Car Racing without Money-Chapter 488 - 191: I’m Not Fighting Alone (3)

At that time, Chen Xiangbei displayed a dominating level of strength, particularly the unstoppable momentum during overtaking, which was destined to be extraordinary!

"A genius of lower-level formula racing is merely witnessing the threshold of F1."

"What is called a miracle is nothing uncommon in F1."

Emil calmly replied.

He was somewhat confused about where James, who had been commentating on races for years and should be seasoned, thought that lower-level formula racing holds any "miracle" value.

The two commentators’ conversation didn’t last long before they were drawn to the roar of engines on the track.

The countdown for the qualifying round had already started, with McLaren Team’s Jenson Button being the first to hit the track amid applause and cheers from the entire venue.

This was the privilege belonging to the defending champion.

However, when a silver car took to the track, even the defending champion had to avoid its edge.

He was Schumacher from Mercedes Team!

The return of the King of Cars to the track drove the long-awaited fans into frenzy; they screamed and cheered with all their might, just to let their idol feel their fervent belief.

"Come on, Schumacher, clinch the pole position, clinch the victory, clinch the eighth crown!"

"The strongest F1 driver, without exception!"

"Schumacher, you are the god in my heart!"

Amid the roar of the Mercedes engine, the shouts from the grandstands were incessant whispers.

Every driver witnessing this scene couldn’t help but show an expression of yearning and envy on their face.

This is the legacy of a true epoch-making driver, no matter how he was away from the track for three years, the moment he returned, it was destined to be a king’s return!

Chen Xiangbei also gazed at the scene in the paddock with dreamy eyes, arguably compared to Senna, Schumacher was the enlightening figure for Chinese fans, even transcending racing itself!

Many people don’t even watch F1, but they know who Schumacher is.

Just like many people haven’t watched professional boxing, yet they are well-acquainted with Tyson.

But this dreamy gaze quickly faded, replaced by a clarity.

"Odetto, should I get ready to start?"

Chen Xiangbei asked a question, already infected by the atmosphere of the track, his whole blood began to boil.

Drivers are about to ascend their ultimate stage!

"Last start, bet on one lap." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Odetto directly informed the team’s strategy, giving Chen Xiangbei just one lap opportunity.

Normally, the later you start in the qualifying, the greater the advantage of track conditions.

The special desert conditions of the Bahrain Sakhir Circuit further amplified this advantage more than one level.

Odetto needed the cars in front to drive and clean up the grit on the track, as well as leave enough rubber debris to improve grip.

Mid-small teams don’t have much leverage to gamble; to defeat the more powerful and well-established big teams, they inevitably have to take bigger risks; frankly, they can only gamble on the lap with the best track condition.

At noon, Odetto also didn’t rest, engaging in data analysis with Sawano Hiroyuki and Mizutani Sho.

After three practice sessions, through data collection and comparison of twelve teams in the paddock, Odetto could basically draw a conclusion that the TF110 car’s competitiveness was not as strong as last year’s RA109 prototype.

The absolute speed approximately ranking around fifth or sixth in the paddock, matching the rankings of Chen Xiangbei and Trulli in the third practice.

Although TF110 possesses some black technology, it has never solved the cooling issue.

Meanwhile, the delay in wind tunnel construction means that many aerodynamic kits and upgrade parts cannot undergo airflow simulation tests, equivalent to standing still after winter testing.

In the first qualifying round, the top fifteen drivers advance; theoretically, TF110 has enough performance.

But there is no absoluteness in motorsport, and Odetto first has to ensure advancing to Q2.

As for advancing to Q3, it’s temporarily outside the target.

This is the "sorrow" of mid-small teams, losing on the starting line and having to give their all every race.

The starting point for major teams might just be the end point for mid-small teams!

"Roger that."

Chen Xiangbei nodded, sitting in the cockpit, eyes fixed on the broadcast screen hanging on the wall.

The total time for the first qualifying round is only 18 minutes; considering the warm-up lap and traffic congestion, and the high tire wear at the Bahrain Circuit, most drivers can actually only run two timed laps at most.

Cars speeding by, the lap time rankings constantly updated.

The quickest lap in the third practice of 1 minute 31.379 seconds was instantly broken, with Red Bull Racing Team’s Vettel directly improving by 0.4 seconds, entering the realm of 1 minute 30 seconds.

Upon seeing this number emerge, the expressions on the faces of HRT Team crew members became grave.

Especially the members of the strategy group, they expected other drivers to conceal, but didn’t anticipate it to be this exaggerated.

With this trend going, the track record would be broken without suspense.

Seemingly verifying the strategy group’s thoughts, the top position in the lap times almost changed names with an exaggerated improvement close to 0.1 seconds.

Schumacher, Alonso, Hamilton, Masa.

Familiar names continually refreshed the fastest lap.

However, Chen Xiangbei’s goal was not on the fastest lap but the 15th record.

As long as he surpasses the driver ranked 15th, it means he can advance to Q2.

Currently, this lap time is 1 minute 30.879 seconds, almost 2 seconds faster than Chen Xiangbei’s fastest lap in the third practice.

"North, the time has come, go out!"

Odetto’s voice appeared at the side of the ear, and Chen Xiangbei, who had long been ready, slammed down the accelerator, driving the car out of the pit.

Compared to the cheers for Schumacher, at this moment, the audience’s attention was entirely on the duel between drivers on the track, hardly anyone noticed the HRT Team heading out for tire warming.

But that’s actually good, as Chen Xiangbei anticipated that greeting him probably wouldn’t be applause and cheers, but rather more ridicule and boos.

Yet the actual situation was different from what Chen Xiangbei thought.

When he came to the exit of the pit lane, facing the primary grandstand on the side of the track, he saw a tiny "red" emblem, which was Chinese fans holding the national flag to support him.

"Chen Xiangbei has appeared, finally a formal Chinese F1 driver, appearing in the opening race!"

"Yes, it’s our Chinese driver!"

"Come on Chen Xiangbei, don’t let the foreigners look down on you!"

"Chen Xiangbei, no matter where, you always have us!"

The shouts weren’t very loud, even drowned in the engine roar.

But Chen Xiangbei, through the helmet visor, could feel that passion.

I have never been fighting alone!