Car Racing without Money-Chapter 139 - 97: Breakthrough of the Chinese Rookie (5K)
The two cars of the Super Dream Team stayed in the pit, while drivers from other teams began practicing timed laps on the track.
Chen Xiangbei stood inside the pit lane guardrail, his gaze fixed on a Carlin Team car on the track, particularly interested in the driver inside the cockpit.
The driver’s name is Kevin Magnussen, known in the F1 Haas Team as the legendary penalty king "Dragon Sketch" in later years!
Compared to Vergne, a two-time FE World Champion, Magnussen truly established himself in the F1 paddock with astounding speed, achieving a podium finish in his debut.
You read that right, not just scoring points in his debut, but directly achieving a podium finish!
Back then, Magnussen directly replaced Perez in the McLaren Team, with many teams in the paddock believing he had top-tier potential.
It’s worth noting that the last debut podium finisher was named Hamilton.
However, no one expected Magnussen’s career to highlight a high start and a chaotic path.
This guy had great absolute speed, but his driving style was reckless, excelling in multiple line defense, making snake-like moves on the track to block trailing cars, earning him the nickname "Dragon Sketch."
At the same time, Magnussen’s luck was poor; the teams he was with had high malfunction rates, making most races feel like a calamity, finishing a race smoothly was a blessing.
Eventually, Magnussen stayed in the paddock for ten years, replaced by newcomer Bellman in 24.
However, Magnussen’s "mediocre" and recklessness are only relative to the top-tier F1 drivers in the paddock. Staying in the paddock for ten years signifies that he has exceptional skills.
Especially since he could manage the "high start and chaotic path," it means his talent ceiling and lower-level racing strength are strong; historically, he is precisely this year’s Renault European Cup champion.
Honestly, Chen Xiangbei was very curious about what lap times this future F1 driver could achieve at Silverstone driving a Renault Formula.
While Chen Xiangbei was watching intently, Lu Xiaoman quietly approached him.
"Xiangbei, are you still thinking about Odetto’s words?"
Lu Xiaoman, having spent considerable time with Chen Xiangbei, knew that this guy is usually very confident, a calm and collected demeanor.
Yet now he stood outside the guardrail, looking distracted.
She intuitively felt that perhaps Odetto’s words had impacted Chen Xiangbei’s confidence.
After all, in China and Japan, Chen Xiangbei was gradually being crowned as a genius driver, but coming to Europe, he was considered afraid of corners; this psychological gap might be hard to accept.
But professional racing is so cruel, an Asia genius is just average in Europe.
"No."
Chen Xiangbei shook his head in denial, his confidence wasn’t that fragile.
Not just a few words from Odetto, but even ten times stronger hits wouldn’t bring him down.
To enter the F1 temple and covet the crown, if he can’t even endure this, it simply proves unsuitable for racing.
"Conservative" isn’t Chen Xiangbei’s true nature; he harbors unrestrained and flamboyant spirit deep inside.
Odetto’s words are like opening Pandora’s box; a future will see an aggressively crazy Chen Xiangbei!
Lu Xiaoman didn’t quite believe Chen Xiangbei’s denial; she simply patted her chest and replied, "Oh, just drive without worrying about car damage costs."
"Though sister doesn’t have much money, compensating for a few Renault cars is no problem; just don’t crash fatally."
Upon hearing Lu Xiaoman say this, Chen Xiangbei didn’t know whether he should be touched or should he offer a retort.
What’s meant by don’t crash fatally?
"Xiaoman, I’m really fine."
Chen Xiangbei responded with helpless laughter.
At this moment, cheers erupted from the Carlin Team’s pit behind them; evidently, Magnussen’s practice lap speed was pretty good.
Unfortunately, the track monitoring equipment wasn’t activated, so Chen Xiangbei couldn’t know Magnussen’s specific lap times, otherwise he really wanted to challenge on the track.
To see, in the process of future F1 drivers crushing everyone in lower-level events, if he’d become one of them.
"Xiangbei-kun, planning for a second practice?"
Mizutani Sho’s voice timely came from behind; they had completed adjustments to the car’s downforce and fitted new tires and fluids, allowing Chen Xiangbei to fully PUSH his limits.
However, the current track environment had become chaotic and complicated, with nearly ten Renault cars practicing, potentially encountering blocking cars during timed laps.
"Run!"
Without hesitation, Chen Xiangbei agreed and then turned to head towards the pit for the race car.
Seeing Chen Xiangbei still responding energetically, Lu Xiaoman smiled, glad the young guy could withstand the pressure.
After putting on the helmet and entering the cockpit again, Liang Chi also advised, "Kid, have no worries, run freely."
"Uncle Liang, don’t worry."
Chen Xiangbei could feel Liang Chi’s concern; however, here was not in China. Entering the professional paddock means abiding by the rules. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
Endless comfort and encouragement can’t make Chen Xiangbei stronger; he must adapt to all this.
Releasing the clutch and accelerating, Chen Xiangbei entered the warm-up lap, with cars zooming by, practicing timed laps from time to time.
