Car Racing without Money-Chapter 566 - 221: Drivers Must Have Personality

The Australian host was an old white man, and his intention was to use "provocation" to egg on Chen Xiangbei, hoping the young lad would follow his lead and claim he could reach the podium.

But there’s one thing to know, compared to the Bahrain Station, overtaking in Australia is much more difficult.

Moreover, with the wind picking up today and a high probability of rain, Chen Xiangbei had to fight tooth and nail to gain two positions in the last race, and this time, aiming for the podium means he would need to improve six positions.

It can be said that it’s almost impossible!

However, Chen Xiangbei’s answer surprised the parade host.

He didn’t need any provoking; the Chinese newcomer was more flamboyant and arrogant than expected!

"Of course, I can reach the podium."

When Chen Xiangbei said this, the whole venue was in an uproar.

Outsiders might think the Chinese Kid is crazy, spewing nonsense.

But in fact, since the practice session, Chen Xiangbei had already set his goal on sprinting for the podium.

As a driver, how can one let their results remain stagnant? Let alone the podium, even if the parade host asked if he had the confidence to compete for the championship, Chen Xiangbei would have given a positive answer.

Having unwavering confidence in oneself is a mental cue essential for becoming a top driver.

Chen Xiangbei would not try to smooth things over with the outside world’s disdain and ridicule, nor would he present a gentle and elegant image.

Arrogance, brazenness, being the best in the world, are the signatures of a champion driver!

Looking at Chen Xiangbei’s response on the big screen, Odetto, standing in the team’s paddock, had a slight, almost unnoticeable smile on his lips.

This is the answer he wanted to hear.

Odetto could give up his position as a team manager and serve under his former rival Briatore.

But he couldn’t accept serving a mediocre or even self-deprecating driver.

After all, Odetto had worked with Schumacher in the past, and often, the driver standard in his heart was modeled after Schumacher.

Perhaps Chen Xiangbei’s current strength falls short, but in one aspect, Chen Xiangbei is not inferior to Schumacher. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

That is the thirst for victory, possessing the heart of a champion!

Although Odetto appreciated Chen Xiangbei’s response, most of the audience in the stands could not accept Chen Xiangbei’s arrogant display of ignorance.

The trackside once again erupted with a cacophony of boos and jeers, more pronounced than before, now audible over the mic.

F1 broadcasts are aimed at a global audience, and considering the potential negative impact, the event organizers immediately used radio to remind the parade host to be mindful of the scale and atmosphere on-site.

Upon hearing the reminder from the media center, the parade host could only reluctantly switch the mic to other drivers.

Meanwhile, in the paddock club area above the pit lane, Briatore and an elderly man in a suit were sitting in front of the large floor-to-ceiling window, sipping champagne while commenting on Chen Xiangbei’s interview.

"Xiangbei has a lot of character."

The elderly man nodded, acknowledging Chen Xiangbei’s performance.

"A driver must have character, especially when they have ambitions to be crowned and immortalized!"

Briatore, unlike his nonchalant image in the team paddock, was firm and assertive in his tone.

"Since you appreciate Xiangbei so much, why are you still thinking of investing and competing for a driver seat?"

The elderly man inquired.

"If I don’t give you a chance to compete for a driver seat, would you still invest?"

Briatore retorted mockingly; there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and a driver seat is an investment chip.

"Briatore, this investment seems different from your previous ones; is it for Xiangbei and the team, or for your own benefit?"

"Both, and they are not mutually exclusive."

The elderly man, who had known Briatore for many years, didn’t need to mask his nature in front of him.

Hua Bu naturally considered his own gains, but this world also has win-win investments.

Of course, the premise is that Chen Xiangbei can hold onto his seat.

"I have high hopes for the HRT Team, provided you can convince the Chinese shareholders."

The elderly man didn’t waste time with commercial trivialities, directly expressing his thoughts and needs.

"No problem, I’ll convince them, and I wish us a pleasant cooperation in advance."

With that, Briatore raised his glass again.

"To our pleasant cooperation."

For these business negotiations, Chen Xiangbei was naturally unaware at the moment.

After the parade, upon returning to the pit lane, none of the team members questioned Chen Xiangbei’s bold podium claim, nor did they care about the faint sound of mockery that could still be heard.

They acted as if nothing had happened, focusing on their tasks, running with clockwork precision.

Odetto stood at the paddock door, looking skyward.

Seeing Chen Xiangbei approaching, he said, "The rain clouds haven’t thickened, and the probability of rain has decreased from 80% to 60%; we might have to initiate the backup one-stop tire-saving strategy."

F1 regulations stipulate that each race must use two different compound tires, meaning they must make at least one pit stop, known as a one-stop race.

The wide Bahrain Circuit, with its ample buffer zones, allows teams to gamble on a three-stop strategy, using the peak grip of the tires to constantly overtake and regain the lost time from pit stops.

However, the semi-street characteristics of the Australia Station, coupled with the absence of DRS at this time, make overtaking based solely on car performance extremely difficult, nearly impossible to regain the 22 seconds lost from an additional pit stop.

Undoubtedly, the only option is to save tires and complete the race with a one-stop strategy.

"The upgrade package changed the car’s handling characteristics; it’s not as tire-consuming as before, but the downforce from the diffuser still exists. How can we complete the whole race on two sets of tires?"

"Block them."

Odetto concisely said two words.

Savvy driving means you can’t drive aggressively, requiring strict speed and line control.

But this creates a problem: opponents will seize the opportunity to overtake.

To prevent this, you must block them!

Just as anyone can floor the accelerator on a straight, being fast in a corner is what really counts.

While everyone can save tires by driving smoothly, tire-saving masters are also defensive masters.

I drive slowly, fine, as long as my opponent drives even slower. Using rich experience and airtight defense, you block opponents, forming a train, and sometimes in F1 races, blocking can last for over ten laps!

Thanks to this skill, many drivers in F1 thrive in the paddock with their tire-saving prowess.

For example, "Tire God" Perez, who can run 40 laps on soft red tires that usually peak in grip for a few laps before pitting!

Or Albon of future generations, who would run over sixty laps on a set of hard tires, and if it weren’t for the mandatory pit stop rule, he could have completed the whole race on a single set.

Currently, the chance of rain is decreasing, and based on Odetto’s experience and historical Melbourne weather data, the odds of winning a rain gamble are also declining.

Chen Xiangbei has already shown his tire-saving talent in the opening race; rather than gambling on rain, it’s better to trust the driver’s abilities.

Man can conquer nature!

"That’s what we have to do."

Chen Xiangbei nodded.

If there are no rain changes, to achieve his pre-race bold claim of reaching the podium, he must avoid using the conventional two-stop strategy.

Saving the 22 seconds of pit time will be the key to tactical victory!

After a brief discussion, Chen Xiangbei got into the cockpit of the car and proceeded to the starting grid on the track.

The tech team also surrounded Chen Xiangbei’s car, pushing tires and various maintenance tools, along with the crucial emergency start power supply, waiting for the start countdown whistle to sound.

At this moment, Chen Xiangbei saw Trulli ahead on the right turning back, and their eyes met.

With just one glance, Chen Xiangbei felt an overwhelming battle intent.

Trulli was telling him that in this race, they were no longer teammates but complete competitors.

Chen Xiangbei, undaunted, met his gaze, also conveying his attitude to Trulli.

At this point, the whistle signaling the removal of personnel from the track sounded, and Trulli and Chen Xiangbei almost simultaneously lowered their helmet visors, concealing their faces in darkness.