Car Racing without Money-Chapter 498 - 195: Emerging Black Technologies

"Odetto, what’s my rank for this lap?"

Chen Xiangbei asked, his voice noticeably weak at this moment.

After intense three sessions of qualifying rounds, although it seemed like just a few timed laps, every lap was pushed to the limit, all out, risking everything, and the ten-minute break in between was far from enough to catch a breath.

Especially with the high temperatures at the Bahrain Circuit, wearing flame-resistant underwear coupled with heavy racing suits, along with the open cockpit of the Formula car, it was akin to standing under the scorching sun of over thirty degrees, wearing a heavy quilted jacket!

And considering the tight full helmet, it’s even more uncomfortable than wearing a "big quilted hat".

This is an experience Chen Xiangbei never went through in his previous life, after all, the supporting races for the F2, F3 Level considering logistical costs are mostly held in the European Region, with a maximum temperature of just around twenty degrees.

Don’t be fooled by the mere ten-degree difference, the actual experience differs vastly.

No wonder Bahrain would be converted to night races later; midday qualifying rounds are hard to endure even for F1 Driver with top-tier fitness.

"Seventh."

Odetto maintained his "cool" demeanor, giving a simple response.

Yet this time, after answering, he added.

"Not bad."

Honestly, for a rookie F1 Driver, advancing to Q3 in the debut qualifying round is already worth boasting about, not to mention defeating an older teammate to achieve a seventh place ranking.

Odetto originally wanted to give more straightforward praise to Chen Xiangbei, but considering the real determinant, the race, has yet to come, many things should be moderated.

The wavering emotions during the qualifying rounds indicate that Chen Xiangbei hasn’t reached the "car man" level yet, excessive praise could easily lead young people to become arrogant and complacent.

[Seventh?]

Upon hearing this rank, Chen Xiangbei felt conflicted.

Happy, yet somewhat unsatisfied.

The application of the waste gas diffuser allowed the TF110 Racing Car to start off strong in the race.

The extreme cornering speed is the best evidence, currently, HRT Racing Car is only second to Red Bull’s RB6, reaching the top two level in the paddock.

The problem is such a lead is hard to maintain for the entire season.

For long, it may last three to five races; for short, the next race station, big teams can replicate and imitate through development.

In fact, in the top-tier team’s research bases, there are already new air kits, just temporarily not equipped onto racing cars due to lack of field results validation.

Just like last year’s double-layer diffuser, a few races later became an average team configuration, causing Brown GP Team’s mid-term scores to almost collapse, stabilizing the situation through selling shares to Daimler Group and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

How long HRT’s lead advantage will last, Chen Xiangbei doesn’t know.

But he knows being caught up is definitely a matter of time, this is the essence difference between big teams and medium-small teams.

The development foundation and heritage gap between both can’t possibly be compensated in just one short season.

Even an industry giant like Mercedes takes several seasons of dormancy to build their own eight-time champion dynasty.

Although rationality tells Chen Xiangbei, contending for the championship in the first season seems more like a slogan, or an unreachable dream.

Such a statement might be ridiculed.

But a dream not ridiculed seems to have no value to be realized.

Chen Xiangbei still wants to work towards this goal, just like Brown GP Team last year, establishing a strong moat with early technical advantage, even if other teams catch up later on, still able to laugh till the end.

The seventh place ranking in qualifying is clearly not enough!

Even though Bahrain Sakhir is a track good for overtaking, TF110’s long-distance advantage is not as prominent as in qualifying, making it harder than expected to improve positions.

Chen Xiangbei had many thoughts, while the event commentator was in awe.

"WHY? How could this be possible?"

Emil instinctively voiced this question, initially assuming eighth was Chen Xiangbei’s limit.

Unexpectedly, old tires could raise a position!

No one knows better than Emil, the local, how much Bahrain Circuit "tire consumption" demands.

The old tires in the second flying lap mostly fare slower than new tires, unless the driver hid capabilities, or there’s a burst of improvement in a short time, or else such a reversal situation shouldn’t occur!

"Very surprising, isn’t it?"

James merely smiled in response to this.

After all, he is experienced; Emil’s reaction mirrors his mood when explaining Chen Xiangbei’s Renault and F3 race.

The Chinese Kid always brings unexpected surprises and impacts at unpredicted moments!

"Qualifying in seventh already surpasses Raikkonen’s debut."

"If he can maintain stability in the race, Xiangbei might not only score in his debut but also has a chance to break into the top six again rivaling Raikkonen."

Emil found it incredibly difficult to utter this, as it truly stretches beyond his scope of understanding.

Everyone knows Hua Bu’s statement on Chen Xiangbei’s equivalence to Raikkonen is Italy’s old rogue unmasked marketing hitch.

Yet now Chen Xiangbei is touching the rookie heights of Raikkonen then!

"The stereotype brought by Xiangbei’s identity as a Chinese driver led many to underestimate his talent and ability."

"When you take off the tinted glasses, you can truly feel the brilliance of a rookie in the paddock."

"Emil, Xiangbei is definitely worth the anticipation."

James expressed this sentimentally, if Xiangbei were an European driver, likely long regarded as a rising star in the paddock!