Car Racing without Money-Chapter 538 - 209: Racing Against the Wind (Part 2)

Chapter 538: Chapter 209: Racing Against the Wind (Part 2)

So much so that he had no idea what Chen Xiangbei was researching.

"He has grasped the essence of Albert racetrack."

Odetto replied calmly.

Wind, rain, and temperature, these three points are not only understood by Trulli, but Odetto, who has worked in the paddock for decades, also understands them.

He originally planned to explain on-site to Chen Xiangbei the key characteristics when walking the track on Thursday, but unexpectedly this kid grasped it in advance.

Xiangbei’s racing talent is truly terrifyingly high!

"Essence?"

Briatore was taken aback, not understanding what riddle Odetto was playing.

But it sounded like a good thing, so what Chen Xiangbei was doing became irrelevant.

Just look at the results, not the process, that’s Hua Bu’s persona!

March 36th, Friday, the first practice session of the Australia Grand Prix.

Still following the usual habit, Chen Xiangbei got up early to get ready to head to the track.

Seeing Chen Xiangbei coming out of the room, Odetto asked meaningfully.

"Understood?"

"Yeah."

Chen Xiangbei knew what Odetto wanted to ask, and he nodded.

"OK, let’s head out."

No more words were needed, this was the tacit understanding built over time between the two.

As usual, team members gathered and took the bus from the hotel to the track, seemingly more cost-effective compared to other teams’ luxury car appearances, but this isn’t the most commercially valuable way for drivers to travel.

In theory, drivers arriving in sponsored brand vehicles maximizes benefits.

Just like Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, and other teams, no matter which race they’re at, as long as they appear in front of fans and media, they will definitely arrive in their brand’s car.

In some way, this is a promotional method.

Originally Hua Bu intended to sell the vehicle sponsorship rights to Toyota, after all, they are the engine supplier for the HRT Team, and both sides have a good cooperative relationship.

However, Chen Xiangbei persuaded against it, he hoped to leave this opportunity for Chinese car brands.

Theoretically, team shareholder Huali Group is the most suitable candidate, but acquiring Volvo Group and investing in HRT has already exhausted Huali Automobile’s liquidity, even affecting cash flow safety.

Even though Huali is a team shareholder, to get the vehicle sponsorship rights, still needs to fulfill the "business is business" approach.

No choice but to put it aside temporarily, waiting for Huali Automobile to recover.

Meanwhile, Chen Xiangbei also had Lu Xiaoman contact other domestic car brands, like Dream Car, Changrui Automobile, etc.

After all, the sponsorship of travel vehicles for F1 teams offers incredible exposure globally, and it can also significantly elevate the brand’s prestige.

Think about it, if even F1 teams use it, isn’t that better than finding a celebrity endorsement?

Unfortunately, in this era, apart from Huali intending to enter motorsports, other car companies still maintain a cautious attitude towards such high investments purely for elevating brand value.

Without reaching a certain scale and market first, exposure doesn’t necessarily convert to value and profit.

If it was put in the new energy era ten years later, I bet they would be breaking their necks to grab this sponsorship slot!

Due to the "sensational" scene at the airport, this time Chen Xiangbei refrained from stepping out early to greet fans, to avoid causing chaos.

When the group arrived at the team’s paddock area, Briatore stopped Chen Xiangbei and said: "Xiangbei, get ready, attend the pre-race press conference."

Before every F1 Grand Prix, three to six drivers are invited to attend an official FIA press conference.

The spot for the Bahrain opener was given to Schumacher, Button, and Vettel.

Needless to say, Schumacher was a nailed-down central figure, with comeback hype sweeping the global car scene, occupying a spot was a must.

Button is the defending champion, also deserving a spot.

The last one was given to Vettel, the runner-up in 2009, breaking numerous youngest driver records in F1 history, regarded as Schumacher’s successor, naturally deserving better exposure.

Now at the Australia Grand Prix, a new batch of drivers will attend the pre-race press conference.

Theoretically Chen Xiangbei as a rookie, and HRT as a "newcomer" team, wouldn’t get a spot so soon.

After all, there are still star drivers like Alonso, Hamilton, Masa, Barrichello, etc. ahead.

But this time the pre-race press expanded to six drivers, and Chen Xiangbei’s fifth place in the opener was bright enough, plus the "conflict" with Rosberg and Kovalainen, directly making his traffic explode!

Controversial or not, it’s still attention, FIA immediately revised the attendance order, granting Chen Xiangbei a priority spot.

"Manager, isn’t the event center trying to use me to hype things up?"

"Bingo, that’s right, they want to use you for hype, along with Rosberg and Kovalainen."

"But it’s a good thing, if you seize the opportunity, I can help you sign more endorsements!"

Briatore was a bit excited, knowing that according to his agent agreement with Chen Xiangbei, he can earn twenty percent of the proceeds.

He was originally thinking of pulling some strings, trying to capitalize on the online buzz.

Unexpectedly, FIA delivered the interview slot!

If handled properly, Hua Bu is confident of leveraging this wave of heat to help Chen Xiangbei secure three to five million US dollars in endorsements.

By then, the HRT team race suits will be plastered with various sponsor logos!

"Go on, don’t be late!"

The more Briatore thought about it, the more excited he became, quickly patting Chen Xiangbei’s shoulder, signaling him to get moving.