Car Racing without Money-Chapter 485 - 190: The Pressure of the F1 Paddock (Part 3)

Chapter 485: Chapter 190: The Pressure of the F1 Paddock (Part 3)

"What’s the current fastest lap time?"

"1 minute 31.379 seconds."

[What?]

Upon hearing this time, Chen Xiangbei was momentarily stunned.

He was doing simulated qualifying tests, which meant other teams were likely doing the same, not achieving their fastest possible speeds.

To have already clocked a lap time just over 1 minute 31 seconds was simply astonishing.

If we follow the normal testing rhythm, and if there aren’t too many surprises in qualifying, Schumacher’s track record is most likely at risk.

If Chen Xiangbei remembered correctly, the McLaren car clinched the team runner-up in the 2010 season. Theoretically, they shouldn’t be faster than Red Bull. Are they really that quick?

"Hamilton set it."

Odetto chimed in, adding that although Hamilton hadn’t yet achieved the future seven-time champion status,

he was already recognized as the "new king" candidate in the paddock!

"Got it, what’s Trulli’s lap time?"

Chen Xiangbei asked about his teammate’s performance, as only the same car would provide a direct comparison.

"1 minute 32.174 seconds."

The gap in Trulli’s lap times was within a reasonable range, which meant the problem wasn’t with Chen Xiangbei.

So, was it the McLaren car, or was Hamilton terrifyingly fast?

To be honest, Chen Xiangbei knew these legendary historical drivers were strong, but not having competed directly against them, he lacked a sense of how big the gap was.

And the ROC National Cup gave Chen Xiangbei an illusion, making him think that F1 world champions weren’t that impressive...

Now, stepping into the F1 paddock, the ultimate domain of formula drivers, the slightest difference would be magnified infinitely.

Chen Xiangbei faintly felt the pressure of the future seven-time champion looming over him!

"Other drivers’ lap times aren’t important; just perform at your level."

Odetto sensed Chen Xiangbei’s unusual emotion and offered a reminder.

Although Chen Xiangbei had shown emotional stability beyond his years since entering the formula paddock and demonstrated exceptional composure during races,

he was, after all, a newcomer. This was his first F1 race in his life.

Historically, most rookies entering the domain of the gods in F1, more or less feel the pressure from spectators, the media, opponents, and teammates, leading to some mental fluctuations.

Chen Xiangbei’s reaction was actually a normal psychological response.

However, normal though it may be, if a driver cannot overcome pressure and fear, mental imbalance might further amplify, leading to mistakes during races.

Odetto’s experience told him he needed to remind Chen Xiangbei.

"Understood."

Chen Xiangbei replied simply, then took a deep breath, discarding all random thoughts in his mind, and focused on practice three and the car’s feedback.

"Sawano, the brake duct inlets need to be opened to the maximum; the brake disc temperature is very high."

"Lower downforce, increase the differential lock rate to reduce rear-wheel slippage probability."

"The rear wheels feel slightly overheated and deformed. Increase the tire pressure in the pits to reduce the contact patch."

"Increase the front-to-rear brake balance to 58 over 42 to improve understeer in heavy braking zones."

Through challenging the track and the car’s limits, Chen Xiangbei explored more precise tuning directions.

You must know that finding the balance point is the hardest thing in an F1 car; take the TF110, for example, as it tends to understeer.

But once you flatten the rear wing for low downforce tuning, the rear wheels are prone to slipping.

Raising the rear wing downforce a bit, combined with the exhaust diffuser, easily causes the tires to overheat.

The same goes for the front wheels; while adjusting the braking force forward can improve understeer, increasing the force a little too much can lock the wheels, while reducing it has no effect.

At the same time, changing the brake balance triggers the overall car handling balance.

This is why F1 races often see drivers being amazing in one race and disastrous in the next.

Even the top three-level tuning teams can go from championship contenders in one race to battling mid-field teams in the next.

This difficulty in finding the balance between the car and track is exactly why!

Not only did Chen Xiangbei provide feedback, but Odetto also informed drivers about the car data.

"North, the left front tire is wearing excessively, watch your line."

"Use the T8 corner’s curbs less; the front suspension is sending warning signals."

"There’s a bump on the long straight after T1; the chassis is prone to hitting."

"The fluid is almost depleted, pit this lap."

A series of team instructions were continually transmitted to Chen Xiangbei through Odetto’s microphone.

The consecutive pit stops for adjustments and exit tests allowed Chen Xiangbei’s lap times to improve significantly, reaching the 1 minute and 31-second realm.

More importantly, the gap with Trulli’s lap times was negligible!

Testing low-speed corners with the pace of his high-speed corner-testing teammate indicated that under normal conditions, Chen Xiangbei’s single-lap speed was at least 0.3 seconds faster than Trulli’s.

You have to know that Trulli has been known in the F1 paddock for his single laps over the years!

While his overall strength might be mid-field, Trulli’s single-lap ability can definitely reach the standard of the top-tier group.

Could newcomer Chen Xiangbei challenge the top-tier group and make it into Q3?

No one knows the answer in advance, but the final test lap times for the HRT Team didn’t make it into the top ten.

Chen Xiangbei ended up behind his teammate, ranking twelfth.

Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Renault, the five giants, firmly held on to the ten spots, leaving no hope for the lower-ranked teams.

Especially when Chen Xiangbei’s results came out, many spectators and fans who already disliked him plunged into a frenzy.

Chinese rookie, is this all you’ve got?

He couldn’t even outrun his older teammate, yet dared to boast at the press conference about taking on Raikkonen and finishing in the top six in the race?

At this point, Chen Xiangbei had already removed his helmet and was standing in the garage. He could see and hear the taunts and jeers from the spectators across the pit stand directed at him.

"North, how are you feeling?"

Briatore had appeared beside Chen Xiangbei at some point, with a half-smile on his face, asking him.

"Very good."

Chen Xiangbei responded expressionlessly.

"NICE, that’s the mindset a superstar should have."

Hua Bu exaggeratedly applauded and praised Chen Xiangbei, deliberately facing the stands, seemingly provoking and adding fuel to the fire.

Sure enough, when the audience saw Briatore’s action, coupled with his notorious reputation in the paddock, the curses intensified, with many stretching their middle fingers over the barrier.

"Manager, is this how you comfort someone? Is twelfth place that good?"

This time, it was Chen Xiangbei’s turn to be amused and frustrated; it felt like the old man was being sarcastic.

Did he intentionally annoy him, or was he genuinely helping by attracting hatred and sharing the load?

"Is this comforting?"

"North, you must know that Kimi Raikkonen’s qualifying debut only put him in thirteenth position."

"Now, you’re already stronger than he was back then!"