Car Racing without Money-Chapter 564 - 220: Teammates Are the Greatest Rivals

Chapter 564: Chapter 220: Teammates Are the Greatest Rivals

Once Japanese drivers lose the protection of automotive giants, their competitiveness in the F1 Paddock significantly diminishes. Such is the harsh reality!

"I understand, BOSS."

Heide stopped speaking after hearing Hockenheim’s name; he had been following this young German driver who performed remarkably in GP2 races. Maybe he can truly challenge Chen Xiangbei for the title of the strongest rookie!

The HRT Team had finished their simple celebrations, and the technician crew was busy checking the cars. As for the drivers and engineers, they were preparing to return to the hotel to rest and build up their energy for the next day’s race.

Trulli didn’t head to the driver’s lounge immediately; his gaze fixed on the lap time leaderboard on the monitor screen. Chen Xiangbei’s final flying lap was only a fraction of a second slower than his!

During the three practice sessions, regardless of any unexpected incidents, Chen Xiangbei’s lap times steadily improved.

Trulli had no doubt that if Chen Xiangbei were given one more lap, their qualifying positions might be reversed!

"Trulli, change your clothes and return to the hotel."

Seeing Trulli not moving, race engineer Sote came over, patted his shoulder, and signaled him.

"Sote, Xiangbei is getting faster."

Hearing this almost whispered statement, Sote didn’t know how to respond for a moment.

Standing in the P room, he could see all the car sensor data, naturally knowing that Chen Xiangbei was getting faster with each lap.

But what can be done about it?

Speaking out would only add to Trulli’s pressure; they both are still competing for the position of the first driver.

"From a data perspective, the upgrade package’s upper limit is higher, so Xiangbei being faster isn’t surprising."

Sote could only attribute the reason to the upgrade package, providing Trulli a bit of psychological comfort.

"Do you think I can block Xiangbei tomorrow?"

After this statement, Trulli turned his head, staring at Sote, wanting to hear the truth.

"It depends on how you treat Xiangbei."

"Rival OR teammate."

Sote’s response was quite blunt.

Although judging from the current lap times, Chen Xiangbei is growing rapidly and can likely surpass Trulli in the race.

However, they haven’t widened the gap to a point where Trulli is unable to block him.

As long as Trulli is determined to see Chen Xiangbei as a rival and go all out to block him, the pursuing car will find it hard to overtake, with the worst outcome being a double retirement.

Similar situations have repeatedly occurred in F1 history. Even among drivers of the current era, Vettel caused his teammate Weber to lose a championship, and Hamilton had internal struggles with Button, resulting in a double retirement.

In later years, Verstappen collided with Ricardo, Leclerc and Perez had internal conflicts, Norris and Piastri crashed out, etc.

It can be said that as long as two equally capable teammates are in a team with championship potential, harmonious co-existence is challenging.

Unless one side completely submits, such as Schumacher to Barrichello, and Hamilton to Bottas.

Or the dominance can be as strong as Verstappen’s "I alone reign supreme," and the Red Bull teammates automatically become the second driver.

"Rival."

Without much hesitation, Trulli defined it.

His relationship with Chen Xiangbei isn’t close, mostly admiration, certainly not to the point of "showing mercy."

It’s not just two "strangers" on the same team; even Hamilton and Rosberg, childhood friends who grew up eating ice cream together, eventually went separate ways due to the temptation of world championships, becoming strangers.

"No problem; you can definitely block Xiangbei."

Life’s hardest choices are decisions; once a decision is made, one knows what they should do.

Chen Xiangbei returned to his hotel room, showered, and sat in front of the computer, planning to review his last timed lap of the qualifying session.

But shortly after sitting down, there was a knock at the door. Upon opening it, he found Odetto standing outside.

"Xiangbei, do you have time for a chat?"

Odetto wouldn’t say pointless things; he was here to talk business.

Chen Xiangbei immediately nodded and agreed.

After entering the room, Odetto’s gaze fell on the first-person view replay of the qualifying session on the computer screen.

He pointed at it and said, "You’ve seen the overall starting order for tomorrow, right?"

"Yes."

"Directly ahead of you is Rosberg, diagonally ahead is Trulli, diagonally behind is Kubica, directly behind is Kovalainen. Do you know what this means?"

"Yes, surrounded on all sides."

When Xiangbei said this, he couldn’t help but laugh wryly.

He didn’t know if it was fate or coincidence that this qualifying session gathered "rivals" together, surrounding him in the center.

"You know how others will react; I trust you have an idea."

"I just want to emphasize one point: if you want to establish yourself in the team, you cannot be soft-hearted."

Though Odetto didn’t say it explicitly, Xiangbei knew who he was referring to.

This is also why Odetto came to have a private talk in the room.

As a team principal and chief engineer, he needs to treat both drivers equally from the team perspective.

From a personal angle, he naturally favors Xiangbei.

After more than a year of interaction, Odetto knows this Chinese kid well, despite facing media bravely and standing firm against rivals in the Paddock.

In reality, Xiangbei doesn’t have Schumacher’s ruthless methods for victory.

Or in other words, Xiangbei’s character as a driver is more like Finland’s Ice Man, Kimi Raikkonen.

Pure, clean, extreme.

This character makes him a good person but not necessarily a good driver.

Kimi Raikkonen relied on perfect timing, location, and people, combined with unrivaled talent at his peak, to eventually earn one world championship title.

For anyone slightly less talented, driving so cleanly might mean never achieving the highest glory in racing.

"Odetto, you underestimate me."

Xiangbei replied with a smile.

Indeed, he won’t resort to unscrupulous means to win, but there is no room for leniency either.

He knows very well that tomorrow’s race, whether for internal competition or breaking through the encirclement, requires being the first to defeat Trulli.

This includes the resolve to knock a teammate off the track if necessary, like Senna, Schumacher, Verstappen, and he, Xiangbei!

"Good, that’s the spirit."

Having sensed Xiangbei’s firm tone, Odetto understood his worry was somewhat redundant.

"By the way, there’s one more thing you need to pay attention to."

"Briatore is currently in contact with some investors and sponsors. They not only have advertising requests but seem keen to invest in the team for joint operation; Boss Kalanbant has already been persuaded."

"Briatore isn’t a good person; don’t let him deceive you."

From start to finish, Odetto remained vigilant against the Italian old rogue.

He knows very well that a leopard never changes its spots, and Briatore joining the HRT Team isn’t just about leading the team to achieve results; earning profit is his true goal.

Once he gets his hands on Xiangbei’s agent contract, the next step will naturally be targeting the team.

Hua Bu’s ambition doesn’t settle for being a professional manager!

"I will."

Like Odetto, Xiangbei is also keenly aware of this.

Briatore’s double-edged sword is dangerous; if it doesn’t harm others, it harms oneself, with no precaution, expect to feel cheated.

"OK, I’ve said everything I needed to say, so I’ll head out now."

Odetto shrugged his shoulders; he didn’t come as a part of the team management but as an elder passing on some advice.

But when Odetto reached the door, he paused with a tone of reflection and added.

"Xiangbei, you’ve truly grown a lot."

The once fresh-faced Chinese newcomer has gradually shed his novice aura.

...

Overnight, the Australian Grand Prix race day began.

Today, the track organizers reopened two Albert Park lawn areas for temporary spectator use, boosting the overall number of fans to a staggering 120,000.

Looking ahead, both sides of the track are packed with a dense crowd.

Besides, compared to the past two days of sunshine, the weekend race sees Melbourne’s sky filled with clouds.

It’s uncertain if it will rain, but one thing can be confirmed in advance.

That is, there’s wind on the track!