Pressure in the Enclosure

Chapter 145 Pressure in the Enclosure
"...With this, the first free practice match has come to an end."

"Mercedes-Benz showed the style of defending champions, with Hamilton and Bottas taking the top two spots; Red Bull also showed great ambition in the opening race, with Verstappen and Ricciardo finishing third and fourth respectively, Ferrari's Vettel fifth, and Haas' Grosse surprisingly taking sixth."

"Among the rookie drivers, Toro Rosso's Gasly is the best performing, ranking tenth. However, he has already participated in five races last season, so strictly speaking, he is no longer a rookie."

"The two rookies who have been the focus of attention this year, Lu Zhizhou and Leclerc, are still adapting to the pace of F1."

"Lu Zhizhou is ranked sixteenth, behind Williams driver Stroll, three seconds behind Hamilton; Leclerc is ranked twentieth, in last place, almost five seconds behind Hamilton. This shows the importance of experience in motorsport."

The atmosphere settled down slightly.

I was really looking forward to a great show, a spectacular debut, but this is what happened?

Sixteenth place, even behind McLaren, Renault, and Williams?

absurd!

Leclerc's performance was mediocre, but Sauber's speed was undeniable; even Raikkonen only ranked seventeenth, and the world champion couldn't carry the tractor. But what excuse did Lu Zhizhou have? Seeing Ferrari among a bunch of slow cars in the lower tiers was simply a huge joke.

In the live broadcast room, professionals remained objective and calm, and conducted professional analysis; but on social networks, the "masters" who were making a great fuss had already begun to give their opinions.

This is Lu Zhizhou's true level. The Spa free practice was just a flash in the pan, an accident. The real story is from the winter testing to today's Albert Park.

Actually, Lu Zhizhou is just an ordinary person. He may have shown some talent in GP3, but true veteran car fans know that it doesn't mean anything. The reason he was able to skip a level and enter F1 is purely because Ferrari bowed to capital and broke its knees to open up the Asian market.

"Ferrari's posture of groveling to its sugar daddy is absolutely correct!"

"The GP3 champion should continue to lord it over in GP3. What's the point of a kid coming into the adult world to join the fun?"

"GP3-F2-F1, these Arabic numerals are set up for a reason, please don't try to be clever, okay?"

Sarcasm and ridicule, a united attack.

Social media exploded with activity, and the trolls were having a blast, with the start of the new season being a scene of pure revelry.

Wang Lin was no exception.

He was initially a little embarrassed, but he sneaked out to watch the game. He was caught by Song Bo and tried to run away.

But things are different now, so why should he run away? He's not the one who's making a fool of himself now.

Wang Lin turned to look at Song Bo, but instead of the disheveled and embarrassed scene he had imagined, Song Bo was still laughing and chatting happily with the person next to him.

Wang Lin wanted to vent his frustration, but worried that his last-minute cramming would expose his ignorance, so he swallowed his words.

Actually, Song Bo was also a little flustered, not knowing what had happened to Lu Zhizhou. The hunting grounds were full of hidden talents, and any one of them was a genius among geniuses.

Last time in Spa, nobody paid any attention to Lu Zhizhou, but now that he's the target of everyone's attention, the situation is completely different.

However, he trusted Lu Zhizhou—a blind trust.

Is everything under control?

In the enclosure, Lu Zhizhou returned to the maintenance area, took off his helmet, his hair was messy from sweat, but he didn't have time to fix it, so he picked up his water bottle and drank water in big gulps.

Greenwood was about to come over when a deafening chorus of boos erupted from the stands above.

"Poor!"

"Go back to GP3, learn more before you come back."

"Babies who haven't been weaned shouldn't drive! FIA, wake up!"

"Hahaha, what a disgrace!"

"Baby, don't cry!"

Boos, insults, mockery, ridicule poured down.

Greenwood's movements froze slightly, but then he saw Lu Zhizhou walk out of the maintenance area on his own initiative. Not only did he not avoid him, but he also waved and greeted him with a smile.

Shh! Waaah!
The wind and rain lashed down relentlessly.

Seeing this scene, Lu Zhizhou recalled Ricardo's teasing, and his smile blossomed into a wide grin. He turned around and saw Greenwood staring in disbelief. He took the initiative to greet him, "David, let's have a meeting."

Greenwood swallowed hard. "...Aren't you scared?"

"What?" Lu Zhizhou looked over. "Oh, the audience? I thought you meant the racetrack. What's there to be afraid of in the audience? I can't hear anything in the car. It's just that you had a hard time, enduring the pressure in the pit lane the whole time. From Kimi to me, you weren't mentally prepared, were you?"

Kimi Räikkönen has always been one of the most beloved drivers among racing fans, with a large following all over the world.

Greenwood looked slightly embarrassed. Looking at Lu Zhizhou and recalling his performance in the first free practice match, he realized that his worries were completely unnecessary. Lu Zhizhou was not as eager to show himself and prove himself as Spa. He did not have the impatience of a rookie and steadily entered the first weekend of the competition.

At this point, recalling the winter break and winter testing, Greenwood had a feeling that Lu Zhizhou should be able to remain calm.

This is indeed the case.

In the second free practice session, Vettel began to exert his strength, taking turns with Hamilton, Ricciardo and others to demonstrate their speed, presenting a three-way competition.

However, Lu Zhizhou did not. He remained grounded and, based on the basic tuning, began to refine the settings to fit the track and his own unique characteristics. He also began to collect more data for the strategies of qualifying and the main race, and continuously engaged in dialogue with the technical team, maintaining a high level of focus.

In his focus, Lu Zhizhou was undisturbed by the outside world, ignoring the pressure from his teammates, the audience, the media, and social networks.

"The stability in corners is a bit soft. Do you think we need to fine-tune the suspension?"

"confirm."

"How does the braking balance feel now?"

"It's still on the firmer side."

For the audience, the 90-minute second free practice match might seem tedious, but for Lu Zhizhou, who was fully focused on his work, time flew by, and he didn't even notice the passage of time before the second free practice match was over.

To be honest, Lu Zhizhou was still not satisfied. He had finally experienced the busyness and intensity of an F1 weekend. After 180 minutes of two free practice sessions, the massive amount of data was still far from enough. It was a severe test for a rookie, and even more so for someone like him who had skipped a grade.

When the second free practice session ended, the competition in the top tier was fierce, with Hamilton, Verstappen, Bottas, and Vettel finishing in the top four.

The rookies were in a slump, with Lu Zhizhou ranking thirteenth, which was the best result for a rookie, while Leclerc was at the bottom again, making them fellow sufferers.

When Friday's busy schedule came to a close, netizens celebrated wildly.

It wasn't because Hamilton dominated the free practice again, but because their assessment of Lu Zhizhou was correct. The process and results of the free practice perfectly validated the concerns raised during the winter tests; Lu Zhizhou was just a pretty face with no substance, his true abilities exposed early on.

It's equivalent to nothing.

"Baby, don't cry. Reality doesn't believe in tears. Wipe your tears and go back to GP3 to polish it up some more. F1 isn't something just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can handle."

……

With the 2018 F1 season opener, the Friday schedule for the Australian Grand Prix, now complete, the pent-up enthusiasm of the past four months has finally burst forth.

On one hand, Mercedes-Benz is the subject of much discussion. Its winter testing revealed its true strength, and upon arriving in Melbourne, it immediately unveiled its mystery, eager to demonstrate its competitiveness and dominance. The defending champion is ready to challenge for a fifth consecutive title, putting Ferrari and Red Bull under immense pressure.

On the other hand, the discussions surrounding the rookie are endless. Leclerc, who has been bathed in the aura of genius from GP3 champion to F2 champion, had the worst lap time. Besides Sauber's car lacking competitiveness, it is an undeniable fact that the rookie still has countless things to learn in the world of F1. From Gasly and others to Verstappen, everything proves that there is no mercy in the world of Formula racing.

In other competitive sports, rookies are often treated with more tolerance and understanding, and are allowed a rookie protection period to wait for them to grow. However, in the world of F1, there are only twenty seats in the paddock, surrounded by fierce competitors, so the rookie protection period is practically non-existent.

If you can do it, you can do it; if you can't, you can't. The harsh reality shows no mercy or pity to newcomers, especially since there's a long line of drivers waiting for their chance to take the lead.

So, what makes Lu Zhizhou special?

Even Leclerc was trapped in the beginner's village, struggling and being besieged; while Lu Zhizhou, who skipped grades and was promoted exceptionally, became a thorn in the side of the entire racing world.

Lu Zhizhou didn't offend anyone. He only offended Raikkonen, Vettel, Verstappen, Leclerc, and Gasly. He also offended the F2 and GP3 drivers who were waiting for a chance to prove themselves, and the drivers who had worked so hard to survive in F1.

That's all.

As a result, this is it?
To deliver such a performance in the first two free practice matches is simply laughable.

One can imagine that the overwhelming pressure on social networks was a veritable feast, a dark mass where comments—some sarcastic, some furious, and some hilarious—could be seen in every nook and cranny, a complete siege of Lu Zhizhou.

The pressure was unimaginable.

Moreover, this applies not only online but also in real life.

On Saturday, when Lu Cheng arrived at the hunting grounds, he could clearly see those twisted and ferocious faces, like the deepest hell, baring their teeth and claws and venting their negative emotions without restraint. Hatred, ridicule, and mockery filled his vision, extending from the virtual bubble of social networks all the way into real life.

Even as an observer, Lu Cheng could feel the immense pressure.

For the opening race of the F1 season, Lu Cheng unusually closed his repair shop for a weekend and personally flew to Melbourne, Australia to watch the race live.

On one hand, he was worried about his son and hoped that he could be there to show his support and give Lu Zhizhou some strength.

On the other hand, he was there to cheer on his son. This was Lu Zhizhou's first time stepping onto the F1 stage in his professional career. The dream he had always pursued was finally about to come true. He was so excited and thrilled that he needed to be there in person.

However, upon arriving at the scene, his heart pounded wildly. The cruelty and bloodshed of reality suppressed his eagerness and anticipation. He had experienced this before and faced such pressure firsthand. Those dead memories surged back, making him restless and anxious. The tension and excitement made Lu Cheng feel nauseous.

Lorenzo noticed this. He had initially thought that Lu Zhizhou had asked him for help to act as a tour guide, and was worried that Lu Cheng's poor English might cause him difficulties; but now it seemed that Lu Zhizhou was worried about his father's condition.

"Jack, where is Zhizhou's mother?" Lorenzo changed the subject.

Lu Zhizhou doesn't have an English name, but Lu Cheng does have a secret English name—

Jack, from "Titanic".

Of course, they always appeared in pairs; where there was Jack, there was Rose. However, Jiang Mo had always refused to acknowledge that she had an English name, which was somewhat embarrassing.

"She, uh, is busy with work."

Lu Cheng spoke in broken English.

Jiang Mo...did not come to Melbourne.

She still doesn't dare to watch live racing, even if it's just on TV. She's always on edge, worried that things might go wrong in a race at 300 kilometers per hour, and she's tense the whole time. If she were to watch it live, she's not sure if she could keep going.

She lacked the courage.

As it happened, the company had a case that required his attention, so Jiang Mo stayed home.

Lorenzo, however, did not believe it. He raised his chin, sighed softly but did not refute, "Let's go to the repair area together and see how well Zhizhou is prepared."

Lu Cheng panicked. "Us? Now? Are you sure?"

Lorenzo smiled. "Of course, Zhizhou will be very happy to see you."

Lu Cheng was both nervous and apprehensive. On one hand, his curiosity was bubbling up and he couldn't contain it, while on the other hand, he was cautious and careful in his words and actions.

Lu Cheng followed Lorenzo into the maintenance area, where Lu Zhizhou greeted him enthusiastically and introduced him to the team.

Lu Cheng was very polite and enthusiastic, personally thanking everyone on the team, but he did not linger, only staying for a short while before turning around and leaving.

Lorenzo noticed the reluctance in Lu Cheng's eyes. Even as he left, he still greedily examined every detail of the repair area, his eyes sparkling.

"Jack, there's still time. We can stay a little longer."

Lu Cheng waved his hands repeatedly, "No, let's go, we shouldn't get in the way of Zhizhou here."

Lorenzo was taken aback. "You are Zhizhou's father, you have every right to enter the maintenance area..."

Lu Cheng shook his head. "Pressure. Zhizhou. Difficulties. I don't want to create trouble."

Words kept popping out, but Lorenzo still understood—

The pressure was everywhere, and countless eyes were waiting for Lu Zhizhou to embarrass himself. The power of that hatred was truly too strong. Right now, the last thing Lu Zhizhou needed was extra pressure from his father, and Lu Cheng did not want to become an obstacle.

Lorenzo smiled. "But you're also Zhizhou's supporter, right? We stand behind him and face the pressure with him."

He patted Lu Cheng on the shoulder, like a good brother, "If we don't trust Zhizhou, then he might really have to fight alone."

Lorenzo took Lu Cheng to the team's rest area to watch the race; Lu Zhizhou, who was busy preparing for the third free practice session, was indeed feeling the pressure, and Lu Cheng's worries were not unfounded.

This time, however, it's from within the paddock. In the third free practice session, they need to further refine their setup and develop strategies and tactics for qualifying and the main race—the final step before stepping onto the battlefield.

In just sixty minutes, the team and drivers gave it their all.

Surprisingly, Mercedes-Benz stopped setting lap records and became more low-key.

Hamilton's lap time was more than 2.5 seconds slower than Vettel's and 1.5 seconds slower than Red Bull's. In contrast to his previous two free practice sessions where he had been far ahead and consistently setting lap records, Hamilton took a leisurely and relaxed pace, showing the composure of a four-time defending champion.

With an air of complete confidence and composure, he was reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz's steady and methodical approach during winter testing. His unassuming demeanor, yet radiating confidence, stemmed precisely from the strength and composure he possessed.

Lapping can create pressure; not lapping can also create pressure. That's the paddock, where unseen tensions are always present.

In the third free practice session, top players Vettel and Hamilton displayed drastically different styles.

On one side, Vettel continued to set new lap times, getting faster and faster, showcasing Ferrari's speed.

On one side, Hamilton remained calm and composed, deliberately slowing down, widening the gap between them. His lap time was even four seconds slower than Vettel's, as if he were deliberately losing.

Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz isn't the only team brewing a storm. Red Bull, Haas, and Renault, who had shown impressive speed in the previous two free practice sessions, all slowed down, with Vettel pulling ahead of them by more than eight seconds in lap times.

I don't understand it, I really don't understand it!

Under such circumstances, Vettel was still focused on lapping, which seemed like a foolish and meaningless act to others.

In fact, true professionals know that the third free practice session is crucial for developing strategies and simulating the race. To prevent opponents from figuring out their strategies, the two drivers from the same team take to the track with different settings and strategies. The technical team then verifies their data and adjusts their strategies, ultimately developing various tactics for qualifying and the race.

In other words, the lap times in the third free practice session can be understood as a bunch of puzzle pieces, but we have no idea where these pieces are located, what role they play, or even what the pattern is. We can't figure it out just by looking at the lap times.

The composure of teams like Mercedes and Red Bull stems from a clear strategy; they have already determined their tactics and only need to confirm the details. Ferrari's continued lap record, on the other hand, suggests that their strategy is not yet perfected and they are still fine-tuning it. Of course, it could also be a smokescreen.

An unseen tension and tension permeated the hunting grounds silently.

So, what about Lu Zhizhou?
Diligent and conscientious, a rookie must act like a rookie. He must continue to diligently practice and improve his skills. This involves not only adjusting settings but also strategies and tactics. For Lu Zhizhou, all of this is a completely new experience. There is no way to be lazy or use tricks. The only way is to break through head-on with a down-to-earth approach.

The first two free practice sessions, totaling 180 minutes, were not enough for him, and he could not afford to waste a single second of the third free practice session, which was also 60 minutes long.

The balance of an F1 car sounds simple, but in practice it involves high-altitude tightrope walking and daring to move at the edge of a knife; even the slightest breeze can cause a deviation.

For example, the most frequent adjustment in team setups is the rear wing angle.

A lower rear wing angle results in less downforce, allowing for rocket-like speeds on straightaways. However, once entering a corner, the rear wheels immediately become unruly, slipping, drifting, and going off at will.

A higher rear wing angle provides enough downforce, allowing the car to stay firmly on the track in corners. However, the tire temperature will skyrocket, and before three laps are even finished, the tires might be as burnt as pancakes.

Of course, the same applies to the front wheels.

A slightly forward brake ratio can alleviate understeer to some extent; apply a little more force and the tires lock up completely, spitting smoke as it cuts a straight line off the track. But if you don't apply enough force, the understeer will reappear.

Worse still, the brake ratio doesn't exist in isolation; it affects the balance of the entire vehicle. It's like adding too much salt when seasoning a soup, making the whole pot taste strange.

That's why even the top three teams—Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and Red Bull—sometimes find themselves battling for the championship one race and then struggling in the midfield the next. There's no formula for car balance that you can simply plug in a formula to get the answer. Instead, it requires continuous adjustments and testing on every track, every car, and every driver.

How can a race car find that perfect balance on different tracks throughout the year?

difficult.

Top drivers and teams also face numerous challenges, having to repeatedly risk their lives by standing on high-wires.

This is also one of the greatest charms of F1: a truly dominant race car appears only once a decade, and more often than not, it's a continuous battle and fierce competition between teams, with the race winners and the year-end world champions always full of suspense and thrilling moments.

The Ferrari SF71H is strong on straightaways and stable in high-speed corners, but it tends to understeer slightly in low-to-medium speed corners, though tire management is relatively gentle.

According to Lu Zhizhou, Ferrari is fully capable of chasing the podium and even winning the championship at the Albert Park circuit. The key lies in the setup. This track is obviously tire-consuming, with most corners being low-to-medium speed corners and limited straights. They need to find a balance.

Furthermore, it needs to adapt not only to the Albert Park circuit, but also to the Luzhizhou circuit.

From the very first free practice session, Lu Zhizhou had been steadily collecting data and trying to devise a strategy. He planned how to advance and how to squeeze out the potential of the car in his own style. The sheer volume of information exposed Lu Zhizhou's shortcomings as a novice.

Experience is indeed irreversible.

Especially now, Hamilton and Vettel are preparing for qualifying early in their own ways, and the composure they exude creates an invisible pressure that is palpable.

Moreover, the ever-changing track leaves no time to breathe, with one turbulent wave after another—

"Perez! Checo!"

"Oh my God. That 720-degree spin was really thrilling, and it showed us the brutal side of the Albert Park circuit once again."

"Wait, Aokang's race car has also stopped beside the track. What happened?"

"Force India has suffered a serious blow. The third free practice session had just begun when both of their drivers were forced off the track. It is not yet possible to determine the impact on the subsequent qualifying and the race."

“Wait, oh, Ricardo, no…”

Chaos, disaster.

First, Perez and Ocon withdrew from the third free practice session; then, due to debris on the track, the race organizers issued a red flag to clear it. Although Ricciardo slowed down at the last three corners of the third session and did not directly create danger, he still violated the red flag rule and was penalized by the race organizers.

Everyone knew that the Albert Park circuit was slippery, but by the third free practice session, the situation had been greatly improved, and the most dangerous time had passed. However, an accident still occurred, and it was the experienced Perez, not any rookie.

Mercedes and Red Bull simply ended the third free practice session. Although Lu Zhizhou still tried to stay on the track to develop a detailed strategy, the red flag remained for a long time, and Lu Zhizhou was still unable to unleash his full potential. In the end, the free practice session ended, and he had to return to the pit area.

The unseen pressure is steadily increasing.

Sure enough, F1 is F1. Although Lu Zhizhou had exhausted all his strength during the winter break, once he stepped onto the track, he was still spinning like a top at high speed, so busy that he had no time to catch his breath. The tests and trials for the rookie came from all directions, and the pressure had exceeded the threshold.

Back in the repair area, Lu Zhizhou didn't immediately get busy. Instead, he stood still, gulping down water to catch his breath and organize his thoughts.

Meanwhile, the technical team, led by Megis, stood by patiently.

Then, Lu Zhizhou went to the side of the competition engineer Greenwood and the technical engineer Cleary, and quietly browsed the simulation curves on the display screen.

All eyes were on Lu Zhizhou. The technical team had to work closely with the driver to create a race car that suited him. At this point, they needed the driver's feedback, then communicated with him, and finally reached a consensus.

However, Greenwood was slightly uneasy. F1 was still too difficult for a newcomer, with a huge amount of information. Even Gasly and Leclerc were overwhelmed, let alone Lu Zhizhou, who had only been in Formula racing for a year. No wonder he hadn't finished testing his qualifying strategy.

So, what should we do now?
Not to mention Greenwood, the entire Ferrari team had never encountered such a situation. After all, they have always signed experienced champion drivers and have absolutely no experience in developing new talent. Ferrari is a championship team, not a kindergarten where children play house.

Without thinking, Greenwood looked at Mekes; this was Mekes's role after joining the team.

Megis gave them a look, signaling them to calm down.

Mekis understood all the pressure and difficulties; he had sat down with Arrivabene for in-depth discussions. They believed that for at least the first three, and perhaps even the first five, races, they needed to give Lu Zhizhou room to grow.

The die is cast. Although Arrivabene still doesn't trust Lu Zhizhou, Ferrari must fully support him if they don't want to become a laughing stock in the paddock.

If Lu Zhizhou is unable to withstand the pressure and fulfill his talent after that, then they can sit down and discuss how to handle the situation.

Looking at Lu Zhizhou, who was covered in sweat, his cheeks flushed but his eyes bright, Meiqis felt a little relieved. Throughout the winter break, Lu Zhizhou had brought surprises time and time again, and all he needed to do was give Lu Zhizhou some trust and support, and then quietly look forward to the young man being able to amaze the world once again.

really--

Bathed in the gazes of the crowd, Lu Zhizhou remained focused and unmoved. "Lower the rear wing by two notches for more stable downforce."

Before he could finish speaking, Greenwood raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his expression. "You might be a kilometer or two slower on the straightaway."

"You might be a kilometer or two slower on a straight road."

Bold and decisive.

In fact, Lu Zhizhou has not yet collected all the data, nor has he fully tested the strategies for the qualifying matches and the main competition. Now is the time to trust his intuition and courage.

They must develop a strategy that avoids hesitation, indecisiveness, and having too many options. For beginners, the worst thing is to be timid and indecisive.

The unexpected situation during the third free practice match did disrupt the plan, but Lu Zhizhou did not panic. He used the time to drink water and catch his breath to sort out his thoughts.

Then, decisively, he said, "Yes. As long as I exit the corner cleanly, I can catch up in the next braking zone." Lu Zhizhou's eyes never left the screen, and his calm and clear words revealed a hint of confidence. "Add a little more angle to the front wing to smooth out the understeer."

Greenwood stared at the screen without saying a word.

Cleary nodded. "Move the brakes two gears back to protect the front tires?"

“Yes.” Lu Zhizhou’s thinking was completely clear. “Turn the differential opening a little smaller. We’ll ensure stable grip and stable tire temperature.”

In short, sacrifice some straight-line speed to ensure a stable, clean, and continuous high-speed state.

In addition, the suspension is set a bit stiffer. Albert Park actually prefers a softer suspension setup, but in F1, you can't have both.

Lu Zhizhou excels at street racing, which is where it all begins. The stiff suspension sacrifices comfort but increases road feedback, allowing him to sense the limits earlier on low-grip sections of the track. He relies on his control and adjustments to ensure stable speed output, with the core focus on maintaining tire stability.

Cleary's eyes lit up slightly, and he immediately understood. He couldn't help but glance at Lu Zhizhou again.

Greenwood had already realized what was happening, his eyes widening. "But in that case, we might not be able to achieve good results in Q1 and Q2." Because the overall setup wasn't designed to push for the ultimate sprint.

Lu Zhizhou nodded slightly. "Yes, I know."

Greenwood: ...

In Formula 1, qualifying is divided into three sessions: Q1, Q2, and Q3. Here, Q stands for "Qualifying," and it adopts a segmented elimination format.

Q1, the first qualifying session, lasts 18 minutes. All cars participate, with no limit on the number of attempts or time. The fastest lap time completed within the allotted time is the valid result, eliminating the bottom five drivers. These five drivers are ranked according to their valid Q1 times, starting from 16th to 20th on the grid.

Q2, the second qualifying session, lasts fifteen minutes. The fifteen cars that entered Q2 participate, and the times are reset. The last five drivers are eliminated, and these five drivers are ranked according to their valid Q2 times, starting from eleventh to fifteenth on the grid.

Q3, the third qualifying session, lasts twelve minutes. The ten cars that entered Q3 participate and their times are reset. The ranking is based on the valid Q3 times, and the first place is also known as pole position.

There are two details here.

First, fuel load. As we all know, the lighter the fuel load, the faster the speed. Therefore, in qualifying races, the later the stage, the better the results.

Secondly, regarding tires, there are no strict requirements for Q1, but starting from Q2, the FIA ​​stipulates that they must use the tires from which they achieved the fastest lap time in Q2 to start the race. Furthermore, in Q3, Pirelli will mandate that the top ten cars must use a specific set of tires. This set of tires is only for use in Q3 and will be returned after qualifying. When entering the race, the top ten cars will still start using the tires from which they achieved the fastest lap time in Q2.

In fact, Lu Zhizhou's strategy is not complicated. He is good at stability in Q1 and Q2, and his ranking may not be high, but at this time he has already laid out the tires for the main race. As long as he can get into Q3, he can rely on his personal ability to push the car to its limits, and rely on light fuel, more stable output and cleaner corner exits to set the fastest lap and strive for a better ranking.

Theoretically, it is entirely feasible, not only reasonable but also ingenious.

Furthermore, confidence—confidence in one's driving abilities.

but!

Has Lu Zhizhou forgotten that this is his first time participating in F1 qualifying? He has never run in a segmented elimination format before. Not to mention the ever-increasing pressure, how to control the pace and how to adjust his state between qualifying sessions are all unknowns.

So far, my only experience on an F1 track is a free practice session at Spa.

Where did he get the confidence to steadily improve his pace and speed in three qualifying sessions and gradually find the car's optimal limits?
Where did he get the confidence to believe he could easily pass Q1 and Q2? Don't forget, the winter test and the three free practice sessions are all in front of him. At Albert Park Circuit, Lu Zhizhou has never been in the top ten and has long been a laughing stock in the paddock!
Okay, let's say he gets into Q3. Ferrari's car is there, with a lower limit than other cars. With a little luck, he can squeeze into the third qualifying session. But where does he get the confidence that he can squeeze the car to its limit in the third session and show the hidden strength from the first two qualifying sessions in a well-planned and methodical way?

This is... utterly outrageous, even to the point of being laughable.

For beginners, don't aim too high. Take Q1 and Q2 one step at a time. If you successfully enter Q3, then go all out and give it your all.

Whatever the layout or strategy, it's all based on experience and confidence, okay?
But so far, has Lu Zhizhou shown anything at all?

So, who gave this baby stroller driver the courage?
For a moment, Greenwood was at a loss for words to offer his opinion.

To everyone's surprise, Cleary looked at Lu Zhizhou and smiled, "You should know that with this setup, the chances of Q1 being eliminated are very high."

Lu Zhizhou took a big gulp of water and shrugged lightly. "We'll be incredibly embarrassed then, making a huge splash and adding some fun to the opening game of the new season."

“Haha.” Cleary laughed out loud, looking at Mekes. “I think it’s fine.”

Greenwood frowned instinctively.

Megis's lips pursed slightly, and a smile appeared in his eyes. "Alright, let's do it this way then."

Greenwood: ...

(End of this chapter)