"Odetto, I understand."

"Next lap, in the next lap, I will overtake Barrichello."

Chen Xiangbei's intuition was not low; he could grasp Odetto's intentions.

Whether Barrichello truly intended to collide or was using the track to 'draw a dragon' as a threat.

How could an elder statesman driver block while multitasking?

Even Schumacher couldn't block him just now, relying on being the best number two driver in history?

If he can't get past, there's no excuse; it's his own lack of skill!

If you want to prove you're not lacking, then overtake at the fastest speed.

The race reached the fifth lap, and although Barrichello's 'want-it-all' tactics were quite successful, the pressure on him was immense.

So much so that it was far beyond his previous expectations, he even had a tinge of regret.

Jenson Button was a steady-type driver, and although overtaking him was difficult, keeping up was not hard.

The attacking Chen Xiangbei gave an impression of relentless onslaught. Barrichello had no doubt that if he made even the slightest mistake in defense or wasn't forceful and decisive enough, he would be overtaken by this Chinese rookie.

If he had known it would be like this, he should have listened to the team's instructions and focused on defending against Chen Xiangbei first!

After all, the aggressive attacks from the Chinese Kid consumed a lot of tire wear, and it wouldn't last long.

But there's no choice to regret in this world; Barrichello could only bite the bullet and do his best to block Chen Xiangbei.

The two cars drove in succession out of Turn 6 onto a long straight, one of the most common overtaking points at the East Sea International Circuit in later years.

Only, the method of overtaking in later years relied on using DRS to pass the car in front. But at this time, the flywheel hybrid energy storage system had no restrictions on release, meaning the rear car could open it, and so could the car in front.

Unless the car in front hadn't completed energy storage or just released the flywheel power, the speed of the two cars would return to a balance.

It was evident that Barrichello and Chen Xiangbei were maintaining the same rhythm, using flywheel energy storage for a straightforward overtaking on the straight wouldn't work; they had to rely on their driving skills using traditional drafting methods.

The problem is, at the same speed, how could Chen Xiangbei draft?

The answer is to make the speeds different!

On the long straight after exiting Turn 6, Chen Xiangbei reached an astonishing speed of 290km/h, completely squeezing the potential of low downforce settings and the Toyota engine to the limit.

To win the championship, you first need the courage and determination to go all out.

Any slight hesitation in F1 equals missed opportunities!

Barrichello watched the 13th car rapidly closing in his rearview mirror. He could already sense Chen Xiangbei's unstoppable intention to overtake and immediately changed his lane to block Chen Xiangbei's path.

As long as Chen Xiangbei made a lane change to overtake, Barrichello would synchronize his lane changes, even if it meant violating regulations in the braking zone.

A youngster trying to play against a defense-experienced veteran was still a tad too naïve!

However, this time, Chen Xiangbei didn't rush to change lanes for an overtaking move; instead, he utilized Barrichello's adjustments, rapidly closing in to tailgate him so closely that the cars could be measured in centimeters.

F1 cars have long noses, and with an almost reclined seating posture, it's actually very challenging to judge the distance precisely.

This is akin to a person driving a car without front radar and imagery, with the seat adjusted to the lowest, leaning back while driving half-reclined.

When your line of sight is just above the steering wheel, the entire nose falls into a blind spot!

How do you judge the distance from obstacles? It entirely depends on the driver's experience and car sense.

Especially at speeds over 200km/h, no doubt, it's like dancing on a knife-edge!

Chen Xiangbei approached Barrichello so closely because he didn't want to give him reaction time for a lane change.

The shorter the distance, the quicker the draft speed, and the higher the difficulty of changing lanes to block!

The two cars reached the traditional braking zone at the T7 bend at high speed. Barrichello didn't slow down at his usual spot; he was worried that if he braked, Chen Xiangbei might not respond in time and rear-end him.

Or, Chen Xiangbei might seize the opportunity to overtake while he slowed down!

The Chinese rookie was never Barrichello's main focus, but that didn't mean he knew nothing about Chen Xiangbei's driving style and habits.

Late braking and hard braking into corners were Chen Xiangbei's driving characteristics.

Barrichello just wanted to defend against Chen Xiangbei and had no intention of mutual ruin; a rear-end collision would mean mutual destruction.

As East Sea International Circuit's initial champion driver, Barrichello's ambitions were as great as Chen Xiangbei's desire to step on the podium, even aiming for the pinnacle. How could a rookie like Chen Xiangbei be worthy of retiring side by side with him?

However, Barrichello underestimated Chen Xiangbei's determination. Just as they were about to miss the braking zone and the car was about to run off the track, the Chinese Kid still showed no sign of slowing down.

[FUCK!]

Barrichello cursed inwardly, feeling that the Chinese Kid was a reckless maniac.

Barrichello had no choice; not wanting to run off the track, he had to slam on the brakes, reducing speed from a frenzied 290km/h to about 75km/h instantly.

Barrichello's heavy braking made it look as if Chen Xiangbei, who followed closely, would crash into him.

But the anticipated accident didn't happen. Chen Xiangbei used Barrichello's deceleration, suddenly yanked the steering wheel for a lane-change draft at the critical moment, with the front wing even brushing against the rear wheel of the Williams number 9 car!