Crush Overtake Love

“Rose, or rather our boss, has a set calorie intake for the day.”“Oh, is there something wrong?”“No. For the same reason as you. It’s for health.”Rose wiped his mouth with a napkin and delivered a brief lecture on the importance of the ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and total calorie intake. But to Johann, who had been cautious about his diet more than usual during the season, Rose’s management didn’t seem like a big deal, so he didn’t listen properly.Instead, Johann’s attention was focused elsewhere. The neat and clean dining manners. The elegant and refined attitude. The confidence and even arrogance…Johann knew someone else like this.Robert Wellington, for example.They usually had a lot of money. So much so that Johann couldn’t even imagine. To be relaxed and arrogant in such a setting might be a prerequisite.The course, carefully prepared by the chefs, was messed up due to Johann’s circumstances, but the conversation still flowed quite pleasantly. Above all, to Johann’s disbelief, the topics were very ordinary.“I heard you were a reserve driver. So, did you originally aspire to be an F1 driver?”“Yes, originally.”“Then why did you become an IndyCar driver?”At Rose’s question, Johann briefly gathered his thoughts.“F1 didn’t accept me, but IndyCar needed me.”Brian and Rose simultaneously halted their cutlery.“Why on earth?”“Could you please explain in detail what that means, Mr. Hayward?”Though the length of their sentences differed, their questions were on the same wavelength.“Ahaha, well. It’s no big deal. The number of seats in F1 is fixed at 24 right now. But since we’re driving, the lifespan of a driver is relatively long, and experience is crucial. It’s rare for drivers to retire or lose their seats, and last year, there wasn’t a single change. You need a seat to move up, but I was a bit unlucky.”Brian and Rose exchanged glances. Brian read the question Rose wanted to ask Johann.“So if you had the opportunity, would you consider returning to F1?”“Well, I haven’t really considered ‘what if.’ And IndyCar is really fun. Even though it wasn’t my original goal, it’s not a world where you can survive with a half-hearted mindset.”Johann continued in a straightforward voice.“Above all, saying I came to IndyCar because I couldn’t debut in F1 would be an insult to the fans who like and support me. I’m grateful to continue racing in IndyCar.”“That’s a great statement, Johann. Truly professional.”Brian applauded, and Rose looked pleased, lowering his gaze. Johann smiled shyly.“However, if I were to consider ‘what if,’ I would probably choose F1. If given a fair opportunity.”“Opportunity?”“I don’t think I had such an opportunity.”Judging by Johann’s bitter expression, there seemed to be a story behind it.“Ah, the duck is particularly good today. Do you like the food?”“Of course, it’s the best I’ve ever had.”Rose quickly changed the subject. The topic shifted to something insignificant, and Johann felt relieved.Fortunately, Rose didn’t reveal his sexual preferences or ask why Johann had come. Even Rose’s secretary, Brian, turned out to be quite pleasant. Considering Johann’s past experiences, he could have shed tears of gratitude for such ordinary conversation.Then curiosity began to stir.Johann’s team, Phoenix Racing, was an independent team without backing from major corporations or automotive groups. In short, they were incredibly, very, extremely poor. There was even a funny pride in that if you lined up the poorest teams in the IndyCar series, Johann’s team would be at the front.And Johann, the team’s most talented driver, was a car breaker who consumed a vast amount of money in repair costs. As a result, the burden of securing sponsors fell heavily on Johann.Everyone on the team hoped Johann would bring in money from Rose. It didn’t matter what Johann thought or what position he was in.“Do you have something to say, Johann? You seem hesitant.”Brian kindly asked at that moment.Johann thought. Yeah. First, apologize for not recognizing Rose that day and unintentionally embarrassing him.“About the drone footage… the video on the broadcast….”At that moment, Brian and Rose’s faces hardened. Brian’s face showed shock, as if saying ‘Why bring that up, you idiot!’ while Rose’s beautiful face twisted in disgust, as if recalling something unpleasant.“Haha, if it’s that, the drifting scene was really well captured. It was a work of art.”“Oh, really? Thank you. It’s been a while since I did a drift like that. It’s not something you use in actual races.”Brian quickly tried to change the subject, but Rose, with a hardened expression, spoke in a low voice.“If it’s about the video, don’t worry, I’m not planning to sue or take any action.”“Why would I need reassurance…?”“Your drift highlight video has the highest view count.”“Oh, really? I didn’t know… Thank you…?”Johann expressed his gratitude out of courtesy, and Rose nodded slightly, looking satisfied with Johann’s response.“Thank you so much, Johann. Thanks to you, our boss and I, we were all safe. Thank you; we narrowly avoided a major accident, right, boss?”“I appreciate it too.”It was Brian, not Rose, who expressed gratitude. Since assistants of wealthy people often handle thanks and apologies, Johann wasn’t unfamiliar with this either.“People who do illegal driving are often like that. They don’t consider the consequences. If they did, they wouldn’t do such things. It’s really fortunate everyone is safe.”“Exactly. They should all be punished by the law.”“I thought illegal street racing had light penalties…”When Johann said this worriedly, Rose spoke up.“Such people should indeed face harsher legal penalties. It’ll be resolved soon.”“Excuse me?”“A senator interested in the issue, Senator Fletcher. Do you know him?”“No, I don’t… I’m not really into politics. I don’t have an interest.”Johann said with a smile, honestly.“My apologies. No need to discuss matters we only know about.”“No, it’s fine. Illegal racing should be eradicated. Racing belongs on the track. It’s good to address these issues. It’s something motorsports pays a lot of attention to.”“Speaking of which, Johann. You’re an IndyCar driver, right? I’ve watched your races.”“Thank you.”“I heard you’re struggling with frequent car damage. We know that’s not entirely your fault.”“Ah, yes. Well.”Mumbling, Johann reached for his empty glass. Where did they hear about my frequent crashes? What’s the purpose of bringing this up?Johann’s mouth felt parched from the sudden topic.“See, he doesn’t get it.”Brian laughed at Rose’s frustration.“Which is why we shouldn’t have named the company Doodle in the first place.”“…Excuse me?”Rose continued the explanation, apparently feeling exasperated.“I want to show gratitude, but my company doesn’t need excessive publicity. And Brian strongly advised against putting a ‘Doodle’ patch on your uniform.”“The uniform I saw Johann wearing didn’t have any space left.”They both laughed as they made their comments. What are they talking about? Johann wondered. Compared to other racers, Johann’s team uniform was practically a blank slate. Doodle? That’s a great name. Any sponsor’s name, whether it was ‘Fuck’ or ‘Sucker,’ was good if they were paying. Johann had genuinely thought this way until now.But when this topic came up, Johann felt oddly reluctant. It was true he was nudged here by the team staff, and it was true he hoped for Rose’s help. If they ignored him, he would have been a bit upset, but they didn’t. If they had just shared a meal and parted ways, it would have been fine.“Well, uh…”Seeing Johann mumbling, Rose spoke up.“But I am not someone who forgets a favor.”Johann, who had been lost in thought, answered without thinking.“Uh, yes. Of course, you shouldn’t…”Both Brian and Rose reacted simultaneously.“What?”“What did you say?”Suddenly snapping back to reality, Johann looked around. Brian was staring at him with an incredulous expression, and Rose’s beautiful face was slowly contorting.“Oh, I’m sorry. The lobster was so delicious, I must have been distracted.”“Haha, the chefs are talented, aren’t they?”Brian tried to go along with Johann’s hastily made-up excuse, but Rose scoffed.“Don’t be ridiculous. You just said ‘you should’.”“No, I didn’t.”“Yes, you did. My memory and hearing are fine. So if it really wasn’t, something’s wrong with your head.”“Uh, well, um…”Johann began to make excuses.“Mr. Maximilian Rosenberg, you are a very important person.”“To whom?”“I mean… to Doodle Investments?”“There are people more important than me in my company. I don’t go to the office. I have too many personal engagements.”“Ah, I see…”“But I appreciate your concern.”Rose’s words were icily cold. Otherwise, there was no way to explain the frosty atmosphere.Brian finally spoke.“Anyway, we are with Phoenix Racing team…”“Ah, stop! Hold on!”Finally, Johann stood up abruptly, gripping the table. Brian looked like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, while Rose’s face showed newfound interest.Rose tilted his head up to look at the standing Johann.“Why?”Although Johann was the one looking down, it was Rose who exuded an aura of intimidation.“What do you mean by ‘enough’?”Rose pressed for an answer.“Uh, well….”To be honest, Johann was not in his right mind. If he were, there would be no reason to shout “enough” here.A sponsor? It would be nice to have one.But when Brian mentioned Phoenix Racing Team, what suddenly came to Johann’s mind was an old teammate.“What does your father do?”Did they say that real rich people know the value of money?“Really? That’s quite ordinary.”Johann had learned to answer that question throughout his life.“Do you know? The car you drive, the cost of parts, our team’s operating expenses, the mechanics’ salaries. A lot of it comes from my dad’s money. Know it and act accordingly. It means don’t bother me in a shabby way anymore.”Rich people don’t invest without thinking. Investments have clear reasons. Johann thought there was no reason for Rose to invest a large amount in Phoenix Racing.What had been making Johann feel uneasy from the start was perhaps this.An incredibly beautiful man, a famous person with immense wealth. Expecting a sponsorship from a man who knows nothing about motorsports just because he saved him.If so, this might be close to begging.“Why, Johann Hayward?”“Uh, that’s, well….”Johann’s expression kept changing. Rose found it amusing, almost to the point of dying from laughter, and simultaneously felt an overly strange sensation.It’s not that he didn’t want Johann to feel the same embarrassment Rose had experienced in front of countless people. But it wasn’t entirely about payback either.Johann had a truly diverse array of expressions. Among all the people Rose had met, Johann’s were the most varied. He smiled broadly when holding the wheel, had a nonchalant face when first meeting Rose, looked like he was about to go mad with frustration when things didn’t go his way, and now….As if saying “enough,” Rose signaled to Brian with a glance.“Johann, we want to support your team. We intend to spare no effort to help you win. As you’ll come to know, our boss can assist you without necessarily putting the ‘Doodle’ patch on your uniform. Our boss has maintained good relationships with many companies. So, does Motorix Primo sound appropriate?”“But, um….”Everyone at Phoenix Racing would have hoped Johann would achieve this result. Maybe even Johann himself. Until he stepped foot in Rose’s penthouse. It’s a cowardly excuse, but he couldn’t say he hadn’t thought of it at all.Yet, Johann didn’t want to do it. Firstly, Rose was unlike the rich people Johann had met; he was a genuinely decent person.“So, um. Our team, while we’ve had good results recently, is still fundamentally an independent team in the lower ranks….”“That’s odd. Are you giving an objective evaluation of your team because you know what I want? Or do you dislike the team you’re part of?”“That’s not it!”Johann couldn’t clearly explain his thoughts to others.“I’m, uh, not sure if you know, but motorsport drivers sign contracts every season. My contract with Phoenix Racing is only for this year….”“Naturally, in such cases, any remaining sponsorship funds will be retracted. We are supporting Johann Hayward, not your team. You’re worried about me, aren’t you? Thanks for that, Hayward.”Johann had no words. Rose continued, smiling charmingly.“Although I thought of Motorix Primo first, I’ll let you choose if you prefer. Brian will give you a list. Do you have any preferences? Or any companies you favor?”Rose, displaying company names like products, generously allowed Johann to pick. Johann had never been asked such a question. It wasn’t about sexual preferences, nor had he stated what he wanted first.‘Choose from here to here.’Rose, who could casually make such an offer with a smile, appeared before Johann for the first time.It was true that Johann had saved Rose with ulterior motives. He didn’t care who was in the car; what Johann saw was the Signity R9R, not Rose.Relying on impossible coincidences or someone else’s money doesn’t suit Johann Hayward.So Johann declined Rose’s offer without any regret.“No. Honestly, I can’t say I had no expectations. That would be a lie. It’s true that motorsport teams are like money pits. But since you don’t seem to like motorsports in the first place, I don’t see a reason to accept this offer. Thank you for the suggestion.”If the team staff knew, they’d probably grab Johann by the collar and shake him, asking what madness possessed him. But even without Rose’s sponsorship, Phoenix Racing wouldn’t collapse immediately. It might be tough, but Johann wouldn’t miss any races.Ultimately, Johann disliked the idea of staying in motorsports by buying seats and teams with money, like some drivers.“So, you’re refusing.”Rose’s expression remained curiously interested. He tapped the table several times with his long fingers.“I thought this would be a sufficient repayment, but that’s just my perspective. Hayward, are you aware that everyone calls you my knight?”“Uh, yes. I’ve seen it….”“In that case, I should show some manners too. Brian Levin?”“Yes, boss.”“Based on what we’ve discussed so far, the most appropriate repayment for Hayward would be helping him to race in F1. What do you think? Is it possible?”Rose’s question was answered promptly by Brian.“As far as I know… the most recent pay driver invested $90 million into the team and secured a three-year seat.”“Is that so? That’s not much. Buy one for him.”A moment of profound silence fell. Brian looked back and forth between Rose and Johann, stunned by the calm voice speaking so nonchalantly. Johann stood frozen with his mouth agape.$90 million isn’t much?What? If I asked for an F1 team, you’d buy it?Rose glanced at Johann, who was frozen like a statue, before turning back to Brian with a smirk.“Brian. Why aren’t you responding?”“I was thinking about how to do it, boss. How to invest the money and which team’s seat to secure.”“Excuse me, Rose. Are you joking?”“No? I’m serious.”Rose’s relaxed voice continued, and Johann responded stiffly with a grim expression.“I clearly said I’m fine. F1 seat… I don’t even understand why this is being brought up. People usually call this kind of thing ‘sudden acceleration,’ you know?”“It would have been refreshing if it was a refusal. Alright, it was interesting. I’ve never experienced anything like this before in my life.”“Boss.”Brian began to report, having finished his contemplation.“It shouldn’t be difficult. Netflix is off-limits due to their connections, but Google or Motrix Primo could be possible sponsors. If that’s tough, we can form a consortium. Johann is a lifesaver for the boss, after all. It’s a beautiful story.”Johann was dazed by Brian’s words. Rose leaned back with arms crossed and casually spoke.“How about this? Would it be an adequate repayment for saving my life?”“Excuse me, Mr. Rosenberg.”“This is the second time, Johann Hayward.”Rose warned.“If you refuse this, it would be the second time you’ve refused me.”“No, this is the first time. How could it be the second?”“You ignored me back then.”“That was because the police were called…!”“Johann Hayward, I’m someone who believes in paying the proper price for everything. I’ve lived like that so far, and I will continue to do so. Whatever you think or want, there’s nothing in this world that can’t be solved with money.”Hearing a statement about a $90 million F1 seat being casually mentioned made sense yet was incomprehensible at the same time.“Why. Was that too nouveau riche of a statement?”“I can’t really say no.”“Think about it. Even common threats are good. What do you think people first offer when begging for their lives? ‘I’ll give you all my wealth, just spare my life.’ Why is that such a commonly used phrase? Because it’s truly worth that much. It’s something everyone can easily understand. It’s simple.”All my wealth… Johann’s head spun at the scale of Rose’s perspective.“I’m really asking because I don’t know, but am I currently threatening to kill you with a gun?”“Other people threatened me, but you saved me.”“Honestly, I don’t think I did anything that significant.”“That’s why I’m not saying I’ll give you all my wealth.”All the media called Johann a knight who saved Rose, a lifesaver, but Johann didn’t think of it that way because it wasn’t something he intended to do.And now he faced something overwhelmingly large. Large enough to be crushed under its weight.“Something seems very… very wrong here….”Johann, caught in Rose’s peculiar logic, tried to find something to refute it.“Well, let’s say you disagree. I’ll say I agree.”Rose spoke firmly.“I don’t understand why this conversation has to go on. If you can’t understand this simple thing, your world is only that small.”The final remark made Johann’s blood boil. Despite knowing that the rich with abundant money and limited time know how to buy time with money, he felt that way.“Excuse me, Rose? I don’t know how big and amazing the world Mr. Rosenberg has lived in is, but in that world, there was nothing money couldn’t do?”“So far, there hasn’t been. And probably, there won’t be.”“…….”“The whole world knows you saved me. And my value, as I see it, is probably higher than you think. Everything has a fair price, and I believe in paying it. If the previous offer was a favor, this time it’s a fair deal, Hayward.”Money is like that. It can’t stop a nuclear missile in mid-air, but it can ensure it doesn’t get launched in the first place. That’s how Rose’s life generally was.However, even in Maximilian Rosenberg’s life, there were things that money couldn’t solve. The most recent example was safely escaping an illegal street racing scene?Of course, Rose could deploy helicopters, control the scene, do anything. But if Johann hadn’t been there? If they were short on time? If there had been an accident? When considering multiple scenarios, it was hard to guarantee what would have happened.And Johann Hayward was the rare person who had accomplished such a thing. Rose had found time that couldn’t be bought with money, and accomplished what money couldn’t do.If there’s something money can’t do, then use more money. If there’s still something that can’t be done, then use that money to find someone who can. That was Maximilian Rosenberg’s guiding principle in every deal he’s made so far.And in the end, Johann stood up abruptly.“I’m sorry. I think I came to the wrong place. Honestly, coming to see your highly esteemed face feels like a waste of my time.”Rose was puzzled by the absurd words Johann chose.“Esteemed… face…?”Even Brian, who was busy tapping on his tablet, looked up suddenly.“In my world, I create my own opportunities.”Johann wanted to be an F1 driver but didn’t succeed. Lacking corporate sponsors, being Asian— there were many reasons.But that wasn’t a reason for Johann to beg anyone. Even if he’s part of an independent team in the IndyCar series now, Johann was a legitimate racer. He might go to F1 someday, or he might not. There would be other places that needed Johann.Johann had confidence in himself.Johann’s skills were recognized as genuine by everyone.“I didn’t fail to become an F1 driver because of a lack of skill, and if I wait a bit longer, teams will be lining up to call me. If I were to take your help, it would be after I become an F1 driver, and then you’d be making a fair deal, not repaying a debt.”A faint smile spread across Rose’s face as she listened to Johann’s words. It wasn’t mockery or sarcasm. She was genuinely listening to what Johann had to say.“So, there’s no need for a deal. I didn’t save you expecting something in return. Even if you weren’t a millionaire but just an ordinary person, it wouldn’t matter.”“If we’re being precise, I’m a billionaire.”Rose corrected with a laugh, and Johann also smiled broadly.“Right, I don’t know if you’re a millionaire or a billionaire.”“That’s true.”“Maybe if you’re bored later, you can show me the car you were driving that time. It was really cool.”“That wouldn’t be hard.”“Then I’ll be off. Thanks for the meal. It was really delicious.”Suddenly, Rose felt curious.“Alright. It was a truly enjoyable meeting. Let’s meet again, Johann Hayward.”What was it about F1 that Johann Hayward was so obsessed with, she wondered.“Under better circumstances.”The two shook hands. Rose gripped Johann’s hand firmly.Rose could still vividly recall Johann’s drifting. The trajectory was so clear she could visualize it with her eyes closed. Johann was indeed someone who went mad behind the wheel.Rose wanted to see more. The driving of Johann Hayward.In the capitalist world of motorsport, money makes everything possible. It develops technology, builds cars, and buys people. A lot of money is an outlier, making fair competition impossible. Johann didn’t want that.And Rose was someone who believed in paying a fair price for everything. If what Johann truly wanted was an F1 seat, Rose would have ensured Johann’s seat even if it meant securing him as a pay driver.But what Johann wanted wasn’t a seat. He wanted to earn his chance to become an F1 driver. What he truly desired was to start from the grid with everyone else and compete on equal terms thereafter. For example, not having to worry about repair costs after an accident…At this point, Johann didn’t yet know that Maximilian Rosenberg was someone who could make all of that possible out of goodwill.🏁— Hayward, oh! It seems like there are issues with the front wing and the tires as well.— Johann Hayward, he’s getting out of the car. Hayward retires! Hayward must be really disappointed. After aiming for two consecutive wins in Indianapolis 500 and Nashville, Hayward retires in the end.— Phoenix Racing Team must be concerned about finances. Johann Hayward is the best driver this year, but he’s also the driver with the highest repair costs.— Yes, the team has to bear the cost of repairing the damaged car. Making sure the car doesn’t need repairs is also part of the driver’s skill, you know.— In that sense, it’s hard to call Hayward an excellent driver, isn’t it?— In fact, everyone would agree that it’s not necessarily Hayward’s fault. But I have to say, his driving is aggressive, sensitive, and beautiful in a way we’ve never seen before. Hayward drives very aggressively but also very smoothly. It’s really hard for both the driver in front and the driver behind to predict his lines. The reasons for accidents usually stem from this issue…Johann sat on the sofa, absentmindedly listening to the commentators on TV. It was the highlights of the Nashville IndyCar series race that took place a few days ago. The first scene shown was, of course, the crash where Johann’s car got wrecked by another car.The accident was never Johann’s intention.Johann, who was leading the race, succeeded in overtaking a backmarker who was a lap down near the end of the race. As he raced along the narrow track and tried to overtake, the car in front failed to corner properly, locked its brakes, spun, and completely blocked the central passage. Johann managed to hit the curbs and avoid it, but the car chasing him from behind crashed into Johann’s car and pushed it— something Johann hadn’t planned for.Johann picked up the remote and replayed the crash scene.— Johann Hayward, he’s getting out of the car. Hayward retires!In all motorsports, the responsibility for vehicle damage lies with each driver. Whether it’s a street track or a circuit, the cause of the accident doesn’t matter. Therefore, the ability to protect high-value cars, costing from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, while driving is also crucial.And Johann was indeed incredibly unlucky in this aspect. So unlucky that everything that happened to him was akin to a natural disaster.— It’s not Hayward’s fault, but Hayward does get into a lot of accidents.— Ah, the accident scene is coming up again. Let’s watch it once more. Nehr is blocking the overtaking route. Hayward should have fallen behind Nehr by this point. Then the accident wouldn’t have happened….— But isn’t that too much of a hindsight interpretation? It’s true that Hayward gets into a lot of accidents, but how could he have predicted this would happen here?— Indeed. If he could foresee that, Johann Hayward wouldn’t be a motorsport driver; he’d be a prophet.Nicholas nervously grabbed the remote and turned off the TV screen. Johann asked without turning his head.“Why did you turn it off?”“Do you have a strong mentality or are you just thoughtless? Why do you keep listening to such things?”“So what, it’s the truth.”Nicholas got angry instead of Johann, who answered indifferently.“That guy should have his license revoked.”Whether it was the driver who, despite being a lap down, went crazy trying to block the leader, or the driver who stupidly rear-ended the car in front— Nicholas cursed, not knowing who to blame, while Johann nonchalantly opened a non-alcoholic beer in his hand. The cool hissing sound made Nicholas brighten up.“Are you going to drink that?”“It’s for the mood.”“Then give it to me.”“There are plenty in the fridge, help yourself.”“You’re not even going to drink it.”Grumbling, Nicholas opened the fridge and screamed.“Why are there only non-alcoholic beers in the fridge! No alcohol? This is just a soft drink!”“That’s how it is. It’s not a one-time thing. If you wanted to drink, you should’ve bought some.”Answering coolly, Johann lifted the can, smelled it, and put it down. Although sold as non-alcoholic beer, there’s a very small amount of alcohol in it due to the beer companies’ marketing. And Johann never touches alcohol during the season.Motorsport drivers typically have short contracts of about one to two years. Johann was also a one-year contract driver, with his contract expiring in about half a year, leaving him in a precarious position.Thus, Johann believed that he always needed to be prepared and qualify as a professional driver. A pro ready to sit in the cockpit and grab the steering wheel whenever the opportunity came. And as a professional, self-management was crucial. Johann hooked his neck onto the thick band attached to the springboard mounted on the wall and exerted force to pull himself forward.“Every time I see that, it feels like my neck is going to break….”Nicholas shook his head.A driver isn’t just someone who drives. In motorsports, drivers are clearly classified as athletes. This means that physical fitness is essential in addition to driving skills. It requires tremendous stamina, and drivers need to develop hearts with low heart rates like marathon runners. The gravitational acceleration, or G-force, exerted on the neck during driving reaches up to 5G. For an average person, it would be enough pressure to cause a blackout and fainting immediately.But it’s not just about physical fitness. Motorsports are largely about mental strength rather than an obsession with skills and speed. For top-tier drivers, skills become comparable. In F1, where competition is down to milliseconds, at a certain point, mental strength becomes the most important factor.Even when cars are chasing from behind, do you lose your composure or not? When you feel you can catch up to the car ahead by driving a little faster, do you manage your tires, cause an accident, or make a stunning overtake to take the checkered flag in first place?All these aspects combined, Johann Hayward was an excellent driver.Johann’s genius as a driver and his love for cars were indescribable. Since childhood, Johann played with nuts, bolts, engine pistons, and spanners, and he was called a genius since he started driving go-karts.Johann’s early start in driving was thanks to his father. Johann’s father, Mr. Jung, was the chief mechanic for a team participating in WRC, WRX, and World Rallycross Championship.Johann spent more time in the garage and paddock than at home, and it was only natural for him to start driving go-karts, thinking of all kinds of tools as toys.WRC, WRX, Moto GP, NASCAR, INDYCAR, Formula… In the world of motorsports, there are numerous competitions, and Johann dreamt of becoming an F1 driver, Formula One.“Johann, why do you want to become an F1 driver?”In response to his father’s question, Johann looked at him. His father added, seeing the puzzled expression on Johann’s face.“There are also NASCAR, IndyCar, and even WRC if not F1. You like bikes too. So why F1 in particular?”NASCAR, where drivers race modified stock cars, has similar vehicle performance, making driver skills the most important and leading to fierce wheel-to-wheel battles throughout the race. Not to mention INDYCAR, where all drivers use the same chassis and engine.Johann answered concisely.“Oval tracks aren’t fun. And rallies, well… There’s no need, right? You can do off-road driving without participating in a rally.”“……”“F1 racing cars aren’t something you can drive even if you have money; they’re too expensive. If I’m going to drive something, I want it to be my own car that no one else can drive.”Astronomical technological investments in automotive engineering, including aerodynamics, are mostly made through F1. Of course, it’s the hardest to drive, and it demands something beyond the driver’s skills.Even top F1 teams don’t hesitate to customize the steering wheel buttons and pedal sizes to fit the driver’s preferences. Engineers would do anything, within regulations, to make driving more comfortable and improve lap times.Johann wanted to drive such a car.A car that was perfectly tailored for him, a one-of-a-kind car in the world.“Alright, if that’s what you want.”“Yeah.”He had confidence in his ability.“But don’t give up.”“I know. So, Dad, study F1 too.”“…What?”“Won’t you take care of my car? Won’t you gather the crew?”“……”A challenge shared by a father and son sounds quite romantic, doesn’t it?Young Jung Johann, who grew up with his father, his father’s team members, and his father’s connections in the motorsports industry, dreamt of becoming an F1 driver. When Johann advanced from go-karts to F4 and F3 series, he was considered one of the most promising drivers.Even when he won the Macau Grand Prix, a crucial opportunity for young drivers to gain attention and a stepping stone to F1 glory.And Johann’s surname changed. From Jung Johann to Johann Hayward.It wasn’t an unfortunate accident. It was just that Johann’s father was a little late in the race against time.“Are you okay, Johann?”Dr. Hayward, Nicholas’s father and Johann’s godfather and his father’s closest friend, adopted Johann. He was also a car-obsessed man and a technician for a motorsports team.“Of course.”“Will you continue racing?”“Absolutely.”Johann continued to race, supported by everyone’s encouragement.Even when he signed with the prestigious F1 team Scuderia Wellington, completed their junior program, and was selected as a reserve driver alongside the current F1 superstar Thierry Leroux, who was nurtured by Scuderia Wellington, Johann’s life seemed to be on a smooth path within F1. Everyone focused on Johann and believed he would debut as an F1 driver.But now, at twenty-one years old, Johann Hayward is a driver in the IndyCar series. As Johann told Rose and Brian, he didn’t believe he ended up in IndyCar because he was pushed out of F1. IndyCar was a precious place that gave Johann the opportunity to race and needed Johann.However, if a new opportunity were to come…“How about it? Would this be an adequate repayment for saving me?”Johann suddenly realized that he had been living without his dream. It’s different from giving up. It’s closer to postponing it for the moment he can achieve it.“…Han, Johann. Are you listening?”Johann looked at Nicholas, who had called out to him. Nicholas sighed deeply and scolded Johann.“You’ve been like this ever since you met Rose.”“Oh, yeah.”Thinking about that day still left Johann bewildered. While confidently stating his opinion in front of Rose was a perfect action full of ambition and self-esteem… In the end, didn’t he lose the chance at an F1 seat?Johann asked himself, Are you a fool?Well… If he’s a fool, then he’s a fool mad about motorsports.“How much did I blow away…?”“My brother, he’s completely lost it. What on earth happened there?”“I just went for a meal.”“Rose, really? Just a meal?”“Oh, it was an expensive meal.”“More stingy than expected…”Johann wanted to refute but had nothing to say. His neck, with the heavy band around it, leaned further forward. Nicholas, excited, continued to chatter.“Johann, I’ve only watched your races because I can’t ride in the race car with you. So I never really understood what it felt like.”“Yeah.”“So I’m saying, you should die on the track if you die at all. That’s just who you are.”“Why do you have to say something so ominous?”“Oh, it’s just a way of speaking.”Nicholas, who had been praising Johann, asked in a gloomy voice.“Really, no sponsor talk came up?”“Oh, seriously. It wasn’t like that.”That damn sponsor.A sponsor. In the dictionary, it means someone who donates money or provides material support for an event or charity, but in professional sports, it’s different. Wealthy sports fans give money and build connections to flaunt their network with the athletes.In the world of motorsports, sponsors are an indispensable existence. Motorsport is the sport that receives the most investment among all sports, and that investment is converted into intangible technology rather than tangible assets. Because more money invested translates to better technology, all teams are desperate to gather as much budget as possible to the limit.Therefore, motorsport athletes, including F1, are required to have more than just skills. The ability to attract sponsors and drive safely while protecting the car.Among the many who had stepped forward to sponsor Johann, Rose was the most reasonable person. And probably the richest. Not just because he wore luxurious tailored suits, a watch worth tens of thousands of dollars, and showed up in an unsold Motrix Primo vehicle unveiled at a motor show.“We didn’t have that kind of talk. I just helped someone. Did I help him knowing he had money? It was just curiosity, and the car was cool too.”Of course, he was also the most handsome person Johann had met.But Johann didn’t say that. He knew that crazy Nicholas would scream and shout again beside him.Nicholas looked at Johann with sympathetic eyes. In a situation where athletes who stirred up bad issues became the talk of the town, surprisingly, Johann stood at the center of good attention but still received no calls from sponsors.Johann, fiddling with his phone, suddenly mumbled.“Maybe I should do a part-time job for a day.”“Why would you, all of a sudden?”Nicholas exclaimed in shock. Johann answered with a shy smile.“I haven’t secured a seat contract with the team for next year yet. Soon, I’ll be unemployed.”“……”“And look at this. The daily pay is pretty high.”The phone screen Johann handed over showed a giant building with the caption “Enjoy the thrill and earn money” along with a short video continuously replaying of someone cleaning the glass wall of a skyscraper while hanging from a rope.Does Johann Hayward lack money?If someone were to ask, the answer would undoubtedly be no.Objectively speaking, Johann wasn’t short of money. He had a decent income from prize winnings, drove a Porsche, and had a home in New York. His adoptive father, Dr. Hayward, was supportive in every way possible to help Johann become a motorsport athlete. He didn’t have any debts with banks, nor did his family cause any financial troubles.In short, Johann didn’t have to worry about tomorrow’s meal, lacked clothes to wear, or worry about sleeping without a bed. In other words, he was far from poverty.But that was a standard applicable in a very ordinary world.Johann’s rivals and teammates, who had traveled the world and participated in countless races since childhood, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, were unimaginably wealthy by Johann’s standards. Yet, they considered themselves ‘ordinary people.’ The amount of money required to become a motorsport athlete was that staggering.Initially, Johann didn’t realize this. Driving had always been natural for Johann, supported by his father and adoptive father without any issues.Johann signed a contract with the rising F1 team Scuderia Wellington when he was sixteen. At the time, Johann was a promising driver who had won the Macau Grand Prix in F3. After completing the junior program, Johann became a reserve driver.A reserve driver for the team, in short, is a backup driver. They attend events, give interviews, support their seniors, and promote themselves as future drivers. Usually, they participate in lower league F2 races with Oraina Racing, supported by Scuderia Wellington, and sit in the F1 seat in case of emergencies.To obtain a Super License, the minimum requirement to become an F1 driver, one had to be 18 years old.So Johann waited for that age.Wellington Industries had two teams and thus two reserve drivers. The other was Thierry Leroux, who was two years older than Johann. He was very close to Johann. During the time they spent together, Johann first learned that they could be competitors on the track but friends off the track due to Thierry’s sociable nature and excellent skills.Thierry naturally moved up to F1 before Johann. It was understandable. Thierry was older than Johann, and being older meant having significantly more experience. Thierry took Johann’s hand and warmly said, “See you in F1 in a few years,” as they parted ways. Young Johann smiled and saw him off.On the other hand, Dylan Spencer, who came in later, was different. The last time Johann heard his name was in F3. He hadn’t made a significant impact in F2, nor was he a driver in IndyCar or NASCAR. He became a reserve driver for only one reason.When they first met, he abruptly asked Johann,“What does your father do?”“Our dad?”Johann tilted his head briefly at the unexpected question and answered.“He’s just a regular engineering doctor.”It’s questionable if a technician with a background in aerodynamics and experience in hypercar production could be considered ‘regular,’ but Johann answered as politely as possible.“Really? Just a regular guy.”“……”“Why aren’t you asking what my dad does?”Dylan Spencer asked with a smug expression, his eyes gleaming.“So, what does your father do?”“Well, my dad is this guy.”Dylan Spencer showed the Google search results for a person named Harrison Spencer. He ran a very familiar company, Unity Delight, a global food chain enterprise— the same name on Johann’s driving suit.“Ah, I see.”Rich kid, Johann nodded. The rich kid spoke arrogantly.“Got it?”“Yeah.”“Doesn’t seem like it?”Johann looked at the rich kid with puzzled eyes. The rich kid continued to speak dismissively as if Johann was insignificant.“Do you know? The car you drive, the parts costs, our team’s operating expenses, the mechanics’ salaries… My dad’s money is in all of it. So, behave yourself and don’t mess with me.”“…Yeah, sure…”Johann replied indifferently. Naturally, it wasn’t Johann who was causing trouble but the rich kid. The rich kid constantly interfered with Johann’s driving and collided with him. The rich kid earned the nickname ‘Crash’ while Johann earned the nickname ‘Lucky Neighbor.’At eighteen, Johann encountered an unfair and irrational world in motorsports that he couldn’t comprehend.“Sorry, Johann.”After Thierry Leroux successfully debuted in F1, the team aimed to nurture young drivers. Starlight Wellington Industries owned two teams, Scuderia Wellington Speedforce and Alfa Romeo Racing, and there was an open seat in Alfa Romeo. However, the person selected for that seat wasn’t the talented Johann but someone else.“Sorry, Johann. The vacant seat will be filled by Philip Weber.”“Weber? He retired two years ago…”