative: "Are you implying I'm old?"

Brown's heart skipped a beat. He didn't bother to observe Marchionne and instinctively tried to ease the tension.

However, Lu Zhizhou did not look away, but met Blatches' eyes directly and shrugged slightly. "I guess in the small area of ​​the paddock, it's not appropriate to be too old or too young. No wonder people always say that a race car driver's career is short. Fernando has really had a tough time."

Brown: ...

Everyone stared at each other, wondering how many twists and turns were hidden in that short sentence. It didn't directly address Blatchez, but it reminded them not to forget that the baby carriage driver standing in front of them was also controversial because of his age. In the end, they never expected that it would end with a small joke about the "living fossil of the paddock".

This this……

puff.

A laugh broke the silence, and Brown turned to look, only to see Marchionne.

Marchionne's eyes were full of smiles. "Sean, put away your old tricks. The millennial generation doesn't care about that."

One sarcastic remark made things worse?

Blatches' expression completely relaxed, revealing a big smile. He turned to Marchionne and said, "Sergio, you guys have really struck gold this time."

Marchionne: "I know. That's why you all rushed over to join the fun."

Blatches, “Don’t pretend to be innocent as if you didn’t have such intentions.”

Marchionne: "Are you thanking Ferrari for their contributions to the sport? You're welcome. Ferrari has always been happy to contribute."

Blatches: "Oh, so you're agreeing?"

Marchionne: "No, I'm asking you not to forget our meaning when you're dividing the cake."

They went back and forth, neither giving an inch, sparks flying.

Not to mention Lu Zhizhou, even the two big shots, Brown and Reese, had no room to interject. The clash of swords surged amidst their casual conversation, and before they could even react, the close-quarters combat was over. Blatches looked at Lu Zhizhou again, still with little expression on his face.

However, a closer look reveals a hint of admiration in the eyes of the elderly man with a full head of white hair. "I heard that you were picked up by Jean Todt from the streets of Rome?"

Lu Zhizhou's smile widened. "This is the beginning of telling stories and writing biographies of great men, isn't it? Have we reached a consensus to use this kind of opening?"

The atmosphere was light and cheerful.

Lu Zhizhou didn't stay in the office for long. In just about ten minutes, Marchionne used a test as an excuse to let Lu Zhizhou leave successfully.

They appeared on stage in a daze, and they left stage in a daze as well.

To be honest, Lu Zhizhou had some guesses, but these big shots were all speaking in riddles, and lacking enough clues, he had no way of finding out the truth.

Before he could move, a voice called out from behind, "Zhizhou!"

Turning his head, he could see Brown's teeth. "Are you going to the simulator for testing? How about it, do you have time to show me around?"

“I don’t want to accidentally stumble upon some secret base, cause a misunderstanding, and then get thrown out by security.” Brown raised his hands and joked with a grin. “Of course, if you’re so generous in extending an invitation, I wouldn’t mind exploring some unknown territory.”

A smile appeared in Lu Zhizhou's eyes. "Like Indiana Jones?" Without waiting for a response, he continued to tease, "Mr. Brown, to be honest, you should know the Maranello base better than I do. I often get lost here."

Brown deliberately put on a long face. "Ah, now you're 'sir,' are you trying to draw a line?"

After speaking, Brown paused, patted Lu Zhizhou on the shoulder, and said, "I'm sorry, Zhizhou, I lacked some decisiveness in the situation, and I regret missing out on you."

Lu Zhizhou was stunned, completely unexpected that Brown would apologize to him.

Brown's eyes dimmed slightly, revealing his genuine sadness—otherwise, it would have been an Oscar-worthy performance. He didn't expect a response from Lu Zhizhou, took a deep breath, and smiled again. "However, this is a Ferrari. If given the chance, I would choose a Ferrari."

"So, seize the opportunity and don't miss it."

Brown looked up at Lu Zhizhou and added meaningfully, "It's the same right now. James and Sean are both opportunities, opportunities that allow us to explore more possibilities."

"Zhizhou, the key is in your hands. Make the most of it. We all look forward to catching a ride on a brand new adventure, just like Indiana Jones."

With a clatter, Brown continued to throw things out, and Lu Zhizhou chuckled, "Zack, what exactly are we talking about? Have you missed something crucial?"

Brown paused, patted his head, looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then approached Lu Zhizhou and lowered his voice, "This isn't a secret, but negotiations have only just begun, so it's best to be careful. We're discussing producing a program, a semi-documentary, semi-reality show, that will record all of F1's activities throughout the year."

"Inside the paddock, outside the paddock. The entire convoy."

A heavy weight, yet it falls gently.

Brown looked at Lu Zhizhou, who was bending his knees to lower his center of gravity to match his height, and a smile appeared in his eyes. "Obviously, you are an unexpected factor, an unexpected factor that breaks everyone else's expectations. So, a possibility has appeared before us, and I hope you can seize it and then rise to the top in one step."

After giving a vague hint, Brown patted Lu Zhizhou's shoulder hard, "I'm not that short, there's no need for your knees to bend so much."

Lu Zhizhou clutched his shoulder and let out a soft "Ah," as if his shoulder blade had broken. He remained silent, his brows furrowed.

Brown immediately tensed up.

As a result, Lu Zhizhou straightened his knees and stood up, patted his shoulders, flicked away the dust, tilted his head and fell into deep thought, seemingly wondering: Why is there no strength at all?
Brown couldn't believe his eyes, staring dumbfounded at Lu Zhizhou, "You little brat!"

Although Brown was still evasive and didn't make things clear, it didn't take long before Nicholas was waiting outside after a long day's work.

You could tell from his expression that Nicholas's brain was working at high speed; he was probably organizing information and thinking about how to convey it to Lu Zhizhou.

In the end, Nicholas decided to get straight to the point. With Lu Zhizhou's intelligence, there was no need for much preamble: "Netflix wants to make a personal documentary about you."

Everything came to light, and Brown's words were all verified; those unspoken words hidden between the lines finally found their counterparts.

Lu Zhizhou gently raised his chin. "I see."

Nicholas knew Lu Zhizhou wouldn't be surprised, but this reaction was far too calm. "You already know?"

Lu Zhizhou: "Zack has hinted at something, and there's some speculation going on; but others can understand why Netflix would want to get involved?"

A smile flickered in Nicholas's eyes. "Because that's Netflix. Wherever there's a hot topic or a lot of traffic, you'll find them scouring the area."

"Now, you are a treasure that everyone loves, and no one wants to miss out on you."

"but."

"Zhizhou, as your agent, my advice is that too much of a good thing is bad, and we shouldn't be greedy."

Being loved by everyone and showered with affection is a dream come true for everyone.

As an agent, Nicholas Todd has achieved a rare breakthrough in his career, standing at the center of the world, becoming a pivotal figure, and at a critical juncture of change. He has not only become a participant but also holds the key to change the landscape.

Undoubtedly, this is a breakthrough and a golden opportunity. From CCTV and Five Star Sports to Netflix, it is moving out of Asia and into the world. The entire growth trajectory and expansion map are now fully presented. The world seems to be within reach, and the opportunity to achieve great things is in the palm of one's hand.

But is that really the case?
The more fervent and turbulent the situation, the more necessary it is to remain calm.

In the world of competitive sports, everyone aspires to become a superstar, but not everyone can stand at the pinnacle and write a great chapter that will be remembered for generations.

Superstars are precious precisely because they are rare.

Favorable timing, advantageous location, and harmonious relationships are all indispensable.

Especially in the world of competitive sports, forcibly creating a superstar without corresponding outstanding achievements may result in a fierce backlash.

Otherwise, there would be far more than just a handful of professional players throughout history who can be considered true superstars.

Just like in the NBA, people were expecting the next Michael Jordan to emerge, but instead, it was LeBron James who came along.

As one can imagine, the backlash will be relentless.

The situation is the same right now.

Indeed, traffic, popularity, and momentum have all converged on Lu Zhizhou. Standing at the crossroads of the times, every move he makes is changing history.

However, if we remain objective and calmly think about it carefully, what honors or achievements does Lu Zhizhou currently possess?

the answer is negative.

Whether it's his top-level performances that keep breaking records in GP3 or his breakthrough by joining Ferrari, these achievements are all insignificant in the world of Formula One. Apart from the fact that he has "not yet had time to realize his talent," all the hype is just a bubble.

It dissipates with a single breath.

Without a solid foundation, without achievements, and without real competition in F1 racing, everything is just a mirage, an empty illusion.

If Lu Zhizhou foolishly takes this traffic seriously at this point, those expectations and bubbles could very well become a backlash, completely destroying his career.

Nicholas genuinely believes that Lu Zhizhou is "Michael Jordan," and he doesn't want to see Lu Zhizhou become "LeBron James."

Of course, being calm doesn't mean being timid and hesitant, watching great opportunities slip away because of cowardice and caution.

Nicholas had confidence in Lu Zhizhou. He knew Lu Zhizhou's ability to withstand pressure and his tenacity. He believed they would seize the opportunity and break through the current situation in one fell swoop.

However, they need a comprehensive plan.

"CCTV, the key is its authority. They can help you establish an official image, and we all know how important this is for subsequent development."

"However, the downside is the lack of creativity. Both they and Ferrari want to control the narrative, and if Ferrari refuses to cooperate—which is highly likely—they won't be able to gather the information they want and end up making a show based on the stereotype of 'young drivers,' which would be bad."

“When you first enter the public eye, your brand image needs to be confirmed. This first impression opportunity only comes once, and if you miss it, you miss it. You are not just a ‘young driver,’ but a driver with your own edges and colors, who has miraculously entered the paddock after overcoming numerous difficulties.”

"This is something that CCTV may lack, but it is precisely what Five-Star Sports excels at."

"Five-Star Sports' project revolves entirely around you. It's clear that they did their homework and carefully conceived the framework of the entire project."

"They wanted to capture a kind of authenticity, the authenticity of you, the authenticity of racing, the authenticity of F1."

"In fairy tales, a street racer overcomes countless difficulties to become a Ferrari driver, just like the prince and princess living happily ever after—it's a perfect ending. But in the real world, we all know that marriage is not the end, and not all love can last."

Nicholas was giving a long speech when he noticed Lu Zhizhou's meaningful look. He paused, then chuckled to himself.

"Shh. Don't ask. If you do, it'll just be a midlife crisis, or you'll say things you don't mean."

Lu Zhizhou couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Nicholas himself smiled, but didn't stop talking.

"Entering the paddock, the challenges of F1 have only just begun; the real brutal world and the highest level of challenge are right before your eyes."

"These are the things that Five Star Sports hopes to capture. From a content perspective, they can bring more possibilities and fit into the marketing strategy. This documentary may perfectly meet our requirements and bring a real impact."

"However, they probably cannot persuade Ferrari to cooperate, and their market influence is far from sufficient."

He took a big gulp of water, and despite his parched mouth due to the continuous secretion of adrenaline, Nicholas did not stop and continued down the drain in one go.

"And Netflix, its advantages and disadvantages are equally obvious."

"The advantage is that they are spread all over the world, not just in the Chinese community, but also in North America, South America and Europe, and can achieve this in one step."

"The disadvantage is that they are fast food. They may want to make you a new-era superhero like Marvel movies, but not in the quality of the first generation of Avengers like Iron Man and Captain America. It is very likely that you will just be a superhero whose name you can't remember after watching it."

"so."

“We must seize the opportunity, but I think we cannot be greedy and want it all.”

"Too much exposure can become tiresome for the general public, and may lead to a rebellious mentality if you haven't achieved results yet; moreover, without mystery and sustainability, once all the energy has been extracted, there is no possibility of follow-up."

"We should choose a partner to create a masterpiece, focusing on quality over quantity, capturing traffic to build brand image while avoiding the negative impact of overexposure, accompanying you in the paddock, slowly and steadily, and truly creating a world-class superstar."

“Look, basketball has Michael Jordan, tennis has Roger Federer, football has Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and golf has Tiger Woods. Their existence has transcended the sport itself, becoming a label and a symbol. People are willing to learn about the sport because of their existence.”

“In the past, F1 had Michael Schumacher, and now everyone is pinning their hopes on Lewis Hamilton to inherit his mantle, but in my opinion, he is not good enough.”

“Lewis can perform at 100% of his ability, but he can’t squeeze out 100% of the potential of a race car. If he wants to become a flag bearer of a sport and lead it to break through constraints and create influence, he must transcend the sport and interpret its limits.” “Him? He’s still not enough.”

As he spoke, Nicholas glanced at Lu Zhizhou, the unspoken message clear.

Lu Zhizhou chuckled, "Who was it that just now said we shouldn't add pressure? But what's going on now? It's like an Alp is pressing down on us?"

A single sarcastic remark lightened the mood.

Lu Zhizhou pondered for a moment, but instead of discussing it with Nicholas, he started chatting about something else. "Today Netflix made a special trip to visit Sergio, and Sean Blatchez and Zach Brown were with him. Things aren't that simple. It must be more than just for me."

Nicholas's eyes lit up slightly. Lu Zhizhou was indeed Lu Zhizhou. Even with such a dense amount of information, he was still able to calmly grasp the key points.

Netflix, the leader in the streaming era, is not only financially powerful but also has a comprehensive and diversified portfolio. In addition to movies and series, they have been exploring more fields, and reality shows and documentaries are new areas they have just entered. They are trying to tap into the next gold mine.

Rhys, a producer at All-Around Pictures, has always been passionate about motorsports. He spearheaded the production of the 2011 Ayrton Senna documentary, "The Legend of the Speedster," and has been looking for opportunities to enter the paddock, trying to open the door to the sport to more people.

However, F1 has always been very "conservative." Formula racing has always been an aristocratic sport. Neither the Formula cars nor the luxury sports cars are affordable for the average person. Therefore, despite the world's leading level of commercial sponsorship in motorsport, their main market has always been Europe.

The teams. The spectators. The sponsors. Even the race itself. It's all the same.

After the turn of the millennium, F1 took a slight step forward, embracing globalization and venturing into other markets, but overall, its promotion efforts were limited.

However, with the advent of the social networking era, everything is changing. Lifestyles, popular ideas, marketing, and so on have all undergone tremendous changes. The still conservative F1 is gradually falling behind the times, and its once proud commercial sponsorship appeal is facing challenges in all aspects.

Despite its continued arrogant and stubborn refusal to admit it, F1 is indeed at a crossroads in history, and the law of rise and fall applies to everything in the universe.

Therefore, in recent years, F1 has begun to actively adapt to the trends of the times. On the one hand, it fully cooperates with the promotional strategies of the social media era; on the other hand, it expands its reach to different countries and regions, setting up races in more cities.

Instead of waiting for the audience to enter the enclosure, they actively approached the general public.

This made Rhys realize that an opportunity had arrived.

Riess contacted Netflix, which was on the rise, and the two sides hit it off immediately. The speed and risk of F1 were undoubtedly a good way to generate traffic in the Internet age.

So they approached Red Bull Racing, the most ambitious and aggressive team in the paddock, originally planning to make a documentary about the team. While persuading Red Bull, they also tried to obtain permission from F1.

At this moment, Blatchez enters the scene.

Blatches recognized F1's predicament and Netflix's opportunity. He proactively engaged in negotiations with Rees and offered a completely new solution.

Red Bull isn't the only team involved. Since the decision was made to film, why not film all the teams and the entire paddock, allowing viewers to delve into the behind-the-scenes world of F1?
If F1 needs to shift from an elitist to a more mainstream approach and change its business model, this is the best opportunity. It's a matter of breaking down the old to build the new; either don't change at all, or if you do, be bold and decisive to break free from the current constraints.

This bold and audacious proposal immediately ignited Netflix's passion. If successful, it would be a crucial breakthrough for both F1 and Netflix.

The two sides hit it off.

However, F1 is different from other sports. The official organizers are just organizers. They have a mutually beneficial partnership with the teams. They cannot simply and crudely issue orders directly. They must also persuade the teams. This is where Zak Brown comes in.

Of the ten teams, Brawn was the first executive to get wind of the deal and the first to express his support. While Red Bull was still hesitant, Brawn had already gotten into the car and was actively and enthusiastically helping to advance the entire project.

In Brown's view, F1 has been cultivating the European market for many years and has now reached a bottleneck. If they want to break through, they must go beyond Europe. Netflix is ​​their ticket to the North American market, after all, there has always been a deep racing culture and atmosphere there. All they lack is an opportunity.

However… even with Blatches and Brawn working together, convincing the team to open their pit lane to the streaming crew remains a daunting task.

They need a leader like Ferrari to take the lead and give it the go-ahead.

"...So, I'm just an extra?" After finally understanding the whole story, Lu Zhizhou smiled and teased him half-jokingly.

Nicholas was taken aback. They were discussing such an intense and complex issue, yet Lu Zhizhou was still in the mood to joke and was so relaxed. Nicholas couldn't help but smile as well. "Such a valuable addition, even Ferrari probably couldn't afford to spend it."

The atmosphere immediately became more relaxed.

“Of course not.” Nicholas steered the conversation back on track. “Compared to those teams, an individual may not be able to compete, but you are definitely more than just an extra.”

"As I just said, whether it's Blatchey or Brown, they are trying to open up the global market map and seize the opportunity to usher in a new era, and no one can deny the importance of the Asian market, especially the Chinese market."

"They needed a story, a story that would break the old order and usher in a new era. And it was at this crucial moment that you appeared."

"The first Chinese F1 driver, and also the most symbolic representative of F1, Ferrari, these factors give you the potential to disrupt the game."

"A little earlier, the timing wouldn't have been right; a little later, the market might have changed. You just happened to be at the turning point when F1 and Netflix were rolling up their sleeves and getting ready to make a big splash. In my opinion, this is your luck, you should be the chosen one."

A smile crept onto her brow.

Even Nicholas couldn't help but feel his blood boil. The opportunity had appeared before him, and if he seized it, he would rise to the top in one step.

"So, you see Netflix."

"Today, Ferrari should be the star of the show, but they specifically called you to join the meeting. Not only Ferrari, but the entire paddock is unique in this regard. Netflix has seen your potential and is seizing the opportunity to take a big gamble. They can't possibly miss such an opportunity."

Lu Zhizhou slightly raised his chin. It would be a lie to say he wasn't excited, but he remained rational. Not to mention that everything was still in the discussion stage, even if it really came to fruition, things wouldn't be that simple.

Lu Zhizhou looked at Nicholas and said, "What if I enter the paddock and get kicked out after only three games?"

"Haha, how could that be? F1 seats aren't child's play. You can't just replace someone after two or three races. It's not something to be taken lightly." Nicholas laughed out loud, his eyes and mouth full of smiles.

But soon, Nicholas noticed Lu Zhizhou's serious gaze, and the corners of his mouth tightened slightly. "What, you don't have confidence in yourself?"

Lu Zhizhou shrugged lightly. "I'm confident, and you're confident too, but the problem isn't with us right now, is it?"

Netflix, that's the main focus. Of course, there's also Ferrari and Formula 1.

Nicholas paused for a moment, then said, “Let’s assume, let’s make a bold assumption, that your rookie season isn’t going well. That’s not unusual; there are countless examples of rookie seasons with poor performances throughout history. It’s certainly possible, but I believe it won’t be a problem for Netflix.”

"If you succeed, you're a chosen one; if you fail, you've fallen from grace; if you hit a wall, you've become a thorny path to the top."

"Believe me, they can always come up with a narrative if they're willing, Zhizhou. The key now is, what story do you want to tell?"

Their gazes fell upon Lu Zhizhou.

Nicholas brought up a topic, but received no response, and the air gradually quieted down.

He was slightly taken aback, then chuckled. His initial intention to seek Lu Zhizhou's opinion and listen to Lu Zhizhou's thoughts was correct, but how could he forget that Lu Zhizhou was just a seventeen-year-old boy who was standing in front of the surging heat wave overnight, it was normal for him to be at a loss.

Moreover, putting that aside, the complex situation involving intertwined interests is so thorny that it's beyond the capabilities of a middle school student to handle.

As his agent, this is the time for him to use his professional expertise. He should solve problems for Lu Zhizhou and arrange everything properly.

Nicholas took a deep breath, about to speak, when he noticed Lu Zhizhou looking up at the distant horizon. He couldn't help but turn to look at him—

It was completely empty; there was nothing there.

"The sunset is beautiful. It looks like tomorrow will be another good day for racing," Lu Zhizhou said.

Nicholas: ?
He was worried that the amount of information was too much for Lu Zhizhou to handle, but Lu Zhizhou was enjoying the sunset instead.

Before Nicholas could respond, Lu Zhizhou had already looked away. "Nick, do you think it's possible that we could be a little greedy and seize every opportunity?"

"What I mean is, CCTV and Five Star Sports are cooperating."

Nicholas was completely stunned. He blurted out "Impossible!" But after saying that, he looked at the smile on Lu Zhizhou's lips, his eyes widened little by little, and he couldn't believe his ears. The unbelievable idea in his mind was gradually being confirmed, and in the end, only a roaring sound was left.

Lu Zhizhou completely agreed with Nicholas's point of view. Every partner has its own advantages and disadvantages, but refusing to let go of all opportunities would be going too far.

Lu Zhizhou's concern was not the expectations and pressure brought about by excessive exposure, but rather that too many off-field activities might affect his winter training preparations.

Two or three photography teams were bustling around Maranello, and regardless of Ferrari's opinion, Lu Zhizhou couldn't maintain his focus.

As Qian Jun said, jumping from GP3 to F1 is a glorious move, but even for Lu Zhizhou, it is a severe challenge. Winter training is crucial, and he must devote himself to training wholeheartedly. Otherwise, he will not only fail to meet the expectations of others, but he will also be unable to explain himself.

Most importantly, Lu Zhizhou didn't want to disappoint Jiang Mo.

Therefore, one must not be greedy and must make choices; Nicholas's judgment and conclusion were correct.

However, Lu Zhizhou had a slightly different idea: if only one filming team could complete a work, why couldn't they do it to the best of their ability?

The right approach is either to not do it at all, or to strive for perfection.

Thus, a far-fetched proposal emerged—

CCTV, with its deep pockets and abundant resources, not only had a full complement of personnel but also excellent equipment. They were responsible for providing the labor, filming and gathering material on location, and completing the arduous filming work.

Five-Star Sports possesses a clear and complete creative vision. They are responsible for overseeing the overall process, connecting the materials to create the final product, and infusing the work with soul.

Both parties worked together to complete a high-quality work, which was then broadcast simultaneously on two television stations to maximize its impact.

Eight or ten mediocre works can never match the impact of a single excellent work; moreover, ensuring that Nicholas's plans leave a powerful first impression on the general public is a solid step forward on the long and arduous journey to becoming a top star.

"Outrageous!"

This was Nicholas's first reaction. If even Nicholas reacted this way, then the reactions of CCTV and Five Star Sports can be imagined.

"absurd!"

"impossible!"

The former was Wang Yang, and the latter was Shi Yiying. Although their expressions were different, their resistance and rejection were undeniable; at least they agreed on this point.

Seeing the scene unfolding before him, Nicholas smiled. Everything was going as expected, and he felt a little relieved.

Indeed, Lu Zhizhou is special. He breaks the rules and breaks free from constraints by taking an unconventional approach, bringing a different new look to Ferrari and possibly becoming the biggest gain for F1 in the next decade.

Now, Nicholas truly believes that Lu Zhizhou is the chosen one, the right person at the right time in the right place, that is the destined one.

Despite the challenges, Nicholas remained calm and, in front of Wang Yang and Shi Yiying, elaborated on their ideas, showcasing a completely new look for the project.

Of course, there's also Nicholas's bargaining chip—

Nicholas believes that Ferrari remains conservative and stubborn, and that it would be extremely difficult for CCTV, Five Star Sports, or Netflix to gain access to Ferrari's service area.

Not only Ferrari, but Mercedes-Benz and Red Bull should also think twice before acting, being extremely cautious. If they accidentally leak their team's technical or strategic secrets, which could become the key to their opponents defeating them, that would be a real case of losing more than they gain and regretting it too late.

Zach Brown is so proactive because McLaren has no secrets to keep, and the company is facing serious challenges. Opening up the North American and Asian markets is far more important than for anyone else. He must be desperately hoping that the Netflix project will come to fruition.

Therefore, things are not that simple.

Leaving Netflix aside for the moment, if CCTV and Five Star Sports' goal is only to film until the winter test, and there are no plans to film for the new season, then things will be relatively simpler.

Nicholas promised that if Wang Yang and Shi Yiying got on the car, the ART team would fully open the pit lane, allowing them to film behind-the-scenes footage of the final two races, and even allow them to enter the technical team's tactical meetings to observe Lu Zhizhou up close and peek into the story behind the race car.

Meanwhile, Nicolas will step in to persuade Ferrari—there are no guarantees, but he will do his best to allow the team to enter Maranello to film the daily training sessions during the winter break at the F1 circuit, preparing for their F1 debut; and to try to secure the opportunity to film the Finoola circuit tests.

Shi Yiying's heart skipped a beat, and she swayed violently, because she knew that Nicholas was right; he had offered a condition that Five Star Sports could hardly refuse.

However, Wang Yang was different. He understood the reasoning, but he couldn't swallow his anger. When had they ever faced such a "threat"?

Wang Yang's attitude remained firm: "What if we refuse?"

Nicholas shrugged slightly. "Undoubtedly, it will be a regret; but we are willing to accept this outcome."

Calm, composed, and serene.

The subtext is crystal clear: it's all or nothing. It's that simple. Either CCTV and Five Star Sports will cooperate, or everything will fall apart.

Anyway, Lu Zhizhou suffered no losses.

Nicolas believes that Ferrari also tends to "reject everything," keeping all media out of the base. In this respect, Marchionne is indeed very old-fashioned, even frighteningly conservative.

Wang Yang couldn't believe his ears. He stood up angrily, barely managing to control his temper, but his harsh tone still betrayed a hint of irritability. "No need to trouble you to see us out. I apologize for wasting Mr. Todd's time today. We'll take our leave now."

The translator standing nearby looked troubled: Should this content be translated literally?

(End of this chapter)