Salam Codeforces!

After seeing the Canada Sprint Qualifying, I realized that Codeforces contests and Formula 1 races are basically the same thing.

Both involve:

• sleep deprivation,

• questionable strategy,

• emotional damage,

• and one guy dominating so hard that everyone else fights for second.

So here are some totally accurate comparisons.

Solving A fast

When you solve A in 93 seconds, and your world rank is $$$ \lt 500$$$, it almost feels like Ferrari's 2026 race starts.

Just like how the Ferraris lose their positions to a 19 y/o in a Mercedes within like 10 laps, you lose your rank to some 15 y/o chinese LGM in 10 minutes.

Queue = Safety Car

The In queue verdict feels an awful lot like the safety car.

Pace doesn't matter during the safety car, and split-second strategy calls may ruin your entire race.

This is basically just like how you skip B and start to solve C, not realizing that even CMs are about to get WA on pretest 2 when their codes get judged.

Hacking = Complaining to the stewards

For some reason, the hacking phase feels like Lando No-Rizz saying:

"His solution pushed me off the track"

"he needs to be investiaged!"

People start reviewing submissions like stewards reviewing onboard footage.

Post-Contest Technical Inspection

For some reason I can't explain I know Saint Peter won't call my name...

I mean for some reason I can't explain, the System Tests feel like Post-Race Technical Inspections.

When you and your homie's codes for problem B fail due to not doing #define int long long, it feels like McLaren double DNF because of high plank wear.

Final Reason: tourist ≅ Verstappen

At some point the competition stops being:

"Who wins?"

and becomes:

"Who finishes behind him"

That is tourist or Max Verstappen depending on which sport you are talking about.

Seeing tourist solve E while you are reading B feels like watching Max Verstappen disappear into clean air on lap 2.

Goodbye Everyone! Hope you all enjoy the Canadian Sprint and GP.