Why race if you don’t have money?

Chapter 101: Breaking Prejudice and Doubt (6K)

Odette didn't understand the Chinese idiom "burn the boats and cross the river", but he knew a similar meaning.

The amount of fuel used in two laps is Chen Xiangbei's "last stand". He can either directly beat his opponent or return to the station and finish the race.

"Well, I see."

"Start!"

Without much talk, Odetto gave the team members the order to start the race.

With the roar of the engine ignition, Chen Xiangbei drove the Renault racing car onto the track and began his warm-up lap.

"Dream Racing driver No. 13 Bei drove onto the track. He is a newcomer from China."

"Mike, how do you think he will perform in the Renault European Cup?"

FIA official commentator James saw car No. 13 appear on the broadcast screen, so he asked his partner Mike.

He had originally had no interest in a Chinese rookie like Chen Xiangbei, nor would he pay much attention to the Super Dream Racing Team. The reason he brought it up now was because in the pre-race interview, Odette was full of confidence, telling the camera that Chen Xiangbei would win the championship!

That's how the attention came. Regardless of how feasible it was, at least James remembered this scene.

"Based solely on qualifying results, I should be around 20th."

Mike gave an expected answer objectively.

China has had several drivers come to Europe to participate in low-level competitions before.

Since they can go abroad, they are naturally the strongest among Chinese drivers of the same age, which means that their lower limit is not too bad.

But at the same time, the overall level of Chinese competitions is destined to have a ceiling that is not very high.

In most cases, Chinese drivers are ranked at the lower end of the European competitions, but not at the bottom.

Of course, if it were a high-level formula race, it would not be surprising to be at the bottom of the table.

"Only about twenty?"

James laughed and brought up the topic, "Mewtwo's leader, Odeto, judged driver Bei to be a champion!"

"It seems that this is why Odetto went from being a F1 team principal to becoming a Formula One team principal."

Mike understood what he meant and took over the topic, making a subtle remark about Odette.

After all, he is a former F1 team leader. He really lowered his professional standards by talking nonsense just to brag about his drivers!
As Mike said this, there was a burst of laughter from the audience in the track.

Indeed, in all the many years of history of the Formula One team, I have never seen a team leader of an F1 team come to be the team leader of a junior Formula One team.

Although there are some objective factors involved, there is no doubt that Odeto's "downgrading" of status will give people the impression that he is a complete loser.

At this moment, not only the commentary booth was discussing Chen Xiangbei, but there were also two old men in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the VIP box above the maintenance station, staring at the No. 13 car of the Super Dream Team that had just left the maintenance lane.

One of the old men was sitting in a wheelchair. He was the famous Sir Williams.

"Staler, is this the new Chinese guy your East China Sea partner is asking for your attention?"

Williams was paralyzed in his lower limbs in a car accident in 1986, but this did not affect his management of the team and his love for racing.

Over the years, he has always insisted on following the team to participate in F1 events, and used his free time to attend various commercial activities, trying to get as much sponsorship as possible to maintain the operation of the Williams team.

But even so, the Williams team's operating conditions are still getting worse.

In 05, Sir Williams had to sell his private jet to increase investment in the team's research and development.

"Yes."

Starler nodded, showing no particular intention of "introducing".

The reason is that he has a good personal relationship with Zhang Zhicong, but the cooperation with Huasai Sports is very unpleasant!

From a business perspective, as an investor who invests real money, he or she must want to get a generous return.

Huasai Sports has been running for five years. Starler has used all his connections and resources, and even brought in engine supply from Ford Group and technical support from Honda, but the result is a mess!
For five whole years, not to mention creating a top-level Formula One event and well-known F1 drivers, there was not even any potential stock to go abroad.

It was almost half a year after Starler returned to the UK in despair that Zhang Zhicong called him and said that Huasai Sports had a new player at the last minute who was currently playing in the Renault European Cup. He hoped that he would take care of him because of their previous friendship.

Staler's first reaction to the call was that the other party was joking.

After five years of serious Formula One racing, they didn't produce a single driver and were on the verge of bankruptcy, yet some people came to the UK to compete.

For a moment, Staler even suspected that Zhang Zhicong still wanted to "cheat" investment from him.

Fortunately, Zhang Zhicong did not bring up this matter, and at the same time informed Huasai of the bankruptcy and liquidation. Starer then came to the Silverstone Circuit with doubts, ready to see what the level of this Chinese newcomer was.

Sir Williams is British, and since there was no F1 race this week, he heard about it and came here with his old friend to join in the fun.

“如果我没有记错的话，银石赛道初级方程式记录，是由舒马赫开出来的1分57秒582，现在最快单圈已经来到了1分58秒066。”

"The overall strength of this Renault European Championship is very strong, and it will be difficult for new Chinese players to stand out."

Sir Williams may not be able to remember other things, but the records of various European tracks are as clear as if they are engraved in his mind.

According to his experience, the pole position record should be around 1 minute 57 seconds. After all, it is very difficult to surpass or approach the lap record of a historical super genius like Schumacher.

For a Chinese rookie like Chen Xiangbei who was racing on a European track for the first time, it was quite good to be able to run under 1 minute 59 seconds. He was about 1 second slower than the pole position, which was the average level of Chinese drivers who had competed in Europe before.

"There's really not much hope."

Stahler nodded in agreement.

He actually had another guess, that is, the appearance of Chen Xiangbei might be Zhang Zhicong's desperate attempt to send a Chinese rider to Europe in an attempt to achieve good results and restore the reputation of Huasai Sports.

After all, the negative impact caused by the wheel loss of the F1 Chinese Grand Prix CFR2000 is too great, so some public relations measures are necessary.

It’s a pity that there is no such thing as quick success or hard work in Formula One racing.

There is an unbridgeable gap between genius and mediocrity!

Chen Xiangbei, warming up his tires on the track, was naturally unaware of the numerous eyes focused on him. He was more focused on the number of cars and assessing the traffic conditions for the upcoming lap.

After one lap of warm-up, Chen Xiangbei estimated that he would catch up with about five slow cars during his flying lap. As long as he could ensure that three of them were not on the driving lane, the maximum speed loss would be about 0.2 to 0.3 seconds.

On the contrary, if one car appears on the tangent line of the curve, the loss of lap time will be great. If it cannot be avoided, there will be a great risk of collision. It depends on the team's race engineer to remind in time.

Another half lap passed, and the starting line was right in front of Chen Xiangbei's sight. It was time to sprint!

With one step, the gear shifts up to 8,000 rpm, and then full throttle is applied to 10,000 rpm. The engine roars with all its might, and the car moves forward at full speed like a shooting star.

When Chen Xiangbei was in the P room, he had already seen the lap time list being constantly updated. He was very clear that the fastest lap he had run in the practice session was not good enough for the qualifying round.

If you want to start from the front row or even get pole position, you have to squeeze out the limits of the car and your own potential.

Chen Xiangbei never thinks that he is weak, or that Chinese drivers are not good enough.

Now it's time to prove it all!

At the T1 and T2 combination high-speed corners of the Silverstone Circuit, Chen Xiangbei directly stepped on the throttle in sixth gear and whizzed through at a speed of nearly 250km/h.

Just on the other side of the lane, car number 5 was doing its warm-up lap. Chen Xiangbei was driving so fast that he couldn't even see the car number clearly. He only saw a white car flash past him.

"Can you brake at T3 corner at full throttle?"

Questions popped up in the mind of driver No. 5, and Chen Xiangbei's operation quickly gave him the answer.

As soon as he passed Turn 2, he braked hard, and his tires even locked slightly, leaving two black marks on the track.

The car's speed dropped from 250km/h to 80km/h in just two seconds. The massive inertial force sent Chen Xiangbei careening forward, while the six-point safety belt locked him tightly, causing a dull pain in his shoulder and ribs.

Physical pressure is not the most important thing. At this moment, Chen Xiangbei must ensure the accuracy of his left foot braking.

You must never increase the force of your brakes due to inertia. This will not only lock the tires for a long time and cause greater wear, but will also significantly reduce your cornering speed.

Chen Xiangbei braked so late just to increase his cornering speed, but if that actually slowed him down, it would be like a tiger maneuvering, only to find himself stuck in the same spot!

Moreover, worn tires greatly increase the risk of tire blowouts, which is totally not worth the cost.

【GOD, do you have to be so extreme? 】

Looking at the two black rubber marks on the ground, driver No. 5 was shocked.

These are just the first few turns, and you're already entering the turn at high speed, ignoring the locked tires. Do the people behind you still want to run?
"Team leader Odeto, Xiang Beijun is a bit too aggressive. The tires can't handle the pressure."

Hiroki Sawano in room P saw this scene and couldn't help but ask Odette for instructions.

You should know that the lifespan of the slick tires of a Formula One car is very short. Once they reach the operating temperature, they become like chewing gum, sticking to the track as they move.

This characteristic makes the slick tire's grip unparalleled, but it also means that when the tire is locked, it will directly wear away a layer of the tire.

If a piece of the hot melt tire is missing, the tire will no longer be a complete circle, and the tire pressure at the missing part will increase suddenly. If the track is slightly bumpy, the tire will burst immediately after a bump.

Even if the track is extremely flat, this area will not be able to withstand subsequent wear after becoming thinner, and the risk of tire blowout will also increase greatly.

Although qualifying only involves two laps, which doesn't put as much pressure on tires as a race that requires dozens of laps, if Chen Xiangbei pulls off this aggressive maneuver twice, he might not even complete two laps.

Chen Xiangbei did take the "adventurous" spirit that Odette taught him to heart.

But the problem is that it's a bit too much. It's too risky!
"No flat tire means it can withstand it. You don't have to worry too much, Zeye."

Odetto looked very calm. Tire locking is not uncommon, so qualifying will not be a big problem.

Odetto then added, "If Bei locks up too many times in a row, you'll have to criticize him harshly. The reason isn't because you're afraid of a flat tire, but because his driving skills are too poor!"

Odetto didn't care that Chen Xiangbei's tires locked in order to increase his cornering speed, but he couldn't allow this to happen too many times.

Because the former is risky and the latter is pure innocence. A driver should have extremely accurate speed judgment and braking force control!
After hearing Odyssey's response, Hiroki Sawano knew that his words were in vain.

But when I think about it carefully, it makes some sense. After coming to the European track, I seem to have made the same mistake as Chen Xiangbei before, which is to become conservative and steady.

Perhaps they were influenced by the unfamiliar environment, or perhaps they placed their career destiny on Chen Xiangbei, and subconsciously worried that his radicalism would lead to failure.

After the T5 turn at the Silverstone Circuit is a long straight road. This time, before entering the T6 turn, Chen Xiangbei did not choose to brake too late. Instead, he braked and turned early, using the ultimate tracking line to pass the turn.

To be honest, the tire locked just now. On the one hand, it was because Chen Xiangbei wanted to challenge his limits, and on the other hand, there was indeed a mistake.

The car was in danger of going off the track if the brakes were not applied hard when entering the corner.

But Chen Xiangbei would not make the same mistake twice. After challenging it once, he knew the maximum braking distance and speed of the car under the current track conditions.

In a sense, without the challenge of this mistake, Chen Xiangbei would never know where his limit is!
"Statler, this new Chinese guy named Bei seems to have some skills."

Sir Williams spoke up and said that the location on the second floor of the maintenance station was just right for looking down from a high point and clearly seeing the car's line in the T6 corner.

Chen Xiangbei's tracking line while braking and turning is excellent, and his control of braking force and steering angle is also extremely precise. Sir Williams has seen countless newcomers driving the T6 corner of the Silverstone Circuit in his life, but few can do it so well!

"Really? But he just locked up his tires at T3."

Starler sounded a little skeptical. Unlike Sir Williams, although he had been engaged in racing-related investments, he did not understand driving skills themselves.

This is the difference between professional investors and drivers.

The smoke from the burning tires when the car locks up can clearly be seen and used to identify driver errors.

If you want to experience the technical content of the ultimate tracking and line-following operation, you must be a driver yourself or have a deep understanding of racing.

Sir Williams saw the advantages of Chen Xiangbei's driving skills, while Starler could only see his mistakes and shortcomings for the time being.

"Lock-up is not critical. No driver can guarantee that they will never make a mistake."

"There's no room for chance in tracking operations; it requires absolute hard work."

When he heard Sir Williams' answer, Starler showed a look of surprise on his face.

He never thought that Chen Xiangbei would be a capable driver. The reason he was willing to come to the Silverstone Circuit to watch the race today was partly due to Zhang Zhicong's request, and partly to commemorate his own failed investment.

After all, Chen Xiangbei is the last Chinese racer, so he has to lose with a clear conscience!

As it turns out now, could it be that Chen Xiangbei is not just a "paid" driver who was forced to come to Europe to fill in the gaps?
The U-shaped curve of T7 is another curve that tests driving skills extremely.

Chen Xiangbei originally wanted to continue taking the fastest U-shaped route, but just as he was about to enter the turn, Hiroki Sawano's reminder came from the headset.

"Xiangbei-kun, there's a slow-moving car from the Carlin team at Turn T7. Pay attention and avoid it safely!"

Hiroki Sawano's tone was very serious. He was worried that Chen Xiangbei would pursue aggressively in the curve, which would easily cause a track accident.

In fact, there was no need for TR to remind him, Chen Xiangbei had already seen the vehicle in the curve at this time, and it was his "old acquaintance" Magnussen!
From the moment he saw Magnussen's car number "20", Chen Xiangbei had already made a judgment. Based on this guy's personality in the paddock, it was impossible to get him to drive close to the edge of the car and give way in the U-turn.

If he continued to follow the U-shaped cornering method, he would be blocked by Magnussen the whole time, and this lap would be wasted.

In this case, Chen Xiangbei can only change the plan and use the alternative V-shaped routing method!
Chen Xiangbei drove the Renault car straight to the center of the bend, then turned the steering wheel all the way to complete a large-angle turn, and at the same time stepped on the accelerator and cut diagonally past Magnussen's No. 20 car.

Chen Xiangbei's violent and radical move scared Magnussen. He saw the other car rushing towards him from the rearview mirror and thought he had encountered some rookie torpedo.

But when Chen Xiangbei whizzed past, Magnussen's expression instantly became serious. How could a top European talented driver like him not see the value of this V-shaped line?

[Car No. 13, the Chinese rookie?]

Magnussen felt a little bit unbelievable. When did the Chinese newcomer acquire such level of driving skills and speed?

Magnussen has always been the focus of the most broadcast cameras on the track, and the scene of Chen Xiangbei overtaking in a V-shape naturally appeared on the big screen.

Although it was a flying lap to overtake a slower car, the sharp and precise cut still amazed many professional racing fans. Track commentator James couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"Mike, did you see that? Bei's V-shaped overtaking just now was so beautiful!"

Since it was determined that the U-shaped line is faster at the T7 corner, basically no driver will use the V-shaped line, let alone use it for high-speed overtaking.

"It's really beautiful. It seems that the strength of Chinese drivers will exceed our previous expectations."

To be able to become a commentator for a Formula One race, one must have a deep understanding of racing.

Mike had previously made a sarcastic remark about Odeto, thinking that this team leader was really good at boasting.

He also doesn't think Chen Xiangbei is that strong, as the Chinese driver's past performance and strength are there.

But he had to admit that the performance just now was indeed amazing!

"The next few turns are all high-speed. Mike, can you predict again what Bei's qualifying position will be?"

"Top ten."

Commentator Mike changed his answer, moving directly from the top 20 to the top 10!

"Only in the top ten? Is there any chance of making it into the top five?"

James asked back. He felt that among the drivers participating in the Renault European Cup, no more than five could do the V-shaped overtaking skill just now.

"Impossible, the upper limit for Chinese drivers is only the top ten."

Mike is very firm in his judgment that a short-lived performance cannot represent true hard power.

“The lap times will be out soon, so let’s wait and see.”

James had a playful smile on his face. He felt that Mike was too confident and there might be a reversal.

The spectators on the track, listening to the conversation between the two commentators, couldn't help but cast their eyes on Chen Xiangbei's No. 13 Renault car.

As the last corner of the Silverstone Circuit passed, Chen Xiangbei sped across the starting line, and his lap time was simultaneously displayed on the big screen on the track.

1 minute 57 seconds, directly landing at the top of the lap time ranking list.

When this lap time appeared, there was an uproar at the Silverstone Circuit. Chen Xiangbei not only topped the list, but also became the first driver to run under 1 minute and 58 seconds!

(End of this chapter)