F1: I was born to be useful, and you are all destined for greatness.

Chapter 22

As F1 fans know, the DOTD (Driver of the Day) is chosen by a global vote of racing fans.

This award has little to do with the finisher's ranking; the driver's overall performance is the main factor considered in the fan vote.

Tangche's northward journey throughout the race provided global fans with numerous exciting battles, especially his several DRS tactics and his last-minute corner kill over Ocon, which thrilled fans worldwide.

While the clash between Verstappen and Leclerc in the Mars team was exciting, and Verstappen's last-minute victory over Leclerc was even more thrilling, most car enthusiasts still felt that Townche's ability to drive a mid-range car to the top of the Earth team was more awe-inspiring than the Mars rover head-to-head competition.

Therefore, Tang Che was elected DOTD of this competition with 17.5% of the vote.

Don't think this vote share is low; the vote share for DOTD is usually between 15% and 20%.

All the drivers participating in the main race are subject to fan voting, and each driver receives a portion of the votes, which means that no single driver will get a very high percentage of votes.

Tang Che: Why are you babbling on and on? Is DOTD really that valuable?

For Tontaffer, it may be optional, but for many drivers, DOTD may be the highest honor of their career.

After all, many drivers never reach the podium in their entire careers, and some drivers never even score a single point in their entire careers.

These drivers' inability to score points isn't entirely due to a lack of ability; a significant portion of them are driving in a shitbox, unable to score despite their best efforts.

That's why everyone wants to join a top racing team, because only by joining a top team can they have the chance to drive a championship-contending car.

However, not everyone can drive a championship car well. For example, even Red Bull's cars, which Albon and Gasly couldn't drive well despite their best efforts.

Therefore, to evaluate a driver, you need to see if he can drive a car to its expected performance. Going further, you need to see if he can drive the Mars rover with unparalleled dominance, if he can drive the Earth rover into the atmosphere, and if he can take the shitbox to a height that is not its own.

Tang Che: So?

So, let's get back to the main topic.

Tang Che brought back P6, earning 8 points; Gasley brought back P9, earning 2 points.

Team points are the sum of driver points, meaning that Alfa Romeo has earned 10 team points.

Think it's too little? Each extra point could mean hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars more in year-end bonuses for the team. Still think it's too little?

Alfa Toli team principal Franz Tost must be laughing his head off, because if the team's driver lineup were still Gasly and Kakuta, they definitely wouldn't have gotten 10 points in two races, and it's uncertain whether Kakuta would have even gotten any points at all.

When Tanger was being interviewed by domestic media in the mixed zone, Franz made a point of passing by, pointing at Tanger and saying to the camera, "This kid is a genius! An absolute historical genius!"

When it comes to interviews, Tang Che enjoys being interviewed by domestic media.

Firstly, they naturally feel a sense of familiarity with domestic media. Secondly, the questions asked by domestic media are generally milder, such as "What do you think of your performance in this game?" and "How does it feel to receive the DOTD?"

Unlike those English media outlets, which always ask Tontard what he thinks of Perez's performance in this game, eager for Tontard to make some outrageous statements so they can hype up the positional rivalry between Tontard and Perez.

That's what journalism students are like—as long as there's news, they don't care if the drivers' personal relationships break down. If they do, even better, because they'll have even more news to write about.

Tang Che is confident, not arrogant, and certainly not a fool. He wouldn't spout nonsense. When faced with this kind of question, he always gives the same standard answer: "Evaluating Cheko is the job of Red Bull's management, not my responsibility..."

If the reporters don't know what's good for them, Tang Che will embarrass them, just like he did at the Abu Dhabi game last season.

Making things difficult for reporters is also a standard way to deal with reporters who are being difficult.

"When faced with questions from the media, you can directly attack the person asking the question." — Jim Hack, the strongest prime minister since World War II.

Just as Tang Che finished his interview and stepped out of the mixed zone, Verstappen came looking for him.

"What did I say again?" Verstappen smiled. "P5 or P6."

Tang Che: "Then remember to predict that I'll bring back P1 next time."

"Unless all six cars from Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes crash and retire," Verstappen shrugged. "You know that's impossible."

Tanger was very confident: "If we start in the same row, I can still compete with Mercedes."

Based on the performance of these two races, if Mercedes' car is tuned well, it will be stuck between the Mars group and the Earth group, let's call it the lunar rover for now. If it's not tuned well, it will be like Hamilton's car today, sitting at the same table as Haas.

Needless to say, W13, who was sitting at the same table as Haas, was already thoroughly dominated by Towne. As for the lunar rover W13, as long as it didn't take Towne away like Russell did today, Towne could easily take it down.

If Tontard could even take on Perez, who was driving a Mars rover, wouldn't he be able to handle Russell, who was driving a lunar rover? Even if Russell ultimately wins, Tontard will still have to make sure he gets a good fight!

Verstappen shook his head: "Even if Red Bull and Mercedes retire four cars, it's impossible."

"You better not fall behind me in the later rounds!" Tang Che said. "If you do, I'll show you what it means to challenge the impossible!"

Verstappen raised his index finger: "Maliciously creating an inchident is against the rules."

"I think I hear someone calling me out," Leclerc popped out with a grin. "Great drive today, Tom."

"Thanks, Charles, you drove great too, it's just a shame you couldn't beat Max," Toncher continued. "Who said I was going to cut you off? Max, don't fall behind me, or I'll definitely give you a taste of lion-like defense."

"Then let's not," Verstappen said quietly. "I don't want to see your engine explode and catch fire again."

Leclerc settled in Bengbu.

Verstappen and Leclerc exchanged a glance, unable to hold back any longer.

"Max, you should know that you also use a Honda powertrain, and your engine is more reliable than mine," Tang Che said, changing the subject. "I hope your relationship will remain as friendly and amicable as it is now after the summer break."

Although Verstappen and Leclerc are childhood sweethearts, they are ultimately competing for the title. The last pair of childhood sweethearts competing for the title (Hamilton and Rosberg) were already star-crossed lovers.

"The power unit is the same, but the engineering team is different... Do you think my engine will blow up at the next station?" Verstappen laughed. "As for my relationship with Charles, we've had our share of arguments when we were young."

Tanger: "Max, are you sure you're not gay?"

"How could I possibly be gay?" Verstappen said. "I'm not British."