Chapter 541: Chapter 210: Self-Proclaimed Strongest Driver (Part 2)

“SHIT, dares not admit after speaking, truly a coward.”

“Driver Xiangbei must have been scared into wetting his pants, haha.”

It’s well-known that Chen Xiangbei has always had a brash persona, never resorting to diplomatic pleasantries.

Now facing accusations from other drivers, pressured by the journalists’ probing, he spoke of respecting the brave.

If this continues, will he start talking about love and peace?

Just as the journalists were stunned, Chen Xiangbei added another line.

“But Hank, you’re not wrong. I do believe I am strong.”

“How strong?”

Hank immediately shot back with a question.

“The strongest one!”

This time, Chen Xiangbei answered resolutely, his tone carrying an air of overwhelming confidence.

Absolute confidence, a crucial psychological quality for a top F1 driver.

Whether it’s facing Rosberg, Kovalainen, Raikkonen, even if a journalist asks about Senna, Schumacher, or Alonso, Chen Xiangbei would give the same answer.

That is, believing himself to be the strongest!

“You dare call yourself the strongest?”

Kovalainen, who had been holding back his anger, finally couldn’t stand it after hearing this.

He didn’t have Rosberg’s composure and emotional stability and couldn’t tolerate the Chinese Kid’s ranting.

“What? Not convinced?”

“Beat me, then talk!”

Compared to the arrogant image created by Odetto and Hua Bu, today Chen Xiangbei will show the world what true sharpness looks like.

So what if drivers blame you, what if the audience mocks, when have I ever feared these?

Instead of pleasing the outside world with some personal image, why not boldly be the big villain?

Just love how you can’t stand me, yet can’t take me down!

As soon as Chen Xiangbei gave this answer, the spectator area erupted.

The minority of supporters who had initially been suppressed now, inspired by Chen Xiangbei, also began to cheer and shout.

“Driver Xiangbei is still tough, he’s definitely no coward!”

“Chen Xiangbei did great, do losers even qualify to speak with you?”

“Xiangbei, I firmly believe you’ll become the strongest driver!”

“Beat all opponents, God of Racing Xiangbei!”

In fact, not only Chinese fans were present, but quite a number of foreign fans as well.

Chen Xiangbei’s strength and distinct personality, in a sense, are a form of personal charm.

Not everyone likes those drivers who scheme behind the scenes; some people enjoy Chen Xiangbei’s direct confrontations.

Chen Xiangbei’s current display and response greatly excited them; this is the arrogant Chinese rookie they’ve always supported!

However, the tense atmosphere of the pre-race press conference did not last long; the FIA, facing the escalating tension between Chen Xiangbei and Kovalainen, decisively sent staff to lead them away.

Otherwise, a live PK in front of global journalists would create too much negative publicity.

Upon returning to the team pit room, the team members were filled with mixed expressions.

Odetto acted as if nothing had happened, focusing on the monitors displaying various hot start data of the car.

Sawano Hiroyuki and Mizutani Sho displayed expressions as if attempting to say something, wanting to advise Chen Xiangbei but unsure how to begin.

As for Briatore, he clapped his hands and walked over.

“Xiangbei, your performance at the pre-race press conference was excellent, capturing the spotlight, this is what a rising star in F1 is all about!”

“The kind of spotlight for a new star is still somewhat different from my situation, isn’t it?”

Chen Xiangbei replied sullenly, feeling more like he was gaining negative attention.

“What’s the difference?”

Briatore shrugged, spread his hands, and supplemented his statement.

“Xiangbei, remember, the villain is the protagonist within the paddock!”

Hua Bu said this with a very serious and sincere expression.

He was not joking with Chen Xiangbei; within the F1 paddock, only villains can become the greatest drivers!

After the pre-race press conference concluded, each team entered the practice session preparation stage.

As for Chen Xiangbei, he was notified to go to the anti-doping center on the circuit for a urine test.

Actually, many people don’t know F1 drivers also have doping tests, which somewhat counterintuitive.

Imagine racing itself is a project of heightened concentration and adrenaline surge, with heart rate averaging above 170 beats per minute, in extreme situations even exceeding 200.

One could even say the effect of massive adrenaline secretion already surpasses common stimulants.

And at this point, injecting a dose of stimulant could burst the blood vessels?

In fact, F1 not only has a doping test but also does so frequently.

The future Red Bull Driver Verstappen is the driver tested for doping most number of times among the 20 drivers in the paddock.

Often subjected to surprise urine tests on Fridays’ practice sessions, sometimes also blood tests.

The main reason is that this kid often stays up late playing racing video games, even dug up participating in virtual racing in the wee hours before the F1 Grand Prix.

Which led the F1 anti-doping agency to be suspicious of how he maintains such high energy levels.

Chen Xiangbei’s pre-race selection for testing stemmed from his excessively “excited” performance at the pre-race conference, leading the FIA anti-doping agency to decide to check him.

The saying goes, the innocent stay innocent, to which Chen Xiangbei had no objections.

After coming out from the anti-doping examination room, there were only five minutes left until the first practice session.

Chen Xiangbei quickly donned his helmet and sat in the race car, Sawano Hiroyuki crouched beside him with a writing board and commented: “Xiangbei, air temperature 26 degrees, track temperature 21 degrees, relative humidity 43%, wind speed 4.3 meters per second.”

“Wind speed meets the standard for light wind, currently having minimal impact on the race car. Just need to be cautious of gusts blowing over the lakeside.”

“However, humidity is somewhat high, with the radar map from the event center indicating rain clouds to the northeast, with a 30% chance of rain.”

Compared to past track data, this time Sawano Hiroyuki emphasized the air speed and wind speed, crucial aspects of the Albert Park Circuit.

“Understood.”

Chen Xiangbei nodded.

“Prepare for launch.”

Sawano Hiroyuki instructed Ayong at the rear, then pressed the ignition motor.

Accompanied by the groan of the F1 engine, members of the technician group began reporting data.

“Fluid temperature normal.”

“Engine status normal.”

“Sensor connection normal.”

Once all inspection data was complete, the dial on the wall showed precisely 9:30.

Chen Xiangbei pressed the pedal, the TF110 shot out of the garage into the pit lane, after experiencing an F1 Grand Prix now his mindset was relatively more composed.

“Xiangbei, conduct technical checks on the first lap to assess track conditions.”

Earphones transmitted Odetto’s advice, this time without data sharing with Trulli, meaning all car tests required Chen Xiangbei to independently manage.

In addition, newly upgraded components were installed, but their actual effectiveness had yet to be verified, and Odetto hoped Chen Xiangbei would drive conservatively.

“COPY.”

In fact, without needing Odetto to emphasize, Chen Xiangbei wasn’t planning to push for advancement in this practice.

Albert Park Circuit is completely unfamiliar to him, plus its narrowness and complex climate features, demanding even Senna to return would not aggressively test, let alone Chen Xiangbei the rookie?

Of course, being conservative relates to F1 speeds, not lazily slow like an old grandpa’s car on the road.

Upon exiting to enter the main track, after completing the warm-up lap, Chen Xiangbei tentatively accelerated, keeping the race car at a steady 200km/h, following the experiences gained from the racing simulator.

However, on the T1 corner, an unexpected situation arose; Chen Xiangbei’s car spun out, the rear of the race car swerved 90 degrees, nearly going sideways.

Luckily, the speed wasn’t high, plus Chen Xiangbei quickly counter-steered to save the car, avoiding crashing into the side barrier.

It’s worth noting that HRT Team doesn’t have any spare parts, if Chen Xiangbei or Trulli crashes the car, one would have to retire!

“Odetto, is the race car tuned for medium downforce?”

Chen Xiangbei immediately sought verification from the team.

“That’s right, medium downforce tuning, is tire temperature and traction insufficient?”

Odetto confirmed while also questioning Chen Xiangbei.

In these circumstances, usually tire temperature isn’t up to working conditions.

But given the current track temperature, one warm-up lap should be sufficient, truly peculiar.

“It’s not tire traction inadequacy, it’s insufficient downforce.”

“The entire race car’s style has changed; it used to suffer understeer, now it has oversteer!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep