Why race if you don’t have money?

Chapter 271 A Milestone in Asian Automotive Industry

"Chen Xiangbei~~! Chen Xiangbei~~! Chen Xiangbei~~!"

Just as Li Bing had urged, the entire audience chanted his name.

With a home crowd of 200,000, the same voice resounded like thunder across the sky.

"Won……"

Standing inside the P room, Liang Chi listened to the cheers from the crowd and watched the red flags fluttering in the sky, and muttered something to himself.

His eyes instantly welled up with tears. Since the day he left Huasai Sports, he never thought he would see another Chinese Formula One champion driver, until Chen Xiangbei's arrival gave him hope and aspirations.

At this moment, Liang Chi desperately hoped that Zhang Zhicong could stand by his side and tell him that his past efforts had not been in vain and that the seeds he had planted had finally sprouted!

Whether or not he can attend the celebration in person is perhaps no longer so important. Zhang Zhicong has planted another batch of seeds on Hong Kong Island. Only by truly starting from the bottom and no longer aiming too high and building castles in the air for Chinese motorsports will a dense forest grow in the future.

"We won, Uncle Liang, Xiang Bei won!"

"That's right, Xiang Bei won the home leg of the race!"

Ah Yong and Lei Ge, who were standing nearby, listened to Liang Chi's mutterings without thinking too much about the profound questions behind them.

They assumed Liang Chi was too shocked to believe it for a moment.

"Xiang Beijun won! The first Asian to win an F1 Grand Prix!"

"Senior Sawano, we made the right choice back then. Mukai-kun is the chosen one!"

Sho Mizutani was extremely excited, waving his arms incessantly. He and Hiroki Sawano were actually taking huge risks and losses to their futures by leaving the Honda Racing Academy.

If Chen Xiangbei doesn't have enough potential and stops at F3 in European racing, then the entire team, including "Super Dream," will fall apart.

Hiroki Sawano and Sho Mizutani won their gamble on the unknown future!
“Briatoli, North did it, and so did you. After this battle, HRT will no longer be an unknown team. We will move towards the top.”

Odeto said something to Briatore beside him, this time using "we".

Regardless of their past grievances or differences in philosophy, Odeto and Briatore were ultimately kindred spirits on the path of leading the HRT team to the top.

“Odetto, would you believe me if I told you this is just the beginning?”

Unlike the other team members, Briatore did not display the same level of excitement; instead, he remained extremely calm.

After all, he's a top team manager who built Schumacher and Alonso; what kind of situation hasn't he seen?

So what if you're a world champion, let alone a regional champion?

His goal is to surpass ordinary world champions and cultivate the next Schumacher!

"Believe me, the limits of the North are far greater than this!"

Odette replied very firmly that he had never doubted it.

Briatore smiled when he saw that Odette agreed with him.

Then he turned around and formally announced to all the members.

"MAN! This is a victory for the North, a victory for you, and a victory for HRT."

"Brothers, you all played exceptionally well."

"From this moment on, we are the champions!"

Briatore yelled, knowing that many team members disagreed with him.

But so what?
Results will prove everything.

For a qualified manager, prioritizing profit is merely a principle, not a management method.

Briatore is well aware that a driver's victory is never an individual achievement, but rather the result of the unity of the entire team.

In critical moments, it's important to praise team members and provide them with emotional support!
"That's right, we are the champions!"

"Champion North, Champion HRT!"

"One day we will become the strongest team in the paddock!"

"Go HRT!"

Shouts rang out again, and every member of the team was filled with excitement.

The difference between small and large racing teams lies not only in money but also in their confidence.

Just like a champion facing a challenger, they naturally have a psychological advantage.

However, once the smaller teams also have championship titles, they will have the confidence to rival the four major teams in the paddock.

HRT is just as strong, so why should it be inferior to others? Just because your names are Ferrari and McLaren?

"The audience went wild. Countless people stood up, waving their arms and chanting Chen Xiangbei's name, savoring the taste of victory."

“I can understand their feelings because we witnessed the birth of a miracle together.”

"In the 60-year history of F1, the first Chinese champion, the first Asian champion, and even the first champion of Asian descent have emerged. This is a threshold that Japanese Formula One racing has been unable to cross for 30 years, and an unattainable goal!"

"Winning the F1 Chinese Grand Prix will be a milestone for Asian motorsport!"

Li Bing was still expressing his feelings. Even though it was very clear that Chen Xiangbei had won the championship, he still felt like he was dreaming.

Japan is a powerhouse in the automotive industry with a complete racing system, yet no driver has ever reached the pinnacle.

Chen Xiangbei, however, achieved this feat in just three official matches!

Furthermore, in the entire 60-year history of Formula 1, apart from Hamilton, a black man, winning a championship, Formula racing has been a playground for white people.

Now that boundary has been broken once again, with Chen Xiangbei becoming the new champion of the yellow race!
To be honest, this achievement is almost on par with Liu Xiang's breakthrough.

After all, the 110-meter hurdles is a niche event even in track and field, let alone in the entire sports world.

However, Formula 1 is one of the world's three major sporting events!

If a comparison must be made, Chen Xiangbei's breakthrough is more similar to Su Bingtian's 100-meter dash in later generations.

Even if they only finished sixth in the Olympic finals, the achievement is still incredibly valuable.

Just as Formula 1 is the crown jewel of motorsports, the 100-meter dash represents the crown jewel of track and field, and even more so, the most fundamental sport for humankind!
"That's right, Chen Xiangbei created not only Chinese history, but also Asian history."

"Chen Xiangbei also holds pole position and track records, completing a hat trick at the Donghai International Circuit!"

"I've been watching the race for almost 20 years, and finally, China has won a championship!"

"I told you long ago that he would become the racing legend, and he didn't disappoint!"

Li Bing's reflections once again resonated with the audience.

The surprise came too suddenly and too intensely; no words could express it in such a short time.

Meanwhile, Chen Xiangbei was completing his own return loop.

To be honest, Chen Xiangbei was a little stunned when he saw the checkered flag waving at the end of the match.

Even with an unwavering belief in victory before the race, Chen Xiangbei believed that his efforts over two lifetimes were enough to challenge for the championship title at the Donghai International Circuit.

But when you actually achieve it, it still feels like a dream. Schumacher, Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso…

These were all people Chen Xiangbei once looked up to, but now he had defeated them all, and he had finally succeeded.

I became the F1 champion!

The cheers around him, and the countless spectators who couldn't contain themselves and rushed to the wall to celebrate, brought Chen Xiangbei back to his senses.

He deliberately slowed down, pushed open his helmet visor, and raised his arms in response to the enthusiasm of the fans at the scene.

The race car raced forward, stopping below the podium amidst a sea of ​​red, with a sign that read "1st" erected on the front of the car—a unique symbol of the champion.

Back in his Renault days, Chen Xiangbei had stopped in front of such a sign, but back then there was no cheering from the crowd, no 200,000 home fans, and no F1 status or value.

Today is completely different!
Outside the ropes surrounding the podium area, the entire HRT team, along with their family and friends, were already waiting to celebrate with Chen Xiangbei.

The outer perimeter was packed with media reporters and spectators, all eager to participate in and witness this historic moment.

However, just as Chen Xiangbei stepped out of the cockpit, a spectator jumped over the security guards and ropes and pounced on him in the inner field.

Chen Xiangbei initially thought it was a fanatical fan, a scene often seen at football matches. However, he quickly realized he was wrong; the other person wasn't asking for close contact, but rather had handed him a national flag.

Upon seeing the national flag, Chen Xiangbei was overwhelmed with emotion.

There was surprise, pride, excitement, and relief.

In fact, when he was racing Formula One in his previous life, Chen Xiangbei had dreamed of being able to proudly drape himself in the national flag and declare his victory to the world, just like other domestic champion athletes.

Unfortunately, he didn't have the ability.

Now I have finally achieved my dream!
"Go Chen Xiangbei! You are the pride of China!"

"The strongest Chinese driver, the strongest Asian driver!"

"Chen Xiangbei, I will follow you forever until I see you become the world's strongest driver!"

Hearing the encouragement from the fans at close range, Chen Xiangbei smiled.

"Okay, I'll show you this."

Seemingly relaxed, but actually determined.

From now on, Chen Xiangbei will plant a flag on the world stage as a Chinese driver!

The national flag was unfurled and draped over his shoulders, and countless flashes went off to capture the moment.

Without a doubt, tomorrow this photo and the news of Chen Xiangbei's victory will spread around the world and become headlines in major television and newspapers worldwide.

While F1's influence might seem average to domestic audiences, it's undoubtedly top-tier globally. Especially during Schumacher's peak era, even top football superstars had to avoid his dominance, and basketball was a level below him.

Even after Schumacher's complete retirement and a period of transition, he quickly returned to his peak position with the takeover by Liberty Media and the rise of a new generation of superstar Verstappen.

Furthermore, the emergence of Chen Xiangbei, a champion with a special status and significance, will trigger a phenomenal media storm.

Starting tomorrow, Chen Xiangbei's name will resound throughout the world!
After dealing with the media's photos, Chen Xiangbei rushed to his team members and hugged them wildly in celebration.

Just as Odette said, this is the formation of the team. Without the outstanding performance of the HRT team members, they might have been stuck in a rut when they surpassed Hamilton, let alone challenge for the final championship title.

However, as everyone became engrossed in the frenzy, Chen Xiangbei felt a sense of relief.

Fortunately, I didn't have the time or energy to take off my helmet, otherwise I probably wouldn't have been able to withstand all those slaps. Anyway, my head was buzzing from all the slaps.

After celebrating with his team members, Chen Xiangbei came to the "family and friends" group. His mother, Zhao Yumei, was already in tears when she saw her son draped in the national flag.

Like countless ordinary parents, her greatest expectation for Chen Xiangbei was simply that he get into a good university, find a good job, get married, have children, and live a simple and ordinary life.

But now everything has changed.

Chen Xiangbei was unwilling to follow the rules; he chose to pursue freedom and adventure.

More importantly, his son became a champion driver.

And he is also the strongest F1 champion in the racing world!

"Xiang Bei, you're amazing, you did it."

Zhao Yumei choked up as she uttered these words. Her son had realized his dream, and she felt incredibly gratified and proud.

"Mom, thank you."

In an instant, Chen Xiangbei's eyes also turned red. Zhao Yumei was indeed one of the countless ordinary parents.

But she also has an unusual side.

If it were other parents, they would probably find it difficult to support their children in racing and pursuing their dreams.

Even if it's just wrapped in the skin of "Suzuka University".

Without Zhao Yumei's support, Chen Xiangbei might still have remained steadfast in his choice of racing, but they wouldn't be sharing this joy together today.

Faced with her son's words of thanks, Zhao Yumei could only nod and remain silent.

"Xiang Bei, I knew you could do it!"

"Brother Bei, you used to be the racing god of Nanyun Mountain, now you'll be the F1 racing god!"

Fatty Wang and Glasses Zhou were also excitedly sharing their feelings.

The three agreed to head towards F1, but Chen Xiangbei has already reached the other side first.

Just as everyone was celebrating, a familiar face appeared in the crowd: Sha Tong, the CCTV reporter who had interviewed Chen Xiangbei before.

Now, he has stepped out of the studio and is once again taking on the role of a temporary reporter.

Having finally squeezed into a front-row seat, he eagerly handed over the microphone and asked.

"Xiang Bei, you've won the F1 Chinese Grand Prix title. What are your thoughts right now?"

"I did it! I'm the champion!"

Taking the microphone, Chen Xiangbei responded with what could only be described as a roar, venting the emotions that had been building up inside him for a long time.

He walked this road for two lifetimes.

Whether it was due to financial constraints or household registration limitations in their past lives that they failed to reach the F1 threshold.

Or perhaps it's the cold stares and ridicule I've endured throughout my life.

Chen Xiangbei had waited far too long for this championship, and it held immense significance for him.

After releasing his emotions, Chen Xiangbei took a deep breath and then added.

"Thank you to my mother and friends, thank you to my team members, and thank you to everyone who has supported me."

"You've shown me what I've achieved, demonstrated the strength of Chinese drivers, and shown that people of Asian descent can also stand at the pinnacle of Formula racing!"

"Thank you, I didn't let you down."

As Chen Xiangbei finished speaking, thunderous applause and cheers erupted once again.

This is a response to Chen Xiangbei, and also a way to crown the champion!
(End of this chapter)