Chapter 209: Have you ever considered winning the WDC?
Wu Shi entered the lounge first, where Claire Williams was waiting.
"Welcome back, our champion! Wu Shi!"
Claire shouted excitedly and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Thank you – this is all down to the team. Spain really is our lucky place."
Though nearly breathless, Wu Shi understood her excitement. Williams' last Grand Prix win had been three years earlier, at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix with Pastor Maldonado.
"Yes! Three whole years – I thought we'd never taste victory again."
Claire released him, placing her hands on his shoulders. Her voice grew hoarse as she looked at the young driver before her. Williams had faced immense struggles in recent years: Sir Frank's declining health, tight finances, and mounting pressure on Claire as deputy team principal.
Wu Shi had transformed the team's fortunes. Every race brought unprecedented exposure – his white Williams uniform was now instantly recognizable, and sponsorship prices had soared. When her father had pushed through a rookie contract well above market rate, there had been skepticism, but Wu Shi had proven himself race after race.
"Ms. Claire, you should smile more – Sir Frank will be watching from below the podium," Wu Shi said gently.
Claire wiped her eyes and grinned. "You're right – I'm just so happy!"
Just then, Vettel and Räikkönen walked in. Räikkönen offered a brief, quiet congratulations – true to his "Iceman" nickname. Vettel, though second, was full of energy:
"Hey! What an incredible win! You're the youngest champion in F1 history – I doubt anyone will top that!"
"Haha, thanks. Luck was on our side too – like I said, this is Williams' lucky ground!"
"Absolutely! You've breathed new life into this great team!"
Vettel spoke openly, not minding Claire's presence. For him, the words carried weight: he had joined Ferrari to revive a legendary team, just as Wu Shi was doing for Williams. Growing up watching Schumacher – who had achieved so much with both Ferrari and Williams – Vettel felt a kinship with anyone willing to carry a historic team forward.
Wu Shi bumped fists with him warmly, unaware of his deeper thoughts.
"What was going through your head when you saw the Mercedes crash?" Vettel asked.
"Total shock!" Wu Shi began – but the announcer's voice cut through, calling Räikkönen to the podium. Vettel wiped his brow and hurried out as cheers echoed from outside.
"Next up – the winner of the Spanish Grand Prix! From Williams, 16-year-old Wu Shi!"
Wu Shi pulled on his cap. He'd thought the excitement had faded earlier, but as he walked toward the entrance, his smile was impossible to suppress.
"WOAH! OH! OH!"
The Williams crew packed against the barriers roared – their collective cheer was deafening up close. Wu Shi waved to them, his grin widening with every shout. He stepped onto the podium, glancing back to see the Chinese national flag displayed on the screen. After his frequent podium appearances, race organizers no longer made mistakes with his flag – any error now would be inexcusable.
But a long silence fell before the anthem began.
"Huh? Did they forget to prepare it?" Commentator Fei said in surprise. Six Star Sports had extended their broadcast, so their cameras were still rolling.
"No way! They should have planned for this once the race settled into the second or third stint – this is so unprofessional," Commentator Bing complained.
"Wu Shi's been on the podium here before – they had no excuse," Fei agreed.
Thankfully, the anthem started moments later. The venue and studio fell quiet as the familiar melody played. Wu Shi hummed along, fighting the urge to turn and face the flag.
"When we were sixteen, we were singing this on the playground – he's singing it from the top of the F1 podium," Bing smiled.
"This is the first time our national anthem has played at an F1 ceremony – it'll go down in Chinese motorsport history," Fei affirmed.
Back home, even before the post-race interviews, photos of Wu Shi on the podium had flooded the internet. Within a minute, headlines topped trending lists: "China's First F1 Driver – Wu Shi Wins Grand Prix!" Forums erupted with excitement:
"I missed the race and came back to THIS?! Unbelievable!"
"Amazing! So proud!"
"Thanks Mercedes for the 'assist' – but Wu Shi earned this!"
"He's so handsome and talented!"
At the track, Catalan President Artur Mas presented the winner's trophy.
"Congratulations, young man – you're the youngest winner in F1 history!"
"Thank you!" Wu Shi shook his hand, then raised the trophy high to the crowd. Mas also handed the Constructors' trophy to Claire, who beamed as she held it aloft. Cameras focused on Sir Frank Williams in his wheelchair below.
"It's been too long," Bing sighed.
"How long exactly?" Fei teased.
"Three years," Fei answered before Bing could respond. "Looks like I was prepared for this win!"
After the trophies, Wu Shi shook his champagne bottle, spraying the crew below before feeling cold streams hit his back – Vettel and Räikkönen had turned their bottles on him. He sprayed back playfully, then offered some to Claire.
"Of course!" She stood her ground as champagne soaked them both, capturing the joy of victory. The four posed for a group photo.
A female interviewer approached, speaking first in Spanish before turning to Wu Shi:
"Congratulations on your first career win – how does it feel?"
"Absolutely incredible. The start was unexpected – none of us imagined Mercedes would retire. When I saw the crash, I froze for a second, then my heart started racing. I knew this was my chance."
"My hands were shaking so much I almost lost control, but Jonathan reminded me there were still 65 laps to go. I had to stay focused – Vettel is an amazing driver, and I couldn't afford mistakes."
"Finally crossing the line was incredible. Thank you to Williams for giving me a great car, and to every team member for their hard work."
As the interviewer moved to Vettel, Wu Shi walked back toward the paddock. On the big screen, he saw the post-race interviews with Mercedes' drivers.
Rosberg, squinting in the sun, said: "My engine mode was wrong – I didn't have enough straight-line power, so Lewis caught up. I defended because I wanted to win. He ran onto the grass, spun, and hit me."
Hamilton followed: "I was 17 km/h faster. He blocked left, so I went right – then he closed the door again. I lost grip and we crashed."
When asked if Rosberg had been fair, Hamilton said: "I don't want to discuss it – focus on the next races." The stewards had taken no action, noting they couldn't assign clear blame.
Toto Wolff's interview played next: "No single driver is entirely responsible. I won't point fingers – we'll handle this internally."
Wu Shi smiled – Toto was always even-handed. He dropped off his trophy with the team, then headed to the media pen, where a dozen microphones were thrust toward him like instruments in a cartoon orchestra.
"Wu Shi – your win came after Mercedes' retirement. What do you think about that?" a reporter asked pointedly.
"It was an unfortunate incident. F1 is risky, and I'm relieved both drivers are safe. I hope we never see accidents like that again."
Another reporter pressed: "After Bahrain, Mercedes held an internal meeting – there are rumors they want to replace one driver with you next year. Are you aware of this?"
Wu Shi shrugged and looked at the camera: "I'm a Williams driver. I don't know anything about Mercedes' plans. It's like asking a BBC reporter if they're going to quit and join SKY – would you answer that?"
The reporter nodded. "You're bold," Wu Shi said bluntly. "I suggest you go tell your boss you think SKY's environment is better and you want to switch teams."
The BBC reporter looked annoyed, but Wu Shi didn't care – he'd never had much respect for their coverage.
A SKY reporter stepped forward: "You're now the youngest points leader in F1 history with 94 points – ahead of Hamilton's 90. Williams is showing real competitiveness. Have you ever considered winning the World Drivers' Championship?"
Wu Shi puffed out his cheeks – this was a question he hadn't fully prepared for.