Chapter 685: Chapter 273: Bringing In the Chinese Technical Team (Part 2)

Sawano Hiroyuki shrugged; only money can fill Briatore with motivation.

In fact, even before this morning, last night Briatore decisively refused to visit Trulli because he had already arranged a meeting with commercial sponsors.

Chen Xiangbei’s title win kicked off a journey of skyrocketing commercial value!

To this, Chen Xiangbei could only sigh, hoping Briatore wouldn’t take on too many trivial endorsements, otherwise, it would lower the prestige of an F1 title win.

Just as the two were talking, Briatore walked in beaming, and upon seeing Chen Xiangbei, happily exclaimed, "Xiangbei, I have good news for you!"

"Go ahead."

Compared to Briatore’s excitement, Chen Xiangbei appeared quite indifferent.

"Just now, I signed endorsement contracts worth millions for you, plus your previous earnings and salary bonuses, you’ll soon become a millionaire."

"Mind you, the unit is US Dollars!"

[Indeed, as expected...]

Chen Xiangbei silently murmured to himself.

Although Chen Xiangbei signed his management contract with Briatore, currently all his commercial earnings are still handled by Lu Xiaoman.

To put it simply, Lu Xiaoman manages the money.

So, exactly how much was earned from endorsement deals over the past two years, and how much salary and bonus the team offered, Chen Xiangbei is not really sure about the specific numbers.

All his energy is devoted to the competition!

Because Chen Xiangbei is well aware that his commercial value and income come from his racing performance.

Without performance, all income would be built on air, collapsing the moment he leaves the F1 Paddock.

"Xiangbei, don’t you like money?"

Seeing Chen Xiangbei’s lukewarm reaction, Briatore asked in confusion.

In his value system, profit is always the top priority.

Driver dreams and championship aspirations are insignificant compared to money.

Or to put it another way, as long as the price is high enough, Briatore can sell the championship by braking right before the finish line.

"Anything else?"

Chen Xiangbei didn’t want to discuss value systems; money is hard to resist for most people, but there are many things in this world that are more important than money.

Take the Isle of Man TT, for example, a race without prize money, yet countless riders pursue the wind and freedom with their lives.

Different value systems mean neither can persuade the other, so it’s best not to debate this topic and agree to disagree.

"Of course, there’s one more thing that will surely make you happy."

"What’s that?"

Chen Xiangbei casually asked, unable to imagine what Briatore could do to make him happy.

"I’ve met with the chairman of Huali, and they are preparing to send engineers to Volvo’s Gothenburg R&D center and conduct studies at a Belgian automotive engineering center."

"So, I suggested they send another batch of engineers to HRT Team’s Lifield Technology Center to bolster the technical team and assist in development."

"Xiangbei, you’ve been striving to bring in Chinese capital to create a team with Chinese heritage, haven’t you?"

"Perhaps your dream will soon come true!"

Upon hearing Briatore’s words, Chen Xiangbei was stunned.

To be honest, he thought the joy from the Italian rogue would be yet another scheme to make money.

Unexpectedly, he was pulling in Huali for technical development!

Just like Prost has the dream of creating a French Team, and Suzuki Aguri dreams of forming an all-Japanese team, Chen Xiangbei deep down harbors the dream of building a Chinese F1 team.

The reason is simple: F1 represents the world’s most cutting-edge racing technology, the forefront of the automotive industry, and any advancement trickled into consumer cars could become black technology.

Take the 11th season in F1 history when the hybrid system was introduced, establishing the development and technological path for future electric vehicles. If Chinese car companies could grasp this in advance, Tesla wouldn’t be needed as a "catalyst."

However, as he increasingly understood the workings of the system after becoming an F1 professional driver, Chen Xiangbei restrained his "self-interest."

He realized that trying to accelerate growth not only wouldn’t help but could yield negative consequences.

In pursuit of the so-called "Chinese team," abandoning an inclusive mindset would only produce a terrible "tractor," wasting immense resources only to end in failure and further depreciating China’s automotive industry.

Even in seasoned automotive nations like France or Japan, achieving this is difficult. Chen Xiangbei found immediate success impossible.

Therefore, he chose a more realistic path: ensuring the team maintains Chinese shares while absorbing more advanced external research forces, guaranteeing HRT Racing Car’s competitiveness, before considering future development and learning.

Just when Chen Xiangbei decided to "lay low," Briatore brought it up?

But the question remains whether Huali Automobile possesses the technology and funding to participate in research?

Overburdened and rushed, it might turn into the last straw breaking the camel’s back.

"Manager, why do you have this suggestion?"

Briatore is certainly not the philanthropic type, nor does he care about Chen Xiangbei’s "Chinese Dream." He wouldn’t do anything without profit or benefits.

Chen Xiangbei was genuinely concerned he would use this as an opportunity to extort from Huali Automobile.

"Uncle Liang and several Chinese members impressed me with their diligence, discipline, efficiency, and professionalism; they are simply the best mechanics in the world, and I hope more excellent technicians join HRT Team!"

Briatore waved his hands in an exaggerated manner.

"Though what you said is true, please be honest."

Unconvinced by flattery, Chen Xiangbei doesn’t doubt Chinese technicians are the best globally.

Uncle Liang and others’ performance in HRT Team showcased fine traditional virtues of Chinese people, at least in diligence, they surpassed European team members, with only the former Japanese team members comparable.

But this still isn’t enough to sway Briatore, to avoid being caught off guard, Chen Xiangbei needs clear answers.

"Alas..."

"Alright, HRT Team currently lacks sufficient research personnel to form an engine department, and we can’t always rely on Ferrari’s technical team."

"Their cost to come from Maranello to London is very expensive!"

Only at this moment did Briatore reveal the truth.

As an established team, Ferrari’s manpower costs in F1 are already top-tier, and factoring in the fees to travel to London, it’s exorbitantly priced.

Initially betting on solving engine problems, Briatore tolerated the high costs, as profits from winning title races outweighed the expenses.

However, now it’s clear that engine stability issues stem from material problems or design flaws, and relying on Ferrari’s technical team couldn’t resolve it.

Simply reducing power output, which HRT Team engineers are capable of, still requires Ferrari?

Furthermore, as the season progresses, plans for new car development next year must be scheduled.

Previously, HRT Team could rely on Toyota’s legacy without designing chassis or aerodynamic shapes, just necessary tweaks.

Once development begins for new racing cars, demands on research teams grow exponentially, requiring a twenty to thirty percent expansion, especially as HRT already moved past mid-field teams, aiming for championship contenders.

For Briatore, while Chinese engineers might not be the strongest or best technically,

they are definitely the most cost-effective!

Moreover, Huali Group is keen on learning from Volvo and F1, making negotiations seamless.

Chen Xiangbei never imagined his future goals would be propelled forward by Briatore.

The motive is surprisingly the exorbitant cost of Ferrari!