The race is fifty-six laps long. Instead of stubbornly holding on for appearances, it's better to discuss strategies beforehand to avoid situations where performance collapses due to exhaustion.

Upon hearing Chen Xiangbei's feedback, Odetto didn't hesitate.

He immediately said to Liang Chi in the garage, "Adjust the suspension stiffness down by one degree."

"Any other issues?"

"When I got off the car, I checked the tire wear situation, and it's more severe than expected. I think we should decide on a pit stop plan in advance and be prepared to conserve tires from the start of the race."

"The tire strategy decision depends on your qualifying results."

Odetto didn't provide an answer. Chen Xiangbei is a bit too eager; we don't even know the qualifying position yet, so how can we decide on a pit stop plan early?

"What if it's pole position?"

When Chen Xiangbei uttered this sentence, the expressions on the faces of those in the pit box varied.

This kid is really confident in taking pole position...

"One stop, start on medium yellow tires, don't bet on the safety car."

The logic of F1 tire strategy is that the more pit stops you make, the less you have to care about tire wear, and the driver can push their lap times as much as possible.

But there's a prerequisite: you need to be able to create an 18-second pit window with new tires against others on old tires. Otherwise, pushing hard is meaningless as you'll still fall behind your opponents.

However, there are exceptions. If a yellow or red flag is waved on the track, it shortens this pit window.

If luck is good enough with a multiple-stop strategy, catching a few safety cars is like having no time wasted in the pits, running the whole race on new tires against others' old tires, reaping the benefits.

Some drivers starting from lower qualifying positions may even begin on soft red tires, disregarding track wear, to gain the initial traction for overtakes in just a few laps.

Overtake a few opponents, then bet on a safety car to change tires, it's like getting gains for free!

But as the saying goes, only the weak need to gamble.

The strong, having taken all advantages, just let things flow naturally.

Since Chen Xiangbei has the confidence to take pole position, then employ the strategy with the least variability, running two sets of tires to the end!

"Team Principal Odetto, the one-stop strategy has high requirements for tire conservation, and Xiangbei hasn't been sufficiently verified in the F1 paddock."

Sawano Hiroyuki expressed objection beside him.

The one-stop strategy with medium yellow tire starts puts the pit window at 15 laps, meaning the next set of hard white tires needs to last the remaining forty laps.

Though hard white tires are very durable, they are still slick tires by nature, and the pressure of forty laps is too much.

In the 25th Chinese Grand Prix, for the first time in its 75-year history, the Ferrari Team had both cars disqualified. Leclerc's tires were worn excessively, leading to the post-race weigh-in falling below the standard by one kilogram.

After the race, the team's technical director admitted that the simulator underestimated tire consumption on the East Sea Circuit, while front wing damage amplified the additional load tires had to bear.

"Then let's use this race for verification."

Odetto's tone was very calm, yet it was uncompromising.

Getting more timid with age?

This doesn't apply to Odetto. As long as Chen Xiangbei has enough ambition to win the championship, he will provide the aggressive packages the other side wants.

"Alright, let's go with the one-stop strategy."

Chen Xiangbei nodded. On the East Sea Circuit, he doesn't need to be a gambler!

While Chen Xiangbei and Odetto were discussing, the countdown for the third practice session ended.

Upon learning he posted the fastest lap, Hamilton didn't display much happiness on his face.

The reason is simple; he knew it was a result of the team overclocking the engine. Since the McLaren Team could do it, the HRT Team could as well. Chen Xiangbei's early recall to the pits was likely for setting up the engine output mode.

How fast the fully realized Chen Xiangbei is remains a mystery.

However, this posed no significant pressure for Hamilton. No matter how fast Chen Xiangbei is, he would only be faster.

This is the confidence of a world champion!

Alonso was crowned by defeating Schumacher in the "Red-Blue Duel."

Raikkonen achieved godhood by making a remarkable comeback to win the world championship in '07.

Hamilton is becoming the new king everyone's anticipating by sweeping through all F1 records.

(p>He never thought anyone's talent and speed could surpass his, including legendary drivers like Schumacher and Alonso, let alone a newcomer like Chen Xiangbei.

Other top drivers returning to the pits had similar mindsets to Hamilton, equally convinced of their abilities.

In a certain sense, this is necessary.

A driver without this level of confidence could never become top-notch.

There's an interval of about three hours after the practice session for drivers to have some lunch, take a short rest, and gather their strength for the afternoon's qualifying.

After eating, Chen Xiangbei prepared to head to the driver's lounge to take a nap, but as soon as he opened the door, he saw Trulli inside, eyes fixed on an on-board footage on the laptop, trying to glean some insights.

The same scene used to feature Chen Xiangbei himself, now it's someone else.

Honestly, Chen Xiangbei could sense Trulli's pressure; he was so eager to push out a result and stay in the paddock.

There was a time Chen Xiangbei held a similar determination, hoping to pass through the gateway into the F1 paddock and secure a spot as an official driver.

"Take a rest, don't put too much pressure on yourself."

After a moment of hesitation, Chen Xiangbei eventually offered a reminder.

Racing also demands a certain relaxation and moderation. Spending lunch break poring over footage without eating might lead to mental tension, affecting the performance in the afternoon qualifying.