Chapter 678: Chapter 270: Asian Motorsport Milestone (2)

And F1 is one of the three major sports events in the world!

If we must find a comparison, Chen Xiangbei’s breakthrough is more akin to Su Bingtian’s 100 meters in later years.

Even if the Olympic finals result is only sixth place, that still holds great significance.

Because just as F1 is the crown of racing, the 100 meters represent the crown of athletics, symbolizing the most fundamental of human athletic pursuits!

"That’s right, what Chen Xiangbei achieved is not only a milestone in Chinese history, but also in Asian history."

"Chen Xiangbei also achieved pole position and set a track record, completing a hat trick at the East Sea International Circuit!"

"I’ve been watching the tracks for nearly twenty years, finally there’s a champion belonging to China!"

"I said long ago he would become Car God Bei, and he ultimately didn’t disappoint!"

Li Bing’s emotional words once again resonated with the audience.

The surprise came too suddenly and intensely, making it hard to express in words over a short time.

At the same time, Chen Xiangbei was on his victory lap.

To be honest, when he saw the checkered flag waving, Chen Xiangbei himself was a bit dazed.

Even though he entered the race with a winning mindset, Chen Xiangbei believed that his two lifetimes’ effort would give him the ability to compete for the championship title at the East Sea International Circuit.

Yet even when he truly achieved it, it still felt like a dream.

Schumacher, Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso...

All these were figures Chen Xiangbei once had to look up to, and now, he had "defeated" them; he ultimately did it.

I have become an F1 champion!

The cheers ringing in his ears and the endless sea of spectators charging toward the guardrail to celebrate brought Chen Xiangbei out of his daze.

He deliberately slowed down his car, lifted his helmet visor, and raised his arms to respond to the fervor of the fans.

The car moved forward, stopping amidst a sea of red beneath the podium, with a sign indicating "1st" placed upright beside the car’s front, a unique symbol of championship.

Back in the Renault days, Chen Xiangbei had stopped in front of such a sign before, but at that time, there wasn’t a cheering crowd, 200,000 home spectators, nor the prestige and value of F1.

Today, it was completely different!

Outside the cordoned off podium area, all the members of the HRT Team and friends and family were waiting to celebrate with Chen Xiangbei.

Even further out, a large crowd of media reporters and spectators were gathered, each eager to take part in and witness this historic moment.

No sooner had Chen Xiangbei exited the cockpit when a spectator bypassed security and barriers and rushed toward him on the track.

Initially, Chen Xiangbei thought it was an enthusiastic fan—a scene often witnessed in football matches. But he quickly realized he was wrong; the person wasn’t trying to get close but rather to hand him a national flag.

When he saw the flag, Chen Xiangbei felt a whirlwind of emotions.

There was surprise, pride, excitement, and relief.

In his previous life, during his Formula racing days, Chen Xiangbei had dreamed about draping himself in the national flag and declaring his victory to the world like other national champion athletes.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have the capability back then.

Now, he had finally fulfilled his dream!

"Go Chen Xiangbei, you are China’s pride!"

"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!"

Listening to the enthusiastic cheers of the fans up close, a smile appeared on Chen Xiangbei’s face.

"Okay, I’ll let you witness that moment."

Seemingly relaxed, yet truly determined.

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

Draping the national flag over his shoulders, countless flashes went off, capturing the moment.

Undoubtedly, by tomorrow, this photo and the news of Chen Xiangbei’s victory would spread worldwide, making headlines on major news outlets.

While F1’s impact might feel average to local audiences, on a global scale, it’s undoubtedly top-tier. Especially during Schumacher’s peak era, even top football stars had to bow before it, let alone basketball.

Even after Schumacher’s complete retirement led to a lull, it quickly regained its pinnacle status following the takeover by Liberty Media and the rise of a new generation superstar, Verstappen.

Moreover, with Chen Xiangbei’s triumph carrying special significance, it would incite a phenomenal media storm.

From tomorrow, Chen Xiangbei’s name would resonate globally!

After wrapping up media interactions, Chen Xiangbei sprinted over to his team members for a crazy celebratory embrace.

As Odetto had put it, this achievement belonged to the team. Without the exceptional performance of the HRT Team members, they might have been stalled by Hamilton’s pace, let alone compete for the final championship title.

Amidst the wild celebration, a sense of gratitude welled up in Chen Xiangbei’s heart.

Thank goodness he didn’t have the time or chance to remove his helmet, otherwise with all the slaps, his head might not have been able to take it. As it was, it was already buzzing from being hit.

After celebrating with his team, Chen Xiangbei went to his "family group," where his mother Zhao Yumei, seeing her son draped in the national flag, was already filled with tears.

Like countless ordinary parents, her biggest hope for Chen Xiangbei had been to get into a good university, find a good job, marry, and have children, leading a normal life.

However, everything changed now.

Chen Xiangbei chose not to follow the norm; he pursued the wind and freedom.

More importantly, her son had become a champion driver.

And an F1 champion, the strongest in the racing world!

"Xiangbei, you’re great, you did it."

Zhao Yumei choked out these words, feeling immensely gratified and proud of her son achieving his dream.

"Mom, thank you."

For a moment, Chen Xiangbei’s eyes also reddened. Truly, Zhao Yumei was one among countless ordinary parents.

Yet she had something extraordinary about her.

Most parents might find it challenging to support their child’s pursuit of racing and their dreams.

Even under the guise of ’Suzuka University.’

Without Zhao Yumei’s support, perhaps Chen Xiangbei would have still resolutely pursued racing, but the joy of today’s shared celebration might not have existed.

In response to his son’s gratitude, Zhao Yumei simply nodded, unable to speak.

"Xiangbei, I knew you could do it!"

"Brother Bei, you were the South Cloud Mountain Car God, and now you’ll be the F1 Car God!"

Fatty Wang and Zhou Yan Jing both expressed their excitement and feelings.

The three had made a pact to move towards F1, and Chen Xiangbei had reached the shore first.

Amidst the celebration, a familiar face emerged from the crowd – it was the CCTV reporter Sha Tong who had once interviewed Chen Xiangbei.

Having stepped out of the studio, he resumed his role as a temporary reporter once again.

Finally finding a place at the front, he eagerly pushed the microphone forward and asked.

"Xiangbei, now that you’ve won the F1 Chinese Grand Prix title, is there anything you want to say at this moment?"

"I did it, I am the champion!"

Taking the microphone, Chen Xiangbei responded with a near-roar, venting the long-suppressed emotions in his heart.

This journey took him two lifetimes.

Whether constrained by finances and household registration in the past life at the threshold of F1.

Or meeting cold eyes and ridicule throughout this life.

Chen Xiangbei had waited so long for this championship, and it held immense importance to him.

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

"Thanks to my mother and friends, thanks to my team members, and thanks to those who supported me."

"You allowed me to prove myself, to prove the strength of Chinese drivers, to prove that Asians can stand at the pinnacle of world formula racing!"

"Thank you, I did not let you down."

With those words from Chen Xiangbei, the applause and cheers thundered once more across the venue.

It was a response to Chen Xiangbei and a coronation for the champion!