Why race if you don’t have money?

Chapter 266 Let's have a two-on-two match.

The term "F1 team directives" is familiar to many, but the term "cross-team directives" is less clear to many.

To put it simply, it means that the management or strategy team of Team A directly issues instructions to the drivers of Team B!
This situation often arises because there is a shared interest between the two teams or drivers.

For example, joint operations, like Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Racing 2.

Another type is the engine customer teams, such as the Renault camp, the Mercedes camp, the Ferrari camp, and so on.

Throughout history, there have been countless races suspected of having cross-team orders. Passive defense and inexplicable passing are all suspects, but it is unlikely that any team or driver would admit to such violations of FIA rules.

But there was one person who admitted it: TOTO (Toilet Wolf), the team leader of the Mercedes-Benz team.

In the 18 Monaco Grand Prix, Force India driver Ocon let Mercedes driver Hamilton, who was following behind him, pass, directly determining who would finish on the podium in that race.

In a subsequent media interview, Mercedes team principal Toto proudly announced that he had given Ocon the cross-team instruction, which helped Hamilton gain more points and achieve a fifth consecutive team championship.

And in the same year's Brazilian Grand Prix, Force India driver Ocon once again let Hamilton pass, and then took the opportunity to knock Verstappen off the track during a lap, which led to the famous scene of pushing and shoving on the weigh-in stand.

It was Ocon's actions that allowed Hamilton to overtake and take the lead, maintaining it until the end of the race.

Of course, Toto did not acknowledge the cross-team order this time. After all, the "crash incident" involving Briatore was still fresh in everyone's mind, and Toto could not guarantee that he could overturn the FIA's ban.

However, it is generally accepted by the outside world that there is definitely suspicion of behind-the-scenes manipulation by the Mercedes team.

As for why Force India driver Ocon would follow the instructions of Mercedes team principal, it's because they belong to the same camp.

Force India uses Mercedes power units, and Ocon is a product of Mercedes' youth academy, with Toto hinting that he should join the Mercedes factory team.

It's not surprising that someone who has made it to the top factory team would be willing to play a supporting role.

However, McLaren's relationship with Mercedes during this era was somewhat special. In theory, Mercedes provided the power units and held a dominant position, but in fact, for a long period in the early days, the McLaren team held a dominant position.

Even if Mercedes wants to sell its power unit to other teams in the paddock, it needs McLaren's permission; otherwise, the two sides cannot reach a deal.

It is obvious that the renowned Mercedes-Benz team could not tolerate this power imbalance for long, which was one of the triggers for the breakdown in the relationship between the two teams.

But that's all for the future. Mercedes, which is still a "newcomer" now, still has a close relationship with McLaren.

Rosberg, who is currently ranked fourth, heard instructions from the team's engineers.

"Rosberg, block the HRT driver behind you and create an opportunity for Hamilton."

Upon hearing the team's instruction, Rosberg was initially surprised, but he quickly understood the team's intention.

As a second-generation driver, Rosberg is very familiar with paddock politics. Moreover, the team had already hinted at its cooperation with McLaren, and there was a secret channel for cross-team instructions between the two sides.

Some things are better left unsaid, and the timing was actually to help Hamilton overtake.

Many people in later generations know that Rosberg and Hamilton had a very bad relationship. Their competition within the team was so fierce that they would make sarcastic remarks to each other in post-game interviews.

But in fact, the two used to be very close and even talked about becoming F1 teammates in the future, thinking it would be a really cool thing if it could happen.

Just like Chen Xiangbei and Hoshino Yoshi agreed to meet at the summit.

As a result, the "dream" came true, but what they faced was the harsh reality.

In F1, your biggest enemy is often your teammate!

Even if you try your best to separate the competition from your life, in the F1 world championship, a cesspool of interests and conflicts, the friendships formed during childhood and adolescence cannot withstand the test.

Years later, Rosberg will not carry out this instruction to help Hamilton improve his ranking.

But that doesn't mean he'll refuse now.

In the absence of conflicts of interest that cross the line, childhood friendships are of even greater value.

"receive."

After a brief response, Rosberg turned his gaze to the HRT race car in the distance in the rearview mirror.

In fact, besides his friendship with Hamilton, Rosberg also has a grudge against Chen Xiangbei. He will definitely not let the Chinese kid improve his ranking easily!

Chen Xiangbei naturally couldn't hear the instructions from the other teams. He continued to follow his own rhythm, blocking Hamilton's attack while trying his best to catch up with Rosberg in front of him.

One circle, two circles, three circles...

Without going full speed ahead, the cruising speeds between drivers are actually not that different.

Rosberg didn't enter Chen Xiangbei's attack range until lap 25.

Before they could even launch their attack, Rosberg in the car in front did something illogical. He deliberately slowed down and blocked Chen Xiangbei's car, starting to slow down and press against it!
Chen Xiangbei was a newcomer, but that didn't mean he was a novice. Upon seeing this scene, he instantly understood the meaning behind Rosberg's actions.

He's going to help Hamilton overtake!

To be honest, Chen Xiangbei was somewhat surprised and taken aback. Even though the two hadn't fallen out at this point in time, it was still very rare for drivers from different teams to collaborate across teams like this.

Similar situations have occurred in previous years, often during the battle for the annual championship; otherwise, who would be willing to do such a thankless task?
"Hamilton, seize the opportunity to overtake!"

McLaren's instructions were simultaneously transmitted to Hamilton: now was the best time to overtake!

Even without Whitmarsh's emphasis, Hamilton understood what had happened and what he should do.

F1 world champions have never been upright gentlemen who uphold sportsmanship; on the contrary, they can do anything to win.

Let alone a crossover command, even if a crossover command knocks Chen Xiangbei off the track, Hamilton can still accept the victory with a clear conscience.

Unfortunately, he underestimated Chen Xiangbei's defensive resolve. Faced with his overtaking maneuver, Chen Xiangbei changed lanes without hesitation to block him, displaying a willingness to fight to the death.

Hamilton now has the advantage; he's the one wearing shoes, while Chen Xiangbei is barefoot!

Seeing this situation, and since he had already done it, Rosberg didn't care about being blatant.

He slammed on the brakes again, slowing down the speed, and then blocked Chen Xiangbei's path, while simultaneously seizing a better cutting line, leaving Chen Xiangbei with "no way to go".

As a result, a bizarre scene unfolded on the track: the three cars of the leading group were moving at an absurdly slow pace, almost out of step with the speed of F1 racing.

"What is Rosberg doing? Is he deliberately blocking the car to benefit Hamilton?"

Mizutani Sho asked an angry question.

He had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but the two different teams were too misleading, and besides, Mizutani Sho was still considered a newcomer in F1, so he didn't dare to draw conclusions easily. Now he was 100% certain that there was a cross-team instruction between Mercedes and McLaren!

"This is a violation of fair play and sportsmanship, and we must file a complaint with the FIA!"

Hiroki Sawano responded with equal anger.

Due to the limited scale of domestic racing events in Japan, teams are often clearly divided into several major camps, unlike teams that appear unrelated on the surface but actually form a community of interests behind the scenes.

McLaren really couldn't afford to lose when they had to use cross-team commands against a rookie.

What's the point of complaining?

Odeto coldly retorted with a question.

The reason why cross-team orders can be so prevalent in the paddock is that they are extremely difficult to catch.

You simply cannot prove whether the car in front was acting in a normal defensive manner or deliberately helping a third party to profit.

Even when issuing orders to the convoy, if you're particular, you can make a private phone call; if you're not, you can just agree on a code name in advance, like the commonly used Plan A and Plan B.

Who knows what the meaning of activating Plan B is?
"If our opponents can do it once, we can do it fifteen times!"

Oddo then added a sentence and pressed the call button on his headset.

"Turulli, execute the two-car tactic and coordinate with the North Overtake."

“COPY.”

Trulli's voice came through the earphones, while Sho Mizutani and Hiroki Sawano showed expressions of admiration on their faces.

"Team leader, did you anticipate that McLaren would issue a cross-team instruction, which is why you delayed Trulli's pit stop?"

Sho Mizutani couldn't help but ask, "Odeto's move was nothing short of divine!"
Trulli was originally in position P11 behind, but due to Odeto's delayed pit stop order, he was now one pit stop window ahead and temporarily ahead of Rosberg.

In terms of results, Trulli has so far helped Chen Xiangbei turn the situation from one-on-two to two-on-two.

Compared to cross-team orders, the two-car tactic within the same team will be more effective!
“I didn’t expect McLaren’s crossover instruction, but Trulli stayed on the track to execute a two-car strategy to overtake Rosberg.”

Odeto answered very frankly, without resorting to any premonition.

Chen Xiangbei's stop-and-go strategy is destined to be extremely risk-averse, meaning that he cannot engage in too much overtaking or close-quarters combat.

Rosberg and Chen Xiangbei had a war of words and still harbor old grudges, so the other party will definitely not let him go easily and will be very determined to defend him.

Then someone is needed to help Chen Xiangbei overtake, and without a doubt, only Trulli can do it.

The current situation of two against two is more often due to unforeseen circumstances and mistakes.

But at that moment, race engineer Soter said, "Team leader, Trulli has already run twenty-five laps on his neutral yellow tires, and his grip has long since peaked. It will be difficult and risky for him to stop Rosberg now!"

Drivers are deeply tied to their race engineers, and often even when switching teams, the two will choose to advance and retreat together.

This means that race engineers may not always consider the team's interests; more often than not, the driver's interests come first!
Trulli was not well-suited to the understeer of the car, and excessive tire wear exacerbated the drift. In this state, attempting to block Rosberg could easily lead to unpredictable consequences.

"I know, but I have no other choice."

Odette's expression was calm, but his tone was filled with an undeniable determination.

Faced with these words, Soter was speechless, knowing that there was no point in saying anything more.

The team needed someone to step up and help the North resist the situation, and that person was Trulli!

“Hehe, Odeto, we’re actually the same kind of people.”

Briatore then leaned closer, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

When it came to using the number two driver as a tool, Odeto showed no sign of leniency.

Team spirit and sportsmanship are just empty slogans.

Only results are the eternal melody of an F1 team!
"No, I'm not like you."

"You're just sacrificing a driver to maximize your own interests, but I won't favor the driver."

"If Trulli ever gets ahead of the pack, then the North will be the one blocking the way!"

Odette's tone was firm, which was what distinguished him from Briatore.

Team instructions are never based on the driver, but on the objective situation on the track.

Even if it means sacrificing his own personal interests for the benefit of the team, Odeto will still issue and execute orders without hesitation.

"is it?"

Briatore spoke in a flippant tone.

As the saying goes, "If a man doesn't look out for himself, he'll be damned by heaven and earth." He was vaguely looking forward to seeing Odette make a difficult decision!
The conversations at the outdoor control station do not affect the competition on the track.

Rosberg's attention was entirely focused on pressing Chen Xiangbei, and he didn't notice that he was getting closer and closer to another HRT race car in front of him.

At this point, Chen Xiangbei was on the verge of a "breakthrough." His raw strength was not as good as Hamilton's, so he relied on his home advantage at the Donghai International Circuit and his top-notch driving skills to maintain the competition.

One-on-one might be a close match, but one-on-two is impossible to withstand for long.

Today's situation on the track taught him a good lesson about paddock politics. The race is not just about life and death, but also about human relationships!

Just as Chen Xiangbei was about to exhaust himself, Odette's voice came through the earpiece: "Bei, prepare to overtake!"

【overtake?】

Before Chen Xiangbei could react, a blind spot around a bend appeared, and he saw a black and orange HRT race car "coincidentally" blocking Rosberg's driving line.

In an instant, Chen Xiangbei understood everything. Taking advantage of the moment when Rosberg slowed down to avoid him, he stepped on the gas and accelerated to overtake. The whole process could be described as lightning fast.

Even Rosberg only saw a black shadow whizzing past his car.

Chen Xiangbei seized this fleeting opportunity and surpassed Rosberg without any hesitation!
(End of this chapter)