Car Racing without Money-Chapter 410 - 167: Proclaiming to the World with Flair

Chapter 410: Chapter 167: Proclaiming to the World with Flair

His idea was exactly in line with Briatore’s!

Hua Bu himself is an ostentatious person. Now, with a tarnished reputation from the "Crashgate" scandal and a lifetime ban from the FIA, how could he possibly swallow that indignation?

A press conference not only promotes Chen Xiangbei but also Briatore himself.

He wants to announce to the world that Hua Bu is back in the paddock!

The lawn of the HRT Headquarters Factory was packed with European journalists.

They received an invitation from the HRT Team and chose to come almost without hesitation.

Partly because of the special identity of Chen Xiangbei as a Chinese driver.

On the other hand, the fact that Chen Xiangbei jumped straight to an F1 team after just four races was truly "astonishing".

Back at the Spa Circuit, since the main event was not the F3 series, most journalists took Chen Xiangbei’s bold claim to become a full-time driver as a joke.

Now, no one sees it as a joke because the Chinese kid really did it!

As Chen Xiangbei and the HRT Team management entered the press conference area, the sound of cameras clicking and flashes going off never stopped.

Impatient journalists grabbed the microphone and started asking questions.

"Hello, Bei, I’m a reporter from the BBC."

"According to the records, you’ve only raced in four events in Europe. Do you think you entered the F1 paddock based on your skill, or are you a paid driver entering with sponsor money?"

Paid drivers were common around the 2000s, but they still carried the stigma of undermining a driver’s skill.

"Skill."

Chen Xiangbei simply answered.

"You haven’t even won a championship in a lower formula. What makes you think you’re skilled enough to be an F1 driver?"

European media interviews are often less tactful than domestic ones.

Moreover, most of the media attending the press conference today were not limited to the sports media realm, and they weren’t familiar with Chen Xiangbei’s personality or interview style.

This straightforward answer from the Chinese newcomer was seen more as arrogance than confidence in their eyes!

If that’s the case, then there’s no need to be polite; let’s see just how arrogant Chen Xiangbei really is!

"Because I won all four individual event championships, because there’s no one in the paddock who can challenge me."

This time, compared to the "flamboyant" image Odetto had crafted in the past, Chen Xiangbei was even more aggressive.

A nineteen-year-old official F1 driver, standing on top of the racing world, Chen Xiangbei already had the capital to be arrogant.

What kind of young person isn’t full of spirit?

Hearing Chen Xiangbei’s answer, Hua Bu, sitting next to him, was initially surprised, then smiled excitedly.

From both the first impression and the days spent at the Lifield Technology Center, this Chinese kid was not arrogant. On the contrary, he was quite low-key and reserved.

The media interview had seemed to change him completely, which Hua Bu didn’t expect.

But it didn’t matter; the more arrogant Chen Xiangbei was, the more he liked him.

F1 doesn’t need low-key drivers; strong people have their own personalities!

"Mr. Chen Xiangbei, I’m a reporter from Le Monde. You’ve only won one F3 series race in Europe, and you think no one can challenge you?"

The Le Monde reporter asked with a mocking smile on his lips.

The Chinese kid shouldn’t have won, not to mention that winning or losing is commonplace in racing. All he did was win an individual race, and yet he dared to boast about having no competition?

"To be precise, I won three races in one event."

"If you think there’s anyone in the same level who can challenge me, I welcome them to try."

At the Spa Station, in both the qualifying and two main races, Chen Xiangbei never gave his opponents any hope.

Whether it was Ricardo, Bottas, or Bianchi, they could only watch his taillights disappear!

From very early on, Chen Xiangbei understood that to become the top driver, one must be "arrogant".

Even Raikkonen, known for his composure and politeness in the paddock, was inherently aloof.

"Bei, it seems you’re very confident in your abilities. Can you still maintain this in the F1 paddock?"

"Of course."

"So what’s your expectation for your rookie season?"

Faced with this question from a Le Monde reporter, Chen Xiangbei didn’t immediately answer.

Every driver’s ultimate goal is undoubtedly to compete for the F1 world championship title.

But not everything you want is achievable.

F1 is ultimately a team game.

Just as Chen Xiangbei hesitated about whether to continue being arrogant, Briatore took the microphone.

He replied to the journalist, "Champion!"

He then arrogantly added, "Remember, from the moment I became the manager of the HRT Team, the birth of the next champion driver was predestined!"

After saying that, "Hua Bu" gave a smirk towards Chen Xiangbei, thinking that the Chinese kid was still a bit too green, hesitating when answering journalist questions.

For the media, startling statements are more welcome than predictable ones.

Today, the team spent a considerable sum inviting these many mainstream European media not to hear Chen Xiangbei discuss the probability of winning the championship, right?

The answer is obviously no.

No matter what answer Chen Xiangbei gives, he, as a paid driver who purchased a team, is "all talk" without performance to back it up.

Today, Briatore wanted to show Chen Xiangbei what real media presence in the paddock should be like.

Sure enough, when Hua Bu stepped in, the on-site media journalists instantly got excited, for this older Italian figure was full of controversy.

"Briatore, do you think you can successfully appeal to have the FIA’s ban lifted?"

"Briatore, why did you become the team principal of the HRT Team, and is it related to the rookie driver Bei?"

"It’s said that Bei hasn’t obtained the Super Driver’s License yet, and you are under a ban. Isn’t the HRT just an illegal team? Can you really compete?"

"Briatore, having discovered Schumacher and Alonso, do you think Bei will become the next them?"

Faced with a slew of questions from journalists, Briatore only looked at the last one and shook his head, saying: "I don’t think Bei will be the next Schumacher or Alonso."

Upon hearing Hua Bu’s answer, Chen Xiangbei subconsciously thought the guy might be implying something similar, that is, to become the first "Chen Xiangbei".

However, to his surprise, Briatore stood up and boldly declared: "I believe Bei will surpass them!"

What the hell...

This statement left Chen Xiangbei, sitting next to him, completely stunned. He’s heard boasting before, but never like this!