Chapter 137: CCTV Interview
Wu Shi glanced at the video again.
The view count had already surpassed 400,000, which was undeniably high. Still, he knew very well that the popularity likely had little to do with racing itself. The real draw was probably the uploader's excellent editing skills.
The uploader went by the name "Quiet Summer." Their profile picture was the pink-haired female protagonist from Zero no Tsukaima. It was a brand-new account, with no previous uploads.
Wu Shi suspected that the person probably knew him personally. After all, most of the footage from 2007 either came from Ling Kang's equipment back then or had been preserved by Zhi Shiwei.
He didn't dwell on it. After leaving a like and tossing the uploader a coin, he closed the app.
---
On July 2, Wu Zhenlin arrived in Modena with a CCTV production crew.
Because this was an exclusive interview, the team had rented an office space well in advance. The setup was simple but professional.
Wu Shi wasn't familiar with the staff. Faced with their admiration and curiosity, he could only respond with polite smiles.
"Hello, I'm Sang Tong, a host from CCTV," the man said with a warm smile. "I'll be interviewing you shortly. I see you've already been through many similar situations, so don't be nervous. Just treat it as a casual conversation."
Sang Tong was slightly chubby, dark-skinned, and not very tall, but his facial features were refined, giving him a naturally pleasant appearance.
"Yes, I understand," Wu Shi replied. "It's just that we didn't prepare any talking points."
He gestured lightly. After all, this interview would be broadcast back in China, and he felt it deserved a bit more care.
"Haha, that's fine," Sang Tong laughed. "If you really need one, I can prepare a script for you. But since this is your interview, it's better to speak your own thoughts. Domestic audiences want to see the most authentic version of you."
"Alright," Wu Shi nodded.
"I host programs like F1 Live in China," Sang Tong continued, signaling his credentials. "So I'm quite familiar with the racing world."
Then he added with a nostalgic tone:
"When I was a teenager, I watched Ayrton Senna race. Later, I witnessed Michael Schumacher's rise, and his championship battles with Fernando Alonso were unforgettable. Before I knew it, Sebastian Vettel emerged as well. But this year, it seems the world championship will belong to one of Mercedes' two drivers."
Wu Shi listened quietly, nodding along. The names Sang Tong mentioned were all giants of the sport. Compared to them, Wu Shi was still just a newcomer.
"We've seen media reports here suggesting that you might be joining Mercedes," Sang Tong said suddenly.
Wu Shi froze for a split second.
He didn't nod, nor did he answer immediately. Then he relaxed. CCTV wouldn't try to bait him into leaking sensitive information—they were very different from European tabloids chasing headlines.
Sang Tong caught the subtle change in expression. As a seasoned host, he smoothly shifted topics.
"Regardless, we've all witnessed your outstanding performances in karting and FIA F3. I'm very curious—what led you onto the path of motorsport?"
Wu Shi thought for a moment.
The memory of the fatal crash from his previous life had already faded. Instead, another scene surfaced in his mind—the Pengcheng Speed Racetrack, where he had once raced alongside a little girl named Louise.
"Passion," Wu Shi said calmly. "I think everyone who walks this road does so because of passion."
He continued, his voice steady.
"In many sports, athletes may show talent first and decide later. But motorsport is different."
"If you don't truly love it, you'll never understand the adrenaline when you're flat-out on a straight. You won't endure thousands of monotonous practice laps just to find one hundredth of a second. You won't understand the joy of holding a car on the edge of control, finding calm within the roar of the engine, or discovering an open racing line within just a few centimeters."
As Wu Shi spoke, a smile slowly formed on Sang Tong's face.
He hadn't expected that a young driver who had lived abroad for so long could express himself in Chinese with such clarity and depth.
"Along the way, you must have faced many challenges," Sang Tong said. "On-track victories and defeats, and off-track issues like relationships or finances. Is there anything you'd like to share with the audience?"
"Yes," Wu Shi replied. "There has been plenty."
He focused mainly on financial pressure, explaining that motorsport was a discipline few ordinary families could afford.
"As FIA regulations continue to evolve, fewer drivers from modest backgrounds are able to stay in the paddock. Even Leclerc faced two major financial crises before reaching Formula One and nearly had to give up racing altogether."
"Alright," Sang Tong said at last. "Finally, please allow me to pass along the blessings of your fans back home. We hope that while you continue winning on track, you'll also stay safe and healthy."
"Thank you," Wu Shi said sincerely.
Those who truly cared about drivers always wished them safety above all else—because motorsport, at its core, was dangerous.
---
The CCTV interview aired on the Sports Channel.
It didn't attract much attention from the general public, but among domestic motorsport fans, it caused a brief surge of excitement.
When Wu Shi later came across that montage video again, the comments section had already turned into a battlefield. Many viewers were now using the CCTV interview as ammunition against the haters.
Wu Shi merely smiled.
For him, domestic online discourse felt distant—almost unreal.
---
At the Russian round in July, Wu Shi secured two victories. He also retired from one race due to an oil pressure failure, a reminder that mechanical issues often struck without warning. Major failures were often the result of countless tiny problems accumulating over time.
Sometimes, even he misjudged the situation.
During the nearly two-week summer break, Martine finally granted Louise a rare holiday, allowing the two of them to travel together.
Seeing Louise's carefree smile, Wu Shi couldn't help but sigh. European education was far more demanding than outsiders imagined. People often thought the system was relaxed, but families with even moderate wealth invested enormous resources into their children.
Money bought opportunity—but never ease.
The short trip focused mainly on Venice and Bologna. Venice, the city of water, lived up to its reputation. Bologna, meanwhile, satisfied Wu Shi's curiosity as a culinary capital.
---
Time flew by.
On August 2–3, Wu Shi completed a hat-trick at the Red Bull Ring, bringing his career tally to 20 wins.
At the Nürburgring on August 16–17, he claimed another victory—his third consecutive overall triumph—thereby fulfilling the agreement he had signed with Ferrari, which stipulated that Ferrari would provide him with an F1 seat the following season.
Of course, he could still refuse.
The penalty for breach of contract wasn't severe. After all, Montezemolo had never expected Wu Shi to actually pull it off.
---
After August, the calendar fell quiet, with the next race scheduled for October 10.
During the Belgian Grand Prix on August 24, Nico Rosberg's front wing clipped Lewis Hamilton's rear tire while the two battled for position. Hamilton suffered an immediate puncture and was forced to retire.
After the race, Toto Wolff looked visibly uncomfortable during media interviews.
Around the same time, Wu Shi heard from Verstappen that Jos was in talks with Red Bull. Red Bull's interest was strong, and Mercedes' junior driver program had also reached out, hoping to sign the young talent.
Verstappen said nothing was finalized yet.
But Wu Shi knew better. The decision had already been made—it just hadn't been announced.
He kept silent.
Then, on September 7, Wu Shi traveled to Monza with Louise to watch the Italian Grand Prix live.