Car Racing without Money

Chapter 732 - 295: Trust from the Team (Part 2)

Well, Hamilton often prefers to use public opinion and paddock politics rather than direct face-to-face confrontation!Actually, this isn’t Hamilton’s first mention of Chen Xiangbei. On the contrary, as early as the Australian race, he was quietly making remarks when faced with media questions.

From Chen Xiangbei’s perspective, you might as well directly say I’m a rookie who can’t even see the tail lights in the paddock.

"Oh~~~!"

With these words, the paddock was instantly in an uproar.

Even though everyone sensed some arrogance from Chen Xiangbei, they didn’t expect him to be this bold.

Directly challenging an ascending world champion is indeed a bit over-the-top arrogance.

Even the two commentators in the broadcasting room showed expressions of amusement.

South Korean guest Park Dongxu was particularly excited and said, "Red, this Chinese driver Bei has completely offended Hamilton now; he will experience what real world champion power means."

Red, who had previously supported Chen Xiangbei, also chimed in: "Hamilton isn’t a nice guy, and McLaren Team isn’t Lotus or Indian Force, this time Bei really hit a brick wall."

Previously, the drivers who had public feuds with Chen Xiangbei were like Sutil and Kovalainen, the strongest being Rosberg from Mercedes Team.

Putting aside personal ability issues, even with the unofficial Mercedes label, their cars actually couldn’t outrun HRT Racing Car.

Perhaps with factory funding and research power, Mercedes could catch up and even surpass HRT in future upgrades, but there’s no denying they’re behind for now.

Chen Xiangbei provoking them had big chances of success.

But this is different; the opponent is Hamilton driving a McLaren Racing Car.

In terms of car performance and driver ability, this round is generally agreed to be above Chen Xiangbei.

Pole position might have genuinely inflated this youngster, making him think the F1 world champion isn’t all that?

In contrast to the majority of the outside, including commentators, who don’t favor Chen, his suppressed fans on the stands burst forth at this time, filled with an endless sense of joy inside.

"Damn, Chen Xiangbei’s arrogance is at its peak, he’s daring to challenge a world champion in his rookie season!"

"This is so damn satisfying, whether he can win or not, at least Chen Xiangbei didn’t back down!"

"The reason I became Driver Bei’s fan is for his courage and confidence."

"What does a world champion matter, fear is losing for a lifetime!"

"Car God Bei, let Hamilton witness your power!"

Compared to tens of thousands of local spectators, Chen Xiangbei’s thousands of supporters are far fewer in number.

But the voice they produced at this moment echoed across the track!

They have seen too many humble Chinese athletes, only Chen Xiangbei never condones face-to-face provocation from opponents.

Winning or losing doesn’t matter, at least daring to draw the sword!

Losing is just a race.

Fear is the same as losing a lifetime!

"I’m waiting for you, Bei!"

Hamilton replied with a grim face, then pushed down his helmet visor.

This British black driver may lack some driver purity in many ways, but he does not lack a driver’s toughness.

To utter these words means his anger and fighting spirit within have peaked.

Hamilton will prove to Chen Xiangbei that he’s messed with the wrong person.

In the HRT Team’s pit box, Briatore even clapped amidst everyone and said, shaking his head: "OH~~~, marvelous, really marvelous."

Seeing his reaction, design director Bob Bell and Huali’s chief engineer Cheng Jian, standing beside, showed very complex expressions.

It was Bell who spoke first: "Briatore, Hamilton is absolutely an F1 historical-level super genius, Bei has gotten himself into big trouble, and this race has hidden risks because of it."

"Trouble?"

Briatore laughed heartily.

"Bell, would anyone have put an F1 rookie and a world champion in the same spot before?"

"No."

Bob Bell shook his head.

"Well, there you go."

"Now in everyone’s subconscious, they see Hamilton and Chen Xiangbei having a personal duel, and this itself is an equivalent position."

"Winning doesn’t matter anymore. When people mention Hamilton, they will inevitably think of Bei, and that’s the highest form of marketing!"

Briatore didn’t care about the influence of winning or losing; he only saw Chen Xiangbei’s status and identity soaring.

Once linked with a world champion, Chen Xiangbei is virtually free from the rookie’s identity, shedding the paddock’s freshman year immaturity.

Just like how he was paired with Kimi Raikkonen as the paddock’s twin stars.

"But if Bei loses, won’t others only think of him as a loser and ridicule him, with absolutely no impact?"

Bell questioned again, Briatore had too "idealistic" thinking.

"What impact? Are the mockeries against Bei any less now?"

"Bell, you truly underestimate Bei’s psychological endurance."

Briatore’s tone was somewhat flippant, after nearly a year of interaction, even the Italian rascal was amazed at Chen Xiangbei’s pressure resistance.

"I’m saying if."

Bell emphasized again.

"Then that’ll be simpler, you know."

Briatore smiled mysteriously, as one of Renault’s iron triangle, they had long understood each other’s temperament after years of collaboration.

F1 never lacked drivers; if one couldn’t handle the pressure, they would replace them with the next one!

If Trulli got injured, Perez could fill in.

If Chen Xiangbei didn’t perform, rumor had it GP2 champion Maldonado is decent, more importantly, he comes with Venezuela’s state oil’s huge sponsorship, and Briatore had long set his sights on this cash cow.

The paddock’s inner discussions, of course, Chen Xiangbei couldn’t hear on the track.

At this moment, the whistle to drive out unrelated personnel had sounded, Odetto exchanged glances with Chen Xiangbei, he didn’t say anything more, just patted his shoulder and turned to leave.

Instead, Ah Yong and others said cheer up before they pushed the tires away.

On the way back to the outdoor command table, Sawano Hiroyuki finally said worriedly, "Odetto leader, is Mr. Xiang Bei really wise to provoke Hamilton?"

"Are you afraid Bei will lose?"

"Can he win?"

"Bei has won before."

"The previous situations were a bit different..."

Just as Sawano Hiroyuki was about to continue, Odetto interrupted directly: "Sawano, Bei has already shed the conservative nature of Asian drivers, yet you still haven’t stepped out."

"What about world champions; do you look down on Bei that much?"

"I believe he can win!"

As a member of the strategy team from Ferrari, Odetto had witnessed young Schumacher challenge the so-called "God" Senna once.

The fatal San Marino Grand Prix, where the fledgling Schumacher surpassed and caused the car god’s desperate pursuit, resulting in the most regrettable incident in racing history.

That same year, Schumacher climbed to the peak, claiming his first world champion title.

Back then, Schumacher was merely a sophomore, challenging a three-time champion god.

Comparing gaps, it was far greater than the current Hamilton and Chen Xiangbei.

Schumacher didn’t back down, and he defeated the car god, what’s there for Chen Xiangbei to fear?

"Senior Sawano, I too believe Mr. Xiang Bei can win!"

Always respectful and obedient to seniors, Mizutani Sho stood up this time to express his opposing opinion.

All the way here, he didn’t think Chen Xiangbei was inferior to anyone, why couldn’t he provoke Hamilton?

"I also believe in Bei."

Test engineer Mazzola expressed his attitude.

"And me."

"Me too."

"Brother Bei is simply the strongest driver!"

One by one, HRT Team members collectively expressed their trust and support for Chen Xiangbei.

The feelings and impressions they’ve had of Chen Xiangbei have long since transcended the service relationship between team members and driver, effectively merging them into a true team.

Without Chen Xiangbei’s efforts and the confidence he brings, HRT would be nothing more than a third-rate team!

Chen Xiangbei didn’t just alter his career but also transformed the entire team.

He is the spiritual pillar of the HRT Team!