"Xiangbei, that was a beautiful run!"

"Pole position belongs to HRT!"

"Xiangbei, don't worry about the car issues, leave them to us."

"The race will still have a competitive car!"

As Chen Xiangbei walked back to the pit through the escape passage, the team members didn't dwell on the car malfunction issues at all. Instead, they all expressed their encouragement and congratulations.

For F1, especially for a newcomer team that took over the "legacy" of another team halfway, car issues are quite normal. In contrast, having run steadily for three races until pushing the car to the limit, leading to a breakdown, already counts as incredible luck!

Consider how many teams' championship dreams were dashed due to car issues.

For example, during Ferrari's Prancing Horse dynasty, McLaren had pole positions three times but retired due to malfunctions, thereby handing Schumacher an unprecedented five consecutive championships, unlikely to be matched in the future.

Often, destiny works in such ways.

Facing the team's encouragement and congratulations, Chen Xiangbei also showed no sign of disappointment or worry, smiling as he high-fived and cheered with them.

Other team members in the pit lane witnessed this and felt a hard-to-describe feeling.

If taking pole position at the East Sea International Circuit could be attributed to a home advantage, then such a mindset is rare among rookies. Even Kimi Raikkonen, known as the "Ice Man," probably couldn't remain as calm and agreeable as Chen Xiangbei in dealing with unexpected situations.

Car issues can determine the race's champion!

Many drivers, let alone calmly celebrating with the team, struggle with basic emotion and expression management. Quite a few end up complaining or blaming the technical team.

This includes historical GOAT-level drivers like Alonso and Hamilton, who are known for their outspoken nature.

"Brown, you should have kept the Chinese Kid."

Schumacher said faintly to Ross Brown upon witnessing this scene.

With his return to the Mercedes Team, Schumacher increasingly understood the ties between Ross Brown and Chen Xiangbei.

To some extent, Ross Brown can be considered one of Chen Xiangbei's mentors.

Without the signing and assistance of the Brawn GP Team, which helped Chen Xiangbei skip to F1, he might still be struggling in F3 or GP2, delaying his entrance into F1 by at least a year or two.

Listening to Schumacher's words, Ross Brown found it hard to answer.

Admitting regret openly would inevitably hurt Rosberg.

Schumacher could speak openly because, as a driver, he didn't need to worry much about managerial matters.

Additionally, despite both being German drivers, he and Rosberg didn't actually have deep ties, unlike with Vettel.

Schumacher was a great mentor and friend to Vettel, offering substantial help and support even after Mick Schumacher entered the F1 Paddock.

This earned him the title "Uncle Vettel."

"He's the most talented driver I've ever seen over the years."

"If his career history isn't fabricated, there's no one else like him."

Schumacher added.

With advancing age and declining form, post-comeback Schumacher had lost his aggressive sharpness. His evaluation of younger drivers like Chen Xiangbei was much more amiable and generous.

During the Ferrari dynasty era, Schumacher wouldn't easily compliment other drivers and would proclaim himself the best!

"The career history isn't fabricated, but his adaptability is almost like it is."

"You couldn't imagine how a rookie at Renault level could handle F1 simulators and real car winter testing back then."

Ross Brown eventually spoke up, never forgetting the shock Chen Xiangbei brought to him at the headquarters of the Brawn GP Team.

"Is that so? I'd like to see what kind of impact driver Xiangbei can bring in the F1 Paddock."

Schumacher's tone remained indifferent, perhaps because only he could maintain such a "looking down on the world" attitude.

After all, in the realm of racing, Schumacher is a god!

Such discussions and astonishment weren't limited to those within the paddock.

Once the qualifying results were finalized, the global media on site hurried to draft their reports, hoping to be the first to release the news.

The pole position of the first Chinese driver would undoubtedly spark a media storm!

Indeed, the next day, nearly all major sports news headlines focused on the East Sea qualifying and Chen Xiangbei.

"First in the F1 Chinese Grand Prix qualifying, a miracle from Chinese driver Xiangbei!"

"Asia's strongest rookie is born, a rising star in the world of F1 racing!"

"Pole position breaking the track record, what are the limits of Chinese driver Xiangbei?"

"The future of the F1 racing world might be dominated by Chinese drivers!"

"With engine troubles looming, will Xiangbei replicate Sato Takuma's fate from 2004?"

Initially, positive reports about Chen Xiangbei were mainly concentrated domestically or in the Greater China Region.

Foreign media reporters paid more attention to his arrogance, waiting to see his exaggerated words come back to slap him like a clown show.

Of course, they never got that show.

But this time, coverage on Chen Xiangbei was almost all positive!

In the end, strength is the passport in competitive sports, unrelated to nationality, skin color, or race.