Car Racing without Money-Chapter 408 - 167: Proclaiming to the World with Flair

Chapter 408: Chapter 167: Proclaiming to the World with Flair

Top three in the National Cup?

Chen Xiangbei heard this goal, and his mind started racing furiously.

Normally, if you compete against Schumacher in a venue, or against Loeb in a rally, it’s like showing off your sword skills in front of Guan Yu; there’s no comparison.

But if you change your approach and compete against Schumacher in a rally and against Loeb in a venue, emphasizing a misaligned matchup, your chances of winning increase significantly.

Of course, this is ideally arranged; in reality, it remains quite difficult.

But now it’s too early to worry about these things. The ship will sail straight when it reaches the bridge.

Chen Xiangbei hopes that Kalanbant and Briatore will act quickly to ensure that the TF110’s development progress can catch up with this year’s winter testing, since only testing on the track can show the performance and flaws of the vehicle.

Computer simulation data is just theoretical talk.

Not to mention the computing power of this era; even future giants like Ferrari and Red Bull, with their wind tunnels fans, still create race cars that run off track.

Just as Chen Xiangbei hung up the phone, a familiar face appeared in his sight; it was Dong Hebin.

The 2009 F1 season was nearing its end, and Dong Hebin had officially announced his role as Renault’s third driver, and simultaneously arrived at Renault UK Headquarters to conduct simulator testing work.

The team engineer just informed Dong Hebin of Chen Xiangbei’s arrival, and Dong Hebin rushed over immediately.

"Xiangbei, how come you are at Renault Headquarters?"

Dong Hebin’s tone was a bit surprised; normally, after Chen Xiangbei refused team lead Blair’s invitation, he likely wouldn’t have any interaction with the Renault Team.

"Briatore is here today; I’ve come to invite him to join the HRT Team."

"The HRT Team?"

"Yes, I’ve now become a full-time driver for the HRT Team."

Upon hearing this, Dong Hebin was stunned for a moment and then instinctively opened his mouth wide.

[Official F1 Driver!]

Only those in racing will truly appreciate the rarity and value of this identity.

Chen Xiangbei becoming a full-fledged driver doesn’t just mean he has pioneered something in Chinese history; he’s even created a miracle in the world of motorsport.

Four individual-seater formula race records, and he jumped levels to become an official F1 driver, even the historically legendary Kimi Raikkonen might feel slightly inferior when faced with Chen Xiangbei!

"Xiangbei, I don’t know what to say except congratulations!"

No words could describe the impact and shock Dong Hebin felt internally towards Chen Xiangbei, who was undoubtedly a racing genius.

"Thank you."

Chen Xiangbei replied with a smile, knowing that the path he has taken is actually not something of a shortcut.

"By the way, I heard you saying you plan to attend the ROC National Cup?"

"Yes, news came from back home and the list of drivers participating was announced."

"Looks like I couldn’t compete for a spot."

When Dong Hebin uttered this, his expression became somewhat melancholy.

If Chen Xiangbei hadn’t appeared, history would have the team for China’s 2009 ROC National Cup include Dong Hebin and Han Han.

Back then, the overall capability of domestic drivers was weak, and the ROC National Cup demanded comprehensive driving skills, making rally and venue-skilled Han Han the first to be summoned.

But finding a second driver proved difficult.

Cheng Congfu and Ma Qingye were both venue drivers, practically devoid of control over rally cross-country.

At that time, the National Sports Commission looked globally for Chinese drivers, summoning and selecting US-based driver Cheng Fei and Dutch-based driver Dong Hebin. Eventually, Dong Hebin won the ticket.

But history has changed; even though Dong Hebin is a Chinese descendant and chose China as his nationality in motorsport.

Ultimately, he is still Dutch.

And Chen Xiangbei’s announcement as an F1 test driver was earlier than Dong Hebin’s title as Renault’s third driver.

And now, Chen Xiangbei has become a full-fledged F1 driver!

Once the identity of a full-fledged F1 driver arises, any invitation or selection becomes meaningless.

Chen Xiangbei became the sole choice.

This is the weight of being among the top twenty drivers, standing at the pinnacle of the racing hall, overlooking the masses!

For Dong Hebin’s loss, Chen Xiangbei found himself unable even to utter comforting words.

In competitive sports, too much comfort can seem insincere, like a winner’s pity for the loser.

Thus, Chen Xiangbei shifted the conversation, discussing their current situations and the status of several "European-traveling" Chinese drivers.

In comparison, although Chen Xiangbei and Dong Hebin officially joined F1 teams, Ma Qingye and Cheng Congfu’s career prospects seemed bleak; neither achieved results in formula races.

Cheng Congfu had plans early on to shift towards endurance racing, but remained uncompetitive in lower-level groups; next year’s plan is to participate in the top-tier touring car race, Germany’s DTM.

As for Ma Qingye, similar to Cheng Congfu’s thoughts, unable to continue in formula racing, planning to return to China to pursue touring car events.

One reason is to earn money, and another is to find alternative paths.

In a sense, Ma Qingye’s shift could be the most correct choice for his career.

If his formula talent was only C-Class, then his touring car talent could start at least at B-Class and with experience, reach an A-Class level.

At the start of 2009, three Chinese drivers were competing in European formula races; less than a year later, only Chen Xiangbei remains. It’s somewhat sentimental.