Chapter 257: Chapter 142: Paddock Politics
"But don’t lose confidence in Binotto either, he should have a way to resolve this matter. Of course, the premise is your performance in F2 has to be good enough, and mistakes like this can’t happen again." Roxin said, pointing to Qin Miao’s race car.
"But you don’t need to be too nervous. You should know that quite a few teams’ youth programs have contacted your agent. Even if you can’t go to Ferrari, with your current performance, racing in F1’s paddock next season shouldn’t be an issue—it all depends on you."
Qin Miao nodded slightly. After chatting with Roxin, although the feeling of regret in Qin Miao’s heart was still there, it had been somewhat diluted by the complex political struggles within the paddock.
"I’ll be leaving now." After finishing their chat, Qin Miao chose to say goodbye.
Roxin nodded slightly without stopping him.
Qin Miao left Roxin’s office like that.
After coming out of Roxin’s office, Qin Miao encountered two journalists.
A man and a woman. The woman was dressed lightly, with blonde hair and blue eyes, fitting the stereotypical image of reporters Qin Miao had seen in movies. The man was a photographer holding a video camera.
However, these two didn’t rush up and insistently ask Qin Miao questions like the reporters he encountered in Vicenza.
First, they politely greeted Qin Miao and explained their identity.
These two were journalists from the broadcaster.
Normally, a journalist would approach an F2 driver like Qin Miao for interviews only after the race or at the beginning of the race.
For a situation like now, when the race has been over for a long time and even preparations for the F1 race have started, it’s rare for journalists to specifically come to interview an F2 driver.
But due to known reasons, Qin Miao was rather special. Earlier, there was gossip in the paddock that this talented Chinese driver had joined Ferrari and would fill the gap left by Vettel next season.
And recently, there was news that Ferrari was contacting McLaren, showing interest in McLaren’s driver, Sainz.
In this context, Qin Miao, who has always been dominant in F2, surprisingly made an error that a driver should not have made today during the race.
This topic drew lots of attention, making journalists’ presence unsurprising.
"Qin, hello, do you have time? We’d like to ask you a few questions."
Qin Miao really had no desire to be interviewed now. After hearing Roxin’s explanation, his mind was a little confused, and his mindset was shifting.
Initially, Qin Miao had a sense of belonging to Ferrari, but after the contract dispute, he felt some hostility towards Ferrari. And now... Qin Miao couldn’t quite describe his exact feelings toward Ferrari—it was complicated and indescribable.
Yet, in the end, Qin Miao didn’t refuse because Qimeng reminded Qin Miao: If a journalist wants to interview you, unless you have something urgent, it’s best not to decline.
After all, they wield pens. If you accommodate them, they’ll accommodate you too.
If you offend them, fabricating something against you is just a matter of a few words.
"Yes, I have time, ask away."
The journalists didn’t expect Qin Miao to be so agreeable, but seeing him agree, they quickly got into work mode.
"Okay, so are you aware of the rumors spreading in the paddock about Ferrari contacting McLaren? What is your take on that?"
"I know. It’s just normal team activities. I think it has little to do with me."
"But there are reports that Ferrari approached McLaren to bring in McLaren’s driver Sainz. Aren’t you worried this might mean you won’t secure a seat with Ferrari next season, despite rumors of your joining the Ferrari F1 team?"
Qin Miao wanted to say something but quickly realized the journalist was trying to trap him.
Although insiders know that he indeed signed a contract with Ferrari, this news hasn’t been announced, and there are more rumors in the paddock with no concrete proof of this fact.
If he accidentally disclosed this matter in front of the camera, it wouldn’t take long for another wave of media frenzy to stir in the paddock.
Not knowing what might happen if the news leaks, Qin Miao also didn’t want to delve deeply into these thoughts.
And due to the journalist’s attempt to trap him, any slight goodwill toward the journalist’s good looks vanished.
So Qin Miao didn’t answer, ignoring the microphone handed to him, and turned away directly amidst their confused expressions.
If they don’t want to ask properly, then don’t ask at all.
Journalist: ???
Photographer: ???
Qimeng indeed advised Qin Miao not to antagonize journalists, but the current Qin Miao was purely childish. When he was ostracized in Ferrari, his behavior showed it, and naturally, he wouldn’t behave professionally towards journalists unrelated to him.
So Qin Miao simply left, leaving the two in a mess.
However, not long after, a negative article about Qin Miao emerged.