How Did I Become an F1 Driver?-Chapter 854 - 341: World Champion

However, Toto didn't refuse Qin Miao. He accepted the trophy Qin Miao handed over with both hands and then found Qin Miao's name on it.

"To be honest, when I invited you to join Mercedes, I never expected to see your name on the F1 championship trophy so soon."

Qin Miao smiled and said, "Doesn't that just prove you have a discerning eye?"

Toto shook his head with a smile, opting not to delve deeper into the topic, and instead looked at the trophy in his hand and said, "I thought this year's championship trophy would be heavier."

Of course, even though he said that, Toto didn't actually weigh the trophy in his hands.

He knew the significance of the trophy for Qin Miao, and Qin Miao handing it to him showed that he held a certain status in Qin Miao's eyes, but he also couldn't do anything inappropriate.

After having a look, Toto returned the trophy to Qin Miao.

Qin Miao carefully took the trophy back and held it tightly in his arms, not willing to let go, even if it wrinkled his suit, he didn't care.

Toto watched Qin Miao's actions with a smile, then turned his gaze to Hamilton who was standing nearby.

At that moment, although Hamilton wasn't looking at Qin Miao, Toto could see Hamilton's peripheral vision glancing in that direction.

Clearly, Hamilton was also hoping to have his name on the trophy once again.

Before the FIA awards ceremony began, Toto had thought that Hamilton might not attend the event.

After all, for a seven-time champion to lose to a rookie is something that would make people instinctively think Hamilton was getting old, unable to outperform a newcomer teammate.

But Hamilton turned up, which really surprised Toto.

Once the internal gathering started, Toto found Hamilton. On one hand, he wanted to comfort Hamilton, as Hamilton had been defeated by his teammate, and being the boss who had worked with Hamilton for so long, he felt it necessary to offer some words of comfort.

On the other hand, Toto was curious about why Hamilton chose to attend the banquet.

So, when the party began, Toto approached Hamilton, who was drinking alone by the side.

"Boss," Hamilton called out when he saw Toto approaching.

"Good evening, Lewis." Toto greeted Hamilton and then said, "I initially thought you wouldn't come."

"So you're surprised to see me?"

"A bit, indeed."

Hamilton took a sip of his red wine and then looked at Qin Miao, who was showing off his F1 world championship trophy to Leclerc and Norris, and said, "Actually, I'm not satisfied with this season."

"Oh?" Toto was intrigued.

"I don't think I'm any worse than Qin Miao. I even feel that, just like at the start of the season, I'm still stronger than Qin Miao," Hamilton said. "I am confident that my performance won't decline for at least another two years, so I believe that next season, I might win it back."

While saying this, Toto noticed the determination in Hamilton's eyes, something hard to imagine appearing in the eyes of a 36-year-old who was nearing middle age.

Yet, seeing this, Toto smiled and said, "I'm very pleased to see you haven't lost your confidence due to a single setback. Although I don't want to see overly aggressive battles between you and Qin Miao on the track, I do hope you both have speed. Healthy competition is not a bad thing."

Hamilton nodded, "I will... I came because I wanted to see Qin Miao receive the award and to experience the feeling of being the loser again. At least, I don't want to sit down there next season."

"I'm glad to hear that. The team will do its best to provide you both with a highly competitive car."

"Thank you, boss."

"Then have fun, I see Steiner waving at me."

"See you then."