How Did I Become an F1 Driver?

"Alright, what do you think of this year's Mercedes car? Has it maintained last year's high standard?"

"As far as I know, the team has focused on enhancing engine stability this year, while optimizing cooling and mechanical grip. I believe these upgrades will lead to better results for the car."

"So, the last question, it's a personal one, but there's a high demand online, I hope it won't make you feel uncomfortable."

Qin Miao had no objection: "Go ahead."

"We've noticed that when you came for the winter testing today, there was a girl with you. The audience is curious about your relationship with her."

The personal lives of drivers in the paddock are always unavoidable topics. So, after searching online for a long time and finding no more information about Qimeng, many people wanted FOM to ask Qin Miao.

Qin Miao smiled and said, "There's nothing to hide. That girl is my girlfriend, her name is Qimeng, we are classmates."

"Wow, it's really rare to see couples like you two in the paddock." The host was somewhat surprised by Qin Miao but, after an exclamation, still said, "Alright, thank you for being interviewed today, that's all our questions, and I wish you a successful test today."

"Thank you, you've worked hard, goodbye." Qin Miao politely nodded at the other party and then turned around and went back to the car home.

While going upstairs, Qin Miao curiously asked Eliza, "My answer shouldn't have any issues, right?"

Eliza thought for a moment, "There's nothing wrong with your answer to the team questions. As for your personal life, I won't comment."

Qin Miao shrugged and returned to his lounge.

He leaned against Qimeng and watched some anime for a while.

Forty minutes later, there was another knock on Qin Miao's lounge door, and Toto's voice came through, "Time to start today's work."

Upon hearing this, Qin Miao jumped on the spot, then casually stretched his body, picked up the almost two-year-old yet still brand-new thermos from the table, took a sip, "Let's go!"

As Qin Miao left the room, the Old Man from next door also came out of his lounge.

They exchanged glances, and both Qin Miao and the Old Man nodded to each other.

Then he took his gear and headed to the garage P room.

Going downstairs, through the back door of the P room, Qin Miao reached the garage and saw his car.

But Qin Miao couldn't see the full view of his car because the engine cover was lifted, and several mechanics were busy at the engine area of Qin Miao's car. Also, since each team's engine layout and appearance are team secrets, the door of the P room was blocked by three huge black screens.

Qin Miao placed his helmet on the tool stand above and curiously leaned in to ask Frankie, who was frowning at his computer screen looking at the car's data, "What's wrong with my car?"

Realizing it was Qin Miao who asked, Frankie explained, "During the car's self-inspection, the engine had an issue with one cylinder. After checking, we found signs of cylinder scuffing."

"What now?"

"We've replaced it with a new engine, it's already installed. Once they make some adjustments, it should be almost ready. The faulty engine will be sealed and sent back to the factory to examine the exact cause of the failure."

Qin Miao nodded knowingly, "When will it be fixed?"

Frankie thought for a bit, "If all goes well, in half an hour. If not, then it's uncertain."

Qin Miao looked back at a timer hanging between the two P rooms, which showed about 15 minutes to the start of the race.

Having nothing else to do, Qin Miao simply pulled up a stool to sit next to Frankie and curiously asked, "By the way, excluding development costs, how much exactly does one of my engines cost?"

Frankie sighed helplessly; ever since joining the F1 team, he barely had any free time, much busier than when he was in F2.

In F2, he would assign tasks, let Sui Wentao and the others handle them, and he would just do the final inspection.

But not in F1; F1 cars are too intricate, any minor mistakes could lead to big issues, so he has to constantly keep an eye without a moment's respite.

However, faced with Qin Miao, Frankie couldn't say anything harsh, as he knew he and Qin Miao were a team; it was because of Qin Miao that he got this chance to be a track engineer at the Mercedes team. So, after a deep breath, Sui Wentao patiently answered Qin Miao's question, "Excluding development costs, the engine alone costs around 1.1 million US dollars; F2 is a bit cheaper, ten thousand dollars.

Speaking of F2, when will you move your F2 away? Roxin had the idea before I left, never telling you that your car was left forgotten at the team."

Qin Miao shrugged helplessly and said, "Actually, I know I didn't take my car, but even if I took it back, I have nowhere to put it.

Where I live now isn't large. I have just two parking spots in front of my house; one has the AMG GT Toto gave me, and the other a Ferrari 488, no room for another F2.

And even if I took it back, I wouldn't have time to drive it or maintain it; might as well leave it with Roxin.

But come to think of it, why would Roxin give me the F2 at all?"

Frankie simply stopped looking at the monitor in front of him, since with Qin Miao around, he basically couldn't concentrate on work, "Do you really not know or are you pretending not to? Your F2 is the car with the most consecutive wins record in F2 history. Roxin wishes he could sleep inside your car every day now; you guess why he wants to keep your car?"