Chapter 478: Chapter 188: I’m No Push-Over_2

Listening to the insults coming from the stands opposite the pit, Ayong, who was organizing the tires, found it hard to hold back.

In lower-level formula racing, they would mock one’s skills, but here it’s more about racial discrimination and national attacks.

If Xiangbei really wasn’t good, it would be one thing.

It’s just a mere practice session, what’s all the shouting for!

“Of course they know it doesn’t matter, it’s just to show their sense of superiority.”

Sawano Hiroyuki, standing nearby, retorted with a face full of sarcasm. This kind of scene had happened many times to Japanese drivers before.

More than a decade ago, Nakajima Goro faced such pressure and stood on the F1 podium, breaking the then-prevailing racial discrimination that “Asians are not suited to drive F1 cars,” becoming a national hero of Japan.

History often spirals upward in cycles, now it’s Chen Xiangbei’s turn to stand up and prove that Chinese drivers also deserve a place in the F1 Paddock.

“Hmph, I believe Xiangbei will definitely wipe out their sense of superiority!”

Ayong spat out this sentence fiercely, his face full of defiance.

“I believe too.”

Sawano Hiroyuki smiled.

“Count me in.”

“Me too.”

The team of mechanics who have followed Chen Xiangbei all the way, each gave the same determined answer.

Chen Xiangbei will definitely become the driver to overturn stereotypes!

“The high ground temperature is causing heavy rear tire wear, we must use a medium-low setup to reduce rear downforce.”

“Use a medium angle for the front wing to ensure front grip in high-speed corners.”

“Adjust the flaps downward to further increase straight-line speed.”

“Increase the brake duct angles to get more cool air for cooling.”

Chen Xiangbei continuously provided feedback on car adjustments, mainly focusing on cooling solutions.

The reason lies in the surface temperature of the Bahrain Circuit, which in extreme cases can reach as high as 60℃, making the surface of the thermal tires melt like ice cream, quickly wearing away.

At the same time, the hot air from high temperatures greatly reduces the car’s air cooling efficiency.

Whose setup can cool the car will hold the key at the Bahrain Circuit!

“Good, pit in for tire changes and setup adjustments.”

Odetto responded and turned to give the team of mechanics preparation orders.

Meanwhile, Trulli was also providing the team of engineers with his car feedback.

His setup focus was on mechanical performance.

It is known that there are two main types of car setups: aerodynamics and mechanical.

Aerodynamics relies mainly on angle changes of the rear wing, nose wing, and flaps to guide airflow and optimize the car’s downforce performance.

Mechanically it’s about adjusting suspensions, wheel alignment angles, brake cooling adjustments, and engine power outputs to enhance mechanical performance.

Each sub-project within these two categories will be modified according to the track characteristics, weather conditions, and tire conditions. The driver needs to continuously pit in for feedback and adjustments to find the optimal solution.

Moreover, there isn’t just one optimal solution. The trade-offs between qualifying and the main race are completely different, meaning the same test process has to be done twice!

A single driver alone can hardly accomplish this, it requires full cooperation between both team drivers.

Otherwise, they can only use untested setups and gamble on their luck!

This is why relationships between F1 teammates are complex, filled with “love and war.”

They are teammates who value team spirit, yet also competitors contending against each other.

Especially when fighting for a spot, one must go.

“Soften the front suspension to attract curb vibration, while enhancing steering response.”

“Harden the rear suspension to enhance corner exit traction and reduce overheating of the rear tires’ contact with the ground.”

“Set differential lock ratio to between 65% to 70% to minimize wheel slip.”

“Adjust front wheel camber to -3.5° to -4.0°.”

Trulli also methodically provided feedback, and Mizutani Sho among other data engineers, immediately recorded and matched adjustment plans.

The entire HRT Team, at this moment, is running like a clockwork mechanism, with each car group and system working in precise harmony, the two cars constantly repeating pit-in and pit-out motions.

“Speed up tire changes, 3.1 seconds is unacceptable!”

“Oller, the jack needs to be set properly, otherwise the car wobbles easily when lifted.”

“Tony, practice replacing the front nose wing in the next pit stop.”

Apart from being adjustable, F1’s aero kits can, under rules, use different parts at times, the most common of these being the replacement of the front nose wing.

“The Big Three”-level large teams, having enough funds for wind tunnel tests, would design different aero kits based on the track characteristics for replacement.

For instance, in the future, the Red Bull Racing Team would replace the front nose wing at the Austria and Barcelona Grand Prix.

However, HRT Team’s replacement practice was not prepared just with two sets of nose wings.

Rather, in case of a minor collision, the front nose wing is the most easily damaged part, and there’s none other.

Conducting replacement drills is to be prepared.

The ninety-minute practice session quickly passed, Chen Xiangbei had a quick bite, without much time to rest, and at 3 PM the second practice follows.

Compared to the morning, the temperature at the Bahrain Sakhir Circuit is now even higher, reaching “scorching” levels.

Drivers wear fireproof underwear inside, with a thick fireproof racing suit outside, and an airtight full-face helmet on their heads, combined with the open cockpit of an F1 car, it’s almost like a teppanyaki grill in this heat.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep