Car Racing without Money-Chapter 557 - 217: A Racer Must Have Grit (Part 2)
Newcomers have no right to complain about the environment.
"Alright, I understand."
Chen Xiangbei wisely shut his mouth.
Odetto, this old Italian man, didn’t have that good of a temper, but compared to the rogue Briatore, he seemed like a mentor who was "patient and earnest."
Now that Q3 has been reached, fulfilling the team’s pre-race goals, Odetto was a bit "free-spirited."
At 15:40 in the afternoon, the third qualifying session proceeded as usual.
Compared to the relaxed atmosphere at HRT Team, the other teams were extremely tense.
Especially Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, and McLaren, the competition among these three teams was very fierce.
Although Red Bull Racing had a slight lead in absolute speed, it was far from reaching the level of the Mercedes W11 or Red Bull RB19, which were peersless "Mars Rovers" that led by gaps. It depended more on the drivers’ form and performance.
Red Bull Racing wanted to start a new dynasty; Ferrari and McLaren aimed to be great once more, no one was willing to back down.
In addition to that, there’s Mercedes Team’s Schumacher.
In the previous race, he was completely defeated by teammate Rosberg in both qualifying and the main race, a result that was hard to accept for the peak-standing Schumacher, not to mention the countless fans worldwide who had high expectations of him.
Whether to prove himself or to repay the fans, Schumacher must defeat his teammate in this race.
Lastly, there’s Renault Team’s Kubica. He once again defeated his rookie teammate Petrov, becoming the team’s lone entrant into Q3.
Two races into the new season, Renault Team’s decline due to the "Crashgate" turbulence was apparent; the former elite "Big Three" had completely dropped behind, forming a new "Big Four" within and outside the paddock.
Even the likes of HRT Team, a new force, stood above Renault.
Of course, whether HRT inherited Toyota’s too strong cars or Petrov, this Russian rookie is too weak, that can’t be concluded yet.
But at least it’s certain that Renault only has Kubica as its competitive force!
"Kubica, aim to get into the top five in qualifying."
Before the race, Renault team leader Blair reiterated the team’s objective once more.
"I’ll do my best."
Kubica nodded, this was also his personal goal.
Upon hearing Kubica’s response, Blair hesitated for a moment but decided to speak.
"If you can’t make it into the top five, at least be faster than driver Xiangbei."
Renault is currently in a slump, particularly after Kubica went off the track in the opening race, drawing media skepticism.
This championship-contending driver from the "Golden Era," driving a Renault, ended up sitting at the same table as HRT Team.
Even more absurd, he didn’t even win!
These media voices had a huge negative impact on Renault Team, particularly in commercial sponsorship and advertising revenue.
No strong team demeanor means sponsors definitely won’t pay strong team prices.
Just like the fallen Williams Team, can it still get the same price as Ferrari?
The answer is obviously impossible.
Losing once more to HRT Team, Renault’s fifth-place rank in the paddock is now at risk!
"No problem."
Kubica’s tone was very firm, with no hesitation at all.
Remember, when he initially entered the paddock, he and Hamilton were seen as the rookie duo.
Now Hamilton is a world champion and is seen as the leader of the new-generation drivers, yet Kubica is still struggling in mid-tier teams.
Although Ferrari Team has openly expressed great interest in Kubica, hinting at inviting him to join.
But elite team standards are very high; if he can’t even outperform a freshman, this invitation might change at any moment.
Kubica also needs to prove himself.
"GOOD, go for it!"
Blair patted Kubica on the shoulder with encouragement, then shifted his gaze to HRT Team’s pit wall, seeing the "extremely relaxed" Briatore.
He became the leader of Renault due to Briatore’s departure.
Yet Renault Team had too deep an imprint of Briatore; to launch a new Renault era, they must surpass their predecessors.
To a certain extent, this was also Blair’s personal desire; he not only wanted Renault to defeat HRT, but also to surpass Briatore himself!
The roar of the F1 engines echoed from the garage, as one by one, the race cars drove toward the main track.
Since the third qualifying session was only ten minutes, counting the warm-up lap and tire change preparation time, at most two flying laps were possible. Teams that were anxious or lacked confidence would choose to leave the garage early to give themselves room for an extra lap.
HRT Team did not release their cars immediately; Odetto was waiting for good traffic conditions on the track to avoid getting blocked as in the first qualifying session.
Watching as the cars on the track spaced out, Odetto finally gave the start instruction, and Chen Xiangbei hit the gas to drive onto the main track for tire warming.
Though he was about a minute late, Chen Xiangbei still had ample time for two flying laps, his tire warming wasn’t in a rushed manner.
The TF110 car drove at a leisurely pace, and just after completing the last turn, while Chen Xiangbei accelerated flat out to prepare for a dynamic start past the finish line, a car came out of the turn, tightly following behind his car.
Chen Xiangbei didn’t pay it much attention at first, as it was normal for cars to meet on the track, especially since there were still ten cars in the qualifying.
Furthermore, all competitors had reached Q3, everyone wanted to seize qualifying time and secure a forward starting position, no one would engage in overt or covert battles nor slow down to block others.
The leading drivers, to some extent, maintained appearances.
But when Chen Xiangbei completed the long start straight, he saw the car behind catching his slipstream, constantly shortening the distance between them.
And it didn’t stop there; upon entering T1, the car behind chose a heavy brake, leaving only a distance of ten meters between them after exiting the corner!
Be aware that the F1 car length is nearly five meters, ten meters is merely two car lengths, which would be completely within attacking range in an actual race.
Theoretically, after slipstreaming during qualifying, one should heavy brake and not follow so closely to avoid being affected by the front car’s turbulent air.
After all, qualifying focuses on the fastest lap time, not overtaking positions.
Through the rearview mirror, Chen Xiangbei saw the black-yellow paint scheme and the number 11 on the front of the car.
Without a doubt, it was Renault Team’s number 11 driver Kubica.
Feeling that the opponent’s intentions seemed a bit off, Chen Xiangbei still didn’t react at all. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
The driver must maintain calm emotions; "road rage" behaviors should be minimized, he focused more on his own qualifying rhythm.
Thus, Chen Xiangbei pushed the gas pedal, trying to shake off the opponent to set a faster lap.
However, as Chen Xiangbei accelerated, the car behind Kubica also accelerated; the two cars’ absolute performance was neck and neck, and combined with Kubica’s undeniable talent, he precisely grabbed the slipstream of Chen Xiangbei’s car in front.
Over several corners, the two cars one after another staged a pursuit drama, and Chen Xiangbei couldn’t shake Kubica off.
[What’s going on?]
The unusual situation on the track naturally caught the attention of everyone in the paddock.
Everyone internally speculated why these two cars ended up together, who was the slower one really?
As time passed, halfway through the flying lap, on the second long straight at Albert Park Circuit, Kubica’s slipstream effect sped up once again, clinging to Chen Xiangbei’s rear, reducing the car distance to less than five meters!
Even a car novice could see something was wrong with this situation; Kubica had a hint of provocation and driving a grudge.
[Does he want to get even?]
Chen Xiangbei looked at Kubica in the rearview mirror, maintaining a cold facial expression.
Many fans later remember Kubica for the title as the "One-handed Racer."
In fact, the early-stage Kubica had a very strong personality, an extremely aggressive and "dirty" driving style, practically a replica of Hamilton, the two being considered the rookie duo without any issue.
It was only after the car accident that his intense drive for victory disappeared, and Kubica’s temperament became much more amiable.
While Chen Xiangbei hesitated whether or not, or how to respond.
In his headset, Briatore’s voice came through.
"Xiangbei, are you afraid?"
"I’m not afraid."
"If you’re not afraid, take out Kubica!"
Briatore’s tone was very excited; in his view, reaching Q3 in qualifying was enough, drivers must show their grit and fervor.
Whether it was once with Schumacher or later with Alonso, his standards have been consistent!
