Car Racing without Money-Chapter 411 - 168: Do You Still Remember the Dreams of Your Youth?
Not just Chen Xiangbei, the person involved, but also the management team of the HRT Team on the press podium and almost all the journalists asking questions from the floor were stunned, gazing at Briatore.
Let’s not talk about Alonso; he is currently at the peak of his career and hasn’t yet reached the point of sealing his legacy.
In the F1 field, there is still ample room for challenge for the other two world champions.
The seven-time champion Schumacher, this living legend, how can Chen Xiangbei surpass him?
It’s no exaggeration to say that the achievements of the seven-time champion aren’t limited to technology alone but also include timing, location, and people.
Even if you have the same level of technique as Schumacher, there is still a high likelihood that you won’t reach his legendary status.
Similarly, using Alonso as an example, this evergreen tree in the F1 paddock that has thrived for over twenty years, in terms of strength and stability, he absolutely reaches historic levels.
Why does he only have two world championships?
Because Alonso is really a "master of bad team choices," essentially avoiding almost all of the correct answers besides Renault.
If he had joined either Red Bull or Mercedes, he might’ve been another contender for the historic level GOTA in F1.
What makes a legend called a legend is its difficulty in being replicated.
This Italian rogue Hua Bu is probably out of his mind due to the banning, showing signs of talking nonsense!
"Briatore, did you release such a shocking statement to boost the Chinese driver Xiangbei, or to catch the public’s attention on your comeback?"
Hua Bu is considered a familiar figure in the paddock. The media reporters are quite aware of his nature.
Immediately, someone questioned him, trying to expose his small scheme.
"Hype?"
Upon hearing this word, Hua Bu sneered.
"Back then, when I announced that Alonso would be the next champion, the skepticism from the outside was just like your current reactions."
"The facts proved that I was right."
"Xiangbei’s potential and talent are not inferior to Alonso. As long as you give him a fast enough car, he can become the next legend in the F1 paddock!"
When Briatore spoke these words, he gesticulated passionately.
He never cared about external ridicule and skepticism, and to be precise, after "Crash-gate," Briatore’s reputation hit rock bottom.
The public’s opinion of him was no longer a matter of ability, but an insult to the spirit of sportsmanship.
Such a person doesn’t deserve to stay in the F1 paddock!
But so what?
Can public opinion feed him?
In the years since Hua Bu left the paddock, countless F1 team managements have approached him, trying to persuade him to make a comeback and save the day.
Even at the age of 75, he was still invited back by his old employer Renault, tasked with reorganizing the chaotic team management.
One must know that Renault, a former "big three" team, changed eight leaders in five years, falling into continuous turmoil and decline.
If it weren’t for being a factory team of a major car manufacturer, it would’ve been hard to maintain even a mid-field position, facing the fate of becoming the next Williams Team.
Indeed, Briatore had a part in boasting and promoting Chen Xiangbei, but he also truly recognized the strength and talent of the Chinese rookie!
Over the days of managing the HRT Team, Hua Bu has seen Chen Xiangbei’s simulator results and his disciplined performance during training.
Talent and hard work are the standard formula for success.
This Chinese kid, Chen Xiangbei, lacks none of these; Briatore has no reason not to be optimistic about his future prospects.
As for surpassing Alonso and Schumacher, that’s not Chen Xiangbei’s problem.
It’s the responsibility of the entire HRT Team, including himself!
F1 is the epitome of team collaboration, and the driver only needs to ensure that they drive fast enough.
The team’s task is to provide them with a fast enough car!
Briatore’s answer left many journalists present momentarily speechless.
Even though they know this old rogue is boasting, they lack the confidence to refute him.
The reason is simple: he indeed achieved the things he boasted about back in the day.
It’s just that after a few years, Briatore bragged even bigger!
"Briatore, I’m a journalist from the Spanish Sports Newspaper. Xiangbei’s potential and talent are hard to determine for now. Even if he really is not inferior to Alonso, can the HRT Team provide such a fast car?"
Potential and talent are subjective matters, where everyone has their own justified opinion.
To discuss this with Hua Bu would be getting into his rhythm.
Even if Chen Xiangbei’s rookie season is lackluster, Hua Bu can still say that the potential has yet to be realized, and with a bit more time for the Chinese rookie, he will eventually have his moment.
As for how long that time will be, only God knows.
But the team’s ability and car speed are tangible and can be quantified.
Slow is slow, fast is fast!
The journalist from the Spanish Sports Newspaper knows very well what kind of base the HRT Team has.
An F3 level team, if in an F1 paddock, is considered excellent if it doesn’t rank at the bottom. Why would it be thought capable of providing a fast enough car?
Relying on picking up that Toyota Team TF110 scrap? 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
In the sixty-year history of F1, only one miracle has occurred, Brawn GP.
This reporter absolutely doesn’t believe TF110 will be the next RA109.
Upon hearing this question, Briatore rarely did not reply immediately. Instead, his expression became very complicated.
