Car Racing without Money-Chapter 378 - 158: You Really Picked the Wrong Opponent

Chapter 378: Chapter 158: You Really Picked the Wrong Opponent

However, some people discerned another layer of meaning in Chen Xiangbei’s words.

That is, why does this Chinese Kid believe he can soon match up against Raikkonen on the track?

Not only did the audience realize this, but Hank was already preparing to ask about it.

"Bei, you said you’ll soon face Kim on the track. Is it related to your visit to the Renault P room before the race?"

"Have you reached some sort of agreement with the Renault Team regarding the driver’s seat?"

Chen Xiangbei’s visit to the Renault P room was noted by the journalist Hank, who’s been "keeping an eye" on him.

He didn’t understand what was happening at that time, but now, combining it with Chen Xiangbei’s response, it seems related to the driver’s seat.

"No, the Renault Team could not meet my requirements."

"What are your requirements?"

"An official driver’s seat!"

This is the first time Chen Xiangbei publicly declared the goal of his future career plan.

Earlier, he didn’t disclose to the media nor contact the team because he didn’t have the results. Having such a thought seemed a joke to outsiders.

But today, the timing was ripe.

Chen Xiangbei is going to use his own strength to prove himself worthy of an official F1 driver’s seat!

"Holy shit, Chen Xiangbei really intends to replicate Kim’s miracle!"

"Jump into F1 in four races. Driver Bei is really daring to think!"

"Could it be that the first Chinese F1 driver is about to be born?"

"The Chinese Kid is being overly high-profile; the F1 Paddock is not comparable to lower-level formulas."

Various doubts and jeers quickly arose. To ordinary viewers, Chen Xiangbei’s goals indeed seemed overly ambitious.

But soon, the whole arena’s clamor was interrupted by the order to clear the track.

Hank retracted the microphone to prepare to leave, but after standing up, he suddenly hesitated.

Then he turned back to look at Chen Xiangbei and spoke in his personal capacity.

"Bei, although I often use you to stir up news hotspots, this time I believe you will create a miracle."

"Good luck!"

Work is work, life is life.

Hank is also the one who witnessed Chen Xiangbei’s growth on European tracks, knowing better than outsiders about the pace of this Chinese Kid’s progress.

Many things once considered impossible became possible in front of him!

Compared to other rookie drivers, what Hank felt most from Chen Xiangbei is that this kid has absolute confidence in himself.

Hank has interviewed countless famous drivers, who all share a common trait.

That is having a champion’s heart of "none but me!"

For this acknowledgment, Chen Xiangbei merely nodded and then "coldly" pushed down his helmet visor.

At this moment, he was nothing but an emotionless racing machine.

The track was soon cleared, and the routine warm-up lap began.

Whether due to Chen Xiangbei’s overly aggressive pre-race remarks, or the eleventh-place driver opting for a reckless gamble, he was seeking trouble even during the warm-up lap.

With a straight-foot throttle, he chased up to Chen Xiangbei’s car tail, repeatedly rocking left and right with extreme maneuvers, feigning an intention to overtake as a provocative gesture!

The crew members back in the P room saw this scene, and young Ayong instantly flared up on the spot, "What’s the meaning of this, is the number 21 car provoking Brother Bei?"

"Taking advantage of reverse grid opportunities, now any Tom, Dick, or Harry dares to provoke Xiangbei?"

Brother Lei also said with a discontented face.

This number 21 driver normally can’t even see the tail lights of Chen Xiangbei’s car.

And now he dares to provoke?

Yet there are limits during the warm-up lap; Chen Xiangbei can’t retaliate yet.

Moreover, for a driver ranked eleventh, it’s clear he isn’t afraid of losing since he has no chance to score points at the Spa Station, so he might as well disgust the arrogant Chinese fellow.

"The race hasn’t officially started, yet there’s already a strong scent of gunpowder on the track."

"Driver number 21 exhibited some aggressive behaviors during the warm-up lap. Is he trying to challenge Driver Bei, or is he venting dissatisfaction with Bei’s pre-race comments?"

James commented on the situation on the track. He is somewhat of a fan of Raikkonen and can understand the mindset of the number 21 driver.

Driver Bei’s desire to challenge Raikkonen is indeed somewhat unwise.

"The Chinese fellow deserved it. Let’s see if he dares to be arrogant again!"

"Renault is embarrassing too, signing a rookie only to be rejected. No wonder they’re on a downward slope."

"Allen, well done! It’s best to hit Bei off the track during the main race later!"

Many European spectators in the stands started cheering. To them, this action was the best response to Chen Xiangbei’s arrogance.

Listening to the jeering provocations outside, with this familiar pattern, Odetto pressed the communication button on the monitor headphones.

"Bei, do you see the car behind?"

"Of course."

Chen Xiangbei casually replied. Not only did he see it, but the annoyance following behind could be measured in centimeters at its closest and the sound of revving engines was clearly audible in his ears.

"What do you plan to do then?"

Almost as soon as Odetto’s words fell, Chen Xiangbei deftly changed lanes and then harshly braked to decelerate.

The number 21 driver behind had no time to react, turning a provocative gesture into a successful overtaking maneuver.

"Like this."

Chen Xiangbei offered his answer to Odetto through his actions.

He absolutely won’t pamper the brat who provokes him.

"GOOD!"

Odetto was very pleased with this.

This was the effect he wanted. Even if Chen Xiangbei is wearing shoes now, he must never be threatened by those who are barefoot.

There’s no problem with arrogance; only hesitation leads to failure!

"OH~~! The race center issued penalties: the number 21 driver is penalized 10 seconds for overtaking during the warm-up lap, and an additional 10 seconds for his unruly driving behavior was adjudicated by the racing committee."

"It seems the second round of the main race for the number 21 driver has already ended ahead of time."

James’s tone revealed a hint of gleeful Schadenfreude.

No problem with provocation; this is the driver’s own skill.

But if you fail to gain an advantage, don’t blame yourself for becoming the object of mockery.

Obviously, the number 21 driver hasn’t paid much attention to Driver Bei before. This Chinese Kid is definitely not some "coward"; he always repays slight for slight!

"Damn, provoking Chen Xiangbei, he really found the wrong opponent."

"Chen Xiangbei truly didn’t disappoint me. This is the guts of a Chinese driver!"

"Bei remained strong as always. It’s precisely this trait that attracted me."

"Driver Bei is truly MAN!"

Compared to cowardly bullies, the audience clearly prefers the tough guy.

No matter how arrogant Chen Xiangbei might be, at least this kid is consistent inside and out!

The warm-up lap quickly concluded, and twenty cars returned to their starting grids.

The lights on the track lit up sequentially, causing many hearts to beat wildly with the lights "thump," "thump."

As the five lights extinguished in an instant, the engine began to roar aggressively, drivers madly pressed the throttle to accelerate, unwilling to be overtaken in the starting stage.

Starting in eighth place, Bottas shifted gears, released the clutch, and added throttle. The entire process was smooth, not particularly fast, but there was no sign of dizziness at the start.

Yet, even so, Ricardo made his moves faster, darting out at the start to complete an overtaking, just like the strategy group planned before the race - a perfectly executed plan!

Starting is not Bottas’s strong suit; most of the time, he can only manage to maintain position, rarely leading at speed.

Being overtaken by Ricardo was expected, and he planned to rely on his long-distance drive to catch up.

Yet, before he could change lanes and reclaim the corner line, another car appeared next to Bottas after Ricardo.

With the number 13 on the car front, the identity of the opponent was clear.

Chen Xiangbei also completed a start overtaking, and within just two seconds of the race start, he improved to ninth place!