Car Racing without Money-Chapter 540 - 210: Self-Proclaimed Strongest Driver
"Of course, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what Manager Briatore said."
Without a second’s hesitation, Chen Xiangbei gave an incredibly firm response.
In reality, Chen Xiangbei wasn’t very fond of Hua Bu’s style; his "results-only" ideology was also filled with interests and ruthlessness.
But as long as he remained an HRT driver, and Hua Bu was the manager of HRT Team for another day, Chen Xiangbei and Hua Bu were a team.
Unity is one of the fundamental conditions for an F1 team’s victory.
When Chen Xiangbei said this, every member of the HRT team in the pit station watching the pre-race press conference instinctively had a slight smile at the corners of their mouths.
In the vast majority of cases, this world does not have any good things that cater to both sides. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
A driver trying to play both sides often ends up being looked down upon by both!
This is most evident in the case of Hamilton, who, despite being a seven-time champion, has a status and influence in the car racing world far inferior to Schumacher, who "spares no effort to win."
Certainly, there are factors related to race involved, but more than that, it’s because his early style left people displeased.
In many of the racing world’s "gate" incidents, Hamilton chose a fence-sitting approach. It seemed to preserve his own interests, but in reality, it spent a fortune on public perception.
Although F1 is a commercial event often filled with paddock politics and interests, drivers and fans, deep down, still prefer "pure" drivers.
Even if this "purity" doesn’t fully align with moral standards, it’s still far better than playing tricks.
Senna, Schumacher, and Verstappen are such people.
They are "purely" for victory!
Compared to the agreement of HRT team members, Rosberg’s face was dark enough to drip water.
Chen Xiangbei’s words amounted to publicly mocking Rosberg as a "weakling," a disgrace to a seasoned driver who had stood on the podium several times and taken second place in various races, confronted by a freshman!
Previously, Rosberg’s accusations were more like the common post-race banter and "trash talk" in the F1 paddock.
But now the nature has completely changed, and the two will truly form a grudge.
"Xiangbei, did you consider the consequences and impact of agreeing with Briatore’s evaluation of Rosberg?"
A journalist immediately followed up with a question.
In the past, Chen Xiangbei’s various bold words did not specify any particular individual, and the media journalists actually understood that it was just to grab some attention and hype things up.
This time is entirely different; Chen Xiangbei named Rosberg, which could offend certain influences in the paddock, and even the German Mercedes-Benz Group!
"What impact?"
Chen Xiangbei responded in a very calm tone.
Are you kidding me? HRT is not even a client team of Mercedes, so it doesn’t need any resources or technical support from them. What’s there to back down for?
If Rosberg’s background was the Toyota Group, maybe he would actually consider it.
Faced with Chen Xiangbei’s retort, the journalist was momentarily speechless. Is this Chinese Kid genuinely oblivious, or is he just pretending to be clueless?
Before the journalist could regain their composure, a familiar voice sounded from beside them.
"Mr. Chen Xiangbei, you still maintain your usual confidence and arrogance."
Following the voice, Chen Xiangbei saw an old face, which was Hank from Sky Sports.
Unexpectedly, after Chen Xiangbei’s entry into the F1 paddock, this old guy had followed him to catch up, planning to trap him?
Just as Chen Xiangbei predicted, when they met eyes, Hank’s face briefly flashed a "sinister" smile before quickly returning to a normal expression as he asked a question.
"Considering the media report from a week ago, you seemed to belittle Finnish driver Raikkonen, leading to a conflict with Kovalainen at a club."
"Can I assume you think of yourself as a strongman and disregard other drivers?"
That’s classic Hank for you...
Upon hearing this question, Chen Xiangbei’s expression was filled with helplessness.
In the art of stirring the pot, there truly aren’t many journalists from anywhere else who can compare to the elite traditionally trained to be "mischief-makers" from the United Kingdom.
The previous journalist’s questions were limited to just "trash talk" with Rosberg, but after Hank’s enlargement, it now involves Kovalainen, Raikkonen, and even drags other paddock drivers into it.
Admitting to it isn’t good, but denying it isn’t either.
Meanwhile, on the paddock stands, 80,000 spectators also focused their attention on the broadcast on the big screen.
Many shouted and whistled in succession; they wanted to see if this Chinese guy would arrogantly provoke the crowd or choose to back down.
Even the expressions on the faces of the HRT Team’s personnel in the P room shifted from relaxed to grave. If Chen Xiangbei doesn’t answer well, it will provoke a huge public opinion trend that could even reach outside the paddock!
"Xiangbei-kun, you should restrain a bit of your edge."
Sawano Hiroyuki murmured softly.
Briatore dares to provoke arrogantly because of his two-decade career in the paddock and the foundation of having discovered two legendary drivers.
Yet even so, Hua Bu was still sanctioned by the FIA and almost banned for life from returning to the paddock.
Chen Xiangbei is just a freshman; he doesn’t have Briatore’s kind of backing.
The camera at the media center focused entirely on Chen Xiangbei. Under the flashlights, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I’ve never underestimated any opponent; on the contrary, I have great respect for the brave ones on the track."
As Chen Xiangbei said these cordial words, the audience’s boos filled the air.
"Wasn’t the Chinese Kid all arrogant? How come he’s chickening out now?"
