Chapter 608: Chapter 240: Theoretical Possibility of Winning the Championship (Part 2)

At this moment, she truly understood her son’s original racing dreams.

After finishing the family’s meal, Chen Xiangbei went to his high school, inviting teachers and entrusted them with reaching out to former classmates, asking them to come to the East Sea International Racing Circuit to watch the home Grand Prix, if they had time.

Just like future Mercedes rookie Antonelli, who invited his teachers and classmates to witness his home debut at the Imola Circuit.

Now that high school graduates had dispersed, Chen Xiangbei wasn’t sure how many could come, and many friendships and memories had faded.

But he still extended the invitation.

After all, such an opportunity might only come once in a lifetime.

Of course, his true friends, Fat Wang and Glasses Zhou, were contacted by Chen Xiangbei himself, and they would directly reach the team’s P room to watch the race.

After finishing all this, Chen Xiangbei stayed peacefully at the Guangshen home for a few days, putting aside the competition and profession for a brief return to ordinary, peaceful life.

Until the TV news reported that all F1 teams were about to arrive at the East Sea International Airport, marking the end of Chen Xiangbei’s leisurely time, and he needed to switch to the state of one of the world’s top professional drivers.

Chen Xiangbei helped his mother Zhao Yumei book the Sunday ticket to East Sea for the main race, while he made a call to Qin Lianjie, and the two took turns driving the Volkswagen R36 to East Sea, avoiding the fervent fans and supporters.

The last time he "self-drove" to East Sea was with Uncle Liang driving the Subaru Impreza.

Now retracing that journey, he felt a sense of times changed.

"Xiangbei, how have you been feeling these past few days?"

Qin Lianjie asked while driving.

"A sense of dreamlike illusion, not quite adapted."

Maybe Chen Xiangbei had gotten used to the high-intensity rhythm of racing, and peaceful life made him feel somewhat unreal.

No wonder many drivers indulge in extreme sports during breaks; indeed, the adrenaline rush from speed and passion on the track can be addictive.

"Honestly, watching you on stage live, I also felt a sense of dreamlike illusion."

Qin Lianjie replied with a smile, knowing Chen Xiangbei was exceptionally talented, destined to achieve results in the future.

Yet he never expected that he could reach the level of standing on the F1 podium in just over a year after going to Europe.

A Chinese driver standing on the podium had been unimaginable in the domestic racing circle.

If this isn’t a dream, then what is?

"Really? Then you might never wake up."

"That confident?"

Qin Lianjie heard the undertones of Chen Xiangbei’s confidence.

"No confidence, no driving F1."

"Indeed!"

To this, Qin Lianjie nodded in agreement; a top driver should carry the pride and confidence befitting a top driver.

"Xiangbei, I hope to see you on stage at the East Sea Station too."

Qin Lianjie expressed his wish, compared to the Australia Station, standing on stage at the Chinese Grand Prix at the home circuit undoubtedly carries extraordinary significance.

"Just on stage?"

"You mean..."

"I want to stand at the top!"

Hearing Chen Xiangbei’s reply, Qin Lianjie swallowed heavily.

If the way Chen Xiangbei presented himself earlier was confident, then now it could be described as "exuding dominance."

At this moment, the feeling Chen Xiangbei gave him was entirely different from that of the youthful boy before.

"Alright, then let me witness you standing at the top."

Qin Lianjie offered his blessing, only that within his heart, he perceived Chen Xiangbei’s words more as a pre-race motivational declaration.

Standing on stage in Australia felt like a dream already; truly standing at the top on a Chinese home circuit?

Reason told Qin Lianjie it wasn’t likely.

However, Chen Xiangbei having this ambition was always a positive thing. If the driver himself didn’t dare to think it, then that’s what’s truly impossible.

After a long drive of over a dozen hours, the Volkswagen R36 arrived within East Sea.

Tomorrow is only the Friday practice session, but East Sea has already showcased the grand F1 atmosphere, with various promotional brochures about the East Sea Grand Prix lining the roadsides.

At the entrance of the East Sea International Circuit, there stood colossal posters of the twenty-four drivers, with Schumacher and Chen Xiangbei placed prominently at the front and most visible positions.

The silver Mercedes and black HRT, creating a sense of fateful duel.

"Xiangbei, this poster is truly stunning."

Qin Lianjie stood at the gate, looking up at the massive posters, his tone filled with awe.

On the poster, Chen Xiangbei wore a racing suit in black and orange combinations, with arms crossed in front of his chest, his gaze firmly looking into the distance.

The bright red national flag at the waist position stood out strikingly against the black racing suit; it’s the first time the F1 Chinese Grand Prix has its own home driver and not just someone else’s stage.

"It’s alright."

Chen Xiangbei replied with feigned ease, while internally, his emotional impact was no less than that of Qin Lianjie.

To know that this was the dream of two lifetimes for himself, and Chen Xiangbei didn’t arrive with the team, it was also his first time seeing his gigantic poster, the feedback from which brought a difficult-to-describe emotional value.

"Okay, I’ve taken you here, you can go in."

Qin Lianjie waved his hand, as the East Sea Circuit was currently in a closed state, only the team and staff were permitted to enter.

"Thanks."

"Between us, are formalities needed?"

"I’ll come over to cheer for you during the race!"

"Good."

Between men, no need for excessive pretentiousness; after a simple farewell, Chen Xiangbei drove the Volkswagen R36 alone towards the circuit’s maintenance station.

Due to the two-week gap between the Chinese Grand Prix and the Australian Grand Prix, the team had ample time to complete the P room setup and track layout, so there weren’t many busy workers.

But the HRT Team was different; the technical group and team engineers were still busy assembling the racing car.

So when Chen Xiangbei arrived at the team P room, no one noticed his presence at first.

"Manager Briatore, isn’t the car assembled yet?"

Chen Xiangbei asked unexpectedly.

Known for Briatore’s usual carefree attitude, yet extremely strict and serious in team management affairs.

It was already Thursday, and the appearance of an unfinished car assembly wasn’t expected.

The sudden presence of a voice startled Briatore, who was focused on the car assembly.

Initially wanting to scold, but seeing it’s Chen Xiangbei transformed his expression immediately.

With a slightly delighted and excited tone, Briatore said, "North, do you want to know why the assembly is so late?"

"Just say it."

Regarding the Italian old rogue, Chen Xiangbei really didn’t want to waste words.

Once caught in his rhythm, who knows what kind of tricks and traps he might concoct.

However, this time, Briatore didn’t set traps; the late car assembly was no accident.

"North, do you know how hard the headquarters engineers have worked during this time? Design Director Bob has even exhausted his few remaining hairs in the process. Dozens of hours of wind tunnel time, blowing away expenses exceeding five million US dollars, while Toyota attempted to sell the engine design diagrams at a high price..." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Focus on the main point."

Facing Briatore’s incessant complaints, Chen Xiangbei chose to interrupt.

"The main point is that the TF110 has been reborn, overcoming shortcomings of engine high power instability, with horsepower restored to over 800."

"Meanwhile, we have redesigned the entire rear body layout, leaving more space for exhaust-driven components, increasing cool air intake to integrate hot exhaust gas, thereby reducing the pressure on the rear wheel brake system."

"In summary, upgraded HRT racing car computer simulated data show improvements by nearly 0.3 seconds compared to before; we’ve reached the speed of the second-fastest car in the paddock."

Pausing here, Briatore revealed a proud smile, "We might even have already caught up to Red Bull!"

Within the F1 paddock, whether a driver can win a championship, the car always takes the forefront position.

Even drivers like Schumacher, Alonso, Verstappen with a natural 0.5-second advantage, facing a tractor-like car, couldn’t outrun mid-range drivers.

Moreover, often this 0.5-second advantage relies on conditions such as fitting the car’s characteristics well, or a driver’s peak state, or on a highly adept track.

It’s not truly about achieving the same car leading other drivers by 0.5 seconds at each station.

After all, the gap between F1 drivers isn’t that vast.

Previously, if Chen Xiangbei’s championship aspirations were potential and talent, now the team has provided him with solid skills.

With a skilled driver paired with a fast car, Chen Xiangbei possesses all the conditions needed for a championship fight!