Chapter 125: Engine Failure
During the final week of May, Wu Shi requested leave from the team and remained in Monaco.
Inside Hamilton's apartment, he ran lap after lap of Suzuka on the simulator, gradually regaining his rhythm and sharpness.
On the 29th, he reluctantly boarded a flight to leave. The official practice session for the FIA Formula 3 Hungarian Grand Prix would begin at noon the following day.
Even though he was already extremely familiar with this F1-grade circuit, attending practice was a matter of professional respect — and, more importantly, skipping it without valid justification would result in a fine.
That definitely wasn't the reason he showed up.
Sitting alone on the plane, staring at the endless gray clouds outside the window, Wu Shi suddenly thought how convenient life would be if he owned a private jet. He could simply fly in tomorrow morning.
After two connecting flights, Wu Shi finally arrived in Budapest, Hungary.
Seventeen hours.
That single number strengthened his determination to pressure Verstappen into buying an airplane. Traveling on commercial flights was nothing short of torture.
Because he reached the Hungaroring just after 7:00 a.m., Wu Shi went straight to the Van Amersfoort Racing paddock, lay down in the rest area, and fell asleep almost instantly.
When he woke up, it was already 11:00 a.m. — just over an hour before Free Practice was scheduled to begin.
"You're finally awake," Alan said. "I heard you only left Monaco yesterday at noon?"
"Yes."
"Then get ready. Free Practice is about to start."
Wu Shi nodded, changed into his race suit, and walked outside. Verstappen was already deep in discussion with his race engineer.
"You're awake," Verstappen said. "Why did you stay in Monaco so long?"
"Personal matters."
Wu Shi knew better than to mention simulator training in Hamilton's private setup. Using Mercedes' F1 simulator without authorization — especially after no longer being affiliated with the team — would cause unnecessary controversy.
Besides, Hamilton only received Suzuka data for simulation work. If he couldn't extract value from that alone, he might as well drive straight into a wall and retire.
"Oh," Verstappen said, not pressing further. "New circuit today. You'll probably open the gap again."
"Why?" Wu Shi asked instinctively.
"You adapt faster than anyone," Verstappen replied with a shake of his head. "On a track no one's driven before, that advantage is ridiculous."
Wu Shi gave a modest shrug.
He might not have been familiar with some of the karting circuits in the past — but this one?
As an F1 driver, it was impossible not to have driven the Hungaroring.
"Alright," Verstappen yawned. "Time to get in the car."
"Ha," Wu Shi laughed quietly.
---
Free Practice
The field rolled out onto the circuit for installation laps and warm-up runs.
"Wu Shi," Alan's voice came through the radio, "this is a new circuit for everyone. You didn't do simulator work this week, so focus on learning the track during FP1. In FP2, we'll gradually increase pace."
"Copy."
Wu Shi followed the plan precisely. He had never chased outright lap time during practice sessions — not once since the season began.
Instead, he methodically explored the entire width of the circuit, feeling out grip levels, kerb behavior, and surface undulations.
"That's classic Wu Shi," commentator Yorkson said on the broadcast. "He never shows his hand in practice. But come qualifying, it's a different story."
"His dominance this season has been overwhelming. Many fans are already wondering how he'll win — not if."
After fourteen measured laps, Wu Shi felt confident in his understanding of the circuit and returned to the pits along with most of the field.
---
Free Practice 2
At 1:30 p.m., FP2 began.
Lap times gradually dropped as drivers increased commitment, but unfamiliarity with the track limited progress across the board.
"How quick do you think you can go?" Alan asked over the radio.
"1:34," Wu Shi replied.
There was a brief pause.
"Keep working," Alan said. "I don't think anyone else can reach that."
Because the team hadn't instructed him to push, Wu Shi deliberately experimented with unconventional racing lines — approaches most drivers avoided for fear of disrupting their reference points.
He preferred it this way. Only by understanding every inch of asphalt could he choose the optimal line during battle.
When the session ended, Esteban Ocon topped the timesheets with a 1:35.801.
The rest of the field sat firmly in the 1:36s.
Back in the pit lane, word quickly spread that Wu Shi had claimed he could run a 1:34.
Most drivers understood what that meant.
Still, Ocon couldn't resist asking.
"You can really do a 1:34?" he said.
"I think so," Wu Shi replied calmly.
"Then why only a 1:36.456 in practice? You should've at least gone for a 1:35."
"Don't tell him how to drive," Verstappen cut in. "Who hunts fastest lap in practice?"
Ocon fell silent.
Verstappen blinked — he hadn't expected that comment to land so accurately. His expression grew more serious. Breaking into the 1:34s suddenly felt… difficult.
Wu Shi simply shrugged.
---
Qualifying
At 5:35 p.m., Qualifying began.
On his sixth flying lap, Wu Shi set a 1:34.981, then immediately returned to the pit lane.
While the team celebrated, Wu Shi walked over to Alan.
"Did you see where I hit the 'Mark' button?"
Alan pulled up the telemetry. "Nothing obvious from the trace. What did you feel?"
"The engine load spikes here," Wu Shi said quietly.
Alan examined the data again, frowning. "I don't see a clear issue. I'll have the engineers inspect the power unit tonight."
"Yes," Wu Shi nodded. "We need to find the cause."
Deep down, he already had a suspicion.
The exhaust flow felt abnormal — subtle, but persistent. If left unchecked, it could trigger an engine failure under sustained high-speed load.
That evening, he planned to "study" the issue with the engineers himself.