Car Racing without Money-Chapter 159 - 103: The News That Ignited Public Opinion (Double-Length)
"Xiangbei is just a little confident, where’s the arrogance in that?"
Mizutani Sho was full of indignation. They barely got a few words in an interview before editing and voice-overs turned Chen Xiangbei into the image of a "bully."
"This is pure defamation, we could totally sue!"
Sawano Hiroyuki was very angry. He had been racing in Japan for decades, and this was the first time he’d seen such a shameless maneuver.
"Sue? Who said we’re suing?"
Just then, a voice came from behind, and Odetto had somehow appeared in the maintenance garage.
The old man excitedly walked to the screen and pointed at the station logo, exclaiming, "MAN, do you know how influential Sky Sports is?"
"Do you know how many athletes dream of getting an exclusive ’defamation’ piece like this?"
"Xiangbei’s name will quickly spread throughout the United Kingdom and even the entire racing world. Do you know how much this will yield?"
"Sue? Don’t be ridiculous. If I could, I’d award a medal to the Sky Sports reporters and directors!"
Odetto became more excited the more he spoke, spouting off at the pre-race interviews, hoping the live audience would remember a famous Chinese racer was competing. He never dared to hope Chen Xiangbei would make it onto Sky Sports.
Even when Sky Sports reporter Hank interviewed Chen Xiangbei post-race, Odetto thought it was just part of the news flow. It was just procedure for a pole-sitter and highly unlikely to actually appear on Sky Sports news.
Even if he did, it would at most be on a simple broadcast, briefly mentioning that so-and-so took pole in the Renault European Cup’s first race.
But the treatment Chen Xiangbei was getting now went far beyond any broadcast; he was practically becoming a "special feature"!
One might say that the underdog has its perks, as normally a Chinese racer would have little appeal.
But under special circumstances, it could spark curiosity, which is why Sky Sports conceived a "special feature" out of it.
Domestically, it’s similar to an African Black table tennis player entering a national team preliminary and defeating numerous local provincial talents.
The prelim performance is mundane, with no inherent news value, but paired with the "African Black" and "table tennis" attributes, it immediately grabs public attention.
And not to mention the media further embellish it, making grand claims that the African player intends to sweep through all of China’s table tennis elites and take the championship!
Without a doubt, creating such a buzz, regardless of its positive or negative impact, captures the eyes of the entire domestic audience, cranking up the heat.
Odetto’s statements left the team members all speechless, staring at him.
Upon first hearing, it seemed like twisted logic, but on closer thought, it had some truth.
Through Sky Sports’ maneuver, Chen Xiangbei’s fame would not just be limited to the tens of thousands watching the event; even the F1 team management might hear there’s an audacious Chinese racer in the Renault European Cup.
Even if they’re complaining and upset, as long as they focus on Chen Xiangbei’s races, it means he’s entering the F1 Paddock’s view!
"Xiangbei, in the coming times, you might face a lot of ridicule and even humiliation."
"But I believe you’re not that fragile, are you?"
After painting a bright future, Odetto approached Chen Xiangbei, giving a heads-up about the "harsh" reality to come.
Clearly, whether it’s due to annoyance at Chen Xiangbei’s arrogance or the perennial superiority of Westerners, the short-term effects of this report will likely be negative.
In Odetto’s eyes, Chen Xiangbei is just a nineteen-year-old participating in a European competition for the first time.
He hasn’t experienced "online abuse" nor been in the midst of "black and red" fame.
Some fragile young people might truly buckle under widespread mockery.
There’s a famous saying: To bear a crown, one must endure its weight.
Even someone as great as Schumacher, throughout his career facing countless criticisms and scolding, did he ever care about that?
After seven championships, didn’t he earn the honorific title "King of Cars"!
The motorsport perennial "Head," Alonso, mired in scandals in 07 and 08, "Spygate" and orchestrating intentional crashes among teammates, showed the paddock politics vividly.
People could insult him all they wanted, but he stood tall for twenty years!
For something as minor as Chen Xiangbei’s case, to Odetto, it’s nothing.
But the Chinese Kid isn’t himself; he doesn’t have the decades of experience within the paddock, so comfort is necessary when needed.
In the field of formula racing, those who couldn’t bear the pressure and cracked are numerous, just in F1 recently you have De Vries and Sargent, to name two. By their last few races, you could already sense their erratic state, teetering on the edge of breakdown.
Initially, Chen Xiangbei was a bit bewildered, seeing how Odetto, in his excitement, didn’t forget to come and console him.
This contrast made him unable to hold it in, and he burst out laughing.
"GOOD, I knew you weren’t a pushover!"
Chen Xiangbei’s reaction showed that the news didn’t affect him.
Meanwhile, the mental resilience exhibited by the Chinese Kid during this time also gave Odetto reassurance.
Odetto doesn’t yet know if Chen Xiangbei will be the next F1 Driver.
But he knows that this Chinese Kid already has the potential to become the next F1 Driver.
