Car Racing without Money-Chapter 406 - 166: Filling the Last Shortcoming (Part 2)

Chapter 406: Chapter 166: Filling the Last Shortcoming (Part 2)

After saying this, Blair walked out of the room.

He wasn’t sure if Chen Xiangbei and Briatore were cut from the same cloth, but he knew that these two shared the same goal.

And that was a fanatic passion and desire for the championship!

Blair had just left when Chen Xiangbei entered the office.

Chen Xiangbei was not unfamiliar with Briatore’s image. This old rogue of the paddock was renowned, and combined with his signature long, wild hair, it was hard to forget him.

"Hello, Mr. Briatore, I’m Chen Xiangbei, a driver from China."

Upon entering, Chen Xiangbei introduced himself first.

"Hello, have a seat."

Briatore wasn’t like the usual stern and formal management of the racing teams; he simply waved a hand casually at Chen Xiangbei.

To "Hua Bu," he naturally despised rules and only valued practical benefits.

Based on his knowledge from the past life and seeing Hua Bu’s casual demeanor, Chen Xiangbei didn’t engage in pleasantries and was not skilled at the hypocrisy of business negotiations.

Frankly speaking, he said directly, "Mr. Briatore, I believe Team Leader Ross has already informed you of my purpose here. The position of manager at the HRT Team is currently vacant, and you are the most suitable candidate."

Chen Xiangbei’s straightforwardness appealed to Briatore, who likewise disliked roundabout talk.

"Xiangbei, then you should know that I’ve currently been banned for life by the FIA."

"Why still invite me to be the manager of the HRT Team?"

Briatore asked back. His reputation in the paddock had always been poor.

This time, facing a ban from the FIA, he had often experienced the spectacle of being pushed down when the wall falls.

Many teams couldn’t wait to stay away to avoid triggering negative public opinion, affecting sponsorship and advertising revenue.

Yet this Chinese kid, Chen Xiangbei, took the initiative to invite him, making "Hua Bu" curious.

"I believe the court will give you a fair judgment."

"And if they don’t?"

"I will wait for that fair judgment."

Chen Xiangbei smiled, maintaining a posture of being "eager to hire talent."

Although frankly speaking, he thinks that a fair judgment would not make Hua Bu’s life ban undeserved.

But the paddock has its own set of rules, and history doesn’t change easily.

Ross Brown said it well, providing help in dire times is better than adding to what is already abundant.

Showing firm support at this moment would win Briatore’s favor.

Indeed, when Chen Xiangbei said this, paired with his youthful, "harmless" face, it conveyed a rare sincerity.

Even for an experienced old hand like Briatore, it was hard to judge the young man’s true intentions at that moment, feeling touched inside.

However, simply using words to entice "Hua Bu" isn’t so easy.

"Xiangbei, you have shown me sincerity, but I need a championship team."

"Mr. Briatore, HRT is the next championship team!"

Chen Xiangbei answered with determination. Now that the emotional appeal was done, it was time for logical persuasion.

Holding nothing back, Chen Xiangbei fully explained the changes within the HRT Team and the potential performance of the TF110 to Briatore.

With his years of experience in the paddock, he should undoubtedly recognize that HRT is no longer the team with an F3 foundation to its core.

HRT has now fully transformed into an F1 team, and a strong one at that!

Listening to Chen Xiangbei’s description, Briatore’s expression was calm, but internally he was very surprised.

To be honest, he did not expect a third-rate team like HRT to have undergone transformative changes in such a short time.

This was why Briatore hadn’t answered Kalanbant’s calls; he didn’t think much of the HRT Team, so why waste breath and time?

This contact with Chen Xiangbei was mainly out of respect for Ross Brown and also a kind of exchange of interests.

Briatore needed to ally with the management of F1 teams to pressure the FIA to reverse their judgment, or he wouldn’t be able to return to the paddock.

Of course, even though he was surprised inside, Briatore calmly replied, "Xiangbei, don’t give me any empty slogans, I need more practical conditions and benefits."

"If I join the HRT Team, what can you offer me?"

"Everything you need."

At this point, Chen Xiangbei paused.

Then he added, "And an opportunity to prove your ability and value."

Chen Xiangbei could show his sincerity but couldn’t put himself and the team in a weak and humble position.

Cooperation is based on mutual equality and meeting each other’s needs!

The HRT does need a strong leader to integrate Campos, Super Aguri, Honda, Toyota, and other factions, until they are united as one.

But Briatore also needs a team to accept him back into the paddock.

This once-invincible Italian rogue undoubtedly harbored a fire in his heart, desperately wanting to strike back at the FIA with team results. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Proving his ability and being an indispensable member of the F1 paddock!

Upon hearing Chen Xiangbei’s words, Briatore realized why Blair thought he could talk to this Chinese kid before leaving.

Now it seems, for sure.

Beneath the humble exterior of the young man in front of him lay a defiant heart.

And Briatore needed just this kind of team member!

"Very well, Xiangbei, you’ve convinced me."

Having hit the mark, Briatore did away with the roundabout talk and directly stated his conditions.