Chapter 77: Chapter 189: Rising Star Driver Bei (3)
The only thing Chen Xiangbei could do was to utilize the kinetic energy recovery system and extend the brake segment to reduce temperature.
"Roger that."
Chen Xiangbei responded briefly, catching a glimpse of the dashboard screen’s temperature monitoring, and changed his approach at the upcoming T9 corner.
No longer entering the corner at high speed, but rather at low speed, accelerating as much as possible in the middle of the turn, and using the full width of the track to swing out to the curb at the exit.
The whole racing car, driven by acceleration inertia, seemed to exhibit a "translation" phenomenon.
"Armand, does the HRT Racing Car have such great traction control?"
Ferrari Team Manager Domenicali watched Chen Xiangbei’s change intently on the large screen.
His first thought was not about driving skills but about the car!
It’s known that Chen Xiangbei’s change in approach is not just about cornering speed but entirely different handling and racing line techniques.
Domenicali couldn’t believe a Chinese newcomer who had never raced on the Bahrain Circuit could grasp two completely different racing lines in just a few hours of testing.
If the handling doesn’t reach this level, it must be the car’s outstanding performance!
Last year, Brawn GP’s legendary feat had left the entire F1 Paddock uneasy.
As another Japanese company, who knew if Toyota hadn’t left behind another Mars Rover built with all their might before their departure.
"The TF110 Racing Car is excellent, but I think the driver is more outstanding."
"Manager, the way the Chinese driver Xiangbei changes lines is too smooth; mere traction cannot achieve this."
Hearing Armand’s response, Domenicali’s face showed surprise.
"You mean the Chinese rookie has prepared two sets of racing lines?"
"Seems that way."
Through the change in driving style, Armand could vaguely speculate on the potential issues of overheating brakes and tires.
Chen Xiangbei handled it smoothly; it was evident he was well-prepared!
"Have the data analysts focus on driver Xiangbei."
Without hesitation, Domenicali gave the command. In recent years, numerous newcomers in F1 have emerged, each more aggressive than the last.
Raikkonen, Hamilton, Vettel, etc., almost all hit their peak straight at debut, joining the race for the world championship.
The Ferrari Team has been in a slump lately; this year, the team recruited the strongest driver currently in F1, Alonso, along with the historically ranked No. 2 driver Masa, in hopes of ambitiously returning to their peak.
Domenicali must control all information about threatening drivers, even if they’re just rookies!
TF110 Racing Car continued to speed along the track, with the change in technique preventing further rise in brake and tire issues.
When approaching the long straight before the finish line, Chen Xiangbei went full throttle.
Broadcast screens throughout the track simultaneously displayed his lap time.
minute 32 seconds 965!
"WOW~~~!"
Almost simultaneously, fifty thousand spectators exclaimed in astonishment.
Even those who previously cursed and mocked Chen Xiangbei were somewhat shaken.
It’s not that the lap time was earth-shatteringly fast; rather, Chen Xiangbei clocked the fastest lap in the second practice.
Button, Alonso, Schumacher, familiar names, were all beneath Chen Xiangbei!
"Can anyone tell me how significant the second practice lap time is that a Chinese kid can rank first?"
"No real significance; the third practice is for qualifying setup, and drivers will be faster then."
"Can’t Chen Xiangbei go faster in the third practice?"
"Exactly, driver Xiangbei can certainly go faster; he will astonish the entire paddock!"
"Awesome, Chen Xiangbei!"
Frenzied cheers broke out from all around, with supporters and Chinese fans overjoyed.
No one had ever dared to imagine before that a Chinese driver could appear at the top of the F1 lap time list, even if it’s just practice.
Yet Chen Xiangbei achieved it; he proved that his "fast-track" path wasn’t solely due to capital and demonstrated that Chinese drivers could also master F1!
"FUCK, did HRT Team luck out with a Mars Rover? Otherwise, the Chinese rookie’s second practice results seem too exaggerated!"
Indian Force Owner Vijey Marya’s tone was full of disbelief and envy.
This Indian Team entered the paddock in 2008, previously known as Spyker.
Having raced for two seasons, Indian Force has lingered at the bottom places, something Marya can’t accept.
Indians are known for their high ambitions but fragile destinies, always setting lofty targets.
The birth of a "purebred" Indian F1 Team in 2008 sparked huge domestic excitement and national pride in India, with even the Indian media considering the F1 team a "significant enhancement of India’s soft power."
Yet, they found themselves at the bottom of the grid...
Being at the bottom was somewhat bearable, but the lack of comparison can heighten injuries.
Similarly, after acquiring a team and entering the paddock, the newcomer Brawn GP has seized Honda’s legacy to win the world championship.
This year, HRT Team took over Toyota’s legacy, showcasing competitiveness again.
For Marya, this is somewhat intolerable; is the gap in luck really that vast?
"Second practice proves nothing; our team will certainly achieve better results!"
Manager Stevenson immediately responded; he knew his boss’s personality well, and words must be chosen wisely.
"Stevenson, in the opening race, we must defeat the HRT Team."
Marya directly issued orders to manager Stevenson.
In his view, it’s not just a competition within the F1 paddock but also involves external national factors.
The HRT Team can basically count as half a Chinese team; if they crushed Indian Force just after joining, it would be challenging to suppress domestic sentiment.
Meanwhile, Marya needs the team’s performance to attract more Indian capital investment.
Losing to anyone is fine, but not to HRT!
"I will do my best."
Stevenson reluctantly agreed, internally wondering.
Can the outcome of motorsport be changed just by issuing orders?
At this time, Chen Xiangbei also received instructions from the team to return to the garage.
As he approached the grandstand area once again, the previous curses and provocative gestures had largely died down, replaced by supporters waving at Chen Xiangbei.
Speed is always the best way to fight back; whether they genuinely submit or play dead in adversity, at least things are quieter now.
Compared to the audience’s "restraint," many F1 drivers inside the paddock felt invigorated.
As the "gods" of the racing world, how could they tolerate a rookie standing above them so easily?
The Chinese kid will soon find out what true F1 speed means!