How Did I Become an F1 Driver?

Chapter 969 379: Miami Finale

When Leclerc saw Qin Miao, beyond just looking tired, he appeared to be still in shock: "Fortunately, there were enough debris on the track that had to be cleared for quite a while, otherwise I feel like I wouldn't have been able to hold onto this position."After giving Qin Miao a hug, Leclerc said.

Qin Miao shook his head with a smile and said: "You're overthinking it. Honestly, with the way I was driving at the time, my set of tires could only last for ten laps at most. After that, the tires would hit the cliff point and all sorts of problems would pop up, with a significant drop in speed."

"I just love your way of putting it, ten laps, just 'only'.", Leclerc joked with Qin Miao, but in the end, Leclerc still said, "Anyway, congrats to you, you raced beautifully today."

Qin Miao nodded: "Thanks, you too, just that your defense was a bit lacking."

Qin Miao was referring to how Leclerc, despite starting from pole position, was overtaken by Verstappen by the ninth lap.

The main reason for saying so was their close relationship. If any other driver joked like that with Leclerc, it would definitely offend him.

"Get lost, get lost, get lost!"

"Hahaha."

"I'm off to do the interview."

"Okay."

...

After finishing the race, Qin Miao, his face merely glistening with sweat but still energetic, was observed by Leclerc shaking his head helplessly.

Qin Miao seemed like a monster, with incredible tire preservation skills and equally strong defensive abilities.

But in F1, the decisive factor is still the car's performance.

So in this aspect, Leclerc was merely amazed and admired his friend's exceptional talent.

However, if there's one aspect of Qin Miao that Leclerc envies the most, it is the physical endurance that spectators usually don't notice.

Having gone through a race, Leclerc would surely look unwell, and Verstappen in front wouldn't be much better, still catching his breath, but Qin Miao?

He genuinely just seemed to have sweated a bit, maintaining great energy with very steady breathing.

Almost as if the 50-plus degree temperature in the cockpit was akin to soaking in a hot bath for him.

Seeing Qin Miao go for the interview, Leclerc shook his head somewhat helplessly.

After resting a bit and greeting Verstappen, it was soon time for the post-race interview.

Since Qin Miao was the first to finish grooming his appearance, he was the first to be interviewed post-race.

The person responsible for the interview was a Black man, seemingly a singer or something, but Qin Miao didn't recognize him.

"Qin Miao, welcome to Miami, are you satisfied with today's result?"

Qin Miao nodded: "Thank you, I love Miami, the sunshine, the beach, I think I will take some time to walk along the seaside after the race.

As for today's results, clearly, judging by my team staff's expressions, I couldn't be more satisfied, and of course, I must thank the team's staff for their hard work."

"Do you feel like the race only truly began for you after the safety car came off?"

Qin Miao smiled: "Actually, every lap is significant to me, it's part of the race process, a phase every race must go through.

Though indeed, my chase in this race began after the safety car period, so saying that isn't wrong."

What surprised Qin Miao next was that after answering two questions, the interview typically would end, but another question followed.

"I'm a bit curious about how your medium tires lasted so long?"

That's an old question that's been asked many times, Qin Miao spread his hands helplessly, jokingly replied: "I bribed Pirelli, they provided me with custom-made tires."

With Qin Miao's gestures, facial expression, and tone, anyone could easily tell he was joking.

Spectators on site burst out laughing, with many whistling amid the commotion.

Only the Pirelli folks in their preparation zone winced after seeing Qin Miao's post-race interview.

"Gosh, will FIA come after us because of Qin Miao's comment? We didn't do that! We're puzzled ourselves!"

With that, Qin Miao's post-race interview concluded, but as Qin Miao left and Leclerc was preparing for his interview, when they passed by each other, Leclerc quietly remarked to Qin Miao: "If what you said is true, do tell me the bribing channel, I'll pay some membership fee too."

Qin Miao rolled his eyes in exasperation, ignoring him.

It's worth mentioning that this race was organized by Americans themselves.

So, the post-race podium was not located above the driver interview area but on the other side of the Hard Rock Stadium.

Therefore, the post-race awarding section required drivers and team staff to go across the entire stadium to the other side.

As Qin Miao and Leclerc were the first to be interviewed, they were the first to board the shuttle arranged by the organizers, going through an underground tunnel directly across the stadium to the lounge behind the podium.

As they left with no cameras or people around, their path was smooth all the way through.

But when Verstappen's interview finished and he was to depart, all Red Bull team staff headed to the podium to watch the award ceremony, resulting in congestion as Verstappen's police-escorted shuttle passed through the underground tunnel.