How Did I Become an F1 Driver?

Qin Miao leaned casually against the door of the car after considering it, then crossed his legs and folded his arms, looking completely laid-back.

"Great! This posture is nice, keep the mood~"

The director's eyes lit up and prepared to start recording.

Just then, two loud bangs suddenly sounded.

If this were in America, hearing such sounds abruptly might lead one to think of a gunfight somewhere, but Qin Miao, having grown up in China, instinctively thought someone was setting off firecrackers.

Until he saw confetti slowly falling from the sky.

At this moment, staff from Mercedes on both sides of him were holding confetti cannons, with colored sparkles still dancing in the air clearly coming from those things.

And only then did Qin Miao look bewildered.

"What's going on?"

Just then, Susan appeared timely, holding a beautifully designed box with silver AMG lettering, and handed it to Qin Miao.

It was only then that Qin Miao realized what was about to happen.

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Qin Miao took the box and opened it.

Inside the box lay two car keys quietly.

Qin Miao looked up, still somewhat puzzled, at Susan:

"What's this?"

Susan pointed to the pure black AMG GT and said:

"Toto's gift to you, all the paperwork is ready, you just need to sign it at some point."

Qin Miao had grown accustomed to team bosses giving him cars, but why make him busy for half a day without a reason?

As if she guessed what Qin Miao wanted to say, Susan explained:

"Though it was meant to be a little surprise, the recorded footage of you is indeed for promotional purposes for this car."

"Aside from that, we also made a short documentary."

Susan pointed to a Mercedes staff member holding a handheld camera.

Qin Miao had noticed him earlier since the promotional team's cameras were all large, yet he was using a handheld camera alone.

Initially, Qin Miao thought he was part of the filming team; thinking back, his behavior was a bit suspicious.

"What kind of documentary?"

Susan explained:

"I was secretly preparing a gift for you, recording from when you were deceived to cooperating with the work, to finally receiving the gift with surprise, a small documentary. Audiences love this kind of video, often with high click rates, positively impacting the team and driver's image, and promoting the car model as well."

After listening, Qin Miao nodded knowingly; isn't she indeed the propaganda department's head? Qin Miao even felt like watching the documentary himself.

"Can I see it first?"

"Of course, but the video needs editing. Once completed, we'll send you a copy, and you can post it on your personal account.

However, I think the priority isn't watching the video, but experiencing your new car with your girlfriend."

Qin Miao just went with the flow.

He drove around with his wife.

How to say, Qin Miao previously drove the car in Shanghai, treating it purely as a race car, never really experiencing the road feedback this car offers.

But now, driving it on the streets, Qin Miao feels it's still a car designed for the track; it's fine on smooth paved roads but very responsive to any bumps.

Nicely put, the car's road feedback is clear and sharp; plainly, the suspension is too stiff.

But generally, Qin Miao wouldn't use this car for his commute; he would probably cover it with a car cover and leave it outside his home to collect dust.

But after all, it's a car worth over a million yuan, so even if reluctant, he wouldn't leave it exposed to the elements and likely would build a simple garage to store it.

But that's a matter for the future...

Qin Miao prefers riding a scooter to the Mercedes factory than driving.

If it rains when Qin Miao goes to work, it's another story.

Tested the car and returned to the factory; after sincerely thanking everyone, Qin Miao completed all his work at Mercedes for the day.

He folded his two scooters and put them in the trunk of his new car, then drove home.

Back home, Qin Miao did not forget to bring down his friend from upstairs, showing off the new car.

After all, displaying wealth in one's hometown, like wearing fine clothes at night, without boasting good things to friends, reduces half the fun of owning them.

Qimeng watched her man act like a child, only smiling and shaking her head before heading upstairs.

Zhou Guanyu reluctantly came downstairs after receiving a call, immediately seeing an AMG GT idling at the door.

In reality, Qin Miao's car wasn't much different from a regular AMG GT; the main difference being the absence of electric adjustable rear spoiler, replaced by a fixed spoiler, and most exterior parts were changed to black.

Even the standard configuration's silver-brake calipers were swapped for black ones.

Zhou Guanyu wasn't someone short on car money, but Qin Miao's car was a gift from Mercedes, giving it a different significance.

Qin Miao's showing off was quite successful.

Of course, showing off comes at a cost.

Zhou Guanyu directly took Qin Miao's keys and got into the driver's seat.

In Zhou Guanyu's hands, the car Qin Miao hadn't dared rev too hard was immediately driven aggressively, without an ounce of gentleness.

...

Not long after Qin Miao returned, the paddock started buzzing with reports of his official signing with Mercedes, and as time passed, the coverage increased.

It provided some rare entertainment and topics for F1 fans without races, injecting some unique energy into the dull winter break.

Simultaneously, more topics emerged from Qin Miao joining Mercedes.

For example, what should Bottas do next?

Was Qin Miao's addition a move by Mercedes to expand its influence in the Chinese market?

Was Mercedes experiencing internal political struggles akin to Ferrari, with Qin Miao's addition being a compromise from the team's politics?

Did Bottas fall out with Toto, or did something happen within Mercedes leading Toto to replace Bottas?

Anyway, various conspiracy theories sprang up, with all sorts of rumors flying around.

During this period, Mercedes taking Bottas down despite not committing any fault, with a year left on his contract, was among the most interesting news.

The high discussion rate was inevitable.

So much so, Mick Schumacher, Yuki Tsunoda, and Nikita Mazepin joining the paddock, even Alonso's return didn't stir much excitement.

On one hand, these drivers were dominated by Qin Miao throughout F2, suppressed by Qin Miao completely, resulting in less attention compared to Qin Miao, the F2 champion; on the other hand, the usual personnel changes in other teams couldn't match Mercedes' shocking decision to replace an active driver in his prime.

Of course, no matter how lively the foreign paddock gossip, it didn't faze Chinese fans' daily beer, celebrating joyously.

[I couldn't last a day in 2020, if 2021's race doesn't start, I'll die!]

[I'm so restless without seeing Qin Miao's performance at Mercedes, feeling ants crawling all over me.]

[FIA! I recommend holding the 2021 race today; don't be ignorant of the situation]

[I want to watch the race! I want to watch the race!]

[Mercedes fan for ten years here!]