Car Racing without Money
Chapter 673 - 268: Alonso Can’t Go All Out Like You (Part 2)
Many times, a driver's victory over their opponent relies on an aura of invincibility.
Without this aura, even if technically superior, one will ultimately fail.
Especially on the East Sea International Circuit, Weber hasn't performed better than Chen Xiangbei, so how could he overtake him?
It would be better to block Rosberg and place hope on Vettel.
As the number one driver of the team, enjoying all the benefits of resources and strategy, Vettel is the one who must achieve this.
Otherwise, he doesn't deserve all the current privileges!
Compared to the shock of the Red Bull Racing Team, the Mercedes Team feels more regret.
Originally, when Brawn GP was sold to the Daimler Group, Ross Brown partly aimed for profits, but he also understood that with the development of Formula 1, private and small teams would gradually have no space to survive, leading to an environment dominated by factory teams in the future.
However, based on the current situation, this decision cannot be considered successful.
Whether it's the signed drivers or the Mercedes cars themselves, they are entirely inferior to last year.
Objectively speaking, Rosberg has done his best.
"Team leader, issue the tire conservation instructions. Let's try to have Rosberg maintain his position until the end,"
testing engineer Philte reminded the absent-minded Ross Brown.
The fact that Weber was overtaken proves one thing: Chen Xiangbei has not only a powerful car on the East Sea International Circuit but also an unimaginable speed.
People must learn to accept reality, and so must teams.
Currently, Rosberg still maintains a top-five position, which is definitely a satisfactory result in F1, but the intense battle with Chen Xiangbei earlier consumed too much tire life. They must conserve the tires for the last ten laps.
"Okay,"
Ross Brown nodded and then issued tire conservation instructions to Rosberg through the team's radio.
After releasing the communication button, he muttered, "Philte, do you think Xiangbei can win the Chinese Grand Prix?"
"There's a good chance."
"The move at the T7 combination corner was something at the level of a top driver, and such a crossover line had never been seen before."
"Xiangbei managed it the first time; who can guarantee there won't be a second time?"
Without the conflict of team interests, Philte answered rationally.
"If Alonso can't hold him back, then no one in the paddock can stop him."
"There is indeed something mysterious about Xiangbei."
Even though it's been over a year since the Brawn GP test driver era, Ross Brown still finds surprises and unpredictability in Chen Xiangbei.
This mystery surrounding the young Chinese man is simply beyond explanation!
"From eleventh to second, this momentum is stronger than the rain battle in Australia, and Alonso probably won't be able to hold him back."
"The key to victory, I believe, lies with Vettel."
Philte provided his analysis, noting that Alonso and Weber's prolonged battle had worn their tires more than Chen Xiangbei.
Moreover, in terms of speed, the Ferrari currently ranks third or fourth in the paddock, behind Red Bull, McLaren, and HRT.
The ability to be at the forefront is entirely reliant on Alonso's individual skills, something other drivers would struggle to achieve.
Just like fellow Ferrari driver Masa, who's now trailing far behind.
The problem is that individual skills have a limit, and at the level of top F1 drivers, the advantage is, at most, 0.5 seconds—it can't be an exaggerated one or two-second domination.
A 0.5-second inherent advantage won't stop the aggressive Chen Xiangbei!
However, Vettel from behind has also been catching up, his momentum in some ways rivaling Chen Xiangbei's.
Plus, with the dual advantage of Red Bull car performance and tires, Chen Xiangbei also finds it tough to fend off.
The suspense now lies in how quickly Chen Xiangbei can overtake Alonso and how long it will take Vettel to reach the front.
Nobody knows the answer; this could be the most suspenseful race of the 2010 season so far.
Forty-eight laps, forty-nine laps, fifty laps...
According to Odetto's estimate, Vettel swiftly overtook Button and Rosberg within three laps, like a wandering dragon.
These two drivers abandoned unnecessary resistance and chose to conserve position.
If Chen Xiangbei hadn't quickly overtaken Weber, Vettel would now be right behind him.
Whether an intervening Weber exists doesn't matter much; the Red Bull strategy will inevitably have him give the position back to Vettel, and Chen Xiangbei would then face a direct offensive.
In front is Alonso, behind is Vettel—the two best-performing drivers around 2010 have sandwiched Chen Xiangbei.
Can the Chinese Kid create another miracle of overtaking Weber?
"The podium might just be Xiangbei's limit,"
Sir Williams shook his head, noting the gap between Weber and Alonso, with Chen Xiangbei unable to surpass Alonso and quickly being overtaken by Vettel.
Third place is the ultimate ranking for Chen Xiangbei on his home track.
"Sir Williams, if Xiangbei can fend off Hamilton's attack, he can fend off Vettel's attack too!"
Standing beside him, Emily countered Sir Williams's assessment with a hint of defiance.
Facing this stubbornness of a young girl, Sir Williams smiled and replied.
"I'm not implying that Xiangbei lacks ability; he has already performed beyond expectations."
"But the race is not that simple; it involves an overall battle of various aspects."