Hamilton to some extent has already proven this point, and Chen Xiangbei is currently following in his footsteps.

Chinese or other Asian people can also produce racing geniuses who can become the fastest drivers on the planet!

The only somewhat negative coverage focuses more on Chen Xiangbei's engine troubles after qualifying, which counts as a sort of curse for Asian drivers.

Before Chen Xiangbei, there were two Asian drivers who managed to start from the front row: Sato Aguri's pole position in the 1990 Spain Grand Prix and Sato Takuma's second place in the 2004 Europe Grand Prix.

In fact, in history, there was a third Japanese driver who achieved this, which was during the 2012 Belgium Grand Prix when Kobayashi Kamui ran an astonishing miracle lap.

Although he didn't get pole position, he managed to get second with the mid-tier Sauber car, but still couldn't escape the fate's curse!

Back in 1990, Sato Aguri, after obtaining pole position, retired from the race directly due to clutch failure.

In 2004, Sato Takuma's situation was exactly the same as Chen Xiangbei's, racing a not extraordinarily top-tier British car, activated super-power mode to achieve the second fastest time, just behind the then-peak Schumacher. As a result, he exhausted the engine life, forced to change engines after qualifying and was penalized ten places back.

After Kobayashi Kamui's second place in 2012, the race start had strange brake smoke, then was taken out by Alonso's "Flying Dragon in the Sky" move, not finishing the race.

As the Chinese saying goes, blessings and misfortunes often lie on each other.

To some extent, the later Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu also had a similar experience, achieving the best qualifying result in his career at the Hungary event, but the race start didn't move, and a torpedo incident led to a chain reaction accident and retirement.

It seems that the glorious moments of Asian drivers in qualifying will certainly end in tragedy during the main race…

On Sunday morning, Chen Xiangbei was having breakfast in the restaurant while reading the newspaper brought over by Lu Xiaoman, and his gaze just happened to fall on this "curse" report.

After all, no one knows the huge gap between qualifying and the main race for an Asian driver better than he does.

"Odetto, can the engine problem be fixed?"

Chen Xiangbei put down the newspaper and asked Odetto.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

Upon hearing this answer from Odetto, Chen Xiangbei almost spat out the milk in his mouth.

As the team lead, not knowing whether the engine can be successfully repaired?

"Well, Liang Chi and the whole team of mechanics rushed over in the morning to fix it."

"Based on last night's progress, the engine has significant damage, and even if it can be repaired, there's no guarantee it can last an entire race."

"North, the involvement of the Ferrari team has indeed enhanced the stability of performance release for the engine, but it also made maintenance more troublesome, creating much confusion in the entire engine tuning direction."

Odetto shrugged and revealed the truth.

Just like when the HRT Team was first established, it consisted of talent from the original F3 team, the Super Aguri Team, and some retrenched staff from the Brawn GP Team, plus recruits from the Renault Team, forming a super mixed team.

Now the TF110 car engine, similarly, is mixed with R&D and tuning by HRT, Toyota, and Ferrari, and each team's leading direction is different, plus there are communication barriers in data exchange.

The team integration can still be handled with Briatore's iron-fist policy, anyone not convinced is shown the door.

However, the engine goes beyond the capabilities of the Italian old rogue.

After all, why should others who receive a Toyota or Ferrari paycheck obey you, an HRT manager?

Just because you trained Schumacher and Alonso?

What does that have to do with me as an engineer!

"What are the backup plans?"

Chen Xiangbei didn't dwell on the chaotic issue, directly asked for a solution.

As a driver, he already reached his limits, it's the team's duty to provide a good, fast car.

"Either make do and drive, hoping luck prevents problems in the main race."

"Or directly install a new power unit, accepting the penalty of dropping ten places."

Odetto's professionalism is undeniable, and he was ready with contingency plans.

"I choose the latter."

"If you replace the engine and fall ten places back, based on East Sea International Circuit characteristics, it's impossible to replicate the Australian rain race miracle podium, let alone win the station title."

Odetto solemnly reminded that luck carries a chance to become champion.

Activating a new power unit, unless a miracle like a rain race occurs, certainly cannot become champion.

"I remember you once said, only the weak need to gamble, the strong can control by themselves."

"Rather than believe in luck, I choose to control destiny myself!"

Chen Xiangbei said with determination, knowing the Asian driver curse, he would not leave his fate up to heaven.

This time, he wants to defy the heavens and change his fate!

Facing Chen Xiangbei's answer, Odetto did not immediately respond.

He remained silent for a long time before saying: "Let's go to the track and see how things are going on Liang's side before deciding."

"Okay."

Compared to practice sessions and qualifying, the race day has a much more complex event flow.

Besides the race, there are pre-race interviews and parade activities, etc.

Therefore, the race that afternoon required Chen Xiangbei to head to the track in the morning.

But this time, he was not only with team members but also had classmates picked up by a specially booked car and his mother Zhao Yumei driven by Qin Lianjie.

Utilizing the free time before the morning race, Chen Xiangbei took a group of teachers, classmates, and his mother Zhao Yumei to tour the East Sea International Circuit and the HRT Team's P Room, and also personally touched the No. 13 car he was to drive.

TF110 may not yet be the fastest car on the track, but it is definitely one of the fastest cars on the blue planet, and this first-hand experience made the group of young people very excited, everyone took a group photo as a memento.

Especially Wang Fatty and Zhou Glasses, with the car around, they completely forgot about Chen Xiangbei, said they had to catch up, but directly ignored him, becoming more fascinated by the novelty of the F1 team.

Only his mother, Zhao Yumei, was a mix of pride and worry.

Proud of her son's achievements, worried about his racing safety.

After the tour, the group headed to the VIP viewing room, while Chen Xiangbei officially entered the competition state.

The saying goes you must distinguish between public and private matters, and Chen Xiangbei firmly understands that a clear boundary is necessary, especially playing a game like driving an F1 car on the edge, having a jokey performance attitude will pay a heavy price.

"Uncle Liang, can the engine be fixed?"

Once unrelated personnel cleared out, Chen Xiangbei asked.

"Can't guarantee."

Liang Chi shook his head, let alone an engine that experienced a high-temperature shutdown, even a brand new F1 power unit cannot ensure 100% stability, as it's fragile like a vase.

"Then quickly replace the power unit and have the team report to FIA."

Hearing this from Chen Xiangbei, Briatore's face was filled with surprise.

"North, are you crazy, this is pole position!"

Yesterday, Chen Xiangbei got pole position, and if wondering who was happiest, Briatore would top the list.

This pole isn't just an honor, but it's worth a fortune, and he's already planning with Lu Xiaoman to contact Chinese sponsors quickly, to see if they can urgently stick some logos on the car.

If Chen Xiangbei could win, the sponsorship contract value would at least double!

Chen Xiangbei didn't want to gamble, he chose to believe in himself.

The Italian old rogue is born a gambler, wanting higher benefits!

"I know what you want to say, even without front-row starting, I still have confidence to win."

Chen Xiangbei directly anticipated Briatore's thoughts, not giving him a chance to oppose.

While he doesn't touch on team sponsorship or management matters, focusing solely on being a driver to race well.

But it doesn't mean he is unaware, he might not engage in team sponsorship and management, but focuses on being a good driver.

Yet it doesn't mean he'll leave his fate to luck.

"Uncle Liang, what about the backup plan?"

Since deciding to replace the new power unit, he should drive with more aggressive power output than usual.

Although in normal situations, race engine power is conservative as the goal is stability rather than speed.

But since switching to a new power unit, unless a miracle like a rain race happens, he certainly cannot become champion.

"I remember you saying only the weak need to gamble, the strong can control their own fate."

"Rather than believe in luck, I choose to control my fate!"

Chen Xiangbei responded firmly, knowing the curse on Asian drivers, he won't leave his fate to the heavens.

This time, I will defy the heavens and change my fate!