Car Racing without Money

Chapter 709 - 284: No Weakness in Car Control (Part 2)

The reason is simple, it’s that he couldn’t handle the risk himself, fearing collision and opting for a smooth and conservative approach, trying to leverage long-distance stability for a comeback later.Back then, Chen Xiangbei’s conservatism was deemed "fear" of the track and was corrected by Odetto.

But this doesn’t mean Chen Xiangbei has forgotten that familiar memory.

If he were to drive conservatively and smoothly, Chen Xiangbei would definitely not lose to anyone!

"Alright, I believe you."

After hesitating for a moment, Sawano Hiroyuki nodded and put Perez’s adjustment plan as the first option.

With the end of the second practice session, Hamilton topped the leaderboard, with Vettel right behind.

The appearance of these results, in comparison to Perez not even making the top ten, caused the Korean audience on site to erupt.

"Failed in the first practice, the same level in the second practice; HRT Team is finally showing its true colors!"

"The Chinese Kid couldn’t even run in the second practice due to car repairs, I refuse to believe he can pull off anything absurd in the qualifiers!"

"I hereby declare, the Korean track will be Chen Xiangbei’s nemesis!"

"Go Hamilton, show Chen Xiangbei who the real star driver is!"

The noise in the whole venue rose up, and to be honest, hearing it left Chen Xiangbei a bit confounded.

Hamilton at the top should be more exciting for British fans, what does it have to do with Korea?

"Interesting, the Chinese Kid seems to anger people wherever he goes."

Inside Williams Team’s P-room, director Heide crossed his arms, his tone slightly mocking.

As a competitor, he was happy to see Chen Xiangbei take a hit, hoping for the public backlash to be even stronger, hitting this Chinese driver psychologically.

After all, HRT Team is too dominant, already surpassing Williams Team.

It’s important to know that team income besides regular sponsorship and advertising shares includes FIA’s year-end ranking bonuses, and the amount is determined by team points and rankings.

Any new team rising means the older team drops a place.

Williams Team itself is financially tight, and leader Sir Williams already sold his private plane to maintain team operations.

Even a single drop can affect the team’s research investment.

"Being tough is better than being weak, provoking anger is a skill itself."

Sir Williams replied calmly, not intending to disparage Chen Xiangbei.

After all, he and Staler have been friends for years, having watched Chen Xiangbei grow step by step.

Having experienced the ups and downs of many teams and drivers over the years, Sir Williams is used to seeing many things.

"I don’t think such a skill is of any use."

Heide remained indifferent, growing increasingly annoyed with Chen Xiangbei, feeling this Chinese Kid was nothing but a clown seeking attention in the paddock.

In a way, this is also the current state of Chen Xiangbei’s popularity among peers.

Those who like him, like him very much, believing that if young people aren’t spirited, then they aren’t truly young.

Those who hate him, despise him as he only knows how to stir trouble and flaunt in the paddock, relying on sensationalism.

Just like Verstappen during the "Turret" period, one side is a genius young man, the other is an unwelcome outcast!

Regarding Heide’s remarks, Sir Williams did not argue.

Instead, he asked, "How’s Hockenheim’s track feedback?"

"Very precise, indicating his car sense and talent are top-notch, already in the top eight in the second practice; I have a feeling he will shine in this race!"

Talking about Hockenheim, both Heide and Sir Williams smiled.

HRT Team drew an SSR Card, and their luck is also good.

Hockenheim, a rookie in name only, reached the point-scoring zone last race, and this time he is already consistently in the top ten in practice sessions.

Compared to HRT Racing Car, Williams car isn’t strictly a tractor, but it’s considered lower rank in the "Earth Group," typically ranked 15th or 16th.

Yet, Hockenheim showed absolute speed, having the potential to break into the top ten.

Moreover, on South Korea’s new Lingyan Circuit, Hockenheim maintained speed, highlighting his high adaptability and talent; eliminating Nakajima Ikki was the right move.

"Excellent, I believe this race will be spectacular."

Sir Williams smiled.

His excitement was not only about Hockenheim’s performance but also the conflicts involving Hamilton, other drivers, and Chen Xiangbei.

HRT Team drivers are overwhelmingly dominant, becoming the target of criticism.

After the second practice ended, Lingyan Circuit gradually quieted down, even team members mostly returned to their hotels to rest, awaiting tomorrow’s third practice and qualifiers.

Chen Xiangbei didn’t go back; he stayed in the driver’s lounge in the pit area, driving a simulator.

Facing the slurs and ridicule from the crowd, Chen Xiangbei remained very calm and even countered with tactics.

But this does not mean Chen Xiangbei was void of emotions internally.

In fact, his middle finger gesture was already an expression of releasing his emotions, yet now he could suppress his anger or rather learned to disguise, without showing it in front of outsiders.

Moreover, Chen Xiangbei was well aware that FIA penalties alone wouldn’t genuinely shut the Korean audience.

The best counterattack and humiliation is standing on the highest podium at Lingyan Circuit, letting the national anthem play on Korean soil.

Forcing this group of insulting folks to stand in attention!

To conquer Lingyan Circuit, more effort must be exerted, and the simulator is the only way.

Also, while Chen Xiangbei’s previous life’s style was cautious and conservative, in this life he’s more aggressive and adventurous, needing some time for "rehabilitation."

This led Chen Xiangbei to crazily loop on the simulator, crashing into virtual barriers many times, repeatedly resetting to start afresh.

This scene worried Mizutani Sho who was observing and recording data from behind.

"Senior Sawano, I feel Mr. Xiangbei isn’t as calm as he appears; his simulator lines and speeds are extremely aggressive; the paddock’s public opinion seems to have gotten to him."

Hearing this, Sawano Hiroyuki glanced at the lap times recorded, nodding, saying, "Hmm, but the speed is increasingly approaching ideal laps."

"Senior Sawano, don’t you worry Mr. Xiangbei might lose control in the race?"

Mizutani Sho felt surprised that Sawano Hiroyuki focused on lap times.

Usually, Odetto was the aggressor, while Senior Sawano prioritized driver safety.

"No, on the contrary, venting it out will make him calmer."

As a former formula driver, Sawano Hiroyuki understood drivers need moments and channels to release their emotions.

Evidently, Chen Xiangbei vented it out on the racing simulator.

Once vented, safer conditions ensue tomorrow.

Seemingly confirming Sawano Hiroyuki’s words, Chen Xiangbei soon altered his previous wild driving method, simulating long-distance training with Perez’s tire-preserving tactics.

Switching to a completely different driving style, Chen Xiangbei didn’t show signs of difficulty in adapting; instead, he transitioned smoothly, as if Perez’s plan were made for him.

This scene left Sawano Hiroyuki and Mizutani Sho, standing behind, with mouths agape wanting to say something, yet speechless for a while.

Old veteran like Trulli, having driven for over a decade, faced difficulty adapting to design changes, leading to accidents.

But Chen Xiangbei promptly shifted his driving style with no issues?

It’s akin to a right-handed person suddenly being asked to write and eat with their left hand, typically hard to manage in such a short time!

More astonishingly, not only did Chen Xiangbei avoid crashing, but he wasn’t slow...

With increasing practice laps, Mizutani Sho’s notebook was filled with page after page of lap times.

If examined closely, early pages show speeds very close, indicating Chen Xiangbei’s long-distance stability.

Later pages showed some variations, with each lap slightly faster, even if only by milliseconds.

The change in numbers indicates one thing: Chen Xiangbei is getting faster!