Car Racing without Money

Chapter 731 - 295: Trust from the Team

"Xiangbei, the first half of the Lingyan Circuit is narrow, plus the temperature has been low these days, it’s hard for medium yellow tires to suppress the soft red tires at the start.""If you can’t defend, don’t force it and cause an accident."

In the final moments of preparation before the start, Odetto stood next to the car and instructed Chen Xiangbei.

The first half of the Lingyan Circuit is laid out like a street circuit, with concrete barrier walls leaving no buffer space. If Chen Xiangbei, known as the "Track Nemesis", with countless enemies in the paddock, defends too hard, he could easily face malicious collisions.

Even if others don’t have malicious intent to crash, there wouldn’t be space to avoid if it got crowded.

There’s an old saying in China: "Take a step back and the sea is boundless." The HRT Team’s strategic goal is a long-distance victory, there’s no need to fight for a moment of gain or loss.

"I understand."

Chen Xiangbei nodded.

He is strong but not reckless.

Colliding with others from pole position is not a matter of character but a matter of intelligence.

Even Verstappen, as aggressive as he was during his "Cannon" phase, only attacked from the back row to the front, never starting in front and going back for a one-for-one.

As Chen Xiangbei and Odetto were talking, a commotion arose from the crowd to their left, primarily by South Korean reporters who surrounded Hamilton starting from the second position.

To the South Korean reporters, Hamilton was the most hopeful driver to counter Chen Xiangbei in this race, bar none.

"Lewis, you finished second in qualifying by 0.1 seconds, what do you have to say for the race?"

"I’ll perform better in the race."

Hamilton replied without expression.

Seeing Hamilton’s somewhat diplomatic answer, the reporters pressed further, "After the qualifying, Xiangbei said in an interview that he intends to defeat all competitors in the race, emphasizing that it includes the world champions in the paddock."

"As the youngest world champion in F1 history, can you accept such a statement?"

If the earlier questions were diplomatic, this one touched on Hamilton’s bottom line.

A champion allows no provocation, especially a historic world champion.

Backing down without response would be unthinkable for one’s momentum.

Top-level confrontations between drivers are often about an aura of "who else but me?".

The king of the world!

"To beat me, you at least need to have the qualification to challenge."

"Hamilton, what do you mean by that?"

"I am the world champion, what champion is Xiangbei?"

When Hamilton said this, his tone carried a condescending air.

Meanwhile, laughter erupted from the audience stands.

Indeed, as the saying goes in later internet culture, to be compared at least you must be on the same level.

A single question about what champion you are is worth more than a thousand words!

"Haha, Xiangbei will say he’s a race winner."

"Can a race winner talk to a world champion? How can he compare to Hamilton!"

"I remember when Chen Xiangbei debuted, he tried to provoke Kimi Raikkonen, and now he’s further trying to provoke the world champion."

"The Chinese just hype themselves up in the paddock with empty words!"

Faced with such ridicule, even Chen Xiangbei’s fans and supporters in the paddock were at a loss on how to respond.

In the competitive sport of F1, results are the eternal theme!

"Ignore it; focus on the race."

Seeing Chen Xiangbei’s gaze fixed on Hamilton, Odetto stepped in to block his view and reminded him.

This race, both Chen Xiangbei and Perez need to focus on tire preservation and avoid any reckless charging.

At the East Sea Station, Chen Xiangbei was able to change strategy on the fly and push due to the performance advantage of a high-power engine. Without that foundation, any reckless moves would lead to a tactical and strategic downfall.

A young person can be fierce, but never at the wrong time!

Odetto had already intercepted Chen Xiangbei’s line of sight when a microphone suddenly extended forward.

Sky Sports’ Hank captured this moment, and as a professional official reporter, he naturally had to enhance the event’s excitement and popularity. What’s the point if everyone just takes it easy?

Of course, the fiercer the fight, the more exciting it is.

Perhaps, from a personal perspective, Hank’s view of Chen Xiangbei had changed considerably, even developing some fondness and appreciation for this young kid.

However, this didn’t affect his professional ethics; he wouldn’t hesitate to stir the pot and fan the flames.

"Xiangbei, do you have anything you want to say to Hamilton?"

As usual, Hank expected Chen Xiangbei to grab the microphone and start ranting into the camera.

But this time, Chen Xiangbei waved his hand, signaling Hank to step aside.

Hank, puzzled and confused, complied, and when he saw Chen Xiangbei’s gaze meet Hamilton’s, he instantly understood the young Chinese man’s intention.

Since he could confront face-to-face, why bother with the camera broadcast?

Chen Xiangbei pointed directly at Hamilton and said, "This race, you’re guaranteed to lose. I’m telling you, even Jesus won’t save you!"

Honestly, Chen Xiangbei highly regarded Hamilton’s driving skills but didn’t quite approve of his conduct and attitude.

If Verstappen’s poor driving ethics were purely reactions as a racing machine with an unchecked desire to win,