"Even if you persuade them, will the drivers listen?"

"It's just a mere practice session, and nothing is certain yet. Thinking about the consequences now is a waste of Bei's fighting spirit and competitive drive."

Briatore continued to show his sharp tongue, especially when it came to openly mocking Odetto.

As the winner of the "Red and Blue War," Hua Bu had a strong sense of superiority. Facing Ferrari's strategy group of cowards once more, they would still be defeated under his leadership!

"Briatore, your attempts to provoke me are useless."

"Unlike you who are in it for profit, I'm only responsible for the drivers."

Odetto replied coldly, knowing full well that Briatore didn't like him.

But the root cause wasn't any opposition from the "Red and Blue War."

Instead, the Honda team he led obstructed the Italian rogue's absolute control over the team!

To use an internet saying, only kids care about right and wrong, adults only look at benefits.

Moreover, in this kind of competition between teams, what old grudges can there be? Even team leaders can switch allegiances easily; today's enemies might become tomorrow's friends.

As if Odetto had been pinpointed accurately, Briatore's mocking became an awkward smile.

Odetto didn't bother to argue further. He pressed the team radio and said, "Bei, your tire life is at forty-seven percent, fuel is at thirty-nine percent. You can maintain grip for three laps at full throttle."

"Rosberg is using soft red tires and is currently 1.7 seconds ahead of you. Are you considering a pit stop?"

Listening to Odetto's inquiry about a pit stop, Chen Xiangbei frowned and said,

"Are you asking me to back down?"

"NO, pit stop for refueling and tire change, then get back in!"

Since the opponent is prepared, who says Chen Xiangbei can't be prepared too?

Light fuel and soft tire strategy is not just Rosberg's specialty. Chen Xiangbei can pit for a tire change as well.

Sawano Hiroyuki had never raced on foreign circuits. It's not wrong for him to emphasize safety based on his understanding, but Odetto understood the significance of racing at home much better.

At most, unleash everything for a fair duel. HRT Team is not afraid of challenges!

"No need to pit. I can catch up and overtake him."

"OK, show me your performance."

Odetto said no more and directly cut off the team radio.

Honestly, he was quite curious about how much potential Xiangbei could tap into on this home circuit in East Sea.

The roar of the engines echoed across the sky as Chen Xiangbei's #13 car accelerated wildly, rushing forward, presenting a scene entirely different from earlier tests.

In the Mercedes Team's pit stop, the strategy group members were also monitoring the situation on the track.

Rosberg's provoking move wasn't instigated by the Mercedes strategy group; they wouldn't issue such meaningless instructions either.

But as all this had already happened, even if Ross Brown had a relationship with Chen Xiangbei, he wouldn't forcefully stop it.

The reason was simple: after being defeated by Chen Xiangbei in two consecutive races, Rosberg had developed a "devil in his heart."

He needed to use some method to regain his confidence, even if that method wasn't the most honorable.

"Schumacher, do you think Bei can catch up to Rosberg?"

Ross Brown asked Schumacher next to him.

Schumacher's rain victory at the Australian Grand Prix had revitalized the Mercedes Team, igniting hopes of the King of Cars' return.

However, this victory was more like a brief brilliant moment.

Schumacher's fierce chase put a lot of pressure on his body, leading to the resurfacing of old injuries from a motorcycle accident. In this event, he even experienced left shoulder numbness and sudden dizziness, ending the practice session early to rest in the paddock and save energy for the afternoon's qualifying.

"Two laps, Bei can pursue for at most two laps."

Compared to Odetto's three-lap estimate, Schumacher lowered the bar.

The East Sea International Circuit is a tire-consuming track. Chen Xiangbei's full throttle push would consume tires beyond expectations, and if he couldn't catch up to Rosberg in two laps, the attack-defense battle would be non-existent.

"I asked if he can catch up?"

Ross Brown emphasized, hinting at who was stronger between Rosberg and Chen Xiangbei.

Truthfully, this question was a lingering issue for the new season.

After all, no one was closer than the former Brown GP Team to signing Chen Xiangbei as an official team driver.

With Mercedes buying in, a German license became mandatory. With Schumacher's comeback occupying one seat, the only options left in the paddock that met the criteria were Vettel and Rosberg.

Unquestionably, Vettel, driving a championship-contending Red Bull car, wouldn't transfer, leaving Rosberg as the sole choice.

Often, Ross Brown wondered, if given the choice again, could he withstand the pressure from Daimler Group and sign Chen Xiangbei for a shot at the future?

But in this world, there's no "what if." Just as Ross Brown was getting lost in thought, the black-orange HRT Racing Car had already closed in on the silver Mercedes.

In just one lap, Chen Xiangbei shaved off a second!

Seeing the "Black Ghost" appear in the rearview mirror, Rosberg could hardly believe his eyes.

Impossible! How could Chen Xiangbei be so fast, shaving a second off a lap with medium tires against soft red tires?

Considering the tire difference, it meant Chen Xiangbei's theoretical lap time was 1.5 seconds faster than his own!

Even though this wasn't a race, and he wasn't at his best, such speed was still astounding.