Car Racing without Money-Chapter 495 - 194: A New Era in the F1 Paddock

"Holy crap, the rookie’s ranking in the second practice is even higher than in the first. Can a Chinese guy be that good?"

"Impossible, it must be the strong TF110 prototype inherited from Toyota!"

"The problem is that the HRT Team hasn’t even completed their wind tunnel. No matter how strong the TF110 prototype is, it can’t consistently lead."

"It’s enough for the opening race, falling behind in mid-season upgrades is a later issue."

The spectators in the stands were buzzing with discussion, most unable to accept such a result.

An unknown Chinese rookie had impressively jumped straight into the F1 Paddock, and already sprinted to fourth in the second practice.

This is already top-level debut performance for a new talent!

Japan’s Formula racing has developed for decades without producing a driver with such astonishing talent.

China hasn’t even established a Formula racing system, can Xiangbei really be this strong?

More importantly, last year the Honda RA109 Mars Rover was so abnormal, allowing Jenson Button and Barrichello to dominate six out of the first seven races.

So another Japanese team legacy emerging, it’s hard not to think of the prototype’s performance.

Objectively, there are indeed factors like this involved.

"S2 low-speed corner section is lit up in purple, which means our corner grip is excellent, and the exhaust diffuser effect is strong."

"However, the long straights and high-speed corners are noticeably slower. Not sure if it’s due to Xiangbei-kun’s lack of practice familiarity, or the car’s power unit being weak, and reaching the aero kit’s cooling limit."

"Xiangbei-kun can come back to the pits for a rest after this lap."

Mizutani Sho, as data analyst, simply shared his opinion.

Lighting up purple in the S2 section for the fastest of the session was beyond the team’s expectations.

But the speed on the S1 and S3 sections was considerably lagging compared to other teams, especially the Red Bull Racing Team.

Mizutani Sho observed closely; the sidepod and exhaust layout of the Red Bull Racing Team are very similar to the TF110 car, likely having the same exhaust downforce-increasing design concept.

It can only be said that Newey is truly a genius, overcoming the cooling issues that the HRT Team cannot solve.

Of course, this is also related to overall technical development strength.

Although Red Bull is not a factory team entering the field like traditional automotive giants, its parent company’s investment in sports projects is astonishing.

They had the ambition to challenge the "Big Three" last year, and if they maintain momentum this year, there’s no doubt Renault will be kicked out of the top teams.

"Xiangei, return to the pits."

Odetto heard Mizutani Sho’s words and gave the directive to Chen Xiangbei.

"There’s still time, should I go for another lap?"

Chen Xiangbei asked, with about five minutes left until the end of the second practice session.

In theory, if they hurry, another flying lap isn’t a problem.

"The brake system can’t hold up, and we need to ensure we advance to Q3, so we have to save tires."

There are a total of eight sets of red tires for the event, with three sets already used in practice, and three in qualifying. Chen Xiangbei has only two new soft red tires left.

On the Bahrain Sakhir Circuit, the hard white and medium yellow tires can’t produce speed, requiring one soft red tire for a complete timed lap.

Drivers advancing to the third qualifying session get an additional set of soft red tires from the FIA, meaning Chen Xiangbei can still have three new sets left.

If too many are used in Q2, there won’t be a second run opportunity in Q3.

In extreme circumstances, there may be no red tires to start the race!

No matter how ahead you qualify, a poor race start will undo it.

"Understood."

Chen Xiangbei responded, his fourth-place result in the second practice indeed making him somewhat "anxious".

After all, until the race ends, no one can be certain if a faster lap will appear, especially with monster-level drivers all over the F1 Paddock.

In fact, until the last second of F1 qualifying, no one dares to guarantee their ranking is secure.

Even if you’re in first place!

"Limit Brother" Leclerc, "Cannon" Verstappen, have so many times clocked "god-level laps" in qualifying, snatching seemingly unsurpassable pole positions.

When Chen Xiangbei returned to the pits, Trulli’s lap time also appeared.

minute 30.771 seconds, ranking seventh among all drivers.

"Fantastic!"

When this ranking appeared, the entire HRT team cheered.

Although the second practice qualifying isn’t over yet, Trulli’s time is likely to make it into Q3.

As a "rookie" team, getting both cars into Q3 in the opening race is rare in the history of F1.

If not for last year’s Brawn GP, it would be unprecedented in twenty years.

Not to mention compared to Button and Barrichello, these two are recognized top-tier teams in the paddock. At best, Trulli is middle-tier second-rate.

And for Chen Xiangbei, with no prior results, he’s not even on the map.

While the team celebrated, Odetto still focused expressionlessly on Trulli’s sector times.

The terminal velocity on the straights and time in high-speed corners, Chen Xiangbei was basically on par with Trulli.

This means unless there’s an accident, the issue is not with the drivers.

Possibly, the car’s limit is just that.

Unless both Trulli and Chen Xiangbei underperform simultaneously.

"The second practice session is almost over, with several drivers still on their flying laps, you can clearly feel the overall improved lap speed within the paddock. This year’s race is more competitive than past opening races, perhaps related to the addition of new teams and rookies."

"Emil, do you think Xiangbei can hold onto his ranking in the second practice?"