How Did I Become an F1 Driver?-Chapter 583 - 249: Geely Chairman (Part 2)

Speaking of that, although Qin Miao had been to Shanghai before and even raced here, at that time, Qin Miao was just applying his limited go-kart knowledge and simulator experience to reality.

The results, albeit barely passable, by Qin Miao's current skill and perspective, when looking back at his previous operations on the track, he would feel that he was full of flaws back then.

If the current Qin Miao were to travel back to that time, let alone adding the weight of an extra adult to the car, he could easily surpass Qin Yun even with two more people.

At this thought, Qin Miao suddenly became a bit curious about the asphalt quality of Shanghai.

Glancing around and confirming that the track wasn't open yet with many Matthews in yellow vests busy without any cars on the track.

Qin Miao stepped over a gap between the track and the pit lane, climbed onto the track, and squatted down to check the asphalt quality of Shanghai.

Then Qin Miao found that the asphalt in Shanghai was somewhat old, but overall the track quality was still quite good with high smoothness, although Shanghai remains a high-speed track with significant tire wear.

After observing the area near the pit lane, Qin Miao took a few steps forward to the driving line of Shanghai, squatted down again in the same manner to check the track conditions.

Qin Miao's actions quickly caught the attention of Matthews on both sides of the track.

Although it wasn't race time, it was odd for someone who was obviously a tourist to squat in the center of the track without apparent purpose.

On one hand, it didn't comply with track safety regulations, and on the other hand, it hindered their work, so a Matthew prepared to approach and ask Qin Miao to leave the track.

"Hello, tourists are not allowed to linger here. If you have no business, please leave the track quickly." Despite being somewhat unhappy about someone hindering his work, the Matthew knew that participants in today's event were mostly influential, so he maintained a gentle tone when speaking to Qin Miao.

Seeing someone coming to shoo him away, Qin Miao stood up, apologized quickly, and returned along the original route to the pit lane passageway.

Then he squatted again by the edge of the asphalt in the pit passageway to research.

What Qin Miao didn't know was, while he was bowing down to research, Qin Yun and a high-foreheaded, middle-aged man in a suit hurried to the P room here.

Behind them followed three or four others, who from their actions and attire seemed to be bodyguards and assistants.

Although Qin Miao's squatting position was very conspicuous, Qin Yun and the group saw him squatting at the pit lane entrance first thing when they came in, but after a glance, they didn't regard him as Qin Miao.

After all, squatting with legs spread on the ground as if taking a dump while picking at track asphalt didn't quite match their stereotypical image of an F1 driver.

So they just passed over the squatting Qin Miao and hurried to the P room in the pit lane, beginning to search for Qin Miao room by room.

Qin Miao actually heard the hurried footsteps behind him.

But over his time in the paddock, what he heard most wasn't the sound of pneumatic wrenches turning, or the loud roar of F1 engines, or the friction of tires on the ground, but people's voices and footsteps.

So now, Qin Miao was somewhat numb to footsteps, often subconsciously ignoring them even when gaming, getting flanked and killed by enemies, prompting Zhou Guanyu to tease Qin Miao for not using headphones while gaming.

And his live stream would be filled with question marks at that time, but Qin Miao really did hear it, just got too engrossed while aiming and ignored the footsteps.

So this time, engrossed in observing track conditions, all Qin Miao thought about was how this asphalt would affect racing tire wear, how he should protect his tires with his driving style, and didn't notice the people walking by him at all.

After about five to six minutes, Qin Miao had a rough idea in mind.

And concluded that the asphalt on the current track could no longer allow an F1 car to drive normally; if the Chinese Grand Prix were to return to the calendar, the organizer should re-pave the asphalt.

Otherwise, everyone would witness an F1 World Drift Grand Prix.

After standing up, Qin Miao remembered that he was waiting for someone, and for quite a while Qin Yun hadn't even called him.

Just as Qin Miao was about to take out his phone to call Qin Yun, his phone rang.

Qin Yun's slightly breathless voice came from Qin Miao's phone: "Qin Miao, where are you?"

"I'm at the pit lane entrance, you should've seen me as soon as you came in, right?"

It was quiet on Qin Yun's side for a while, then Qin Miao heard a gust of wind, followed by Qin Yun's somewhat helpless voice: "Was the person squatting at the track entrance just now you?"

Qin Miao was quite puzzled inside, did Qin Yun see him? Then why didn't he call out to him?

But he still replied on the phone: "Yes, did you see me? I was just checking the track's asphalt."

Qin Yun didn't say much more, just said over the phone: "Stay where you are and wait for me a bit, I'll be right there."

After speaking, Qin Yun hung up his phone.

Looking at his phone, Qin Miao was a bit baffled, what's going on?

But in no time, Qin Miao saw a group of people jogging to his side from the other end of the P room.

With just a glance, Qin Miao recognized the person leading as Qin Yun.

Qin Miao wasn't an old geezer, staying rooted when others were rushing towards him.

So Qin Miao also walked forward a bit to meet Qin Yun.

Meeting up, Qin Yun was still a bit out of breath.

It seemed he was quite anxious when he came to find him.

Today, perhaps because of the race, Qin Yun was dressed in a set of comfortable activewear with a short sleeve, sports pants, a sun jacket over her T-shirt, and a ponytail tied behind her head.

She appeared more energetic compared to the cool elegance Qin Miao had seen before.

"Long time no see." As soon as they met, Qin Yun, without catching her breath, extended her hand to Qin Miao.

Qin Miao also extended his hand to shake hers: "It has been a while, how have you been lately?"

Qin Yun smiled: "Not bad, thanks to you, like your steady progress on the F1 track, things are improving steadily.

Oh, by the way, let me introduce someone to you."

Saying this, Qin Yun stepped aside, allowing the middle-aged man behind her to the front and introduced Qin Miao: "This is Li Shufu, the chairman of Geely Group."

Li Shufu, being introduced, also extended his hand to Qin Miao with a smile, saying: "Hello, Mr. Qin, it's a pleasure to meet you.

I've been a big fan of yours, watching your races since your time in F2. I watch every F1 race's main and qualifying rounds unless work keeps me busy.

If I miss any, I catch up on them later.

Honestly, your performance in the last race in Hungary was beautiful!"

...

Meeting Qin Miao, Li Shufu was visibly excited and happy, talking a lot more than usual.

Initially, Qin Miao was confused, but soon he felt quite flattered.

Some people unfamiliar with the racing and automotive industry might not know who Li Shufu is.

Simply put, he's the chairman of Geely Holding, and the founder of Geely Group.

Geely Group owns several sub-brands such as Qianjiang Motorcycle, Volvo, and Lynk & Co.

Some might ask at this point, what does this have to do with Qin Miao?

Good question!

Geely owns shares in Aston Martin; though Geely isn't Aston Martin's largest shareholder, it is one of its top four shareholders, and this isn't because Geely doesn't want to be Aston Martin's largest shareholder but because Aston Martin's board fears Geely gobbling them up, thus limiting Geely's share purchase in Aston Martin.

The team in the paddock, where the "Young Master" Stroll and Vettel are teammates for Aston Martin, although controlled by Stroll's father, also holds shares in Aston Martin.

So Li Shufu can also be considered a major player within the paddock.