Car Racing without Money-Chapter 308 - 140: Standing at the Summit of Formula 3 (9K)
However, this situation is advantageous for Chen Xiangbei, as he will switch to soft tires with better grip and quicker warm-up exiting the pits.
When it's new soft tires against new soft tires, the advantage is mine!
But in the F3 races with fewer laps, if a severe accident resulting in a red flag occurs, the FIA will often choose to end the race early considering driver safety and race flow, with the final results based on current rankings.
That's why Odetto's strategy team doesn't consider the red flag scenario, as theoretically, the possibility of restarting the race is close to zero.
[Has Kokumoto Keiyo retired?]
Upon hearing the team news, Motana was more confused than shocked.
No one understands Kokumoto Keiyo's level better than him, "the defeated underling".
Last year, this Japanese driver already showed exceptional command of the East Bay Circuit; today, he should be stronger, so why retire suddenly?
Unable to figure out why, looking at the rearview mirror, absorbing the slipstream, the gradually approaching car number 13, Motana could only simply reply "Received" and then stepped on the pedal to accelerate.
There's no denying that the characteristics of soft tires are useful on a street circuit lacking grip. Just by an extreme cutting line through a corner, Motana managed to shake off Chen Xiangbei, widening the gap between the two cars.
Watching the increasingly distant car number 2 in front, Motana, Chen Xiangbei wasn't anxious at all, continuing to drive in his rhythm.
The title "King of Australia" is well-deserved; Motana's talent on the East Bay Circuit is incomparable, with dual F3 and GT championship titles as the best proof.
Seizing the opportunity of a static start to overtake Kokumoto Keiyo and using the "superior mindset" of the defending champion to induce a pressure-induced mistake to crash and gain a higher rank was an unexpected gain for Chen Xiangbei.
He never thought that in just a few laps he could defeat soft tires with medium tires.
After all, the opponent isn't a rookie but a historical "local tyrant" of Australia!
Chen Xiangbei temporarily couldn't catch up with the driver ahead, but the drivers behind had no intention of letting him off. The fourth and fifth qualifying drivers were also no ordinary competitors.
P4 is British driver Chavez, who won the British Renault Formula championship, British F3 Championship runner-up, and the 2007 Grand Prix champion, also hailing from TOM'S Team with Kokumoto Keiyo as a teammate, another "local tyrant".
With Kokumoto Keiyo retiring, the team placed all hope of winning on Chavez, who must aggressively chase and overtake Chen Xiangbei to create a pit window!
"The battle on the track hasn't ceased due to the accident. The renowned British driver Chavez, who participated in multiple Grand Prixs, is evidently speeding up to launch an attack on Chen Xiangbei ahead."
"Wonder if he can avenge his teammate or become another defeated underling of Racer Bei?"
Hong Kong broadcaster Luo Feng timely narrated the situation on the track. He is very familiar with Chavez, knowing the hard skills of this British driver.
Interestingly, if Chavez hadn't held Motana up last year, Kokumoto Keiyo wouldn't have won the Grand Prix F3 championship.
"The soft tires speed up quickly, wonder if Chen Xiangbei can hold on."
"So what if fast? The medium tires overwhelmed the defending champion's soft tires; Chen Xiangbei is far stronger than expected!"
"Indeed, I have absolute confidence that Chen Xiangbei can keep the champion in China!"
"He's Racer Bei!"
The opinion trend of the track audience no longer has the panic of the start stage when Chen Xiangbei was continuously overtaken, instead growing increasingly confident in his skill.
After all, the first opponent Chen Xiangbei "beat" was last year's defending champion Kokumoto Keiyo.
If you acknowledge the credibility of the Grand Prix F3 champion, then you must acknowledge Chen Xiangbei's strength!
In just over half a lap, Chavez, exploiting the performance advantage of soft tires, bit closely into Chen Xiangbei's slipstream, intending to utilize the slipstream effect to launch an offense.
With the corner of his eye glancing at the rearview mirror showing car number 9, Chen Xiangbei's expression slightly changed; the opponent's pursuit speed was much faster than he anticipated.
Honestly, regarding driver Chavez, Chen Xiangbei didn't have much impression, only learned from the race driver's information dossier.
But precisely because there's no impression, it allows Chen Xiangbei to be certain that this driver's maximum potential isn't high, probably stopping historically at the Grand Prix F3 level, otherwise he wouldn't continue for three years.
If Motana deserves the title of "local tyrant," Chen Xiangbei prefers to call Chavez "a crafty old hand".
Seeing the opponent locked onto his slipstream, Chen Xiangbei decisively utilized the winding street circuit terrain to change lanes as much as possible to disrupt the vacuum zone at the car's rear.
It's essential to understand not the entire area behind a racing car can be termed as "slipstream".
Only the vacuum zone directly behind the aerodynamic components can reduce air resistance and create a slingshot effect for acceleration. Conversely, if exposed to side hot air, this is termed as "dirty air," adversely affecting the engine's fuel combustion efficiency.
Watching the fine lane changes and maneuvers to disturb the airflow from the rear, Mizutani Sho admiringly praised: "If I weren't part of Xiangbei-kun's team, I wouldn't believe it's his first time participating in the Grand Prix F3; his understanding of racing aerodynamic components is deep!"
