On track, the number 22 car seized the absolute attention of the entire circuit. In this moment, it was the only focal point.
Through Turn 5, light and agile. Through Turn 8, smooth and flowing.
Toto Wolff could no longer contain himself. Boiling with rage, he spun on his heel, stormed out of the garage, and escaped the broadcast cameras. Slamming the door to his office shut, he let out a stream of furious expletives. He had never imagined Mercedes would lose, not even when Kai and Lewis Hamilton were tangled up in Turn 15. It wasn't arrogance; it was absolute confidence. He truly believed the Hamilton-Mercedes partnership would dominate the paddock for at least another three to five years. They had the fastest car on the grid and arguably the greatest driver in history. There was simply no reason for them to lose. Yet, the impossible had happened. Wolff couldn't even maintain his composure for the Netflix cameras. His fury breached its banks, sweeping through the Mercedes hospitality unit like a tidal wave. He just needed to close the door and be alone.
Turns 15, 16, and 17, taken in one breathless, seamless sequence.
Every eye, every camera lens was locked onto the scarlet Ferrari. This wouldn't just be Kai's first Grand Prix victory of the season; it would be his ninth, a testament to a rookie campaign that had left the entire grid in his dust. But the car hurtling toward the finish line right now carried a weight unlike any other.
Hearts swelled, involuntarily transported back to the golden era. There was a time when a Ferrari on track was the undisputed center of the universe. There was a time when Ferrari simply showing up meant they were title contenders. There was a time when Ferrari was synonymous with Formula 1. For the younger generation of fans, these were fabled myths, brilliant glories buried beneath the dust of time. But in this exact moment, that dazzling scarlet radiated with the blinding light of a championship, resurrecting the memories of a paddock long past. A true phoenix rising from the ashes. People had expected Sergio Marchionne to lead Ferrari out of the valley and into the future, but absolutely no one could have predicted that the man to reignite the dawn would be a total outsider. With an unfathomable trajectory and an unstoppable fighting spirit, Kai had injected raw, vibrant life back into Maranello.
Patience. Waiting. The closer the car drew to the finish line, the faster hearts hammered against ribs. They had to rein themselves in, to savor the moment. They had waited ten agonizing years. These final thirty seconds could slow down, letting them engrave every detail into their souls, before the Tifosi ignited across the globe. Ferrari had returned.
Turns 20 and 21. A collective holding of breath. A mistake? A mechanical failure? A sudden incident? No. None of it materialized. The main grandstand and the pit lane fixed their gazes on the end of the circuit, suppressing the violent surging in their chests. The liquid-silver flow of the Ferrari red was so breathtakingly beautiful that even the tens of thousands of floodlights at Yas Marina and the starry sky above seemed to dim in comparison.
Kai came charging down the straight.
The screams finally shattered their restraints, ripping out of millions of throats. Reason was incinerated. They surrendered entirely to the raw, unadulterated ecstasy of the moment.
Francesco Nappi completely forgot the throbbing pain in his leg, scrambling nimbly up the pit wall catch-fencing. Alongside his Ferrari mechanics, he thrust his fist high into the night sky, screaming himself hoarse. Champion! They chanted it over and over, tirelessly, relentlessly, until their voices broke and still they refused to stop.
With a deafening roar, the number 22 car crossed the finish line, bringing the 2018 season to a spectacular close.
"Kai, you are the World Champion!"
Pierre Borreipaire had been sitting entirely rigid at the pit wall, holding his breath, waiting patiently. Finally, the words burst from his lips. An overwhelming flood of indescribable emotions surged upwards. Without even realizing it, tears streamed down his face. His ears were ringing, and the boiling blood in his veins ignited. "World Champion! Kai, you did it! Do you hear me? You are the World Champion! An unbelievable race, an absolutely phenomenal drive, you fought to the very end! Unbelievable! Wow! Just incredible!"
Boom! Fireworks detonated, illuminating the Abu Dhabi night sky. The world spun on its axis as waves of heat washed over the circuit like a summer downpour.
The intensely focused, tightly wound Kai finally let go. He clenched his fists, unleashing a primal scream of raw passion into the cockpit. From Interlagos to Yas Marina, it was only a span of two races, but the journey had been brutal. It wasn't just about the victory or the championship; it was about shattering his own limits. He had never squeezed every last drop of potential out of himself quite like this. Now, the dam broke.
"I told you, I didn't have confidence, but we could win. A promise is a promise."
The words were spoken lightly, seemingly without weight, but they caused Borreipaire to completely break down. He understood the crushing weight on Kai's shoulders better than anyone. He was part of the team Marchionne had explicitly assembled for this rookie. From the moment Kai stepped into the car, he had been carrying a dead man's dream and an entire factory's trust, sprinting blindly into the dark. Pierre took a deep, shuddering breath. "Yes. You did. You kept your promise to the Chairman."
Kai paused, letting the world fall silent for a brief second. "Where did Valtteri finish?"
Borreipaire froze. He quickly realized that despite winning the Drivers' Championship, Kai hadn't forgotten the Constructors' title. The words caught in Pierre's throat. "Fourth. Valtteri finished fourth."
The Drivers' World Championship belonged to Kai. But the Constructors' Championship remained with Mercedes-Benz.
The result wasn't unexpected, yet Kai still fell silent for a moment. Beneath the wave of absolute euphoria, a tiny trace of bitterness touched his tongue. "Looks like Max managed to drag himself onto the podium in the end. Good for him." Even without monitoring the timing screens, Kai instantly deduced the final order: Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo. It was his signature dry humor, but Pierre could hear the complex web of emotions beneath the simple words.
Exhaling softly, Borreipaire smiled again. "Kai, tonight belongs to you. This is just the beginning. Don't forget to paint some donuts on the start-finish straight."
The celebratory donuts were a hallmark of motorsport glory. After a monumental victory or a championship win, drivers would light up their rear tires on the main straight, spinning the car to leave thick, circular layers of burnt rubber on the asphalt. It was a badge of honor, and every year, the World Champion was afforded this privilege at the season finale. But it wasn't exclusively for champions; drivers marking special milestones were also given the nod. Fernando Alonso, who had officially announced his retirement, would share in that honor tonight.
Completing the cool-down lap, Kai and Alonso returned to the main straight. They pitched their cars into vicious spins, lighting up the rears. The acrid stench of vaporizing rubber filled the air, thick white smoke billowing upwards. The grandstands and pit lane personnel poured over the catch-fencing, flooding onto the track. The race was over. The carnival had begun. A brand-new era was officially underway.
The Sky Sports helicopter cameras captured a breathtaking aerial view. A massive, densely packed sea of humanity surged forward from all directions, converging on the podium area. Wave after wave of fans flooded the tarmac, their sheer volume eclipsing the glittering lights of Yas Marina. They jumped, pushed, and eagerly surged forward, hearts pounding as they prepared to welcome the paddock's new king. Within moments, the main straight was packed to capacity. The sheer scale of the crowd was a magnificent canvas unfolding beneath the night sky. Numbers lost all meaning. It was an endless, roaring ocean that rendered words obsolete.
The number 44 Mercedes returned, met by a barrage of camera flashes. The number 33 Red Bull parked up, greeted by a swarm of journalists. But the Tifosi remained perfectly still. These were not the protagonists they were waiting for.
It wasn't until the scarlet Ferrari appeared at the edge of their vision that all blood rushed to their hearts. Yet, strangely, the cheers caught in their throats. Not a single sound escaped. They simply stared, chests heaving with emotion. The mixed zone was a chaotic, noisy mess, but the boundless sea of fans below the podium was terrifyingly silent. The eerie quiet drew the attention of the entire paddock, including Bernard Arnault and the VIP guests in the hospitality suites above. They marveled at the sheer discipline of the crowd, suppressing their burning adrenaline with every ounce of their strength.
The silence held until the SF71H slowly rolled to a stop at the P1 board. The figure clad in the red number 22 race suit climbed out of the cockpit. The world grew even quieter; even the sound of heartbeats seemed to vanish. Every lens in the media pen swung around.
Standing atop the chassis, the figure steadied himself, planted his feet, and violently thrust both fists into the night sky.
Like a flipped switch, the crowd detonated. The sound ripped out of their chests with the force of a bursting dam, incinerating all logic. Kai pumped his fists once, the crowd roared. Twice, the roar amplified. Three times, the sound threatened to shatter the heavens. Following his absolute command, the Tifosi unleashed every ounce of energy in their bodies and souls, screaming until tears streamed down their faces.
It wasn't just Yas Marina. Monaco. Milan. London. Singapore. Shanghai. In a small apartment living room bathed in the blue light of the TV screen, Wang Lin clenched his fists and screamed until he thought his eardrums would burst.
Suddenly, a loud bang on the wall. "Keep it down! It's the middle of the night! Some of us have to work tomorrow, stop howling like a ghost!" Wang Lin immediately covered his mouth, shrinking his shoulders. Disturbing the neighbors at this hour in their cramped apartment complex was a bad idea. He tried to swallow his boiling excitement. But the next second, the broadcast showed Kai leaping off the car, punching the air as he ascended to the champion's throne. Wang Lin couldn't hold back. He dropped to his knees, letting out a silent, agonizing scream of joy.
Then, unexpectedly, he heard roars echoing from outside. From other apartments in the complex, young fans were completely losing their minds, unleashing World Cup-level roars of pure ecstasy. The passion was contagious. This time, Wang Lin didn't hold back. His voice joined the chorus, a drop of water merging into a massive ocean, instantly drowning out the complaints and turning the night into a festival.
Click! Purely on instinct, motorsport photographer Qian Jun pressed the shutter, capturing the iconic moment Kai leapt into the air amidst the boiling crowd. The sprawling ocean of red fans looked like a crimson mist, and the figure of number 22 defying gravity mirrored the Prancing Horse itself, officially declaring Ferrari's awakening. An instant, frozen into eternity. Qian Jun didn't realize it yet, but this photograph would become legendary, the definitive image of Kai's career. The last time he captured something this potent was at Monza; now, at Yas Marina, a visually similar leap carried a vastly different, monumental weight. He stood frozen, his mind completely blank, operating entirely on instinct. It felt like a fever dream.
A look of deep intrigue flickered in Bernard Arnault's eyes up in the VIP suite. Kai was like a sorcerer. A sea of humanity boiled and surged at his command, the entire world spinning on his axis. It wasn't just the Tifosi; millions of casual observers were caught in the gravitational pull. Complete submission. He had won the championship, yes, a crown of immeasurable value. But beyond the trophy, through two staggering, blood-pumping races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, Kai had defeated his rivals in pure, head-to-head combat. He hadn't just won a title; he had conquered the paddock, completely shattering the existing hierarchy and declaring the arrival of a new king.
Turning around, Kai saw the Ferrari mechanics standing with their arms raised high. Their eyes were filled with complex emotions, a thousand words compressed into a single, overwhelming gaze. Kai prepared to sprint toward them, but hit the brakes. Bathed in countless flashes, he took off his helmet, revealing a face flushed and drenched in sweat. He looked slightly disheveled, but his uninhibited smile radiated pure, blinding youth. He raised his right index finger, tapping the side of his head, his smile widening before he thrust the finger forward toward his team, the universal gesture of a champion.
"I didn't have confidence, but we could win." We are the champions.
They had followed this rookie, diving headfirst into an agonizing, seemingly impossible rebuild. It was a massive gamble, but they had finally reached the promised land. Nappi yelled. Borreipaire, Laurent Mekies, and Jock Clear all roared. Even Maurizio Arrivabene broke character, a brilliant, relieved smile spreading across his stern face. Kai opened his arms, sprinted forward, and launched himself into the sea of Ferrari crew members in a spectacular crowd-surf. They hoisted him high, cheering and celebrating. Tonight, they were back on top of the world.
When they finally set Kai down, Song Bo came charging over, arms wide open. Lorenzo was just behind him, practically waving a flag for his friend. Fired up, Song Bo tackled Kai in a massive bear hug, completely unable to articulate his joy, merely repeating, "Boss! Boss! Ahhhhh!"
Zhang Qiaomu patted Song Bo's shoulder. "Dr. Song, do you not see the line of people waiting?" Unbothered, Song Bo turned to his parents with wide eyes, "Mom! Mom!" and proceeded to envelop Zhang Qiaomu in a massive hug. Disgusted, she looked at Song Yan. "Get your son off me."
The scene made Kai burst out laughing. Then, he saw Jiang Mo. He took a few steps forward, adopting an obedient posture. "Didn't mess it up this time."
Jiang Mo felt a sharp sting in her nose. Memories of Shanghai's heartbreak and his early karting days flooded her mind. But she held it together, offering a warm smile. "At least we don't have to wipe away tears this time."
Kai's jaw dropped. "Mom!"
Jiang Mo laughed freely. After a brief hesitation, she stepped forward and pulled Kai into a tight hug. Her words were a little stiff, but genuine. "A brilliant race. Truly, truly magnificent. A beautiful win." Kai's smile widened. He had kept his promise to her, and to Marchionne.
Releasing the hug, Kai looked at her. "We agreed on one year. What now? It doesn't look like they're going to let me go."
Jiang Mo's eyes were filled with pride. She patted his arm. "Then keep racing. Show them this isn't your limit." From the streets of Rome to GP3, and now F1, he had proven himself. She was ready to let him fly.
A beat later, Kai realized. "Where's Dad?"
Jiang Mo cleared her throat. "In the back."
Stepping aside, Kai spotted Lorenzo and Lu Cheng. Lu Cheng had his back turned, staring intensely up at the night sky, his posture incredibly awkward. Kai shot Lorenzo a confused look. Lorenzo cleared his throat. "Got some sand in his eye. He's dealing with it."
Kai froze, then quickly understood. He raised his voice toward his father's back. "Dad, this is just the beginning."
Lu Cheng raised his right hand in a wave, quickly turning his head the other way. His spine was stiff and resolute, but the slight tremor in his shoulders betrayed his overwhelming emotion. Kai couldn't stay long. He exchanged a glance with Lorenzo, who nodded reassuringly, before turning to leave. Watching Kai walk away, Lorenzo leaned slightly toward Lu Cheng. "It really is just the beginning, isn't it?" Lu Cheng didn't speak, merely nodding and letting out a long, shuddering breath.
Kai only took two steps before stopping in front of Nappi. "Are you alright? Did they bandage your leg?"
Nappi was stunned. The entire world was waiting for Kai, yet here he was. "I'm fine!" Nappi blurted out, shaking his head rapidly. Kai wasn't convinced. "Francesco, taking care of yourself is part of the job. That applies to me, and everyone on this team." Flustered, Nappi stammered about not feeling any pain. Kai patted his shoulder. "Thank you. That second pit stop was flawless. If we can maintain that level of efficiency in the pit lane next year, we'll be in incredible shape." The crew erupted in laughter. Kai signaled to Mekies to ensure Nappi got checked out before moving on.
Up ahead, Kai spotted Alonso removing his helmet and gloves. He jogged over to walk beside him. "Fernando. Thank you."
Alonso looked completely indifferent, as if he had no idea what Kai was talking about. After a moment, he deadpanned, "Oh. I just didn't want a time penalty."
Kai smirked. "Because you already racked up three track limit violations today and had too many penalties, right?"
Alonso raised his chin, entirely serious. "You talk too much." From the moment Kai entered F1, Alonso had treated him like any other youngster. The move to let him pass? Purely to spite Mercedes and Hamilton. Nothing more. "If you're here to congratulate me on my retirement, save the pleasantries. I know you never even watched F1."
Kai's eyes danced. "Oh, so you do occasionally read the news about me."
Alonso groaned. "Are you always this obnoxious?"
"Yes. It's my Achilles' heel," Kai replied. Alonso couldn't help but snort with laughter. "I'm not going to congratulate you on retiring," Kai smiled. "Because I have a feeling this isn't the end. That obsession with speed and winning is still burning. Just surrendering like this isn't your style, Fernando. Who knows, maybe we'll arm-wrestle on track again in the future." With a crisp salute, Kai walked away.
Wait, where was the respect for the elderly? The reverence for a retiring legend? Alonso stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at Kai's retreating figure. But thinking about it, a genuine smile crept onto his face. It took the entire season, but Alonso finally admitted to himself that this arrogant kid was incredibly interesting.
Just then, Alonso saw a familiar figure striding toward Kai with wide arms. Alonso yelled out, "Hey! I'm still standing right here! The body isn't even cold yet! Have some shame, you two!" The surrounding paddock erupted in roaring laughter.
It was Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing. He stepped right up in front of the entire paddock to congratulate Kai. Hearing Alonso's quip, Brown threw his hands up, sticking his belly out in a hilariously exaggerated display of innocence. There was no sneaking around, no backroom whispers. Brown's actions were entirely transparent. He wasn't hiding it: McLaren desperately wanted Kai. With Alonso leaving and Stoffel Vandoorne ousted, Brown was overhauling the team for 2019. Lando Norris had one seat locked down. The other was open, and Brown had his sights firmly set on the newly crowned World Champion. He had zero issues running an all-young driver lineup; he believed youth was the key to McLaren's revival. More than that, he wanted Kai to step into Alonso's shoes as the team leader. Unlike Mercedes' calculated scheming or Red Bull's public posturing, Brown's McLaren was ambitious and grounded. He was willing to roll up his sleeves and publicly shoot his shot.
Jean Todt watched it all unfold. Pure gold will shine anywhere.
"Jean, we need your help." Todt didn't need to turn around to recognize John Elkann's voice.
Todt's eyes crinkled. "What, do you need me to discipline the race stewards? Hold on, let me check who's on duty today."
Elkann's lip twitched. He caught Todt's immediate deflection, clearly separating the FIA from Ferrari's internal politics. "Jean, you know we share the same goal. Me, Sergio, you, and the Tifosi." Todt noted the masterful manipulation. Elkann played the 'Ferrari' card, wrapping himself in Marchionne's legacy. But Todt despised Elkann's politicking; Elkann had spent months dismantling Marchionne's blueprints.
Todt finally glanced at Elkann. "Needing help implies someone is making things difficult for you. So, John, is he making things difficult for you?" 'He' meant Kai. Todt was bluntly pointing out that Kai wasn't the problem; Elkann had dug his own grave, and he held the key to fixing it.
Elkann understood the jab but refused to concede. He looked over at Kai and Zak Brown. "No. The disease is spreading from elsewhere."
Just five minutes prior, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko had been gushing over Kai to the press, heavily hinting at the vacant Red Bull seat alongside Verstappen. Horner had practically laid out a red carpet. But Elkann didn't fear Red Bull; Horner and Marko were all talk. Zak Brown, however, was a man of action. If McLaren met all of Kai's demands, could Kai do for McLaren what Niki Lauda had once done for Ferrari?
Panic tightly gripped Elkann's heart. He was genuinely feeling the threat for the first time. It was a game of capital, yes, but Kai's value had transcended mere driving skill. He had united the Tifosi. He had resurrected Ferrari's soul. Kai now possessed enough leverage to combat the corporate suits. Elkann hadn't calculated this variable. The crisis was real, and it had the power to upend everything: they were on the verge of losing their World Champion.