Car Racing without Money-Chapter 399 - 164: Official F1 Driver Contract

After listening to Ross Brown’s suggestion, Chen Xiangbei was completely stunned.

He wasn’t confused by the words; instead, he felt a surge of emotion, as if the happiness had arrived too abruptly.

Bringing together the technical power of both Honda and Toyota, plus Hua Bu’s management and research, this lineup sounds terrifying just thinking about it!

If this can be achieved, not only could the newly-formed Mercedes be rivalled, but even the flourishing Ferrari Prancing Horse Dynasty or the Red Bull Dynasty might find the HRT Team a formidable opponent.

It is completely a "Avengers Alliance" fighting back into the F1 Paddock!

Under normal circumstances, a complete technical team, a ready prototype car, and a top-notch team manager can’t possibly exist simultaneously.

Only in the post-2008 financial crisis F1 did such opportunities for major picks occur.

While 2009’s fortune was for the Brawn GP Team, 2010 could very likely fall on the HRT Team.

This new HRT Team, aside from its name, compared to history will undergo a complete transformation, and with the investment from Huali Group, even its name might not be retained.

"Mr. Ross, I know what to do now, thank you."

Realizing the enormous opportunity before his eyes, Chen Xiangbei was no longer hesitant and confused; he saw the direction forward.

Faced with Chen Xiangbei’s gratitude, truth be told, Ross Brown’s feelings were somewhat mixed.

In a way, by sharing these suggestions with Chen Xiangbei, he was fostering his own competitor.

Although Mercedes had acquired all shares of Brawn GP, they didn’t change Ross Brown’s position as the team leader; on the contrary, with Schumacher’s joining, the former Ferrari title competition lineup would reunite.

No one knew better than Ross Brown about the value of Honda and Toyota’s legacy.

Japanese car companies are not short on technology; Toyota can be set aside, even Honda had made several entries and exits, having won seven or eight world championships as an engine supplier.

What they lack are top-level operations and a bit of luck.

Briatore’s joining unquestionably fills that operational shortcoming, and Chen Xiangbei knows how terrifying this lineup can be; Ross Brown understands even deeper.

Truth be told, had the capital buying the team not been Mercedes, Ross Brown would definitely have taken over the legacy of Honda and Toyota himself.

But unfortunately, the status and position of the European established car enterprise giant makes it impossible for Mercedes to bow to Japanese car companies.

What Honda and Toyota can accomplish; does that mean my Mercedes has inferior technology?

Apart from that, a factor driving Ross Brown to "assist the enemy" is a feeling of guilt.

This wasn’t towards Chen Xiangbei but rather towards the former team members.

The success of the Brawn GP Team’s championship couldn’t have been achieved without the strength of the three F1 technical teams.

When the season reached mid-term, Ross Brown kicked out the Super Aguri technical team, and now even the remaining Honda Team members are to be sold.

Although this is the cruel nature of commercial behavior, unable to sustain, the cost must be reduced, otherwise ending in bankruptcy.

But from an emotional standpoint, it does seem like "ingratitude".

So many retired research and development personnel, Honda’s motorsport headquarters couldn’t possibly take them all in; most of them would face unemployment or a change in career.

Ross Brown hopes to find a good place for them; if Chen Xiangbei can attract Chinese capital to enter, coupled with Briatore’s operations, all issues will be resolved.

The only suspense now is how strong the "enemy" he groomed will become in the future!

As the conversation reached this stage, there was no longer a need for excessive politeness; often, the personality of F1 personnel is like racing—advocating efficiency and decisiveness.

Chen Xiangbei’s initial idea was merely to invest in HRT to maintain an equal status with the team and to bet on the performance of the TF110 "Mars Rover".

But now, there’s no need to gamble.

As long as the funding and personnel are in place, even if the TF110’s performance falls short, the HRT Team can create a Mars Rover again!

However, since preparing for a major move like this, Xiangbei certainly can’t accept mere twenty percent shares.

If the collaboration breaks down, all his efforts would be equivalent to making a wedding dress for others, and he has no personal ties with boss Kalanbant.

Besides, even if there were, team operations are strictly business-oriented.

Chen Xiangbei’s current goal is to acquire at least fifty percent of the HRT Team’s shares!

He knows very well how badly the HRT team needs money; without money in the F1 paddock, results can’t be achieved, and without results, it equates to negative assets.

As long as Kalanbant has any sense, he’ll surely understand what it means to bring together the power of Honda, Toyota, and Hua Bu.

At least from his behavior of wanting to buy the Toyota F1 Team, he doesn’t seem like someone with issues.

When it’s time to act, Chen Xiangbei won’t hold back.

He immediately consulted with Staler that day, hoping they would invest.

With the investment in the Brawn GP Team, it can be said Staler made a fortune, achieving over two hundred percent returns in half a year.

Once presented with the idea by Chen Xiangbei, Staler agreed without hesitation and proactively increased the funding amount to twenty million US dollars.

Facing a F1 team with unlimited potential right before his eyes, why step back at all!

Meanwhile, Chen Xiangbei also asked Lu Xiaoman to contact several major domestic sponsors, informing them of the current plan, hoping they would increase their investments and guarantee mid-term commitment.

Since we’re going to play, let’s play big!