How Did I Become an F1 Driver?

If Qin Miao only had a certain reputation among the high-levels of the team and some audience who specifically followed lower-level formula races and domestic fans when he was dominating F2, then after entering F1, he only left an impression in the hearts of those who watched F1.

"Oh, this young man is very capable, caught Toto's eye, and luckily entered Mercedes."

And with Qin Miao's two races on the F1 track, each more stunning than the last, winning a grand prix in a twist of fate in the second race, Qin Miao's commercial value instantly soared at a visible speed.

Moreover, due to Qin Miao's nationality, many domestic and foreign companies came to Qimeng seeking cooperation with Qin Miao after he achieved good results on the F1 track.

Of course, Qimeng also believes that while he's so busy he barely has time to step out, the business department on the Mercedes side is probably working overtime as well.

With Qin Miao's excellent performance on the track, his attention in his home country would naturally increase, and wealthy domestic companies certainly wouldn't mind sponsoring Mercedes for some exposure abroad.

Therefore, after showering, Qin Miao looked somewhat surprised at the stack of documents on his desk.

Without disturbing Qimeng, who had worked all day, Qin Miao picked up the contracts and studied them for a while.

In fact, these were contracts sought according to Qin Miao's requirements, with very little workload, mostly just for portrait rights, then helping sponsors with a voice recording or a video. If Qin Miao exerted some effort, he could fulfill all the contract requirements in a day.

However, Qin Miao did not decisively sign all these contracts as he used to, not because he didn't trust Qimeng, or because he doesn't need money anymore, but because he has other considerations.

Honestly, the current Qin Miao is somewhat resentful of his identity as the number two driver.

Toto's team orders were a wake-up call for Qin Miao. If he's just a driver, in Toto's eyes, he becomes a role that can be manipulated at will.

If he doesn't want to be played around by Ferrari or be asked to do things he doesn't want to do, Qin Miao needs to have a background, strength, and someone backing him up.

But with Qin Miao's social skills, knowing some big shots inside the paddock to back him up is not impossible, but it can be said to be as difficult as climbing to the skies.

So Qin Miao has to open up new paths and look for new strategies: finding sponsors, big sponsors!

Since connections don't work, then go with funds.

Next time Toto gives team orders, he'll have to consider whether the sponsors agree or not.

After all, Qin Miao is quite confident about himself and those big bosses domestically. He believes many companies might choose to sponsor Mercedes because of his current influence back home.

Also, some foreign companies looking to expand into the domestic market are probably hoping he has more voice and screen presence on the track.

At the same time, Qin Miao believes Hamilton's words were not baseless; he indeed envies the winery Hamilton owns and likes its atmosphere.

Though now Qin Miao has enough cash to buy a winery of the same standard as Hamilton's, and even purchasing a medieval castle in England isn't impossible for him.

But Qin Miao learned from his casual chat with Hamilton that even though Hamilton bought the winery and sold some wine, it's still operating at a long-term loss.

It's just that Hamilton has money, so he doesn't care about that loss.

Qin Miao can afford such assets now, but the maintenance and upkeep costs afterwards aren't much cheaper than purchasing them.

Moreover, once bought, the UK government has its demands on you; you have to maintain your castle well because, to some extent, it's considered a historical relic.

Qin Miao is currently just earning a fixed salary, and he simply can't support such a place.

Thinking about this, Qin Miao put down his contracts and turned to call out to the door, "Honey, I need to talk to you."

In a little while, Qimeng came in, somewhat surprised that Qin Miao didn't immediately accept the very lenient contracts but still nodded patiently, "Go ahead, I'm listening."

"I want to earn money and have some voice in the paddock, so I'm thinking of changing a batch of contracts, preferably the ones with more money."

Qimeng paused for a while, then scratched her head somewhat helplessly.

Even though she truly loves Qin Miao, this guy's thinking is a bit too erratic, and with Qin Miao's one sentence, the work she did all day essentially becomes wasted.

This indeed confirms the saying: the boss moves his lips and the subordinates run their legs off.

But what can Qimeng do? She chose her husband, so she'll spoil him.

...

The two of them chatted at home for over two hours, and Qin Miao laid out his general ideas and goals to Qimeng, who took notes while mentally sifting through the partnership applications she's received recently, and simply filtered out some contracts that met Qin Miao's requirements.

On the next day, Qin Miao returned to his routine training. Notably, he reduced his physical training volume, just maintaining the amount needed to prevent physical decline, while dedicating all the freed-up time to improving his driving skills.