Australian Grand Prix?
Hearing this familiar term, Chen Xiangbei fell into a reverie.
In his past life as a professional Formula driver, one of his biggest regrets was not being able to participate in a Grand Prix.
After all, this is considered the most prestigious and high-profile F3 level event not only in China but in Asia.
More importantly, it’s on China’s ho turf!
It’s well known that no matter what era it is, the ho turf holds an irreplaceable weight for a racer.
Not only is it a more familiar environnt, with more supporters, but it also carries an indescribable sentint.
Many drivers only feel a sense of belonging when racing on their ho track. Just like in 2024 when Zhou Guanyu participated in the F1 Chinese Grand Prix, and after the race, the FIA gave him special permission to stop his car on the main track. Facing the encouragent and cheers of thousands of spectators, he couldn’t help but squat down, cover his face and cry.
This emotional value, unrelated to performance or results, is sothing no foreign track can offer.
Unfortunately, in his past life, Chen Xiangbei encountered a special event where the Macau Grand Prix was downgraded from F3 to F4 for a few years. By the ti it was restored, he had already moved on to F2, making it impossible to return.
Life is often filled with regrets, and Chen Xiangbei’s career was no exception.
Before Chen Xiangbei could respond, Odetto, standing beside him, nodded and said, "The Grand Prix is great, it doesn’t take up too much ti for a single event, and winning the championship is beneficial for Xiangbei’s fast-track Super Driver’s License application."
Obtaining the Super Driver’s License is a low-priority task for soone new at the Renault level.
Normally, Chen Xiangbei’s progression route is the Renault Formula, then F3 level events, then upgrading to GP2 (F2), and finally advancing to the F1 paddock.
Throughout this process, being able to move up one level per year already qualifies soone as a standout talent.
If the performance is even better, and he wins a championship along the way, it equates to being a top talent in F1.
For instance, Rosberg, Leclerc, Piastri, and so on.
One tier above this belongs to historically gifted drivers destined to beco WDC (World Drivers’ Champions), like Verstappen, Kimi Raikkonen, among others.
In most cases, Formula drivers go through multiple seasons of training, especially in GP2, where waiting for two or three years for an F1 seat is quite common.
Judging by the standout talent standard applied to Chen Xiangbei, he has at least three years to apply for the Super Driver’s License, so there’s no need to rush.
However, if Chen Xiangbei has thoughts about fast-tracking, or if he wants to drive the current F1 car, the demand for the Super Driver’s License will skyrocket!
It’s important to understand that Chen Xiangbei’s other role is that of a test driver for the Brawn GP Team, limited by the FIA’s restrictions on private testing, he can only test drive old cars during specific ti fras to gain experience, and accumulate the minimum standard of 300 kiloters.
However, the test driver often also serves as a backup driver. Especially in a restructured "new" team like Brawn GP, they’ve only signed two official drivers and Chen Xiangbei as the sole test driver, with no other third reserve driver.
If either Button or Barrichello were to miss a race, Brawn GP would have to borrow a substitute from another team.
After all, Chen Xiangbei lacks a Super Driver’s License and doesn’t have enough achievents to prove he can handle an F1 car.
In this era, applying for a Super Driver’s License lacks the quantified points system of the future, relying entirely on the FIA committee’s judgnt of whether a driver is qualified.
If the performance is particularly brilliant, a specially approved Super Driver’s License may be granted.
Kimi Raikkonen’s triple jump to get his Super Driver’s License ca from such special approval.
The Grand Prix is hailed as the jewel in the F3 crown, and winning its title would allow one to apply for a specially approved Super Driver’s License from the FIA.
Once Chen Xiangbei secures a Super Driver’s License in advance, he indirectly gains the right to drive the latest F1 cars!
It’s important to know that this isn’t just about the difference between new and old cars, but it allows Chen Xiangbei to appear in the F1 Grand Prix, adapt to the atmosphere and rhythm of top-level competitions in advance, and prepare ntally.
As the saying goes, when drivers reach the top talent level, the skill gap is no longer significant.
It’s more about the difference in experience and ntal fortitude.
Russell, Leclerc, Norris, and others have all made pressured mistakes at critical monts.
But in recent years, no one has been able to put enough pressure on Verstappen to make him err.
The title of "Race Machine" doesn’t just describe his off-track discipline but also his terrifying consistency on the track!
Since Chen Xiangbei has a shortcut available, why not give it a try?
"The Grand Prix’s schedule seems to conflict with two rounds of the Renault European Cup, which may affect the championship points fight,"
Sawano Hiroyuki added at this mont.
Having dealt with Odetto for a long ti, he knew the team manager was eager to agree, presuming that Chen Xiangbei would secure the Grand Prix F3 champion title.
But what if he doesn’t achieve it?
Although Chen Xiangbei is currently leading in the points standings, missing two matches would give Magnussen and other key competitors a chance to catch up and overtake, significantly increasing the difficulty of securing the Renault Championship.
If he fails to win the Grand Prix championship and loses the Renault championship, the resulting loss could be imasurable.
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