Why race if you don’t have money?

Chapter 222 A Driver Must Have Individuality

"North, clouds are gathering northwest of the Albert Park circuit, and according to the Melbourne Bureau of Meteorology's radar map, there is a possibility of rain within the next thirty minutes."

"Currently, the northerly wind is at level 4 to 5, and there may be gusts of up to level 7 in open areas near the lake. You must pay close attention to the aerodynamic stability of the race car and the timing of braking."

Inside the HRT team's pit garage, Odette was explaining precautions to Chen Xiangbei after the wind picked up.

"Well, I will."

Chen Xiangbei nodded seriously after hearing this.

Although he had discussed with Odette during practice matches that he hoped for wind and rain.

However, to some extent, the complex and ever-changing climate is a double-edged sword for the TF110 race car. In particular, the reduced downforce at the rear of the newly upgraded kit means a corresponding decrease in wind resistance and stability.

"The team strategy group decided on a two-stop tactic and started on soft red tires."

"Make the most of your reaction speed and try to overtake Trulli at the start. If you can't do that, at least try to hold your line at the T1 corner and not give Kovalainen or Kubica any chance."

After saying this, Odeto paused, then added with a somewhat serious expression.

"I'm worried there will be a crash at T1 turn."

The most exciting and thrilling part of F1 racing is the start and the first corner, where you race to the finish line.

At least half of the accidents occurred at these two time points.

Even if the two drivers have no grudges against each other, a collision is inevitable when there is no room to maneuver in a fierce competition.

There's no need to elaborate on the "grudges" between Chen Xiangbei, Kovalainen, and Kubica. Even if they didn't intend to crash into each other, it's certain that their wheel-to-wheel confrontation would be extremely aggressive.

If either Kovalainen or Kubica's front wing gets past Chen Xiangbei's rear wheel, then within the rules, it will most likely result in a situation where "whoever gives way is the grandson."

If you don't want to concede, and you don't want to be in a dangerous situation, then don't give your opponent a chance!
"clear."

Having been partners for so long, Chen Xiangbei could often figure out Odeto's intentions with just a few hints.

The best defense is actually offense. If you can get ahead of Trulli at the start, you can let your teammates defend two opponents instead of you.

This is the real goal of starting with soft red tires!
The "war" between teammates has already begun with the start of the main competition.

Just as Chen Xiangbei was talking to Odette, Briatore came over and announced: "Bei, the drivers have assembled. Let's go for the pre-race parade."

"Ah."

Having said everything that needed to be said, Chen Xiangbei was no naive or innocent person. He nodded and then walked towards the float.

Compared to the isolation and indifference of the previous match, Chen Xiangbei could even feel obvious "hostility" during this pre-match tour.

Rosberg's post-race comments and Chen Xiangbei's flamboyant and tough style inevitably clashed with the interests of other drivers, which is almost an inevitable path for new star drivers in F1.

Hamilton has walked this path before, and Verstappen has followed. Now it remains to be seen whether Chen Xiangbei can carve out a bloody path with his strength!
The drivers rode around the parade floats, but Chen Xiangbei remained alone at the back of the float, not even coming over to talk to Schumacher from the previous stop.

To be honest, Schumacher didn't have any problem with Chen Xiangbei. He had been more arrogant and aggressive in his words and actions. The Chinese newcomer was undoubtedly no match for the racing legend.

The change in attitude was largely due to consideration for the feelings of his junior teammate, Rosberg.

However, Chen Xiangbei, who was on the float this time, did not become invisible.

The Australian tour host, with a mindset of stirring up trouble, approached Chen Xiangbei with a microphone.

"North, you faced Kubica in qualifying and defeated him once again. What are your thoughts on that?"

The questions asked by the parade emcee, along with the cameras from the floats, were broadcast onto the racetrack's large screen.

Perhaps anticipating a trending news story, the broadcast studio gave Chen Xiangbei a close-up of his facial expression, attracting the attention of hundreds of thousands of viewers in the track, who were also watching to see how Chen Xiangbei would respond.

"I have nothing to say."

Chen Xiangbei replied expressionlessly and in a very cold tone.

He was no longer the novice who had just come into contact with Western journalists; he was already used to their methods and ways of creating big news.

Chen Xiangbei has no personal grudges against Kubica. Winning and losing on the track is common in sports, and he would not mock his opponent.

At the same time, Chen Xiangbei had his own pride and competitive spirit, and didn't want to say anything like Kubica was very strong, that he just didn't perform well, and that they should wait for the next match.

Since you don't want to talk about it, then just don't answer!

However, Chen Xiangbei is still too young. There are some things that the audience won't be satisfied with just because you refuse to answer them.

Compared to the young Chinese driver, Kubica is the "home team driver".

"Why are these Chinese guys so good at showing off? Don't they have anything to say?"

"Refusing to comment on Kubica, does he really think he's better than him?"

"Kubica, teach driver North a lesson in the race!"

Without the roar of F1 engines to drown it out, the shouts and curses of the audience could be faintly heard from the floats.

The parade host, with a forced smile, continued, "Bei, I can sense that you are very confident in yourself."

"You achieved a commendable fifth place in the opening race. Do you have any plans to go even further in this race, perhaps even reach the podium?"

The Australian host was an older white man. His intention was to use reverse psychology to provoke Chen Xiangbei, so that the young man would say the words he would use to accept the award.

However, it's important to know that overtaking is much more difficult in Australia compared to Bahrain.

In addition, the wind has picked up today, and there is a high probability of rain. Chen Xiangbei only managed to improve his ranking by two places in the last race, and he needs to improve by a full six places to reach the podium this time.

It's safe to say that it's almost an impossible thing!
However, Chen Xiangbei's answer took the parade host by surprise.

There was absolutely no need to fan the flames; the Chinese newcomers were far more flamboyant and arrogant than he thought!
"Of course, I can stand on the podium."

When Chen Xiangbei said this, the entire room erupted in uproar.

From an outsider's perspective, the Chinese kid might seem crazy and spouting nonsense.

But in fact, as early as the practice phase, Chen Xiangbei had already set his sights on reaching the podium.

As a driver, how can he let his performance stagnate? Let alone the podium, even if the parade host asks if he is confident in competing for the championship, Chen Xiangbei will give an affirmative answer.

Having unwavering confidence in oneself is an essential psychological booster for becoming a top driver.

Chen Xiangbei wouldn't try to be tactful or play games just to avoid the cold stares and ridicule from outsiders, or even put on a gentle and refined image.

Arrogance, conceit, and the attitude of "I'm the best in the world" are the hallmarks of a champion driver!
Watching Chen Xiangbei's response on the big screen, Odeto, standing in the team's pit lane, slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a barely perceptible smile.

That's the answer he wanted to hear.

Odeto could give up his position as team manager and serve under his old rival Briatore, but he could not accept serving a mediocre, even self-conscious, driver.

After all, Odette had worked with Schumacher before, and Schumacher was often the model for drivers in his mind.

Chen Xiangbei may be much weaker now, but there is one thing in which Chen Xiangbei is no less than Schumacher.

That is the desire to win, to have the heart of a champion!
While Odeto could appreciate Chen Xiangbei's answer, the vast majority of spectators in the stands could not accept Chen Xiangbei's arrogant and ignorant demeanor.

Boos and shouts erupted again from both sides of the track, this time even louder than before, and could be picked up by microphones.

F1 broadcasts are aimed at a global audience, and considering the potential negative impact, the event organizers immediately reminded the parade host via radio to be mindful of his behavior and the atmosphere on stage.

Upon hearing the media center's reminder, the parade host could only reluctantly turn the microphone to the other drivers.

Meanwhile, in the Paddock Club area above the repair station, Briatore and an elderly man in a suit were sitting in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling window, drinking champagne and commenting on Chen Xiangbei's interview.

"Bei has a lot of personality."

The old man nodded, approving of Chen Xiangbei's performance.

"A driver must have a unique personality, especially an ambition to become a king or a god!"

Briatore, a far cry from his nonchalant demeanor in the team's pit lane, spoke with a very firm and domineering tone.

"Since you admire the North so much, why are you asking us to invest and compete for driver seats?"

The elderly man in a suit asked a question.

"If I don't give you the opportunity to compete for driver's seats, will you still invest?"

Briatore retorted sarcastically, "There's no such thing as a free lunch. Drivers' seats are the bargaining chips for investment."

"Briatoli, this investment is a bit different from before. Is it for the sake of the North Team, or for your own benefit?"

Both exist, and they are not contradictory.

The old man had known Briatore for many years, and there was little need for him to hide his true nature from him.

Of course, the fabric company will consider its own profits, but there are also win-win investments in this world.

Of course, this is on the premise that Chen Xiangbei can hold onto his seat.

“I am very optimistic about the HRT team, provided that you can convince the Chinese shareholders.”

The old man didn't waste any time with business pleasantries; he directly stated his thoughts and needs.

"No problem, I'll convince them. I wish us a successful collaboration in advance."

Having said that, Briatore raised his glass again.

"Wish us happy cooperation."

Chen Xiangbei was naturally unaware of these business negotiations at the moment.

After the parade ended and the team returned to the pit, none of the team members questioned Chen Xiangbei's bold statement on the podium, and no one cared about the faint jeers that could still be heard.

They acted as if nothing had happened, focusing on what they were supposed to do, running with the precision of a clock.

Oddo stood at the door of the P room, gazing towards the sky.

Seeing Chen Xiangbei approach, he said, "The cumulonimbus clouds haven't increased in thickness, and the probability of rain has dropped from 80% to 60%. We may need to activate our backup stop-and-go strategy."

F1 regulations stipulate that two different tire compounds must be used in each race, meaning that a pit stop is mandatory regardless of the circumstances.

The Bahrain circuit has a wide surface and ample run-off area, allowing teams to employ a three-stop strategy, utilizing peak tire grip to overtake and make up for lost window time during pit stops.

Given the semi-street nature of the Australian Grand Prix, coupled with the absence of DRS at this time, it would be extremely difficult to overtake using only car performance, making it impossible to recover the 22 seconds lost due to an extra pit stop.

Without a doubt, the only option is to try to keep the pregnancy going and use a stop-and-go strategy to keep the game going.

"Although the upgrade kit changes the car's steering characteristics and reduces tire wear, the downforce from the exhaust diffuser is still present. How can you finish the race with only two sets of tires?"

"Traffic jam".

Odeto uttered two words with extreme conciseness.

Preserving the tire means you can't drive aggressively and you need to strictly control the car's speed and racing line.

However, this will create a problem: your opponent will seize the opportunity when you are weak and will definitely do everything they can to overtake you.

To avoid this situation, you have to slow down your traffic!
Just like anyone can step on the gas on a straightaway in a race car, but speed on a curve is what truly matters.

Everyone knows how to drive healthily to save tire wear, but the reason why tire-preserving masters are called masters is that they are also masters of prevention.

It doesn't matter if I drive slowly, as long as my opponents are slower than me. With my rich experience and impenetrable defense, I can forcefully keep my opponents behind me and keep them running like a train. In some exaggerated F1 races, I can even run more than ten laps!
It is precisely because of this skill that many F1 drivers rely on tire maintenance technicians to dominate the paddock.

For example, "Tire God" Perez can run forty laps on soft red tires where peak grip is normally limited to a few laps before he needs to pit!

Or perhaps Albon in later years once ran more than sixty laps on a set of white tires. If there were no rule requiring him to pit for a tire change, he could have completed the entire race with just one set of tires.

The probability of rain is decreasing, and based on Odeto's experience and historical Melbourne weather data, the odds of winning a bet on rain are also declining.

Chen Xiangbei has already demonstrated his talent in tire maintenance in the opening race. Rather than betting on rain, it's better to trust the driver's ability.

Man can conquer heaven!

"It can only be this way."

Chen Xiangbei nodded.

If there were no unpredictable rain-soaked conditions, and if I wanted to achieve my pre-race boast of reaching the podium, I would no longer be able to use the conventional two-stop tactic.

Saving 22 seconds of time per entry will be the key to tactical victory!
After a brief exchange, Chen Xiangbei got into the racing cockpit and drove to the starting grid.

The mechanics team also pushed tires, various repair tools, and most importantly, emergency jump starters around Chen Xiangbei's race car, waiting for the countdown whistle to sound.

Just then, Chen Xiangbei saw Trulli turn around to his right, and the two exchanged a glance.

With just one glance, Chen Xiangbei sensed an overwhelming fighting spirit.

Trulli was telling himself that at this stop, the two sides were no longer teammates, but rivals who were in direct competition.

Chen Xiangbei met Trulli's gaze without backing down, conveying his stance in a defiant manner.

Just then, the whistle sounded to signal unauthorized personnel to leave. Trulli and Chen Xiangbei almost simultaneously pushed off their helmet visors, their faces hidden in the darkness.

(End of this chapter)