CHAPTER 221: JOINT STATEMENT
Podium interviews are a privilege reserved exclusively for race winners. With Wu Shi and Lewis Hamilton both retiring early from the Grand Prix, they spoke with media in the paddock's designated interview zone instead.
"Wu Shi, today's race was clearly disappointing – you had a clear overtaking opportunity into Turn 1, but contact with Lewis ended both your races. What's your take on the incident?"
"Lewis might've been feeling the pressure today – caught me by surprise when he understeered into the corner," Wu Shi said with a light smile, then grew serious.
"This was a standard racing incident. The competition was intense, and both of us pushed our cars to the absolute limit – that kind of edge can lead to small mistakes that escalate quickly.
"It won't affect me long-term; every driver deals with incidents like this over the course of a season."
The reporter nodded, then pressed further: "Lewis's mistake seemed out of character. Given your lead in the Drivers' Championship, do you think there was any intent behind it?"
Wu Shi looked up, surprised by the question – such claims could damage reputations in the tight-knit paddock. He took a sip of water before responding:
"Lewis and I have a great relationship – he's a mentor to me, and he was one of the first to check if I was okay after we came into the pits. We're here to race hard, not to take each other out."
The reporter recognized the gentle rebuke and shifted focus to the standings: "Nico Rosberg takes 25 points for the win today, closing the gap to you. How confident are you about defending your lead?"
Wu Shi glanced across the media zone as Hamilton approached, then said: "Nico came into this race with 78 points – he'll move to 103 now. Lewis is on 102, so I think he has more reason to watch his position than I do."
"Hey, I heard my name from halfway across the paddock!" Hamilton interjected, joining them with a warm grin.
"They asked if I was worried about being overtaken," Wu Shi laughed. "I said you'd be more concerned than me."
Hamilton chuckled, his relaxed demeanor making it clear the on-track incident hadn't strained their friendship. Seeing this, reporters quickly accepted that the collision was a genuine racing accident.
"I'll leave you to it," Wu Shi said, fist-bumping Hamilton before heading out of the media zone.
Hamilton's expression grew serious as he faced the cameras. Asked about the incident and his position in the standings, he replied:
"It was a racing incident, and I take full responsibility for my part in it. I ruined my own race and Wu Shi's, which let others close the gap on us both.
"But that's motorsport – these things happen, and we move on. As for the standings, Nico's now ahead of me, but it's worth noting he only picks up big points when Wu Shi and I aren't finishing ahead."
His words carried clear frustration with Rosberg – telling, given that Sebastian Vettel had also moved past him in the rankings without drawing criticism. The retirement had hit Hamilton harder than most realized.
The top four were now separated by just a handful of points, splitting those who'd once assumed Mercedes would dominate the title race. Many now backed either Wu Shi – F1's youngest ever rookie – or Vettel, the four-time champion now with Ferrari; both stories promised more drama than a Mercedes internal battle.
The reporter followed up: "Sebastian Vettel has also overtaken you – do you feel under pressure, and how will you respond in upcoming races?"
Hamilton smiled calmly, having learned to keep his cards close in public: "I'm not worried about being temporarily behind.
"Our car has strong pace – I initially thought Nico was my only real rival, then Wu Shi emerged as a threat. Now, I believe the biggest challenge comes from Wu Shi alone.
"He has an incredible feel for qualifying and race craft – some of his lines and car control are unlike anything I've seen. I wouldn't be surprised if he takes pole again in the Williams – he's capable of genuine miracles."
The reporter was taken aback – Hamilton had shifted focus entirely from Vettel to praise his younger rival. He nodded and concluded the interview.
Other drivers echoed similar sentiments when asked about Wu Shi. Two-time champion Fernando Alonso put it plainly: "In this paddock, he's the one who can make the impossible happen." Even with a first-lap retirement, Wu Shi had left his mark.
The mood shifted when reporters spoke to Max Verstappen. The young Dutchman's face was earnest, but his words were sharp:
"Wu Shi and I raced together as kids – he's always pushed me to be better. Without today's incident, he would've been right in the fight at the front, maybe even won.
"I've watched the replays closely, and I don't believe it was an accident."
The reporter was shocked – Verstappen was effectively questioning the FIA's no-penalty ruling and challenging Hamilton's account. Knowing Verstappen's family background in motorsport, he quickly steered the conversation: "The FIA has made its decision, and both drivers have called it an accident."
"Fair enough," Verstappen said, letting the topic drop. He'd stated his view – what others thought was out of his hands.
Team principals were next to comment. Mercedes' Toto Wolff confirmed it was a racing incident, backed the FIA's ruling, and praised Wu Shi's talent. Sir Frank Williams was unwell, so Claire Williams spoke for the team, mirroring Wolff's stance and reaffirming trust in the governing body. Both teams were content with no further action.
As often happens in F1, the race itself had few standout moments, but the post-race discussion was fierce – a deliberate part of the sport's strategy to drive engagement and commercial interest.
Italian media threw their support behind Wu Shi, running headlines like "The Golden Right Front's Demise" and criticizing Hamilton. British outlets fired back, accusing Wu Shi of clumsy driving. The cross-border media feud sparked heated arguments on social media.
Wu Shi's supporters accused Hamilton of dirty tactics: "First the 'golden left front,' now this – same old tricks!" "Can't win on track, so he crashes into rivals!" "Wu Shi had given him space – he deserved a podium today!"
Hamilton's fans were equally vocal: "The FIA got it wrong – Wu Shi pushed him wide!" "He's only here because of money, not skill!" Some went further, using racist slurs and false claims that the Williams FW37 was secretly tuned by Mercedes.
Word of the abuse reached China, where netizens responded with anger – in 2015, tensions were already high, and many felt Wu Shi was being targeted for his nationality. A flood of messages hit foreign platforms, with some resorting to equally offensive language against Hamilton.
The vitriol began affecting Wu Shi personally – he was recognized on the streets of the UK, leaving him uneasy given the country's gun laws. He contacted his manager Sid to issue a statement through his official channels, reaffirming that the incident was accidental.
He also called Hamilton directly: "I've seen the things people are saying online – I'm sorry for how my fans have acted."
"We're good – this isn't on you," Hamilton replied. "My side has said some out of line things too, and I apologize for that."
With both drivers aligned, Wu Shi suggested: "What if we do a joint statement? We can put an end to the fighting."
"Absolutely – I was thinking the same thing," Hamilton agreed. "Fans should be cheering us on, not attacking each other."
Williams and Mercedes both approved the plan, prioritizing damage control. The pair recorded a casual interview-style statement in a studio later that week.
Off-camera host: "There's been a lot of discussion about your on-track collision – what do you want to say to fans?"
Wu Shi gestured for Hamilton to speak first.
Hamilton began: "The FIA has concluded its investigation, and neither of us will face further action. That's the end of it – mistakes happen when you're racing at the limit."
Wu Shi added: "Exactly – it was an accident, and there's no blame to assign."
"Yep, that's it," Hamilton shrugged.
They looked at each other, realized they'd said all they needed to, and burst out laughing.
"Seriously though – it's done, it's in the past, and we're not holding anything against each other," Wu Shi said.
"100%," Hamilton confirmed. "We've been friends since Wu Shi was a kid coming up through the ranks – that doesn't change because of one incident. Let's all move on."
The informal tone was more effective than any formal press release, calming tensions among reasonable fans. While troublemakers still tried to stir conflict, the majority accepted the drivers' account and moved on.
Ye Ningning's Perspective
Ye Ningning was at boarding school, coming home only once every two weeks – a rare chance to catch up on news. She'd been struggling with her studies lately, falling behind in several exams, and kept it to herself since her father was always busy.
As usual, she logged on to check on her idol – the always-victorious Wu Shi she admired. But she was immediately hit with toxic arguments and false claims.
Thankfully, she didn't let it sway her – in her mind, Wu Shi was a kind, focused driver who'd never cause unnecessary trouble. She quickly found the joint statement, sighed in relief, and listened to it several times before translating it into Chinese for fellow fans.
As she gathered more information, she saw mixed reactions: "Still leading the standings!" "This analysis is so detailed – was Hamilton's lock-up intentional? Did Wu Shi hold his throttle too long?" "If they say it was an accident, why does it feel hard to believe?"
She got wrapped up in the discussions, until she came across photos of Wu Shi exchanging a cheek kiss with the Princess of Monaco. Public displays of affection like that were rare in China, and her expression tightened.
"Hmph! That's his girlfriend's business – not mine!" she huffed, then shook it off quickly.
She didn't know that Wu Shi's girlfriend Louise saw the gesture as perfectly normal – cultural differences shaped their views entirely.
Determined to help, Ye Ningning decided to make a clarifying video for Chinese fans. She also applied to create an "F1 Wu Shi" forum on Tieba, aiming to guide conversations toward positive, fact-based discussion.
Mercedes' Internal Action
At Mercedes headquarters, Toto Wolff called an urgent team meeting. With Rosberg and Hamilton now neck-and-neck in points, he feared a repeat of their Spanish Grand Prix clash – one that could destroy the team's title chances.
"Accidents will not happen again," he emphasized, his voice firm. "Everything must prioritize the team's interests. Both Nico and Lewis must follow instructions without question – further incidents will directly impact their contract negotiations beyond 2016."
Though both drivers were signed through the end of next year, Mercedes held all the leverage. Some board members questioned his tough stance, but with the risk of losing both Drivers' and Constructors' Championships, they backed him fully.
News of the meeting leaked quickly, with headlines reading: "Mercedes Internally Disciplines Two Drivers – Further Incidents May Lead to 2017 Changes."
Wu Shi grinned when he saw it. "If they can't crash into people anymore, maybe I can 'torpedo' them legally?" he thought.
The current track limit rules were lenient, and a well-executed defensive move – what Verstappen had taught him after studying regulations closely – could give him a major advantage.
After all, great champions know every rule inside and out – hesitation or ignorance on track is a recipe for being overtaken.