Why race if you don’t have money?

Chapter 125: Street Races Filled with Difficulty
The Australian Grand Prix?
Upon hearing this familiar term, Chen Xiangbei was lost in a memory.

In his previous life, he was a Formula One professional driver, and he had one big regret: he never got to participate in a Grand Prix.

After all, this is the most watched and prestigious F3-level race in China and even Asia.

More importantly, this is China's home ground!
It's important to understand that, regardless of the era, the home field holds irreplaceable significance for a driver.

It's not just about a more familiar environment and more supporters, but also about an indescribable sentiment.

Many drivers only feel a sense of belonging when racing on their home track. It's like when Zhou Guanyu participated in the 24 F1 Chinese Grand Prix; after the race, the FIA ​​granted him special permission to park his car on the main track. Faced with the encouragement and cheers of thousands of spectators, he couldn't help but squat down, cover his face, and shed tears.

This emotional value, unrelated to results and performance, is something that no foreign track can provide.

However, Chen Xiangbei encountered a special event in his previous life, during which the Macau Grand Prix was downgraded from F3 to F4. By the time it resumed, he had already entered the F2 realm, so naturally, he couldn't go back to racing.

Life is sometimes filled with regrets, and Chen Xiangbei's career is no exception.

Before Chen Xiangbei could answer, Odette, who was standing to the side, nodded and replied, "The Grand Prix is ​​good. A single race won't take up too much time, and winning the championship title will also help Chen Xiangbei apply for a super license."

Obtaining a super license is a relatively low priority for a newcomer to the Renault class.

Under normal circumstances, Chen Xiangbei's path to advancement is Formula Renault, then F3 level racing, then GP2 (F2), and finally F1 paddock.

Throughout the entire process, being able to advance one level each year already makes one a truly exceptional talent, one in a hundred.

If you achieve even better results and win a championship title, then you'd be considered a top talent in F1.

For example, Rosberg, Leclerc, Piastrelli, and so on.

The next level up consists of historically talented drivers, men destined to become WDC (World Champions), such as Verstappen and Kimi Räikkönen.

In most cases, Formula One drivers go through several seasons of honing their skills, especially in GP2, where many drivers drive for two or three years while waiting for their chance to compete for an F1 seat.

Judging by the standards of a genius who is one in a hundred, Chen Xiangbei has at least three years to apply for a super license, so there is no need to rush.

However, if Chen Xiangbei has the idea of ​​skipping a grade, or if he wants to drive an active F1 car, the demand for a super license will increase dramatically!

It's important to know that Chen Xiangbei's other identity is a test driver for the Brawn GP team. Due to the FIA's restrictions on private testing, he can only test drive older cars during specific time periods to gain experience and accumulate the minimum standard of 300 kilometers.

However, test drivers often also serve as substitute drivers. This is especially true for newly restructured teams like Brawn GP, ​​which have only signed two official drivers and Chen Xiangbei as a test driver, with no other third reserve driver.

If Button or Barrichello are absent from a race, Brawn GP will have to borrow substitutes from other teams.

After all, Chen Xiangbei neither had a super license nor sufficient results to prove that he could drive an F1 car.

In this era, applying for a super license did not have the quantitative standards of the later points system; it depended entirely on the FIA ​​committee's judgment of whether the driver was qualified.

If someone performs exceptionally well, they will be granted a special super license.

Kimi Räikkönen achieved a triple jump, his super license being granted through special permission.

The Grand Prix is ​​hailed as the crown jewel of Formula 3. Winning its championship title allows one to apply for a special super license from the FIA.

Once Chen Xiangbei obtains his super license ahead of time, he will effectively have the right to drive the new F1 race car!
It's important to understand that this isn't just about the difference between new and old race cars; it's about Chen Xiangbei being able to appear in the F1 Grand Prix, get used to the atmosphere and pace of top-level racing in advance, and prepare mentally.

Just like the old saying goes, once a driver reaches the level of a top genius, the difference in driving skills is no longer that significant.

It's more a matter of experience and psychological quality.

Russell, Leclerc, Norris, and others have all made crucial mistakes in key moments.

In recent years, however, no one has been able to put pressure on Verstappen to make mistakes.

The title "racing machine" not only describes his self-discipline off the track, but also his terrifying consistency on the track!
Since Chen Xiangbei has a shortcut to take, why not give it a try?

"The Grand Prix schedule seems to conflict with two of the Renault European Championship matches, which may affect the points needed to win the overall title."

Hiroki Sawano then added a sentence.

Having spent a long time with Oddot, he knew very well that the team leader's quick agreement implied that the benefits were based on Chen Xiangbei winning the Grand Prix F3 championship.

But what if I don't receive it?

Although Chen Xiangbei is in the lead in the standings, if he misses two races, his main competitors, such as Magnussen, may catch up and overtake him, making it much more difficult for him to win the Renault championship.

If they fail to win the Grand Prix and also lose the Renault World Championship, the resulting losses could be immeasurable.

Seeing Hiroki Sawano's caution, Odeto grinned and simply asked Chen Xiangbei, "Kid, what's your choice?"

"Only children make choices; adults want it all!"

Without any hesitation, Chen Xiangbei gave his answer.

"GOOD!"

Odette drew out a word of praise, then looked at Staller and said, "It's decided then."

"OK, I'll arrange it."

Staller nodded. Just as he had expected, Bei had a radical and adventurous spirit in his bones!

Once things were settled, Hiroki Sawano wouldn't say anything more; he continued leading the crew to pack and box the equipment.

They worked until nightfall. Learning from Odeto's advice to "balance work and rest" last time, Chen Xiangbei booked a hot pot restaurant in London's Chinatown this time, inviting the entire team to experience Chinese cuisine as a post-race celebration.

This sparked enthusiastic cheers from the P room, no less loud than when Chen Xiangbei won the championship. It seems that proper relaxation really does boost morale.

While the Super Dream Racing Team was celebrating, Ye Kai, a reporter from Titan Sports Weekly, had already finished writing a news article about Chen Xiangbei and then clicked the send button on his email.

The following day, the news article about Chen Xiangbei's Renault victory appeared prominently on the homepage of the official website of Sports Weekly, accompanied by a banner that read "The Future of Chinese Motorsports," which certainly gave people a strong visual impact.

In the classroom of Class 3, Grade 12 at Guang-Shen Middle School, as the countdown to the college entrance examination has entered its 100-day period, the learning atmosphere in the entire class has become several times stronger.

Even those students who used to slack off have now toned down their studies and started pretending to memorize their books.

Only Fatty Wang remained defiant, secretly hiding a cell phone under his book and browsing Xu Yali's QQ space.

Seeing her radiant smile as she sat in the Mercedes-Benz, Fatty Wang felt a strange pang of heartache. He could only silently click the exit button and, incidentally, use his Yellow Diamond privileges to delete his visitor records.

To distract himself, Fatty Wang opened his browser to browse the web. Just then, he was drawn to a racing news push notification. The first thing he saw when he clicked on it was a photo of Chen Xiangbei standing on the champion's podium.

When Wang Pangzi saw Chen Xiangbei's familiar face, he could hardly believe his eyes!
It's worth noting that when Chen Xiangbei left, he only told Fatty Wang that he was going to Europe to run Renault races.

The question is that Renault has the world's largest junior formula racing system, with more than a dozen regional and national Renault races in Europe alone. Fatty Wang had no idea which one Chen Xiangbei was racing in.

Furthermore, subconsciously, Fatty Wang believed that a "newcomer" like Chen Xiangbei could not possibly participate directly in the highest-level Renault European Cup. He focused his searches on national-level Renault racing events, but couldn't find any information about Chinese drivers at all.

This made Fatty Wang wonder whether Chen Xiangbei was fooling him or whether he had been fooled by someone else.

It wasn't until Chen Xiangbei's photo appeared that Fatty Wang realized he had been searching in the wrong direction.

Chen Xiangbei directly participated in Renault's highest-level European Cup competition and even won the championship twice in a row!
"Zhou Glasses, come and take a look at this news. Is it true or false?"

With the idea of ​​double confirmation in mind, Fatty Wang immediately handed his phone to Zhou Glasses, who was sitting at the same table.

"What's so interesting about the news? The college entrance exam is just around the corner, so you should read more books."

Zhou Glasses wasn't interested in this; he hadn't forgotten his promise to Chen Xiangbei to apply to a university specializing in aerospace engineering.

Furthermore, Zhou Glasses has set high goals for himself; he plans to study in the UK.

Because the UK's mechanics programs, especially aerodynamics, are among the best in the world, you should study the strongest ones!

"This is news about heading north!"

Upon hearing Wang Pangzi's words, Zhou Glasses took the phone with a puzzled look on his face.

He was stunned the moment he saw the news photos. He never expected that Chen Xiangbei's driving skills were so amazing that he won two races of the Renault European Cup!

"Zhou the Glasses, speak up! Is this true or false?"

"How could an official news report from *Sports Weekly* be fake?" "Holy crap..."

Upon receiving confirmation, Fatty Wang was at a loss for words, only able to describe his feelings with these two words.

After finally getting through get out of class, Fatty Wang couldn't wait to call Chen Xiangbei.

Due to the time difference and training, Chen Xiangbei rarely turned on his phone during this period, as if he had vanished into thin air. Wang Pangzi was not even sure if he could get through.

Fortunately, this time I heard a voice on the other end of the phone.

"Xiang Bei, you're really hiding your true strength. You've won two consecutive Renault races and also secured a contract with an F1 team."

"So much has happened, and you didn't even call to let me know. I couldn't even get through to you when I tried to call. Don't you even care about your buddy?!"

Hearing Wang Pangzi's roar on the other end of the phone, Chen Xiangbei could only hold the receiver further away and bring it close to his ear again after he finished speaking.

"That's all the Renault champions have done. They've only got a test driver contract and haven't even touched an F1 car yet."

"Calm down, kid. Don't act like you've never seen anything like this before."

Chen Xiangbei spoke calmly. He was now deeply influenced by Odette, this "old bastard," and felt that he didn't care about any other races except F1.

After saying that, Chen Xiangbei asked curiously, "By the way, how do you know all this?"

"It was published in Sports Weekly, and they even put it on the front page. I feel like you'll be a celebrity soon!"

At this point, Fatty Wang's tone became somewhat excited; it felt really good to have his good buddy become a star.

"Stop messing around, what's the point of getting angry!"

Chen Xiangbei replied irritably, "Let alone Renault-level races, even when Zhou Guanyu won an F2 race in his later years, he wasn't particularly popular outside of racing fans in China."

It wasn't until he entered F1 and became the first person to achieve this that he finally gained some influence among the general public.

To become a sports star in the country, you need at least to win the Grand Prix F3 championship.

Only by relying on local competitions and their high prestige can they have a chance to "break out of their niche".

"Oh, right, there's something I need to tell you. I'm planning to go back to China soon."

"You're coming back?"

Fatty Wang's tone was filled with surprise.

"Yes, I'll participate in the Australian Grand Prix."

"You're participating in the Grand Prix?"

On the other end of the phone, Fatty Wang was shocked. Compared to the Renault races in Europe, it was clear that the Grand Prix in Macau, next to Guangdong Province, had a far greater influence.

For Fatty Wang, the Grand Prix is ​​the pinnacle of competitions that he can only look up to. Can Chen Xiangbei even participate?
"Yes, I've already registered. I'll be participating as a Brawn GP driver."

"Brother Bei is awesome!"

Fatty Wang didn't know what words to use to describe Chen Xiangbei's growth rate, which had already exceeded his expectations.

Listening to Fatty Wang's pointless ramblings, Zhou Glasses, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but snatch the phone.

"Xiang Bei, do you remember when you suggested I apply to a university specializing in aerospace engineering?"

"Of course I remember. What are your thoughts?"

Chen Xiangbei knew that Zhou Glasses was very talented in racing engineering. If he could achieve results and become a top designer in the future, his significance would be no less than that of producing a top driver.

"I have already submitted my application to study at the University of Southampton. Since I have chosen this path, I want to be the best. The UK's Racing Valley is the world's design center!"

Zhou Glasses revealed his plan: the University of Southampton is the alma mater of the famous aerodynamics master Newey, and the British racing valley gathers 80% of the world's top racing engineers.

Just as Chen Xiangbei had to come to the strongest European racetracks if he wanted to reach the pinnacle of racing.

If Zhou Glasses wants to become the best racing car designer, then he must study in the UK!

"Okay, be ambitious!"

Chen Xiangbei had always been very confident in Zhou the Glasses.

Don't let his usual scholarly demeanor and well-behaved image fool you.

In fact, he had a lot of determination and perseverance, which is why he stayed up all night discussing and learning various racing car modeling techniques with Liang Chi on the forum.

"Fatty Wang, what about you?"

Having learned of Zhou Glasses' plan, Chen Xiangbei took the opportunity to ask Wang Yidong a question.

Upon hearing this question, Fatty Wang immediately put on a mournful face.

I'm really not good at reading!
"Brother Bei, how about we stick to the old arrangement, you drive and I'll wash the car, okay?"

When Chen Xiangbei uttered those words, Fatty Wang responded with a warm "greeting".

Now that things have come to this, the only way he can keep up with Chen Xiangbei might really be by washing cars...

The problem is, you're not even qualified to wash a car!

Chen Xiangbei was truly helpless. Formula One cars are not like street performance cars, which can be easily cleaned at any car wash.

Even if a car wash is necessary, it must be done by the fleet's technicians to prevent any damage to the parts.

To become a team mechanic, A-Yong and Lei-Ge are already at the minimum standard. In addition to having their own repair skills, they also have to frantically study English and racing-related knowledge. Their daily learning workload is no less than Chen Xiang-Bei's.

"No, is it so exaggerated?"

Fatty Wang never imagined that one day he wouldn't even be qualified to wash a car.

"That's really how exaggerated it is. Fatty, you should read more books."

That was all the advice Chen Xiangbei could offer.

They chatted for a bit more about their recent situations, and also agreed that once Chen Xiangbei confirmed his return date, they should definitely let them know so they could have a proper get-together.

……

After hanging up the phone, Chen Xiangbei pressed the play button on the projector and continued watching the video recordings of past Macau Grand Prix races.

This time, his focus was different from before. He not only wanted to learn the racing lines of the competitors in order to achieve the fastest cornering line, but also to learn the most basic track layout!

The reason is simple: the Guia Circuit, where the Grand Prix is ​​held, is not a traditional closed circuit, but a street circuit!
The Guia Circuit is located in the southeast of Macau Island. It is 6.12 kilometers long and mainly consists of long straights and sharp turns.

The Donington Park circuit that Chen Xiangbei just ran is known for its narrowness and bumpiness among traditional circuits, but compared to streets like Guia Park, it can only be called a junior.

It's worth noting that the Guia Circuit is less than 7 meters wide at its narrowest point and only 14 meters wide at its widest!
Many people may not understand this. Seven meters is already a two-lane road, so how can this be considered narrow?
The problem is that racing isn't like driving on a road. On a straight, you can squeeze two cars side by side, but on a curve, you can't possibly queue up and take turns.

Consider that an F3 car is nearly 5 meters long. How big of a turning radius would it need to navigate a sharp bend that is only 7 meters wide?

More importantly, street circuits lack sufficient buffer zones, and even flexible crash barriers like tire walls are absent. Driving on such narrow and bumpy tracks is not just about overtaking; completing the entire course without a crash is a truly excellent achievement.

For this reason, the Guia Circuit is considered one of the most challenging circuits in the world in terms of driving and setup.

Chen Xiangbei had never even run the Guia Circuit before, let alone been to Macau in his previous life. This circuit was a complete blank to him.

Street racing is all about walking a tightrope, leaving no room for error.

So the only thing he could do was to use this short break to memorize the track layout, the fastest cornering lines, the latest braking points, the best acceleration time out of corners, and so on, down to the smallest detail.

It can even form a clear memory map in your mind, just like a rally route book!

If Chen Xiangbei discovered a cornering line that Senna once used at Donington Park Circuit by watching videos...

So on the Guia Circuit, he needs to discover countless cornering routes to reach the street circuit championship title!
(End of this chapter)