Car Racing without Money-Chapter 483 - 190: The Pressure of the F1 Paddock

One night passed, and Saturday’s third practice and qualifying arrived as scheduled.

Compared to yesterday’s lively Bahrain Circuit, the atmosphere in the paddock today could utterly be described as explosive. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The excitement of qualifying is ultimately incomparable to practice sessions.

The main testing goal for the third practice is qualifying simulation, with a duration of only sixty minutes.

In most cases, qualifying simulations are definitely conducted using soft red tires, as this tire compound heats up the fastest and offers the best grip.

However, sometimes due to tire quantity limitations and considering a greater strategy space for the main race, teams might opt to test using medium yellow tires or hard white tires, allowing them an extra set of tires for the main race.

Just like the 25-season F1 Spanish Grand Prix, where Verstappen used a four-stop strategy; by the final stop, the team had no new red tires left for him to change, forcing him to switch to the least suitable hard white tires.

Undoubtedly, the speed of the hard white tires was far behind that of the competitors’ soft red tires, and after exiting the pit, Verstappen’s position kept slipping like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

The white tires failed to surpass physical limits, and the scenario where humans conquer nature also did not materialize.

Watching as opponents overtook him one by one, "Autobot" Verstappen finally broke down emotionally, reverting to his former "turret" state, almost launching a torpedo strike at Russell.

Ultimately, Verstappen received a ten-second penalty and had three points deducted from his Super Driver’s License.

The Super Driver’s License points system, similar to a civilian driver’s license, has twelve points. Once they’re all deducted, a one-race suspension will ensue, and the points will reset.

This means if Verstappen has another violation, he will face suspension.

The high temperature at the Bahrain Sakhir Circuit results in significant tire wear, so teams often choose a two-stop strategy, typically using two sets of red tires paired with one set of yellow or white tires.

If a car accident occurs and the safety car is deployed, drivers will seize this window period to take a forced pit stop for tire changes, leading to three or four-stop scenarios. Otherwise, your old tires won’t match the performance of others’ freshly changed ones.

That’s why Verstappen implemented a four-stop strategy.

Although the third practice is structured as a qualifying simulation, actually, teams and drivers won’t really push at full speed according to qualifying standards.

The reason is simple; before qualifying, letting other teams know what your car’s limit lap times are puts you in a very passive situation.

Especially competing teams, they would formulate tactics aimed at you.

To avoid such situations, teams will have both drivers carry out some partial simulations separately.

For instance, letting Chen Xiangbei test the maximum speed on the straight or the limit of high-speed corners.

Meanwhile, Trulli would test the limit in slow corners and traction in complex corners.

This way, the team’s strategy group could gauge the car’s normal limit speed.

In contrast, other teams remain clueless about how much is hidden behind this performance.

The F1 event is far from as simple as it appears on the surface; it’s filled with intrigue at every turn.

Originally, all the teams planned to keep their cards close to their chest for the opening race, but Chen Xiangbei’s first-place achievement in the second practice made many teams and drivers restless, especially the "new army" teams entering the paddock this year.

It’s known that with the substantial increase in team numbers, a situation arises where there’s not enough sponsorship and ads for everyone.

If one wants to shed the "new army" label and establish themselves firmly in the F1 paddock, they must secure a significant amount of sponsorship to aid team construction and gradually ascend from the middle group to the top three elite teams.

Just like the Red Bull Racing Team that joined F1 in ’05!

In terms of team construction, HRT has already made considerable advancements ahead of others.

If Lotus and Virgin can’t come up with something impressive, potential sponsors will be completely drawn away by Hua Bu and the Chinese Kid.

Virgin Team’s capital lies in their identity as a United Kingdom team, naturally occupying the household registration advantages.

Besides that, Virgin Team’s predecessor was the lower-level Formula powerhouses, Manor Team. Kimi Raikkonen, Hamilton, and others had served for them, possessing a certain foundation and base.

Lotus Team’s trump card is the renowned "Lotus" brand power in F1 history and having recruited the legendary Senna’s nephew, Bruno Senna. Many potential South American investors are evaluating the value of investment and sponsorship.

However, things change with time.

Now, it has been 16 years since Senna’s passing; the influence and aura of the legend have gradually dissipated, no longer offering sufficient shelter to young Senna.

Just like Mick Schumacher Jr. in later generations, only seven years since King of Cars Schumacher’s skiing accident, the remaining influence failed to allow his son to establish himself in the F1 paddock.

If King of Cars Schumacher were in normal condition, let alone crashing two Haas cars, even crashing two Ferraris wouldn’t affect Mick’s stable seat if he wanted to drive!

"Bruno, get a good lap time in the third practice, you need to prove yourself."

Inside the Lotus Team’s lounge, team leader Tony reminded little Senna sitting on the sofa.

Aside from Chen Xiangbei, Bruno Senna is indeed another rookie focus in the 10-season.

Compared to Chen Xiangbei’s various hype and controversies under Hua Bu’s operations, little Senna naturally attracts attention, as his presence equals linking with his Brazilian legendary uncle.

This brings young Senna significant attention and sponsorship to enter the F1 paddock.