Chapter 100: Drifting and Grip in the Rain
For professional drivers, free time is a rare luxury.
After claiming his third consecutive victory at Silverstone, Wu Shi rested only one day on Monday before returning to the Van Amersford team's camp on April 22. Talent alone doesn't forge champions; without relentless effort, even the gifted risk following in Zhong Yong's footsteps.
By Tuesday, the team was already immersed in preparations for their next challenge: Germany, where the second round of three races awaited in ten days.
Early that morning, the team leader convened a meeting with all members. Skipping the usual formalities, he addressed Wu Shi and Verstappen directly:
"Hogheimlin Circuit is extremely high-speed. Our setup will favor low downforce and stiff suspension, which makes cornering more challenging. Neither of you are very familiar with this track, but it shares similarities with Monza, so use that as a reference."
He reviewed last year's performances: Prema dominated the first qualifying session with a pole of 1:33.623, while Daniel Kvyat of Carin claimed pole in the second with 1:33.367, closely followed by Jordan King at 1:33.418. Based on Silverstone's results, this year's lap times were expected to be significantly faster.
Once the schedule was announced, the meeting adjourned.
"The team leader didn't mention last year's lap time. Do you know what it was?" Wu Shi asked.
"Around 1:34.4," Jules replied.
"Almost a full second slower," Wu Shi observed, stroking his chin. One second might seem small, but in racing, it can be the difference between winning and finishing off the podium.
"Don't worry. You're the driver with a one-second advantage!" Gustavo teased, grinning. After three races at Silverstone, he no longer regarded Wu Shi as a serious competitor.
Wu Shi shook his head, humbly dismissing the comment.
The morning was devoted to grueling physical training, especially neck exercises. Drivers use resistance bands to strengthen the muscles that endure the tremendous forces during cornering. Wu Shi grimaced as he resisted the coach's pull, his face flushed.
"You've grown a lot lately; your strength is improving fast," the coach remarked, easing the bands.
"I can feel it! I could eat a whole cow every day!" Wu Shi panted.
"Don't overdo it," the coach warned with a smile.
After neck training, Wu Shi moved on to upper-limb and core strength exercises. By afternoon, it was time for racing practice—but not in actual F3 cars.
At this stage, simulators are invaluable for memorizing track characteristics, but they cannot substitute real-world experience. Wu Shi used them to study lines and braking points, not as a blueprint for driving. Verstappen, however, preferred to push the simulator to its limits, tweaking settings to make it as realistic as possible and logging hours of practice.
That night, rain was forecast. Wu Shi noticed Verstappen still hunched over the simulator at 11 p.m.
"Huh?" Verstappen swerved to stabilize the car. "I need to train my perception of grip in wet conditions. Let's go to the track and drift."
Wu Shi blinked. Drift training?
Verstappen grinned. "You know my style."
The FIA forbids F3 testing during the season, but street cars are fair game. With the team leader's approval, two Nissan Silvia S14s were placed on the rain-slicked track the next day.
"Wow! Where did you get this?" Wu Shi exclaimed.
Verstappen simply smiled and said, "Let's go."
Wu Shi had never driven anything but karts and F3 cars. Strapping in, he gripped the walkie-talkie in one hand, shifted with the other, and controlled the pedals with his feet.
Wheels spun, rainwater sprayed, and the S14 danced across the wet tarmac, tail swaying dangerously—but steadily. The team leader watched from the control building, shaking his head.
"No one taught him, right?" Alan asked.
"Not a thing," the team leader confirmed.
Despite being a 200-horsepower street car with minimal modifications, the S14 responded to every subtle input. Wu Shi manipulated the handbrake, steering, and gearshift simultaneously, navigating drifts like a seasoned pro.
Verstappen, impressed, spoke over the radio: "Your vehicle sense is amazing. You really deserve that championship."
Even Alan, cautious, admitted the risk. Six-point harnesses and a roll cage protected the drivers, but accidents could still happen.
"It's fine. They were born to drive," Joss commented, dripping wet as he entered, with Sid beside him.
"Red Bull and I have already made plans for Verstappen's future," Joss said bluntly.
"Good news," the team leader replied.
Sid scanned Wu Shi on the track, noting his ease in the rain. Negotiations with Red Bull had collapsed, leaving him furious, but he understood that he needed to turn attention to Mercedes and McLaren next.
The three Silverstone victories hadn't guaranteed Sid's confidence in fulfilling his LaFerrari contract. Rumors hinted at Montezemolo's frustration with LaFerrari's localization push—if he left, would Rafa consider breaching the contract?
Wu Shi, meanwhile, reveled in the wet track. Each drift, each subtle adjustment, honed his grip perception, preparing him for the high-speed challenges of Germany. Rain or shine, the next chapter of his racing career was already in motion.