How Did I Become an F1 Driver?-Chapter 919 - 362: Pay Raise (Part 2)

"It seems I have no reason to refuse."

"Actually, you don't need to refuse. It's actually a reward from the team for your outstanding performance last season. The reason why we waited until today to tell you about this is mainly because the team had quite a lot on its plate. We weren't sure about the car's performance this new season, so we spent a lot of time on the car. After finishing in Bahrain, our work for this season got back on track, and only then did we have the time to scrutinize if we had any shortcomings within ourselves, and we immediately noticed the issue with your contract."

Qin Miao took Toto's words as truth.

"At that time, the team will provide specific contract details. If you have time, just come to my office to sign a signature.

As for the salary... you know, without the contract term being extended, the team can't offer too high a salary, so the annual salary is just 20 million US dollars, weekly pay is 380,000.

Of course, the original reward mechanism still exists, though comparing to your current salary may seem insignificant, but it's still considered extra income, isn't it?"

Even though that's said, actually, the salary offered by the team is already the fourth highest base salary in the paddock.

Only Verstappen, Hamilton, and Alonso precede Qin Miao.

This is the gold value of a 20-year-old world champion.

"Such a high salary, and without any attached conditions, easily makes one suspect it's a scam." Imagining the scene after 20 million dollars credited, Qin Miao shook his head and chuckled.

"Actually, you could refuse because doing so would save the team a huge sum of money." Toto joked with a smile.

"No, this contract is pretty good, I agree."

Toto smiled even more happily.

But soon, Toto reined in his smile: "Next, someone from the team will specifically handle this matter. Remember to have a lawyer thoroughly review the contract the team gives you before signing it, in case of any errors or omissions.

Ultimately, looking forward to more close and tight collaboration between you and the team, let's encourage each other."

"I hope so too."

While saying this, Qin Miao's car had just stopped at a traffic light, their hands clasped together.

...

It's worth mentioning that neither Qin Miao nor Toto nor the Mercedes team has ever publicly promoted the contract changes for Qin Miao.

Don't look at the 20 million dollars annual salary as very high, it even surpasses 85% of drivers in the paddock, but actually, compared to the world champion's title, Qin Miao's salary seems somewhat too cheap.

So if not announced, not many fans would notice what Qin Miao's actual salary is at this moment. Even if someone is curious, it will soon be dissipated amidst other news without a trace.

But once this news is announced, it's unpredictable what consequences will follow.

Back at the hotel, naturally, Qin Miao told Qimeng about this matter again.

After thinking over it, Qimeng didn't find anything suspicious from this matter: "There shouldn't be any big problems. I'll help you check, and then find a few different law firms for cross-verifying the contract clauses. If everything's fine, you can indeed sign this contract."

Qin Miao found a chair to lie down on, a bit surprised to ask after hearing Qimeng's words: "Just confirming with one lawyer that everything is fine should do, is there really a need for such strict cross-validation? You give me the impression of checking for spies."

Qimeng shrugged: "Do not harbor evil intentions against others, but equally remain vigilant. You gotta be careful."

"You are here, aren't you, relying on you for everything is fine." Qin Miao remained rather calm.

Qimeng helplessly glanced at Qin Miao, then rolled her eyes gracefully to contact the lawyer.

An uneventful night, the next day, Thursday.

It was Qin Miao's media day.

Because it's media day today, Qin Miao arrived in the paddock early.

After breakfast, Barber handed Qin Miao a schedule.

Taking the schedule casually, Qin Miao glanced over it, then sighed: "Plenty of activities today, huh."

Barber nodded beside him: "This year's Formula One Grand Prix viewership hit a new record high. As a result, the demand for video on media day increased, and sponsor activities before the race have also increased. Meanwhile, the surge in fans led to a significant increase in fans purchasing VIP tickets unique to the team. To strengthen our influence in your homeland, the team invited numerous celebrities to watch the race for this Grand Prix."

"Hey, I remembered the celebrities from the last Grand Prix were invited by the local tourism board, weren't they? How did it change to Saudi Arabia?" Qin Miao caught onto the blind spot.

Barber shrugged: "The effect was good; you have no idea how much the sales of Mercedes cars in Asia boosted these three days. All this was a temporary decision made by Mercedes's parent company,"

Qin Miao smacked his mouth: "F1 is indeed a business alliance, everything prioritized on benefits."

"Isn't that right... Alright, that's enough complaining, let's get to work." Once the two chatted enough, they arrived at the entrance of the "team house" freshly erected overnight by the team's logistics department staff.

...

In the preliminary phase of Thursday's work, Qin Miao displayed little enthusiasm since these times were spent recording videos. Most of the time, Qin Miao and Hamilton were acting, the looks on their faces weren't smiles, just expressions.

However, once the track day activities in the afternoon arrived, Qin Miao became much happier.

For a driver, being able to drive on the track is such a joyful thing, even if the performance of the car isn't that great.

It's just that what surprised Qin Miao was, during Thursday's track activities, Qin Miao drove the team's AMG GT, carried Mercedes team's VIP audience twice around the track, and when he intended to carry the last one and call it a day, he ran into a familiar face again.

"Zhou?"

Looking at Jay Chou with a helmet sitting in his copilot seat.

Even though Jay Chou's head was reshaped by the helmet at this time, Qin Miao still managed to recognize him, then a big question mark popped in Qin Miao's mind.

Although seeing Jay Chou again made Qin Miao happy, wasn't this guy watching his race in Bahrain last week? How come he's in Saudi Arabia now.

"Hey Qin Miao, good afternoon, nice to see you again." Jay Chou greeted with a smile while the staff on the scene helped him fasten his seatbelt.

Seeing Qin Miao's puzzled look, Jay Chou seemed to have guessed the confusion in Qin Miao's heart, so he smiled and explained: "My work hasn't finished here, there are still plenty of activities and a fashion week to attend, so I stayed a few more days in the Middle East. Once I knew there's a track day this week for the Mercedes team, I quickly came over."

Then Qin Miao reached out, and shook hands with Jay Chou, exchanged a few pleasantries, after which Qin Miao had an idea, and asked with a smile: "That's great, hope you enjoy your time in the paddock.

But Zhou, how's the experience today? Do you want me to speed up or drive at a normal pace?"

"Can this be chosen?" Jay Chou was a bit surprised.

"Of course." Qin Miao's smile was so pure at this moment, seemingly just a sincere big boy without any ulterior motives.

Jay Chou, after all, owns supercars and has driven on race tracks himself. Though he wasn't very fast, he prides himself on having some track driving experience.

Therefore, he's curious about the differences in feeling when his driven supercar and an F1 world champion's driven car race on the track, so he quickly accepted Qin Miao's proposal, then replied: "Actually, I have experience in this area. If possible, go as fast as you can."

Qin Miao's smile became even brighter: "Great, then hold on tight."

After saying that, Qin Miao looked at the staff who's fastening Jay Chou's seatbelt.

The personnel checked Jay Chou's equipment one last time, confirmed everything was fine, gave Qin Miao a thumbs-up indicating the inspection was complete, and there were no problems.

Qin Miao nodded with a smile, started the car, and switched off the electronic control system of the car. The engine was also adjusted to track mode, and next, this car was completely under Qin Miao's control.

PS: Sorry, I've been busy with preparing to return to my hometown these days, planning to go back on the 3rd, might need a day off on the 3rd, should be able to repay once back home.

Today is still 4K, really sorry.

PS2: Hamilton going to Ferrari shocked me for a whole year, is the eight-time champion in a rush?