Chapter 152: Typhoon & Suzuka
Wu Shi's schedule for October had essentially been finalized.
In early October, he would travel to Japan—not to participate in FP1, but simply to stand in the Williams garage during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.
Even if Frank Williams hadn't invited him, Wu Shi would have gone anyway.
He also brought Leclerc along.
At this point, Leclerc's financial situation was still strained, but that was no longer an issue. Wu Shi was already worth tens of millions. Sid had even begun discussing the possibility of buying property in Monaco, allowing Wu Shi to live there long-term and legally minimize tax exposure.
In addition, the salary offered by Williams was far from modest:
€3 million per year.
Just €1 million less than Massa's salary for the following season.
That alone made Wu Shi the ninth highest-paid driver in the paddock.
At the same salary level were Lotus drivers Grosjean and Maldonado, as well as Force India's Pérez.
Wu Shi was satisfied.
For a rookie, this was already an exceptional starting salary—especially once performance bonuses were factored in.
Magnussen earned just €1 million at McLaren.
Bottas, whom he replaced, earned the same.
Ricciardo, at that time, earned only €750,000 per year.
As for the drivers who came after them—there was no comparison.
Even so, Wu Shi still booked economy class for the trip.
Verstappen, Bianchi, and Leclerc didn't object.
During a long layover, however, Verstappen couldn't help complaining:
> "We're wasting too much time just getting from place to place."
"When you have the money," Wu Shi replied casually,
"buy your own plane."
"That's too early to talk about," Verstappen said flatly.
His Toro Rosso contract paid just €277,500 per year.
That alone showed how absurd Wu Shi's salary already was for a newcomer.
But then again—
Who told him to become famous in Singapore?
---
Upon arriving in Japan, the group received news that Typhoon Phanfone was approaching.
Wu Shi frowned immediately.
"The main race weekend will definitely be affected," he said.
"There will be heavy rain. Jules—you need to be careful."
Bianchi patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't worry. I know how to handle wet races."
Wu Shi nodded, then added seriously:
"In typhoon conditions, it's not just rain. There are cutting crosswinds. The car will suffer from severe grip loss and sudden lateral load changes. Even at relatively low speed, the car can become unstable."
Bianchi laughed.
"You seem very familiar with this kind of environment?"
He clearly didn't take it too seriously.
It wasn't arrogance—just experience.
For most F1 drivers, advice from a younger rookie, even a prodigy, was easy to brush aside.
As the saying goes:
I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice.
Even Leclerc looked puzzled.
Wu Shi wasn't usually this insistent.
"Wu Shi," Leclerc said, trying to reassure him,
"Jules has been racing here almost a full season. He knows Suzuka well."
Wu Shi sighed.
"My hometown is in a typhoon belt," he said quietly.
"We deal with this kind of weather every year. It's completely different from normal rain."
Bianchi smiled, draping an arm around both Wu Shi and Leclerc.
"Alright. I'll remember what you said."
---
Friday – October 3
Free Practice 1 began at 10:00 a.m. at Suzuka Circuit.
Wu Shi stood in the Williams pit lane, wearing team gear and headphones.
The broadcast director gave him significant screen time.
At the same time, the cameras were almost glued to Verstappen.
Unlike Wu Shi's aggressive, relentless approach during Singapore FP1, Verstappen focused on fundamentals—braking references, corner entry speed, throttle response.
He repeatedly adjusted his racing line through corner entry and exit.
Many observers nodded in approval.
This was how a rookie should behave.
FP1 conditions were relatively stable, though strong winds were present.
Several drivers reported sudden wind shear at Turns 8 and 9, where excessive speed could easily lead to loss of control.
The teams quickly realized that under typhoon influence, Suzuka had become a highly complex track.
Engineers across the paddock reminded their drivers to prioritize safety.
With just over six minutes remaining, Verstappen—driving car number 38—ran wide into the run-off area.
Moments later, smoke and flames burst from the rear of the car.
His session ended immediately.
Verstappen's best lap: 1:38.157, P12—0.44 seconds slower than teammate Kvyat.
Back in the garage, Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost encouraged him:
"You did well today. Unfortunately, the car issue cut the session short."
Verstappen replied with his usual dry humor:
"Yeah. Everything was going smoothly. I even knew exactly when the fire was about to start."
Mercedes locked out the top two spots—Rosberg and Hamilton—half a second clear of the rest.
---
Weather Turns
FP2 began at 2:00 p.m. under heavy cloud cover.
Rain arrived—then stopped.
At first, it seemed promising.
Qualifying the next day proceeded on a drying track.
Normal conditions.
But that optimism did not survive until Sunday.
---
Sunday – October 5
At 3:00 p.m., violent winds swept across Suzuka.
Then came the rain.
Torrential.
Relentless.
Wu Shi stood silently, watching the track.
"You look very worried," Verstappen said.
He noticed it sooner than Leclerc had—ever since arriving in Japan.
"This race should be canceled in weather like this," Wu Shi said bluntly.
In later years, many races would be suspended or red-flagged due to weather, drawing complaints from veteran fans who claimed Formula One had grown timid.
But only those who actually drove race cars understood:
Driving an F1 car in extreme conditions
was like dancing on the edge of a blade.
"You just reminded Jules to watch the yellow flags carefully," Verstappen said.
"And to be especially cautious at Turn 7. That doesn't sound like the guy who was glued to my gearbox in the rain at Norisring."
Wu Shi answered calmly:
"People feel things differently depending on where they stand.
Your mother lights a candle and prays before every race.
You don't think about that when you're driving."
He paused.
"I just regret one thing."
"What?"
"My memory isn't good enough," Wu Shi said softly.
"I remember the corner where the accident happened…
but I can't remember the exact lap."
The wind howled.
The rain intensified.
Suzuka waited.