Car Racing without Money-Chapter 546 - 212: Wrong Direction Leads to Negative Level-Up (Part 3)

Chapter 546: Chapter 212: Wrong Direction Leads to Negative Level-Up (Part 3)

Did he think I’d be scared?

"Ladies and gentlemen, driver number 15, Sutil, has been involved in a track accident. According to the race center’s instructions, the first practice session is ended early."

"This accident was truly unexpected. We can only say that Sutil was somewhat impulsive, while Xiangbei was extremely tough. We hope the rest of the drivers can remain calm in the upcoming races."

Commentator Red made an official statement, without leaning towards any side.

However, after turning off the microphone, he turned to Prost and said, "Professor, Xiangbei’s car was clearly leading Sutil, yet he chose to overtake on the final straight, and it felt like he deliberately slowed down."

"Do you think he had any intentional mindset?"

If this statement were made public, it would basically be a severe accusation, and the FIA would immediately intervene in the accident investigation.

In response to Red’s question, Prost smiled slightly.

"Even if Xiangbei had an intentional mindset, could he control Sutil to change lanes maliciously?"

In Prost’s view, some fans at the scene and Red’s accusation neglected one premise.

That is, Sutil was the instigator of this accident!

You can’t just cause an accident and then say whoever is weaker is right, pushing all the responsibility onto Xiangbei.

We must remember that Sutil is a veteran, while Chen Xiangbei is the newcomer, and he should be responsible for his provocative behavior.

Prost’s counter-question left Red speechless. Indeed, prejudice has often become a mountain, and when a Chinese newcomer is a bit strong, many cannot accept it.

In fact, Chen Xiangbei had no intentional thoughts. After all, strong as he was, he’s not about to crash maliciously, doing such things against sportsmanship.

It’s more that Chen Xiangbei explored some car characteristics, mainly the significant reduction in overall car downforce, naturally meaning a substantial increase in tail speed on the long straights.

It must be known that in terms of absolute zero-to-hundred acceleration and top speed, F1 cars are not actually superior to some supercars.

On one hand, bound by technical regulations, F1 car performance is sealed in various ways, whereas supercars have no such concern.

On the other hand, F1 cars pursue track speed, certain performances are restricted by aerodynamic downforce.

Without the excessive restriction of aerodynamic downforce, F1 cars can show their strong power-to-weight ratio, something that no supercar can reach this level of lightness.

Front wing flap adjustment, combined with stalled rear wings, directly gave the TF110 car the effect of DRS speed-up on the long straights, without relying on the slingshot effect of car slipstream.

Simply put, Chen Xiangbei used absolute tail speed on the long straights to overpower the Indian Force’s car!

Chen Xiangbei drove the car back to the pit slot, and the strategy group members had no unusual emotions, as everyone thought the tough performance just now was appropriate.

The technical group immediately inspected the rear of Chen Xiangbei’s car to see if the collision damaged the wheels or suspension.

Only Briatore approached, with a teasing tone: "Xiangbei, the aggressive nature in you, is becoming rarer among the new generation drivers."

Briatore stated the truth, with the rise in race regulations and mechanical stability, the F1 paddock race style has generally become more conservative. People no longer emphasize decisive revenge but aim to complete the race smoothly.

The kind of end-game collision revenge like Senna’s once showed, just to vent anger, may never be seen in the paddock again.

Before Chen Xiangbei could respond, Odetto interrupted: "What’s the car feedback?"

Odetto agreed with Chen Xiangbei’s toughness, but he didn’t want the young man to be influenced by Hua Bu and do something like intentional collisions in the future.

Senna did have intentional collisions, but his greatness was never about revenge.

Briatore’s incendiary words were clearly reversing cause and effect.

"The car has severe oversteer, requiring an overall downforce adjustment plan." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Additionally, increase the differential lock rate to maximize cornering traction. I need the car’s balanced stability."

This time without much detailed feedback, Chen Xiangbei precisely stated the adjustments he needed.

Now the HRT team’s chemistry had developed. The strategy group and the technical group were familiar with Chen Xiangbei’s driving style and the setup results he desired.

"OK, Sawano, Mizutani, finish the adjustment based on the feedback and data analysis results before the second practice session."

With Odetto’s order, the team members immediately mobilized, while Chen Xiangbei took a short break and adjusted himself.

At half-past one in the afternoon, the second practice session was ready to start.

This time there were only 23 cars participating, although Sutil himself was unharmed, his car couldn’t be repaired in a short time, and he will miss the remaining two practice sessions.

The main testing direction of the second practice session is the qualifying setup plan. Albert Park Circuit has a medium to high difficulty level in overtaking, meaning qualifying results will heavily influence race standings.

To avoid losing at the start, the team will lean towards using the qualifying setup plan, highlighting the importance of lap times in the second practice.

The entire second practice process was calm. Even when Chen Xiangbei encountered drivers Rosberg and Kovalainen, who had feuds, they didn’t make any "out of line" moves.

This is the effect of being "strong." Everyone wants to pinch the soft ones, but no one dares to kick the iron board!

It’s just that Chen Xiangbei’s lap time in the second practice was not impressive, with a final result of 1 minute 25 seconds 855, ranking him thirteenth among all drivers.

As for his teammate Trulli, his second practice result was eighth.

The best comparison for F1 speed is with the teammates of the same team.

Chen Xiangbei was not only 0.5 seconds slower than Trulli, but he also used a brand-new setup, which instantly amplified the mockery on the track.

As the second practice ended and the cars returned to the pits, test engineer Mazzola had a very solemn expression.

"According to the sensor data, the new upgrade kit’s airflow guidance is very chaotic. To adapt to the kit and change the setup, it also affects the mechanical downforce, making cornering speed slower."

"Xiangbei, I think you need to find an entirely new setup plan in the third practice session."

The second practice lap time confirmed the existence of "negative upgrades" in the new kit. Now the only hope is to see if Chen Xiangbei can find the balance sweet spot for the car’s setup in the last practice session.

Otherwise, no matter how talented and capable Chen Xiangbei is, he can’t overcome the performance gap of the car.

No one spoke upon hearing Mazzola’s words in the pit.

Because this is undoubtedly an overwhelming task for a newcomer.

If the upgrade kit’s development direction is "wrong," how can drivers adjust it during practice?

If everyone had this ability, there would be no "negative upgrades" on the track.

Even the nearby Trulli didn’t feel any joy in the fortuitous mishap, as a mistake in upgrade direction means everything has to be overhauled, affecting the forthcoming performances of both HRT drivers.

During the silence, Chen Xiangbei stepped forward and said.

"No problem, we’ll abandon long-distance testing in the third practice and find an entirely new setup plan."

Chen Xiangbei remained calm. In his past life, being a driver with no background, driving trashed cars and relying on his feedback for setups was the norm for him.

He has long been used to this kind of situation.

"Then what about the long-distance?"

Mizutani Sho asked.

"Wait and see."

After saying this, Chen Xiangbei focused his gaze on the weather radar image on the monitor screen.