Car Racing without Money-Chapter 587 - 231: More Than Competition on the Track
The sound of the tire-changing air gun "buzzing" filled the eardrums as the four tires of Chen Xiangbei’s #13 race car were simultaneously removed and replaced with a brand new set of soft red tires.
Looking at the HRT Team’s tire change decision, members of several rival teams in the pits displayed expressions of surprise on their faces.
The meteorological radar chart over the track belongs to public data, meaning every team can know that rain will stop one minute later.
But how to survive that dangerous minute and deal with the water on the track with soft red tires?
Most of the time, those who control the advantage don’t need to take risks with a gambler’s mindset, as they already hold the advantage.
Just like the Ferrari Team, after decades, rarely initiating youth training or having rookie drivers directly enter the team to test the newcomers’ strength and potential like gambling on a lottery.
As a prominent team, they can directly choose the strongest drivers available, so why would they need to gamble?
Only the weaker ones need to rely on a high-stakes gamble to turn things around!
The current top three drivers belong to McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari.
Among them are two top teams, the "Big Three", and a newly established elite factory team. Even if they know that the rain will stop and switching to soft red tires offers a chance for a comeback against the odds, they won’t take such risky actions.
The reason is simple: the moment of leaving the pit, the grip disadvantage of the soft red tires is exposed, and they will be directly caught by the opponents!
Only an independent driver like Chen Xiangbei, "neither ahead nor behind the village store", has enough time and space to wait for the track to dry.
The opponents are watching the HRT Team, and Odetto is equally observing the tactical strategies of the competitors.
Among the first batch of drivers entering the pit stop, besides Chen Xiangbei, all switched to intermediate tires upon exiting the pit, in line with the "seek stability" psychological expectations.
However, many of the second batch of drivers entering the pit also chose to gamble, changing to soft red tires to vie for a more forward position, including Jenson Button from McLaren Team.
As the reigning champion driver, he transferred from Brawn GP to the "Big Three" McLaren, eagerly anticipated to form a strong partnership with Hamilton, achieving a dominant performance as both driver and team champions within the circuit.
But who could have imagined that Button would be crushed by the younger Hamilton!
In the opening race, he barely entered the points zone, and in this race, he continues to hover around the tenth position, undoubtedly unacceptable to both the team and the driver himself.
Comparison between individuals is the most feared, and it’s the same between drivers, especially when they are teammates!
If Hamilton wins the podium, while Button can only barely make it into the points zone.
Then his performance assessment and commercial value will take a significant hit.
No matter what, Button must prove himself in this race!
One after another, racing cars roared out of the pit lane, and the commentators also noticed the different tire strategies of each team.
When they saw Chen Xiangbei’s soft red tires, Red exclaimed with surprise.
"#13 Chinese driver Bei chooses soft tires to leave the pit, not sure if it’s the decision of the team strategy group or the driver’s own idea."
"I can only say that an ’innocent calf’ is not afraid of the tiger, after drifting through turn T15, Bei again plans to challenge the Albert Park Circuit with aggressive and risky tactics."
"Luck is something that is difficult to constantly favor the same person, let’s wait and see."
Red doesn’t have high hopes for Chen Xiangbei’s soft red tire strategy; according to meteorological radar predictions, rain will stop in one minute, and furthermore, the track lanes need three to five minutes to dry under ideal conditions.
Meaning at least three laps, Chen Xiangbei is driving a "sliding car".
Hell-level control difficulty, the Chinese Kid can’t grasp it!
"I can understand Bei’s thought process; with Vettel exiting the track and retiring, he only has to surpass Alonso in front to reach the podium."
"The goal is right in front, it’s hard for any driver to resist the temptation, especially a young one."
Prost helped explain Chen Xiangbei’s reasoning, understanding a driver’s desire for victory.
However, next to him, Red disagreed and countered, saying: "It’s good for young people to have competitive spirit and fighting will, but they need to act within their limits, not relying on blind impulsiveness and recklessness."
"Professor, if it were you, would you do this?"
"No."
Without thinking or hesitation, Prost decisively gave the answer.
His professional style is known for stability and conservativeness, never engaging in high-risk, high-reward endeavors.
He even once encountered a race with heavy rain, preferring safety over risk, refusing to leave the pit.
In a way, Prost and Senna represent two extremes!
Understanding is one thing, but similar actions Prost wouldn’t risk, as the rewards do not justify the risk. Completing the race steadily and obtaining points for fourth place is the current optimal answer.
"I also think Bei made the wrong choice; even if Lady Luck favors the rapid improvement of track conditions to catch up with the front driver, can he surpass Alonso?"
"Don’t forget, Alonso is the most formidable driver within the paddock, even without competition!"
Red greatly acknowledges Alonso’s strength, especially since he defeated Schumacher, ending the peak era of the Ferrari dynasty.
Chen Xiangbei faces a long journey to challenge him.
"That’s not necessarily the case."
Prost smiled and replied.
Red is not a professional driver and underestimated the impact of tires on car speed.
If driver Bei is indeed favored again by Lady Luck, with the track conditions rapidly improving, the performance advantage of soft red tires over intermediate tires is absolutely overwhelming, Alonso cannot stop it.
