The Renault Formula Racing Car that Chen Xiangbei previously drove could only be considered an entry-level model among lower-tier formula cars, with a maximum horsepower of 200 and a top speed of 260 km/h.
Thanks to the power-to-weight ratio from its ultra-light body, its actual driving performance on the track was already comparable to half of the sports cars.
However, compared to F3 cars, the difference is as vast as comparing a Renault Formula Racing Car to a super go-kart!
In this era, F3 racing has not yet been standardized, and the specifications of the cars are mainly divided into two types.
One is the low-power F3 car with only 270 horsepower, mainly used for national-level competitions and early Asian F3 races, which are rather weak regional events.
The other is the true full-power F3 car, with a chassis provided by Italian Dallara, featuring a 3.4L V6 engine, and a maximum horsepower of up to 380, with an acceleration from zero to 100 in less than 3 seconds!
The Australian Grand Prix uses the second type of full-power F3 car.
Not to ntion the improvents brought by aerodynamic kits and structural layout, even just the doubled power performance can provide the driver with a completely different experience.
Chen Xiangbei has been looking forward to a fast car for a long ti, and he could hardly wait to sit in the cockpit and feel it.
"Sawano, lead the team to familiarize with the car and conduct preliminary adjustnts."
Without any delay, Odetto gave the order to Sawano Hiroyuki.
He knew very well that the Chinese technician team had no experience with F3 cars, and the most experienced person here was Sawano Hiroyuki, who worked as a race engineer and would also serve as a "chief technician" for the next few days.
"Yes, Team Leader Odetto."
Without any hesitation, Sawano Hiroyuki led the technician team and started working on the F3 car according to the pre-devised plan by the strategy group.
The East Bay Circuit is narrow, winding, has great undulations, and the road surface is bumpy, all demanding high requirents for car tuning.
The only reference for Chen Xiangbei's team at the mont is the tuning plan used by ART Team back in 2005 with Nakajima Ikki.
The problem is that four years have passed; the track condition, tire formulas, and even weather conditions have changed, so copying it entirely would definitely not be a perfect match.
One must know that F3 is also a standardized race car set by FIA, and when the power performance is precisely the sa, the gaps in tuning levels will beco increasingly magnified.
The goal set by Odetto for Sawano Hiroyuki is to at least ensure that Chen Xiangbei does not lose at the starting line!
The team mbers quickly got into the state, and even Lu Xiaoman was busy this ti, applying the logos of Jiuli Sports, Light Point Team, and Extre Speed Modification Shop onto the car's shell, signifying the official activation of Chen Xiangbei's sponsorship contract.
After changing into his racing outfit, Chen Xiangbei did so warm-up exercises while discussing with Odetto the tests they needed to conduct on the car during the upcoming practice session.
"North, the core of the tuning on the East Bay Circuit is balancing speed with fault tolerance, ensuring precision in control through high downforce, responsive steering, and steady braking."
"This ti we'll use slightly above average aerodynamic tuning, high-friction brake pad formulations, and a slightly raised car chassis, pairing it with the regular soft tires for testing."
"Focus on brake cooling and tire wear."
"I understand."
Chen Xiangbei nodded. He had reviewed ART Team's tuning plan many tis and knew what to pay attention to.
After saying these few words, Odetto didn't add anything else.
He himself didn't like to nag, and now Chen Xiangbei was no longer a newbie; he had his own understanding and judgnt.
As the race ti approached, even though it was just a practice session, the spectators on the sides of the track and the stands could easily be described as "packed," with many of them being fans supporting Chen Xiangbei.
To be honest, most of these fans didn't know much about Chen Xiangbei before, and hadn't even watched a single Renault race. They first heard his na from the Sports Weekly reporting that China had its first F1 test driver and a mainland driver partaking in the Grand Prix.
Many car enthusiasts and fans were quite curious to find out what kind of strength this seemingly star-studded Chen Xiangbei possessed, and whether he could defeat so of the world's strongest F3 drivers on the East Bay Circuit!
According to the event's arrangents, the practice session begins with a motorcycle race, followed by the GT event, with the formula race placed at the end to cap off.
Almost the entire morning, Chen Xiangbei's ears were filled with the roaring of various racing cars and the continuous cheers from the audience.
Until the ti ca to 10:50 am, when Chen Xiangbei finally sat in the cockpit of the F3 car. At this mont, Liang Chi took the external starter, connected it to the ignition interface at the rear of the car, and with a muffled "boom," the racing engine was successfully ignited.
"Power is normal."
"Sensors are normal."
"Fluids are normal."
Since it was the team's first encounter with an F3 car, the technician team adhered strictly to the race standards, continually reporting the current car data to Mizutani Sho to prevent any parater setting and adjustnt errors.
"Everything is normal, no issues."
After compiling, the data analyst assured that all paraters were normal and reported back to Team Leader Odetto.
"Watch for the signal to exit, prepare for launch."
Upon hearing Odetto's command, Chen Xiangbei habitually placed his hand on his helt visor.
Just as he was about to push it down and enter the race mode, Liang Chi approached and shook his head saying, "Xiangbei, there are many spectators on the track and stands supporting you, greet them before you lower your visor."
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