"NICE!"
The Super Dream Team’s pit room erupted in excitent. Not only Chen Xiangbei’s team mbers, but even the original Super Aguri team mbers were cheering with joy.
Before the race, no one believed that Chen Xiangbei could take pole position. Apart from the bold words Odetto released for dia hype, the realistic goal was only set for a top ten in qualifying.
Although this might not seem like a high ranking, in the past ten years, only two Chinese Formula drivers, Cheng Congfu and Ma Qingye, have reached the top ten in qualifying, and they participated as overaged drivers.
Just like in 2006, Cheng Congfu participated in the British Renault Formula, finishing third overall and reaching the podium eight tis, creating the best performance of a Chinese driver in overseas Formula racing.
However, Cheng Congfu was already 22 years old in 2006, and by Chinese standards, could be considered 23. Participating at this age in the British Renault Formula, where the average age is sixteen or seventeen, really had a sense of the older bullying the younger.
Moreover, the British Renault Formula can only be considered a national-level event, far less prestigious than the regional-level Renault European Cup.
As for Ma Qingye, he also participated in the British Renault Formula in 2007. Their overseas routes were similar in so ways, with the best result only reaching fourth in qualifying.
At that ti, Ma Qingye’s main focus was on the erging A1 Formula, and the British Renault Formula was just a test drive for fun, otherwise, his results would have been better.
Chen Xiangbei’s pole position result completely overturned the perception of the audience on-site, proving that China could also have such a strong Formula driver, even outpacing Magnusson, the so-called Danish genius.
"Crazy, I never thought there would be a day I would witness a Chinese driver taking pole position at Silverstone."
"Today, a driver from China, Bei, with the fastest lap of 1 minute 57.613 seconds, took pole position in the first round of the 2009 Renault European Cup, missing Schumacher’s pole record by only 0.15 seconds!"
"Ladies and gentlen, driver Bei has created a new history in the Renault European Cup. Let’s give the warst applause and cheers to congratulate this talented driver from China!"
Comntator Jas, with passionate words and professional spirit, called upon the thousands of spectators on-site to congratulate Chen Xiangbei.
However, there wasn’t as warm applause and cheering as imagined; only sparse clapping could be heard in the audience. Many spectators had not yet recovered from the shock, while others could not accept such a result.
Europe’s most prestigious track, considered the "cornerstone" of Formula racing, had its pole position taken by a Chinese newcor; it was simply unimaginable!
In comparison to the "coldness" in the paddock, the team’s pit room mbers expressed their congratulations to Chen Xiangbei with great enthusiasm.
"Xiangbei-kun, you are amazing, pole position!"
"GOOD, Bei, well done."
"Bei, you will beco the next star driver."
"Xiangbei, very well done!"
Different languages and different forms of address were heard. This is the charm of Formula team cooperation; everyone is striving for the sa goal.
In the VIP box above the pit station, Staler and Sir Williams watched the scene of the Super Dream Team mbers celebrating below, with complex expressions on their faces.
Especially Staler, who initially had no expectations at all and purely ca to Silverstone Circuit for sightseeing and relaxation.
Unexpectedly, this "swan song" driver from Huasi Sports took pole position in the first round of the Renault European Cup.
They once gave it their all in operations but achieved no results; now bankrupt, a potential driver erged. What can one say about this?
"Staler, Bei has great potential, worth nurturing."
Sir Williams made a judgnt. Although the Chinese driver Bei’s age is relatively high, the racing line skills displayed on the track are very sophisticated.
Whether it’s the trailing brake at turn T3 or the rare V-shaped overtaking at turn T7, these are not things that ordinary rookies can accomplish, not even European drivers!
Based on Chen Xiangbei’s current performance, if he can continue to upgrade annually in the Formula field in the future, age will no longer be an issue.
The fastest entry could be into the F1 paddock by the age of twenty-two.
"Huasi Sports is already bankrupt, how can they nurture?"
"Now, Bei has signed with the Super Dream Team of the Honda camp. Its predecessor was the F1 Super Aguri Team, which I think is quite good."
Staler replied with a wry smile. Zhang Zhicong’s phone call was undoubtedly with the sa idea in mind.
Just like Zhang Zhicong decided to exit the racing field and return to Hong Kong to beco a career manager, Staler also decided to withdraw completely from the racing field, retiring fully.
"The Honda Group withdrew from F1 last year, so in the future, their support for the Super Dream Team will decrease. Bei will have to rely more on himself to succeed."
Sir Williams had a sowhat regretful expression. In the Formula field, joining a major team, especially a factory team’s youth training or academy, would absolutely have a multiplier effect on a driver.
It’s clear that without the support of the Honda, the Super Dream Team could only be considered a small team within the paddock.
"Williams, you always like to promote rookies; are you interested in Bei?"
Sir Williams is not only known for early champions like Prost, Senna, Damon Hill, and Villeneuve.
Just in the past decade alone, he has promoted potential rookies like Hockenheim, Bottas, Stroll, and Russell, making him an undisputed talent scout within the F1 paddock.
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