Why race if you don’t have money?

Chapter 138 Young people should show their talents.

CCTV?

Upon hearing this term, Chen Xiangbei paused for a moment.

It's important to understand that CCTV is always seen as a prestigious and high-profile organization in China. Without significant contributions or popularity, it's virtually impossible to get an exclusive interview with them.

Even a decade or more later, only a handful of drivers will be featured in a CCTV interview.

To be honest, Chen Xiangbei returned to China to participate in the Grand Prix with the intention of gaining fame through domestic media coverage.

Because whether it's Yao Ming or Liu Xiang, their advertising or sponsorship base still relies on domestic brand companies.

Therefore, the publicity from domestic media becomes especially important!
Chen Xiangbei never imagined that he would receive an exclusive interview from CCTV, just after winning the pole position in the Grand Prix F3 qualifying.

If all goes well, Chen Xiangbei might just become a top-tier sports star in China thanks to this interview!
After all, we haven't reached the smartphone and internet era that we'll be in a decade or so from now. Television media still occupies an absolutely dominant position in communication, not to mention that the target audience is CCTV, a national-level media outlet.

At this moment, Chen Xiangbei didn't know whether to say that he had achieved remarkable results or that he was lucky to have encountered the 10th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region. CCTV specially sent a media team to the Guia Circuit.

Otherwise, under normal circumstances, the probability of getting an exclusive interview at this time would not be very high. Think about it, Zhou Guanyu got an interview with CCTV later on, which was when he became an official F1 driver.

"OK, when do we start?"

Chen Xiangbei countered with a question.

"The CCTV interview team has arrived. The makeup artist and the interview team will come to do your on-camera makeup and inform you of the interview process."

"Little guy, you're going to be a celebrity."

When Lu Xiaoman said this, a teasing smile appeared on her face.

Not only Chen Xiangbei was caught off guard, but none of his team members expected that he would receive an exclusive interview with CCTV today.

After saying this, Lu Xiaoman turned and left. Not long after, the CCTV interview team arrived at the conference room.

While Chen Xiangbei was being made up and his script was being reviewed, equipment such as fill lights, skylights, and shooting rigs were being installed.

Perhaps considering that Chen Xiangbei has the most important main competition tomorrow, they worked very quickly, and everything was ready in about ten or twenty minutes.

Immediately afterwards, the conference room door opened again, and a slightly overweight middle-aged man in his forties walked up to Chen Xiangbei, extended his hand and said, "Xiangbei, hello, I am Sha Tong, an on-location host for CCTV Sports. It's nice to meet you for the first time."

"Hello, Host Sha."

Chen Xiangbei replied with a smile. This wasn't his first time meeting Sha Tong; he had seen her on TV many times in his previous life.

After exchanging greetings, the two sat down facing each other.

"Xiang Bei, just treat this as a normal conversation, don't be too nervous."

Before the interview, Sha Tong reassured Chen Xiangbei, reminding him that he was, after all, just a nineteen-year-old boy.

“Host Sha, I’m fine.”

Chen Xiangbei nodded, looking very relaxed.

In most cases, people feel nervous because they put themselves in a vulnerable position, or because they lack sufficient confidence and self-assurance.

If it were Chen Xiangbei in his previous life, he would definitely be very excited and nervous if he could get an interview with CCTV.

The reason is that for him, who desperately needed sponsorship to break into the world of F1, the fame brought by CCTV was undoubtedly a lifeline.

But Chen Xiangbei is different now. He has enough power to make the spotlight shine on him, and gaining fame is only a matter of time.

Just like when Yao Ming was selected as the number one pick in the NBA draft and Liu Xiang ran 12.88 seconds, regardless of whether CCTV had plans to interview them, the whole world would take notice!
"As expected, heroes emerge from among the young. Xiang Bei, you have the demeanor of a great general."

Sha Tong praised him, saying that he had interviewed many athletes, most of whom were very nervous in front of the camera and even stuttered when they spoke.

It is truly remarkable that Chen Xiangbei, at his age, can maintain such emotional stability.

"Master Sha, you flatter me."

After a few more simple pleasantries, the director had already set up the camera positions and nodded to Sha Tong, indicating that they could officially begin.

After everything was ready, CCTV's on-location host Sha Tong put on a professional smile and spoke to Chen Xiangbei.

"Hello, Chen Xiangbei, thank you for accepting our CCTV Sports interview."

"Congratulations on securing pole position at the Australian Grand Prix F3 today, and breaking the record previously held by the newly crowned F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton!"

After the usual opening remarks, Sha Tong then formally asked her question.

"Chen Xiangbei, you are the first Chinese driver to achieve pole position in the more than 50-year history of the Australian Grand Prix. What would you like to say about this?"

"Honor and pride."

Chen Xiangbei gave a simple answer: he did indeed make history.

"You are actually quite unfamiliar to domestic car fans and audiences. They don't know that there is a Chinese Formula driver named Chen Xiangbei. It wasn't until you became a test driver for the Brawn GP team that the outside world learned about your name."

"What exactly happened during this process that made you stand out to the F1 teams?"

Sha Tong asked this question from the audience's perspective, and to some extent, it was also the answer he himself wanted to know.

Even as a professional sports commentator in China, Sha Tong did not know that there were any Chinese Formula One drivers who could "go abroad" before seeing the news article in Sports Weekly, let alone that this kid had dominated the Renault European Cup.

Chen Xiangbei, who appeared out of nowhere, is simply a mystery!

"Strength and results."

Here's another five-word answer.

Without offering any tactful or humble objective reasons, Chen Xiangbei's answer was extremely simple and blunt.

When Sha Tong received the interview assignment, she made a special effort to quickly review video clips from overseas websites to prepare for Chen Xiangbei's personality and style.

I know that this young man is described as "tough" and "arrogant" by foreign media.

Sha Tong hadn't expected that Chen Xiangbei, who seemed quite refined when greeting people, would be so individualistic and concise when answering questions from CCTV.

"Chen Xiangbei, could you describe your strength and achievements in more detail?"

Sha Tong added that if all interviews were like Chen Xiangbei's, with just a few words, it wouldn't even be enough to make up the editing length.

"I conquered the European circuits with my own strength, and impressed the Brawn GP team with my performance in the Renault EuroCup. That's why I was chosen by an F1 team to become a test driver!"

When Chen Xiangbei said those words, it seemed like he was showing off his sharp edge to outsiders, but in fact he was just stating the facts.

As a Chinese Formula One driver, Chen Xiangbei had no background, no sponsorship, no connections, and no nationality. He belonged to the lowest tier of cannon fodder drivers in the entire Formula One racing world.

According to the normal procedure, Chen Xiangbei would at most finish the Renault European Cup and then have to slink back to China touring car racing to make a living.

But he used speed to achieve a comeback and forge his own path.

Even with Zhang Zhicong's help and Stale's recommendation, the core factor was still Chen Xiangbei's own ability.

Without Renault's consecutive European Cup victories and track record-breaking performance, Zhang Zhicong's assistance would have been completely ineffective. Stahler would never have recommended a complete stranger like Chen Xiangbei, and the Brawn GP team board would have looked down on him even more!

If that's the case, then why the deliberate attempt to keep a low profile and conceal it?
Upon hearing Chen Xiangbei's reply, Sha Tong was stunned for a moment.

He has interviewed countless Chinese athletes, including star players like Yao Ming who compete overseas.

To be honest, all of these athletes, when interviewed by CCTV, maintained the low-key, reserved, and humble manner that is typical of Chinese people. None of them used the word "conquer" as directly as Chen Xiangbei.

Now Sha Tong understands why her foreign media colleagues used the word "arrogant" to describe Chen Xiangbei; he does indeed have the sharp edge of a young man!

"Chen Xiangbei, it seems you are very confident in your abilities."

Sha Tong smiled and made a brief interjection, then quickly added, "Do you think you can become a full-fledged F1 driver in the future?"

There is a seemingly insurmountable gap between test drivers and official drivers.

Basically, as long as you reach the F2 level, and you're not one of the bottom few, you have a chance to get a test driver contract with an F1 team, helping the team test simulators or run practice races as a substitute.

But very few people can actually sit in the cockpit of an F1 car.

“Of course, I will definitely become an F1 driver.” Chen Xiangbei’s answer was exactly what Sha Tong expected, except that his tone was more certain.

But then Chen Xiangbei showed what made him different.

"And I will become the strongest F1 driver!"

Just like the old saying goes, a soldier who doesn't want to be a general isn't a good soldier.

If you don't even have the confidence to be the best driver, then what are you doing driving an F1 car?

Competitive sports demand an arrogant and fearless spirit of "I'm the best in the world," and racing drivers are pushing their limits and risking their lives for results.

If you prioritize friendship over competition, are you doing right by your life?

Upon hearing Chen Xiangbei's boastful words, the CCTV interview team members at the scene exchanged bewildered glances.

It should be noted that making overly confident statements, or "speaking wildly," is not very acceptable in traditional Chinese thought.

Back then, Liu Xiang faced a lot of criticism after the competition for saying "Asianness has me, China has me" on the podium, with many people believing that he was not humble enough.

This kind of public opinion reached its peak after he withdrew from the competition in 08, and what was once "arrogance" has now become a handle for attack.

Chen Xiangbei is too young. He doesn't understand what "the Doctrine of the Mean" means, and he has never experienced the humiliation of being ridiculed as a "god descending the mountain".

Finally, a new, rapidly growing seedling has emerged in the field of Formula racing in China. As a sports person, Sha Tong felt it was his responsibility to remind Chen Xiangbei to tone down his words so that he wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure from public opinion.

Sha Tong winked at the cameraman, who promptly pressed the power button.

At this moment, Sha Tong spoke up: "Xiang Bei, young people naturally have some sharpness. If they weren't ambitious, they wouldn't be young."

"But the outside world may not agree with your views. There are wins and losses in sports events. At that time, the content of the interview will become a sharp knife, which people will use to stab you in the heart. Do you understand this principle?"

Sha Tong said these words not so much as a host, but more as an elder offering advice.

He met Chen Xiangbei for the first time today, but he could feel a unique ambition and vigor from the young man in front of him!
This is not the kind of arrogance described by foreign media. From beginning to end, Chen Xiangbei showed a composure and calmness beyond his years in both his words and expressions, which is fundamentally different from those who are "all bark and no bite" and frivolous.

Sha Tong wouldn't dare say he'd seen it all, but he was at least confident that his assessment of Chen Xiangbei was correct.

If this young man continues to develop properly, he will definitely achieve great things. He doesn't want to see Chen Xiangbei succumb to the backlash of public opinion and be defeated.

"clear."

Chen Xiangbei nodded seriously; he knew what Sha Tong wanted to express.

Not to mention in this day and age, even a decade or two from now, arrogant and flamboyant athletes will still be highly controversial.

“Master Sha, I have experienced a lot of cold looks and ridicule on European tracks. They expect to see a Chinese driver who is timid and unassuming, in line with their stereotype of being low-key and easy-going.”

"When faced with such drivers, they will not only not laugh at them, but will also encourage and praise them when their performance is not good, showing a tolerant and magnanimous attitude."

"But what I want is not praise for the losers, but reverence for the victors!"

"I have never been humble or backed down abroad, and I will never show a weak image to my compatriots at home, so that they will think that the driver I support is a coward."

"I know that strong words will be criticized, but I would rather set an example for future domestic athletes. If you have the ability and the results, you should be bold and show it off. Even if you lose in the future, at least you were proud back then. It's better than being timid and submissive for the rest of your life!"

After hearing Chen Xiangbei's words, Sha Tong's expression was complicated.

He thought he had seen through Chen Xiangbei, but it turns out he was far from it!

The young man in front of us is not a matter of being low-key or arrogant; his vision is far greater than anyone realizes.

In Chen Xiangbei's words, this kid is setting an example for future Chinese athletes through his behavior.

He has taken the blame for being arrogant, but the audience's acceptance has increased. Future Chinese athletes can more unabashedly display their confidence and strength!
Time ticked by, and after about an hour, the hotel conference room door opened, and members of the CCTV interview team came out, signifying the end of the interview with Chen Xiangbei.

Lu Xiaoman, A Yong, Lei Ge, and others were all waiting curiously at the door, wanting to know what had happened during the interview.

CCTV is the highest-level television station in China. If the interview goes well, Chen Xiangbei will soon become a household name!
"Hey north, we'll be off then. Best of luck on your championship win tomorrow!"

Before leaving, Sha Tong made a point of saying goodbye to Chen Xiangbei. In just over an hour, Chen Xiangbei had a newfound respect for this young man.

"thanks, I will."

Chen Xiangbei waved goodbye to the CCTV interview team.

Ah Yong immediately came over and asked, "Brother Bei, what did the CCTV hosts say? How long until we can see you on TV again?"

"do not know."

Chen Xiangbei shook his head; he found it difficult to determine the broadcast time.

"Once the TV broadcast airs, you'll become a celebrity, Brother Bei. I wonder when I'll be able to appear on CCTV so my parents can see me back home."

A Yong's tone was full of envy. In his mind, appearing on CCTV was a "brilliant thing" that would make his parents in the countryside extremely happy!
"Once you become the chief mechanic of an F1 team, you'll be on TV."

Chen Xiangbei patted A Yong on the shoulder and encouraged him.

"Okay, then I want to go into F1 too!"

"Ah."

Chen Xiangbei said nothing more and turned to walk into the conference hall.

The CCTV interview interrupted his "enlightenment" process. He needed to review the qualifying race again before going to sleep, memorize nearly a hundred reference points on the entire track, and make sure to achieve the utmost perfection in every lap.

After all, the limited number of members in Chen Xiangbei's crew restricted his strategic options.

Other teams are betting that the safety car will be deployed tomorrow, while Chen Xiangbei is betting that it won't.

Even before the cards were revealed, Chen Xiangbei knew he was likely to lose this gamble.

In that case, I must play my cards right and win against my opponents!

In fact, Chen Xiangbei was not the only one with this idea. Drivers from other teams were also busy at night, watching his pole position video in qualifying and making targeted strategies.

Why is there a saying that "the tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind"?

The problem is that when you stand out too much, you naturally become everyone's enemy!
……

The night passed and the weekend arrived, which was also the main race day of the 56th Macau Grand Prix.

Compared to the qualifying race's audience size of around 30,000, the main race saw a historic breakthrough in attendance, with official estimates suggesting it was close to 50,000, exceeding the capacity of the Guia Circuit.

Fortunately, street races have one advantage: the houses on both sides can serve as "stands".

As a result, the balconies and windows of any roadside area with a view of the Guia Circuit were packed with racing fans and spectators.

They only had one target to watch: pole-sitter Chen Xiangbei!

Although the CCTV interview won't be broadcast so soon, the news of Chen Xiangbei winning pole position yesterday has already spread rapidly throughout the Pearl River Delta region.

This news was like a bombshell. Not only did spectators in neighboring Hong Kong and Macau flock to the Guia Circuit before dawn to see Chen Xiangbei, the pole position driver.

Furthermore, securing pole position means that Chen Xiangbei still has the ability to compete for the championship. The throngs of fans and supporters actually want to witness the birth of the first Chinese Grand Prix champion.

This is a moment that has never happened before in the 55-year history of the Grand Prix.

Whoever can be there in person will become a witness to history!
Not only did the number of attendees far exceed that of previous years, but the Guia Circuit also attracted many political, business, and entertainment figures.

The overall buzz and atmosphere had a feel of a "scaled-down" F1 Chinese Grand Prix.

The most important figures were all gathered in the VIP boxes of the racing building, where they could overlook the entire Guia Circuit from a superior position, which was considered the best viewing spot.

At this moment, in the VIP box on the seventh floor, Zhang Zhicong was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window looking at the scene of the repair station, with the sponsor he had been seeking next to him.

Chen Xiangbei's pole position in qualifying attracted international superstar Jackie Chan to travel from Hong Kong Island to the Guia Circuit to watch the race.

He wanted to see if this young man was worth betting on!

(End of this chapter)