The green breeze swept through the forest, brushing against their faces. Although it was summer, the early morning dampness and chill still raised goosebumps on their skin.
Two figures stopped in their tracks, staring at each other. The shock and surprise mirrored in their eyes left them momentarily speechless.
Kai couldn't control his voice, which pitched up at the end. "Pierre?"
Pierre Borreipaire, Kai's race engineer from ART last season.
Reuniting wasn't entirely unexpected; they had greeted each other at Silverstone. But the problem was, this was Hockenheim. Only F1 was racing here—no GP3, no F2. So where did Borreipaire come from?
Kai strode forward, two steps at a time. Fist bump, handshake, shoulder bump—a familiar sequence executed smoothly, a smile spreading across his face.
Seeing the dumbfounded Borreipaire, Kai burst out laughing. "Why do you look more surprised than me? Isn't it natural for me to be here?"
Borreipaire finally recovered, a familiar warmth in his eyes. He shook his head gently. "I just didn't expect you to appear so early. Imagine my feeling when a figure pops out from the side like Sonic the Hedgehog. I almost dropped my pass."
Kai spread his hands, presenting himself. "Thanks for not saying Super Mario."
Pfft!
Borreipaire couldn't hold back a smirk.
Kai finally had time to examine him closely. "What's with the Ferrari kit? Did Nick [Todt] loan you out temporarily, or did you jump ship?"
Borreipaire looked down at his Ferrari uniform. Honestly, he wasn't used to it either. It felt strange and awkward, like wearing someone else's clothes.
But—
"Surprise!" Borreipaire spread his arms.
Kai initially thought Borreipaire was joking. Despite his serious demeanor, Pierre had a hidden playful side. But scrutinizing Borreipaire's expression, Kai's smile froze. They locked eyes again.
Finally, Kai confirmed it. Borreipaire had officially left ART to join Ferrari.
Surprise or what! Unexpected or what!
Borreipaire watched with satisfaction as Kai's usually composed expression shattered, his mouth opening wide enough to swallow an egg.
From the moment he accepted the offer, Borreipaire had kept it a secret, waiting for this very moment.
Seeing Kai's shock, Borreipaire was content, his eyes full of laughter.
"Congratulations!"
Kai stepped forward and hugged Borreipaire, slapping his old partner's back hard, offering sincere congratulations.
"Congrats! This is a good thing, right? Nick isn't crying at home refusing to come to Hockenheim? Pierre, congrats on the career breakthrough."
Borreipaire laughed heartily. "Don't worry, ART will be fine. They're good."
He paused. Although it was heavy, Borreipaire felt Kai should know. "Mr. Marchionne called me personally. He said he would handle Nick himself. He hoped I could come to the team to assist you, to chase the limit of speed and challenge ourselves together."
A light sentence, but it landed heavily on Kai's chest.
Caught off guard, Kai froze slightly.
Borreipaire's nose tingled. "Mr. Marchionne always believed in you. He believed your potential wasn't fully tapped."
Now, Kai finally understood why Marchionne asked him to visit the hospital in Milan. It wasn't just to entrust a dream.
Taking a deep breath, Kai straightened his back slightly. "Looks like we have to win now. The pit wall has no excuse for dragging us down anymore."
That confident, vigorous demeanor was exactly as Borreipaire remembered; but the determination in his eyes was something Borreipaire hadn't seen before.
Although Borreipaire had followed F1 closely for the past six months and knew of Kai's growth, seeing it up close... the boy had truly changed.
"...You, you're not late, no need to... rush..." Lorenzo's voice came from behind, breathless. He stopped short. "Pierre? Why are you at Hockenheim? Wait, what's with the Ferrari uniform?"
Kai and Borreipaire exchanged a glance and burst out laughing.
Chatting back and forth, the three headed toward the garage. Not far away, a heart-wrenching scream rang out—
"BABY! DRIVER!"
Reflexively looking toward the sound, Kai was slightly surprised.
This was Hockenheim, Germany, not far from Vettel's hometown. One would expect a mass of Vettel fans here. Given the Austria experience, Kai didn't think he was a welcome guest.
Could he actually have supporters here?
The next second, a small patch of red and a large sea of silver came into view. Not many people, but they had secured their spots early, waiting eagerly for the drivers. Obviously, early in the morning, the drivers were still sleeping. The paddock was quiet, save for staff.
And... Kai.
"Ruuuuuuu!"
Boos washed over him. The scattered people around turned, raising their hands, middle fingers extended, joining the chorus of boos. In an instant, it turned into dark clouds pressing down, swarming from all directions, engulfing Kai.
Not just Vettel's home; this was Mercedes' home ground too.
Just like Monza for Ferrari, Hockenheim was one of the few true home races on the calendar. Considering the fierce battle between Ferrari and Mercedes, and the collision between Kai and Hamilton at Silverstone last week, Hockenheim was ready.
At Silverstone, the post-race interview was interrupted by breaking news. Kai hadn't directly responded to Hamilton and Wolff's accusations, but Ferrari filed an official protest afterward. To Mercedes fans and Hamilton ultras, this was a provocation.
Kai refusing interviews and ignoring Hamilton was interpreted as arrogance and disrespect.
They didn't care about Marchionne's illness or Kai's reasons. They only cared that Hamilton was insulted.
They wanted Kai to bow his head, apologize, admit his mistake, preferably kneeling before Hamilton in total submission.
Old grudges and new hate. From Vettel to Hamilton, Kai's arrogance was fully exposed. Showing zero respect to two four-time world champions revealed his true nature. German fans refused to let Kai do as he pleased.
So, at Hockenheim, Kai's mere presence was the fuse. It united the early-bird fanatics instantly, unleashing a hundred times the energy, baring their fangs to give Kai a shock education—
Welcome to hell.
The British Grand Prix was overshadowed by paddock politics, but the chaos of the race itself was far from over.
After the race, Kai submitted a formal request via the team to speak with the FIA stewards—the place drivers jokingly called the "Little Black Room." Usually, stewards summoned drivers there for disputes, an unpleasant experience like being sent to the principal's office.
Occasionally, a driver dissatisfied with a penalty could request a dialogue to file a formal appeal.
The conversation in the Little Black Room remained private; but the FIA's post-race statement was public.
"Penalty Amended"
"The collision between Car 22 and Car 44 at Turn 4 was not intentional. Car 22 is not at fault."
The race was over, so the FIA couldn't revoke the 10-second penalty time, but this statement cleared Kai's name. The collision was a racing incident.
—Boom!
One stone, a thousand waves. Social media exploded, even amidst the Mallya and Marchionne news.
Mercedes fans couldn't believe it. "FIA and Ferrari collusion!" "Why doesn't the FIA just give the trophy to Ferrari?"
Ferrari had beaten Mercedes at Silverstone, extending their Constructors' lead. The fans were already fuming. Now, watching Ferrari distort the truth and the FIA reverse a clear penalty in broad daylight?
And Ferrari throwing mud at Mercedes again?
Intolerable!
Ferrari was suffocating other teams, stealing Mercedes' championships by any means necessary. No more tolerance.
In Silverstone, Wolff said Ferrari's tactics were dirty. Now Mercedes fans expanded on that, believing the FIA was turning a blind eye, making F1 a Ferrari dictatorship.
Why continue the show? If the FIA didn't want Mercedes to win, just disqualify them. Why ask the whole paddock to act along? Ridiculous.
Mercedes fans exploded. Ferrari fans weren't any happier.
The Tifosi were furious. Wolff and Hamilton played the victim while gaining the advantage. They slandered Kai post-race. If not for Mercedes pressuring the FIA, the 10-second penalty wouldn't have existed, and Kai would have won the British Grand Prix.
Ferrari would have had a 1-2 finish.
They weren't surprised. Other drivers cause collisions: 5 seconds. Collide with Hamilton: 10 seconds. The double standard was obvious.
And now, the FIA penalty had blatantly stolen Kai's win. If Kai hadn't fought for it, the FIA would have swept it under the rug.
"Why not just announce Hamilton as champion then?"
Not just Tifosi. Neutral fans were tired of Mercedes dominance and the collusion between Mercedes and the FIA. The support rallied behind Ferrari and Kai.
On social media, countless analyses of the collision proved Kai innocent. The FIA likely realized their bias was too obvious and used Ferrari's appeal as an excuse to back down.
—Despicable.
The traffic pushed Mercedes into isolation.
But at this crucial juncture—Hockenheim!
Perhaps the last stronghold for the Mercedes camp globally. Here, they enjoyed 100% home advantage. Supporters of Mercedes and Hamilton gathered from all over, ready to sound the counterattack horn.
Add the Vettel fans... and this scene appeared.
Boos everywhere. Middle fingers like a forest. A fierce, bloody aura gathered from every corner. It was early morning, not crowded yet, but the killing intent permeated the empty space, pressing down like a dark mass.
Nowhere to run.
Even as bystanders, Lorenzo and Borreipaire felt their knees go weak. Words couldn't describe the feeling.
Like Public Enemy No. 1. The whole world against you, leaving you alone.
Then, Borreipaire saw Kai's lips curve up. A smile bloomed.
A bright, unreserved smile. A laugh. As if seeing the most beautiful scenery in the world. He didn't fight back like in France. He just stood there quietly, chest out, facing them calmly, taking in every face.
So serious, so focused.
That unhurried, upright posture miraculously confronted the overwhelming waves ahead, standing his ground.
Let him be strong, the breeze brushes the hills; let him be fierce, the moon shines on the river.
The aura radiating from him was like a master looking down on mortals. Standing firm and indifferent in the storm.
Involuntarily, Borreipaire and Lorenzo settled down, straightening their knees and backs.
Then, Kai turned to greet his two partners, walking calmly. The angry faces punched cotton, left messy in the wind, unsure whether to keep booing or turn away in embarrassment.
Borreipaire's chaotic mind settled. Compared to GP3, Kai seemed steadier and firmer. He recovered his composure and started chatting. "Why are you here so early? Couldn't sleep?"
Kai: "Learning the track. I know Silverstone and the Red Bull Ring well, but it's my first time at Hockenheim. I haven't driven it much on the sim. I've done more Nürburgring."
"Ah, understandable. Hockenheim used to be unique, but after the 2002 redesign, it's a very standard European track. Lacks some character."
"Indeed, nothing beats the Nürburgring. I heard F1 is discussing returning there. True?"
"Nordschleife or Südschleife? I don't think the FIA guys will agree. Even with safety improvements, driving it for real is different."
Blah blah blah. The chatter bubbled up. Although the boos still surged, they became background white noise. The three walked on enthusiastically, completely unaffected, leaving the fans behind feeling humiliated.
Were they... ignored?
Nürburgring. Famous. Long, complex, challenging. The "Green Hell."
The first German GP was there in 1951. Despite protests, F1 persisted until Niki Lauda's near-fatal accident in 1976. The FIA finally caved and moved the German GP to Hockenheim.
For a long time, Hockenheim was Mercedes' test track. Unique.
Once, like Monza, it was a high-speed track dominated by straights but interrupted by chicanes. Grip in slow corners was sacrificed for speed. Maintaining rhythm was the test. Four straights cut through the forest, creating temperature variations that challenged tire management.
However, after the 2002 redesign, Hockenheim became a standard European track.
More medium-speed corners and hairpins were added, emphasizing chassis balance and tire management.
But the iconic forest straights remained. The temperature differences still posed a challenge.
The third sector, largely unchanged, remained the highlight. Mobil 1 Curve, Sachs Curve, Stadium Section—speed and technique combined.
Based on this season's performance, Mercedes would undoubtedly dominate Hockenheim. They were the target. Ferrari, after struggles in Canada and France, seemed to have found the right setup for their upgrades. Although Mercedes' suspension offered more stability in variable corners, Ferrari had a chance.
Following France and Britain, the clash between Mercedes and Ferrari escalated. The championship battle was white-hot.
Perhaps the only uncertainty came from off-track: would Marchionne's condition affect the team's morale?
However, unexpectedly, someone crashed the party—
In the championship battle, did someone forget a key player?
Red Bull!
Since Monaco, Red Bull had maximized their advantage in slow/medium corners, catching up and joining the fight. Ricciardo and Verstappen both showed top-tier competitiveness. Clearly, Red Bull wasn't content with a two-horse race.
Especially after the split with Renault, Horner knew Renault was watching. Red Bull had eyes on him too. He had to deliver results to prove his decision was wise.
At Hockenheim, Sectors 1 and 2 might favor Mercedes and Ferrari, but Sector 3 was Red Bull territory. While Ferrari and Mercedes fought at Silverstone, Red Bull was sharpening its blade—
FP1: Ricciardo P1, Verstappen P3.
FP2: Verstappen P1, Ricciardo unexpectedly out of the top 10.
But no one cared.
This season, Kai had sandbagged in practice repeatedly. The paddock was wise to it. Noticing Ricciardo's lap times drop off a cliff abnormally, they realized Red Bull was hiding pace, ready to strike in Qualifying and the Race.
Instantly, rivals tensed up.
FP3: Chaos. The topper was... Leclerc.
Not just Leclerc. His Sauber teammate Raikkonen was P2. Sauber 1-2 in FP3?
Paddock: Are you serious?
Even Leclerc laughed. "I guess we were the only ones not strategizing, just pushing."
Horner realized he had been too eager, breaking the balance and exposing himself. Mercedes and Ferrari hid in the shadows, letting Red Bull hog the spotlight. Now, they couldn't judge their rivals' status or strategy.
Although Horner reacted quickly to cut losses—abandoning FP3 to hide pace—it was just damage control.
Undercurrents surged.
Constructors' battle, summer break approaching, management turmoil, off-track games... the 2018 season was heating up. Hockenheim felt tight, a storm brewing.
Qualifying began in this atmosphere.
Q1: Surprise struck instantly—
The top three teams established dominance easily.
Just as everyone thought the drama would wait for Q3, Hamilton made a mistake on his second flying lap.
Understeer on exit sent him off track, over the kerbs and onto the gravel. Violent bouncing damaged the floor. Hamilton tried to limp back to the pits to fix it and continue.
Bono (Peter Bonnington), his engineer, radioed urgently: "Stop. Lewis, stop the car."
Hamilton, feeling immense championship pressure, was desperate. "I can make it back. Now. Immediately. I can."
Bono warned repeatedly. "Stop stop stop." He sounded desperate. "Lewis, don't continue. You risk engine damage. It could ruin our weekend."
Reluctantly, Hamilton pulled over. But he didn't give up.
He got out and started pushing the car. "Bono, I'm almost there."
The whole crowd watched. Drivers in the pits watched. Hamilton's will was undeniable.
But he couldn't make it.
With marshals' help, Car 44 was parked. Hamilton looked at his car in despair.
Q2 hadn't started, and Mercedes lost a knight!
Accident, error, millimeters... that's F1. Even Hamilton in a rocket ship faces sudden death.
Hockenheim gasped. Fans held their heads in disbelief.
It didn't stop there. A stress-filled weekend. Q2 started, and another top driver fell.
Red Bull's Ricciardo.
Power Unit again. Third failure in three races.
Ricciardo retired from Q2.
—
Back in the garage, Ricciardo slumped on the floor, lifeless. The vibrant energy was gone.
Tortured into silence by engine issues.
On the pit wall, Horner glared at the Renault garage, furious. He couldn't wait to dump that baggage.
Global strategy, ruined.
Red Bull (strong in practice) and Mercedes (strong at Hockenheim) both lost a car. Pressure poured onto Ferrari. The hot air seemed to solidify.
Q3. Kai struck first. Perfect first run—
Sector 1 Purple!
Sector 2 Purple!
Gasps and cheers. Passion ignited. Sector 3 looked smooth!
But at Turn 12 (Sachs), clear understeer. Kai reacted instantly, controlling the car, exiting cleanly, correcting quickly. He saved the lap, but it left a regret.
1:11.547.
Fastest!
Despite the understeer, Kai broke into the 1:11s, the first of the day!
Imagine the time without that flaw.
It seemed Ferrari's instability since the Canada upgrade still lurked. Hopefully, Maranello was working overtime for the Belgium upgrade.
Verstappen followed Kai across the line.
Pity!
Max broke into the 1:11s too, but 0.275 seconds slower.
"Fuck!"
Horner slammed the desk.
Ferrari was sandbagging!
Red Bull exposed themselves too early in practice. Now Ricciardo was out, Max was behind Kai, and the gap was bigger than expected. Red Bull would have to take risks in the race.
Not just Ferrari. Mercedes was sandbagging too.
Hamilton was an accident. The pressure was now on Bottas—
Horner hoped Bottas would disrupt Ferrari, creating chances for Red Bull.
"Bottas is challenging Kai's pole. Kai's lap was incredible; Bottas needs to squeeze everything out. Kai has the upper hand; Bottas is going all out."
"Meanwhile, Vettel starts his final flyer."
"Wow!"
"Unbelievable! Vettel purple in Sector 1! Beating Kai's incredible time! Ferrari never showed this speed in practice. Mercedes looks shocked."
Focus on the track.
Kai was back in the pits, sitting in the car, helmet on, watching the screens.
Mercedes and Red Bull hadn't expected Ferrari's straight-line speed. Bottas was only green in the first two sectors. Personal best, but slower than Kai. Their strategy might need a rewrite.
"Final corner! Bottas uses all the kerb! Flat out to the line!"
"Unbelievable!"
"Pole! Bottas!"
"Toto Wolff and the garage can't believe it! No one thought he could do it, but he did!"
Sector 3 Purple!
Trailing early, Bottas maximized the Mercedes advantage in the low-speed Sector 3 to overtake Kai.
Surprise. 100%. Wolff stared at the screen, forgetting to celebrate. He was just thinking about changing strategy, and then... surprise!
With Hamilton out, Bottas stepped up. He proved he could carry the flag. Hockenheim turned silver.
But Qualifying wasn't over!
One car left. Ferrari #5.
After beating Kai in Sector 1, Vettel went purple in Sector 2. Unbelievable performance suffocated the crowd.
No one knew what happened, but since his revival at Silverstone, Vettel had exploded with energy. The four-time champion had awakened.
And now, at home in Hockenheim, he aimed for pole.
"Brilliant! Stunning! Fluid!"
"Sebastian Vettel is in top form! Aiming not just for pole, but the track record."
"He's flowing, unstoppable! The red Ferrari is a stream of light in the slow corners! Peak Vettel!"
Gasp!
Breath held. Eyes locked. Following the red car gliding out of the corner, sprinting to the line.
"Pole!"
"Unbelievable! Vettel takes pole at Hockenheim! New track record!"
Hockenheim went wild. Home fans couldn't believe their eyes. Hearts exploded. Despite Hamilton's disappointment, German driver Vettel defended home glory. After a depressing half-season, dawn arrived.
Q3 delivered. Kai, Bottas, Vettel—three drivers breaking records in turn. Suspense to the end.
Radio: "Kai, we did great. For God's sake, tell me you aren't crying secretly?" Pierre Borreipaire's voice.