Chapter 226: Pit Stop Error
The main race got underway as scheduled the next day. Before the start, both Red Bull drivers received 10-place grid penalties for fitting a fifth engine. Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button faced 25-place penalties for using their fifth power unit components (MGU-H, engine, and gearbox) – Honda and Renault were struggling equally this season.
With grid positions insufficient to cover their penalties, Alonso and Button would serve 10-second stop-and-go penalties within the first three laps. Daniil Kvyat served his penalty directly on the grid, while Daniel Ricciardo received a 5-second time penalty instead. Red Bull's home race hopes were already dashed before the start, leaving Toro Rosso to carry their banner.
The Austrian sky remained overcast, with air temperature at 14°C and track temperature 27°C – typical low conditions. Wind speed was a negligible 5km/h, and 48% humidity meant rain was unlikely.
After the reconnaissance lap, Wu Shi felt chilly and pulled a jacket over his racing suit. He glanced at the main grandstand – it wasn't full.
"Not many people here," he said to Jonathan.
"No," Jonathan agreed, looking at the stands. F1 viewership was declining, with many fans missing the days of naturally aspirated V8s or V10s. Hybrid engines were seen as less exciting, but F1's reforms involved far more than just powertrains – it was a complex balancing act for the FIA.
Shaking off his thoughts, Jonathan focused on the race: "Concentrate – pole here isn't like Monaco. You'll have your work cut out for you."
Wu Shi nodded silently. Of 27 poles at this circuit, only 7 had converted to wins. Turns 1-4 were all overtaking zones, and the opening laps would be brutal.
"Don't stress – we're already ahead of expectations. Just focus on driving your race," Jonathan smiled.
"Understood!"
The bell rang. Wu Shi removed his jacket, zipped up his suit, and strapped on his helmet. The cool air gave way to stifling heat once he settled into the cockpit.
As the warm-up lap approached, engines roared to life. Kvyat's penalty promoted Valtteri Bottas to the top 10 – making him the only driver starting on soft tires, while everyone else ran supersofts.
Wu Shi led the warm-up lap from pole. With track temperatures too low, he wove left and right aggressively to warm his tires and adjusted brake bias accordingly.
"Watch the cars behind – they're bunching up," Jonathan warned.
Wu Shi checked his mirrors – Lewis Hamilton was holding the field back. He slowed to match, only accelerating once Hamilton closed the gap, then positioned the car perfectly on the left side of the front row.
Button had advised him the day before: angle the car slightly, take the middle line if starting fast, or stay wide if slow to conserve momentum. Behind him, drivers accelerated and braked hard to warm their tires one last time.
"Attention – prepare for start," Jonathan said.
Wu Shi's heart raced as blood rushed to his head. The first red light lit up, followed by the next four. All five glowed bright – then, in less than half a second, they went out.
The race was on!
Wu Shi's hands moved instinctively – throttle, shifts, all second nature. Just ten car lengths out, Jonathan's voice came through: "Yellow flag behind – no impact on the front."
Wu Shi glanced back – where was Hamilton? He pushed the thought aside, moving to the middle line as he dived into Turn 1.
Hamilton had made a slow start and was side-by-side with Nico Rosberg (starting third). The tight space forced Hamilton to brake hard, letting Rosberg take the position.
"Wu Shi holds the lead! Hamilton slow off the line – overtaken by Rosberg into Turn 1! Vettel can't find a way through behind! Hamilton exits faster – closing on Rosberg! Lock-up into Turn 2 – no chance! Rosberg pulls ahead!" the commentator rattled off.
"Good – they're fighting behind you. Pull away," Jonathan said.
"What about the yellow flag?"
"Bottas had a technical issue at the start, but got going – flag canceled."
With that, Wu Shi focused fully ahead. The Mercedes pair's battle had put them three car lengths behind. As he exited Turn 3, Jonathan called out again: "Yellow flag in Sector 2 – Button and Räikkönen have collided. It's serious – they won't continue. Safety car incoming."
Moments later: "Safety car deployed."
"Are they okay?" Wu Shi asked – Button had been sharing advice just the day before.
"They're fine."
"Shame – my lead's gone."
"Yes, but Rosberg is now directly behind you."
The commentators noted the emphasis: "Does that mean Rosberg is less aggressive than Hamilton? A technical driver vs. a natural talent – Nico tends to be more cautious without data to back up overtakes!"
The broadcast cut to the crash site: Alonso's McLaren was perched atop Räikkönen's Ferrari.
"Dangerous – their heads are exposed! Thankfully both are unhurt," the commentator said gravely. "Last year's Bianchi accident highlighted the need for better head protection – Wu Shi even proposed a cockpit roll cage, though the FIA hasn't moved forward with it yet."
Räikkönen and Button patted each other on the back as they walked away. Kvyat also pitted for a new front wing and tires.
Wu Shi followed the safety car closely, while Rosberg held back further. "Safety car will be out longer – Stevens' car is stopped in the run-off," Jonathan said.
On lap 6, the safety car's lights went out – dynamic restart imminent. Wu Shi weaved twice to warm tires, then slowed slightly before flooring the throttle as Rosberg approached. The Mercedes driver's acceleration was delayed, and a gap opened immediately. Overtaking restrictions were still in place until lap 7, so Hamilton surged then held back, losing position.
"Great restart – Mercedes is telling Hamilton to save his tires," Jonathan said.
Wu Shi smiled – if Mercedes was conserving rubber, his chance was here. In one lap, he pulled 1 second clear of Rosberg. DRS would be enabled three laps after the safety car pulled in – so after lap 9.
"Gap to Rosberg is 1.3 seconds," Jonathan reported when Wu Shi asked on lap 8.
Mercedes was analyzing Wu Shi's tire data – his profile in their system was second only to their own drivers. Their conclusion: attacking without a clear speed advantage would be costly, as Wu Shi would defend aggressively.
Rosberg knew he was racing both Wu Shi and Hamilton, creating a strange dynamic – the Mercedes pair seemed unwilling to push too hard. "Nico, pick up the pace – DRS is opening," his engineer said.
On lap 10, Rosberg set a 1:12.629 but stayed 1.020 seconds behind. Mercedes' "equal strategy" policy was holding them back – neither driver would risk their tires for the other.
On lap 9, Button retired with an ERS failure – McLaren's second double retirement of the season.
The race settled into a lull until lap 23, when Romain Grosjean pitted in 22.016 seconds, prompting midfield drivers to follow suit. Wu Shi held a steady 2.3-second gap to Rosberg, with Hamilton 0.1 seconds slower per lap behind.
"Tire status?" Jonathan asked on lap 30.
"Still good," Wu Shi replied.
Moments later: "Hamilton's picking up speed – closing to 0.5 seconds behind Rosberg, who's closing on you. Need 0.3 seconds per lap faster."
Wu Shi increased his pace as Hamilton pushed into the 1:11s. "Hamilton's going to pit!" Jonathan said firmly.
On lap 32, Hamilton closed to 2 seconds behind Rosberg, then dived into the pits at the end of the lap.
"Finally – action at the front! Lewis is going for an undercut!" the commentator exclaimed.
Hamilton's pit stop was flawless – 2.2 seconds – and he emerged ahead of Sebastian Vettel. On lap 33, he set a 1:11.101 on new soft tires, while Wu Shi and Rosberg ran around 1:12.3.
"How are your tires?" Jonathan pressed.
"Very bad – can't hold on much longer," Wu Shi said, speeding up.
Mercedes couldn't tell if it was truth or bluff – they called Rosberg in immediately: "BOX, BOX!"
Rosberg tried to push but locked up – his tires were indeed shot. He pitted at the end of lap 34, even spinning slightly at pit entry.
Wu Shi ran a 1:12 flat on lap 34 – 0.7 seconds faster than Rosberg – giving him enough buffer to avoid being jumped on the out-lap. But Hamilton had just set a new fastest lap of 1:10.6.
Rosberg's pit stop hit trouble – the jacks didn't release immediately, and the change took 4.0 seconds. By the time he exited, Hamilton had already rounded Turn 10 and flashed past.
"WHY?! Why wasn't I pitted first?!" Rosberg shouted over radio.
Mercedes said nothing – the delay was a crew error, not strategy-related. Emotions running high, Rosberg slid at Turn 3 but avoided losing more positions.
With Rosberg in, Wu Shi pitted on lap 35. He stopped perfectly in position, and the crew sprang into action – but a discordant sound cut through the clicks of the wheel guns. The front-left mechanic tightened the nut twice, then threw down his gun and grabbed a spare.
"What's happening with the front-left wheel?!" the commentator yelled.
Wu Shi's breath caught, but he stayed calm. The mechanic finally secured the tire, the car was lowered, and he accelerated so hard the rear end wagged.
"Calm down – it's done," Jonathan said quickly.
"Is Hamilton here yet?"
"...He is."