Chapter 236: Crossing the Finish Line!
Hamilton's track awareness was sharp, but Wu Shi's perception was even keener. By the time Hamilton radioed his team about changing conditions, Wu Shi had already used his feel for the track to close the gap further. As rain tapered off, the partially wet surface dried quickly under the cars' speed – drivers on intermediates were forced to hunt for damp patches to keep their tires cool. On lap 40, Räikkönen was 5.8 seconds slower than Pérez; without enough rain, his early tire change had ruined his race.
By lap 42, Pérez had overtaken Räikkönen, and lap 43 brought renewed rain. Wu Shi was now within 1 second of Hamilton – the Mercedes driver's older tires were degrading fast after aggressive use earlier. Activating DRS, Wu Shi closed to 0.5 seconds in one lap.
"Lewis, speed up – Wu Shi is right behind you, heavy rain hasn't hit yet," Bono warned.
"Wu Shi, you're 0.511 seconds back – one more lap then attack," Jonathan said.
"Can two laps on newer hard tires make this much difference?" Brother Bing wondered.
"The track's getting wetter, and Hamilton's wet-weather pace isn't strong today," Brother Fei replied.
As they exited Turn 15, Hamilton moved to the track center – then Jonathan's urgent voice cut through:
"BOX, BOX, BOX!"
Wu Shi reacted instantly, braking hard as Hamilton dove into the pits. Williams followed Mercedes' lead – with Hamilton pitting, they had no choice but to do the same. Rosberg inherited first place, Massa second.
Hamilton's stop took 2.6 seconds; Williams' crew rushed to fit intermediates, having just pulled them from warmers. Wu Shi exited quickly, seeing Ferrari's team also preparing tires. Rosberg hadn't pitted, but Wu Shi focused ahead – the pit lane exit led straight to a DRS zone.
"Wu Shi, 0.59 seconds behind Hamilton – DRS active. Rosberg leads by 25.6 seconds, Massa by 10.5," Jonathan reported as rain intensified.
Cameras focused on Rosberg, his car twitching through corners as rain streamed down his T-cam. Back on the straight, Wu Shi activated DRS and closed in fast.
"Here we go! Wu Shi trying to overtake – both on new intermediates!"
Approaching Turn 6, Hamilton took a wide line; Wu Shi dove inside like it was dry, locking up and missing the pass. He had a plan though – the track's north side still had grip, and his maneuver was calculated to set up a later attack before spray became too thick.
Through Turn 7's hairpin, Wu Shi stayed close then accelerated early out of the corner, rear tires trembling. On the long straight to Turn 8, he tucked into the slipstream, pulled alongside, but had to brake earlier, letting Hamilton retain position.
After Turn 9, Wu Shi took the inside line and pushed hard – Mercedes' top speed edge pulled Hamilton slightly ahead, but the battle was far from over. At the second DRS detection point after Turn 10, Wu Shi was ready.
Rain intensified, spray obscuring the track entirely. Exiting Turn 13, Wu Shi took the inside line while Hamilton went wide. As they hit the straight, DRS activated – Wu Shi moved right, using lower drag to pull even.
"Side by side! This is it!"
Three-quarters down the straight, Wu Shi's rear wheels matched Hamilton's front. Sensing the airflow shift, he squeezed left – tires rubbed harshly, but Hamilton held his line. Into Turn 15, Wu Shi braked hard for the inside, while Hamilton took the middle line. They were level at entry, but Wu Shi turned in first.
His throttle application caused the rear to slide, but he kept control – Hamilton, going wider, lost rhythm. Wu Shi accelerated out cleanly, completing the overtake.
"He's through! Brilliant move!"
The Williams garage erupted, but Wu Shi knew the fight wasn't over. Lap times were nearly identical, and once all drivers switched to intermediates, Rosberg dropped to third while Massa fell behind Vettel after staying out too long. Only 13 cars remained on track by lap 45.
On the straight after Turn 15, Hamilton closed in using Mercedes' traction, but Wu Shi rode the centerline, spraying water to disrupt his vision. Through Turns 16-17, they danced through the mist without incident.
On lap 46, Hamilton activated DRS and pulled alongside into Turn 15 – Wu Shi squeezed left, forcing both off track into the runoff. They rejoined, but the stewards announced an investigation into cars 59 and 44.
"Wu Shi, stewards will look into that – be careful," Jonathan said.
"Copy."
Rain eased as lap 47 began; Wu Shi felt tire wear setting in and his battery running low. He refused to cede position though – dirty air would make a comeback impossible. Every corner saw him build a small gap, only for Hamilton to erase it in DRS zones.
Hamilton radioed his team: "Rear grip is gone – what's wrong with my tires?"
"Everything's normal – keep pushing," Bono replied.
By lap 48, Hamilton realized the truth: Wu Shi was somehow maximizing grip without sliding, while his own rear tires slipped dangerously under throttle. On lap 49, rain stopped entirely, and drivers searched for wet patches to cool their tires.
Wu Shi felt dizzy and nauseous from the intensity: "Which lap…?"
"50 – three more to go!"
He bit his lip until it bled to stay alert, the metallic taste keeping him focused. Lap 51 brought news from the FIA: "WUS (544) will not be investigated."
"Second to last lap! Lewis can't get past – his tires are worsening!" Jonathan shouted.
Hamilton was 0.3 seconds back, his tires worn down by dirty air. Lap 52 – the final lap – saw the track semi-dry, lines varying as drivers hunted for moisture.
As the broadcast cut to Alonso (on course for his first point of the season), the helicopter shot showed Wu Shi leading by six car lengths. Turning Turn 18, he hit the final curb and splashed through a puddle before crossing under the waving checkered flag.
CROSS THE FINISH LINE!