How Did I Become an F1 Driver?

After arriving at the paddock, Qin Miao's work was just beginning.

First, he went to the FIA to sign in, and then, under Eliza's guidance, he went to the FOM's pre-race interview point set up for the drivers.

This is a mandatory requirement for all F1 drivers: there is one interview before the race starts and another one after the race ends, both in the same place.

These interviews will also be uploaded to the F1 official website for fans to watch.

The host asked Qin Miao the usual and often-discussed questions:

How does it feel to be at an F1 Grand Prix for the first time? Nervous? Do you have any goals for this weekend? Which driver in the paddock do you think matches your skill level the closest? Is there a chance that you could stand on the podium just like your teammate did in their career debut?

In short, these are rather easy questions to answer but are indeed questions many people are curious about.

After the interview, Qin Miao's media work didn't stop.

Because after this interview, Qin Miao also had to attend a meet-and-greet with the audience on-site, which was similar to a forum.

A few drivers sit together, facing a host, with a crowd of spectators below. The host asks questions, and the drivers answer.

The previous interview was for viewers watching TV; this one is for the audience present at the venue.

After all, having paid to watch the race live, the audience should enjoy some privileges that viewers at home cannot, such as meeting F1 drivers and getting a chance to receive the cap worn by a driver or an autograph.

Although the current environment is still challenging, this Grand Prix had an attendance of seventy thousand, which can't compare to the previous figures of two or three hundred thousand, but having an audience is a good start.

The 20 drivers will be divided into four different stages to be interviewed at the same time to avoid crowd gatherings and let each fan go to their respective places.

Here with Qin Miao, apart from himself, there are Norris, Russell, Tsunoda, and Leclerc.

They are mostly young people; the oldest is Leclerc, and the youngest is Qin Miao.

Qin Miao is 19 this year, and Leclerc is 24.

Qin Miao and Leclerc don't need an introduction; they are old friends, having shared hotpot together and even almost became teammates.

This is the first time Qin Miao has seen Leclerc since their last meeting.

"Hahaha, Qin, I knew at the time you would make it into F1." Leclerc, who was chatting with Russell, saw Qin Miao coming backstage at the stage with his press officer, and immediately a much brighter smile appeared on his face than before.

Qin Miao also smiled and stepped forward, shook hands with Leclerc, and the two hugged each other firmly.

"Look at your outfit, Mercedes! It seems some people might stand on the top podium and win a race championship in their first year." Although joking, Leclerc felt a strong sense of time passing and things changing.

It's hard to imagine that the once naive young Qin Miao has, in just two short years, stood on the same stage with him and joined the Mercedes team.

Of course, Leclerc didn't feel any jealousy. After all, wasn't he also a talented young driver?

Qin Miao just smiled and didn't continue the topic.

After exchanging pleasantries with Leclerc, Qin Miao turned to the others, shook hands with Norris, greeted Tsunoda, and finally reached Russell.

Although Qin Miao's emotional intelligence is not high, he's not blind. He could clearly see the hostility in Russell's eyes when they met.

Because under normal circumstances, if Qin Miao weren't there, the position of Mercedes' second driver would have gone to the person in front of him.

After all, Russell was a young driver trained by Toto himself, and there was an intention for him to take the place of the second Mercedes driver after Bottas left.

But suddenly, Qin Miao appeared and snatched the spot that was about to be Russell's.

It's only natural that Russell wouldn't be very friendly towards Qin Miao.

Qin Miao knew he took Russell's spot, but he wasn't emotionally stirred inside.

It's useless to glare at me, isn't it? If you've got what it takes, snatch the position back!