Chapter 404: Chapter 190: Verstappen Under Pressure Released
However, as Qin Miao and Barber entered the paddock together, Qin Miao lost sight of these people.
Upon arriving at the team headquarters, Qin Miao had already prepared the clothes needed for the afternoon race. However, he did not change into them immediately; instead, he first attended the routine team meeting to understand the current state of the track, as well as to gather information on wind conditions, whether it might rain during the race, and tactical choices during the race.
After the team meeting concluded, Qin Miao was invited downstairs by the Mercedes press officer to be interviewed at the entrance of the team headquarters by Sky Sports.
After the interview, he hurried off to record videos for some European philanthropic organizations.
The videos were basically expressions of gratitude to the philanthropic organizations for their contributions to society, encouraging them to continue their efforts. Qin Miao also pledged to donate some money to these organizations in his name.
This amount of money isn’t much, just 50,000 US Dollars.
It might sound complicated, but basically, the operation is just looking at the camera and reading the script on it.
In recording this, Qin Miao not only doesn’t earn money but has to fork out his own money. However, it raises his reputation and expands his influence abroad, potentially adding a few more fans.
It’s essentially paying for fame, just with a layer of philanthropy wrapped around it.
In capitalist countries, this is a very conventional procedure.
After finishing these activities, Qin Miao was called to a stage prepared by the organizer, a place he was already familiar with, where he attended the pre-race fan event.
However, considering the safety of the drivers, there is a 7-meter gap between the fans and the drivers’ stage.
And everyone is required to wear masks.
The drivers participating in the event are basically familiar to Qin Miao.
Leclerc from Ferrari needs no mention; an old friend. Then there’s Russell from Williams, followed by Alonso from Alpine and Yuki Tsunoda from Red Bull.
The first person Qin Miao saw was Tsunoda. Hearing the Mercedes staff’s chit-chat, Yuki Tsunoda is still not accustomed to the intensity of F1 races, so exhausted after a race that he can’t even get out of the car.
Considering Tsunoda’s height, it’s understandable that his physical stamina reserve isn’t that robust.
The two had some interaction during F2, akin to classmates with a mediocre relationship.
So, after seeing Tsunoda, Qin Miao smiled and proactively greeted him, "Yuki, good morning."
Upon seeing Qin Miao, Tsunoda also smiled and replied, "Qin Jun, good morning."
After exchanging a couple of pleasantries with Tsunoda, Qin Miao then looked towards Leclerc.
"Well, isn’t this the champion driver from our Imola Grand Prix, Qin Miao?" Leclerc joked with Qin Miao with no mental burden at all.
Qin Miao didn’t retort, just smiled while going over to shake hands with Leclerc, greeting him humbly, "Just luck, fortunate enough."
Yet, saying this, Qin Miao didn’t forget to wink at Leclerc, revealing a knowingly proud smile.
Evidently, Qin Miao was quite happy internally after winning that Grand Prix, though his living habits made him instinctively humble.
But Leclerc wouldn’t indulge him, feigning curiosity as he asked, "How exactly did you retire in Spain last week? What went wrong with your car?"
Qin Miao: ...
"If you can’t say anything helpful, you don’t have to speak."
Upon hearing Qin Miao’s words, the drivers gathered around burst into laughter.
Qin Miao also greeted Alonso, and lastly Russell.
"By the way, Qin Miao, we drivers have a WhatsApp group for drivers. I’ve been quite busy recently and forgot to add you to it. Do you have WhatsApp? I can add you now." Russell said after a brief handshake.
Qin Miao nodded knowingly.
Qin Miao knew of this group. He had heard Hamilton mention it during casual conversations, and Leclerc had also asked if he wanted to be added to the group.
But Qin Miao didn’t care then; if no one invites him, should he put himself forward unsolicited?
How is that different from being a sycophant?
Yet now, Russell personally invited him, so Qin Miao’s expression became a bit meaningful.
He recalls seeing Russell at such pre-race events before, probably in Bahrain. Why didn’t he find him then but did now?
As for Russell’s excuse of being too busy and forgetting, Qin Miao just took it as a joke.
Though some things are better left unspoken, it’s well known among everyone.
Fortunately, Qin Miao had his phone with him, so he took it out to add Russell as a WhatsApp friend.
Soon, the other party added Qin Miao to the group.
Originally, there were only nineteen people in the group, so Qin Miao joining made it twenty, with Russell as the group owner.
Once Qin Miao joined, other drivers immediately sent messages.
[Kimi: Welcome our Imola Grand Prix champion to the group!]
[Leclerc: /fireworks/fireworks]
[Alonso: Welcome.]
Worth noting is that Alonso’s welcome was sent in Chinese.
[Max: Welcome]
Seeing so many people notice and welcome him immediately upon his joining the group, Qin Miao couldn’t think of anything to respond with, so he simply found a panda head meme feeling touched and crying from his phone.