"Brown, I can feel that Xiangbei’s condition is getting better and better. He plans to reclaim his pole position."

Mercedes engineer Field said.

As the race progresses, Chen Xiangbei’s speed and condition have visibly improved.

If compared to the practice session results outside the top fifteen, Chen Xiangbei’s proficiency now is worlds apart.

They all know this Chinese Kid has top-notch racing talent and quickly adapts to tracks. However, they didn’t expect Chen Xiangbei’s talent to show so vividly on the Lingyan Circuit, which he had never raced on before.

Currently, the distance between Chen Xiangbei and Schumacher is being reduced by 0.2 to 0.3 seconds per lap, considering the performance gap between the two cars is at most 0.1 seconds.

It means Chen Xiangbei is already faster than Schumacher! 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Can Schumacher block him?"

Jean Todt, hearing this question, turned to Ross Brown and asked.

Earlier, he could use tire changes to evade battle; this time, the Mercedes Team can’t call Schumacher into the pits at lap thirty; they must engage head-on.

"There’s no driver Schumacher can’t block."

Previously Jean Todt said Schumacher is old, and Ross Brown didn’t deny this.

Compared to the peak years of the King of Cars, even without injuries affecting him, Schumacher, in his forties, is already at the tail end of his career.

But if asked whether he can block.

Anytime, anywhere, as long as Schumacher is racing on the track, there’s no other answer.

Age is old, but the fighting spirit is not.

Schumacher never gives up!

"My mistake."

Jean Todt apologized for his lack of trust, realizing that his career in the FIA has influenced his thinking, with many interests and intrigues, gradually forgetting the purity within the paddock.

Racing varies in speed, driving skills have highs and lows, but fighting spirit has no superiority.

Like Ross Brown’s response, facing the 13-car chasing to his rear, Schumacher showed an extremely tough defensive stance, completely different from his previous engagements with Chen Xiangbei.

The reason is simple, Chen Xiangbei is no longer a rookie; he has the ability and qualification to challenge as an F1 Driver, both factually standing on the same level.

Similar to Hamilton’s remarks, only by truly considering Chen Xiangbei as an opponent will you exhibit full fighting spirit.

Against a rookie, who would be that serious?

If Chen Xiangbei gave Kubica a feeling of defense like an impenetrable wall.

Then, at this moment, Schumacher gives Chen Xiangbei a defensive feeling of an iron curtain appearing!

When Schumacher considers Chen Xiangbei a formidable opponent, focusing all energy on defense, it directly showcases what it means to be a terrifying seven-time champion.

After a lap, Chen Xiangbei found no flaws, nor any overtaking opportunities!

Honestly, at this moment, there’s a storm raging inside Chen Xiangbei, though he’s very clear that aiming for the championship is a goal, a belief, even a slogan for team motivation!

But the experience of standing on the podium inevitably caused a slight shift inside him, thinking he’s seated at the table with Schumacher, Alonso, Hamilton.

Even spawning the idea that as long as his car is fast, overtaking them wouldn’t be difficult.

Yet now, Chen Xiangbei received a heavy blow; Schumacher’s performance state has been poor for several consecutive races, even if the team knows the reality having no opinion, external criticisms and media pressure are escalating.

This is the downside of being a "God," always observed under the spotlight and scrutiny.

Schumacher also needs to defend his kingly dignity, informing the outside world he remains unchallenged.

Thirty-two laps, thirty-three laps...

Another two laps passed, Chen Xiangbei remained blocked behind Schumacher’s car.

Without the absolute leading super-power engine output, the experience gap surfaces; regardless of what method Chen Xiangbei uses, whatever overtaking route he takes, Schumacher can precisely intercept.

Additionally, several laps of entanglement made Perez somewhat restless.

He was easily overtaken by Schumacher, although admitting defeat and respecting the king’s power, as an F1 professional driver, he must not concede, he has to find a way to regain ground.

Since Chen Xiangbei couldn’t surpass, Perez wants to challenge Schumacher once more.

However, before challenging the King of Cars, he must overtake his teammate, leading to an HRT Team internal duel scenario.

A one-stop strategy running on white tires throughout, Chen Xiangbei has to chase Schumacher ahead, and also defend himself behind, inevitably at the end, an abrupt grip decline will appear.

Whether or not to stab now filled Perez’s mind with hesitation.

"Xiabei, can’t you get past?"

Odetto’s voice sounded from the earphones, tone somewhat cold.

Before Chen Xiangbei answered, Odetto continued: "If you can’t get past, swap positions and let Perez try, don’t waste tire and meaningless time."

This statement made the faces of the strategy group members on the outdoor command platform look somewhat unpleasant.

Obviously, Chen Xiangbei is under enormous pressure, and Odetto’s words are fueling the fire.

"I can get past!"

Chen Xiangbei took a deep breath and gave a firm answer.

"Really?"

"Then let me tell you news, today Schumacher is at less than half of his peak strength. If you can’t beat him even in this state, forget about thinking about winning!"

Half?

Hearing this answer, Chen Xiangbei couldn’t tell if Odetto was exaggerating, or speaking the truth.

In Chen Xiangbei’s understanding, Schumacher should have around seventy to eighty percent of his peak strength.

Could his all-out defense at fifty percent strength leave him helpless?

"I understand."

Without arguing, Chen Xiangbei cut off the communication with the team.

Whether it’s five percent or eighty percent, what’s important to Chen Xiangbei is surpassing or not surpassing.

Since that’s the case, he’ll go all out!

Meanwhile, two track commentators were discussing Chen Xiangbei’s situation.

Red first spoke: "Driver Bei’s repeated attack got blocked, completely unable to break through Schumacher’s defense. To win this confrontation, he can’t wait for the King of Cars to make an active mistake; instead, he must apply enough pressure to force a passive mistake!"

Listening to Red’s talk on putting pressure on Schumacher, Park Dongxu cynically remarked: "Putting pressure on Schumacher, without the absolute performance advantage, does Chen Xiangbei have this ability?"

"Facing any attack, pressure is inevitable; as strong as the Car God Senna back then, facing Schumacher’s pressure, he made operational mistakes."

"Regarding whether Bei can exert this pressure, the answer is indisputable; if he didn’t have this strength, Schumacher wouldn’t defend with all his might."

"Have you ever seen Schumacher seriously treat a rookie?"

Faced with Red’s rhetorical question, Park Dongxu found himself speechless.

Indeed, this seems like a counter-argument; a pressure-free Schumacher wouldn’t perform absolute defensive driving, he would’ve long left the opponent behind to chase the cars ahead.

The ability to force him to fully defend has, in a sense, already indicated that Chen Xiangbei applied significant pressure.

Moreover, Chen Xiangbei actually holds a slight advantage that even he hasn’t noticed — the momentum of chasing the cars ahead forced Schumacher into the pits to change tires, breaking the King’s invincibility!

Momentum is a somewhat mystical concept, yet it tangibly affects race results.

In mutual competition, a rise and fall often occur; Perez was easily overtaken by Schumacher, due to his mindset being entirely crushed by the King.

Failing to achieve absolute dominance naturally results in a competitive disadvantage!

Chen Xiangbei is different; call it confidence or arrogance, at least throughout he displays an unwavering momentum, even if the car ahead is the King Schumacher, he never considered the question of not being able to surpass him.

Only by believing in yourself can you not fall behind in momentum.

Conversely, Schumacher, whether it’s pitting for avoidance or preparing for full defensive action, highlights his lack of self-confidence after his condition declines.

This is why, having experienced him, Odetto would say that now only half of peak Schumacher’s capacity remains.

Because a hundred percent power Schumacher wouldn’t even consider Chen Xiangbei, his goal would merely be to crush the car ahead!