Car Racing without Money-Chapter 407 - 166: Filling the Last Shortcoming (Part 3)
"I have no problem taking on the role of HRT manager, but I must have absolute command over the team, and not even the higher-ups are allowed to interfere." ππΏπ²ππ πππ»πΌπ―ππ.ππΌπΊ
"No problem."
Chen Xiangbei agreed without hesitation, as he had already reached an understanding about this with Kalanbant.
"Secondly, my annual salary cannot be less than five million US dollars, and there must also be bonuses for team performance."
"OK."
"Thirdly, I donβt trust the theoretical speed of the TF110 until results show. We need a Technical Director to lead the teamβs development."
"Who?"
Chen Xiangbei asked back; he hadnβt discussed this with Kalanbant.
"Bob Bell, along with some Renault team members."
The Ferrari triumvirate composed of Schumacher, Jean Todt, and Ross Brown is widely known.
But not many people know that Renault had its own triumvirate.
That was during the β05 and β06 βRed vs. Blueβ battles with Ferrari, composed of Alonso, Briatore, and Technical Director Bob Bell, known as the Renault triumvirate!
Bob Bell, as a Technical Director, may not be as famous as Newey, Byrne, or Tombazis.
But the cars he led the design of werenβt bad.
During his time as Technical Director at Renault and Mercedes, Bob Bell led the championship cars in 2005, 2006, 2014, and 2015, making a name in F1 history.
With the Renault "Crashgate" scandal breaking out, Bob Bell briefly served as interim Team Principal after Briatore left, until current Team Principal Blair arrived, at which point he chose to leave the paddock and is currently unemployed.
Among Bob Bellβs subordinates is a future famous top designer named James Allison.
During his stint as Technical Director at the Mercedes Team, he secured five Constructorsβ titles and four Driversβ titles.
The W11 car, in particular, is hailed as one of the strongest F1 cars of all time!
Of course, James Allison isnβt as renowned now as he will be in the future; he previously held the position of Head of Aerodynamics. With Bob Bell and others leaving, Renault Management promoted Allison to Deputy Technical Director.
"No problem."
Chen Xiangbei agreed outwardly with no change in expression, but inwardly he was filled with joy.
He never imagined the deal would come with such a valuable bonus!
Itβs important to know that, most of the time, a team manager needs to fly around the world with the team to participate in races.
No matter how strong Briatoreβs management skills are, a Technical Director is still needed in the rear to oversee car development and upgrades at the Lifield Technology Center.
Previously, Chen Xiangbei had limited good candidates for the position. Development work is different from management; F1, as the technological pinnacle of the automotive industry, is not something outsiders can easily get involved in.
Even as a time traveler, he could only be an observer.
Now, with the TF110 prototype as a foundation, the demand for car development isnβt that urgent, and the position of Technical Director could be filled slowly by the HRT management.
Chen Xiangbei is just a driver and canβt do everything.
The Technical Director is the last missing piece of the HRT team puzzle, and Bob Bellβs arrival will complete it.
If only leveraging the power of Honda and Toyota, but now adding Renaultβs expertise, is a huge step forward.
If this lineup were available ten years later, forget 60 million US Dollars, even with an additional zero, it might not be enough to assemble such resources.
Cadillac Teamβs entrance fee alone is 4.5 billion US Dollars in 2026, not to mention the astronomical costs of establishing a research base and poaching Red Bull and Mercedes talents.
"Hua Bu" of course wasnβt aware of Chen Xiangbeiβs thoughts and saw this Chinese kid as having fully agreed to his demands without any haggling.
This level of sincerity is truly commendable!
Even though he was extremely profit-driven and results-oriented, he was somewhat moved by the other partyβs genuine attitude.
At this point, Briatore stood up, extended his hand with a smile and said, "Xiangbei, youβve convinced me."
"I will accept your invitation to become the manager of the HRT Team."
"Mr. Briatore, on behalf of the HRT Team, I welcome you on board!"
After expressing his congratulations, Chen Xiangbei did not hesitate a bit and immediately called the boss, Kalanbant, asking him to bring the contract to Renault Headquarters as soon as possible to prevent any unforeseen complications.
Chen Xiangbei recognized Hua Buβs abilities, but he had no trust in the character of this old rogue.
Over the phone, Kalanbant almost dropped his phone in surprise when he heard that Chen Xiangbei had managed to secure Hua Bu, along with a former Renault Technical Director on the side.
Kalanbant, at that moment, wasnβt sure whether to attribute this to Chen Xiangbeiβs luck or his capabilities.
Acquiring the team legacies of Honda and Toyota could be explained as capitalizing on previous good relationships.
Briatore had no relationship with Chen Xiangbei, not even answering Kalanbantβs calls, yet was persuaded by Chen, who also managed to poach Renaultβs technical resources.
Could it be that there truly exists someone blessed by God in this world?
Of course, amazed as he was, Kalanbant drove over immediately.
He, too, fully understood Hua Buβs capabilities. It is said that in turbulent times, a heavy hand is required. Only with such a strong manager can the different factions within the HRT Team be unified in the shortest time possible.
While Kalanbant was connecting with Hua Bu on one side, Chen Xiangbei on the other end received a call from Lu Xiaoman.
The 2009 ROC National Cup organizers had already announced the race schedule and driver lineup.
The event was scheduled for mid-November, right after the end of the 2009 F1 season and just before testing of new cars for the winter season β to accommodate current F1 driversβ participation.
The lineup of participating drivers could no longer be merely described as "luxurious"; calling it a battle of the gods would be more appropriate.
Two drivers for the German team are Schumacher, the King of Cars, and Vettel, the future four-time Red Bull champion.
The drivers for the UK team are the reigning world champion from Brawn GP, Jenson Button, and the three-time world touring car championship winner from 2005 to 2007, Andy Priaulx.
UK Team 2 includes Hamilton, the future seven-time Mercedes champion, and David Coulthard, the 2001 F1 World runner-up.
Drivers for the French team include WRCβs absolute ruler, nine-time champion Sebastian Leib.
And, the 2008 World Touring Car Championship winner Ivan Mueller.
...
Seeing all these names, one would not expect them to compete in the same event if it werenβt for the ROC National Cup.
The Chinese team drivers are Chen Xiangbei and Han Han.
Thereβs no need to introduce Chen Xiangbei, while Han Han became the track and rally double champion in 2009, becoming the first cross-border champion driver in China.
"Xiangbei, news from Mr. Peng is that they expect to finish in the top three of the National Cup."
"If achieved, top-tier sponsorships will follow, and the HRT Team wonβt have to worry about funds for future upgrades."
Lu Xiaoman communicated these final words over the phone β the podium is the national goal!
