The post-race interview in the celebration area concluded, and imdiately after ca the award ceremony.
Due to the tenth anniversary celebration, the award presenters were changed from FIA race officials to provincial and ministerial leaders from Hong Kong and Macao, as well as Dong Licheng, the title sponsor of the Grand Prix.
At this award ceremony, Chen Xiangbei beca the absolute star, almost overshadowing the runners-up and third-place finishers.
In competitive sports, the runner-up is often seen as the biggest loser, and a ho champion amplifies this effect.
As for the third place, typically, their na isn’t even rembered.
But this ti, the runner-up and third place have indeed left their nas in history.
"Mr. Australia" Motana couldn’t hold onto his second place in the last monts, being overtaken by Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson.
Ericsson’s entire career in lower-level formulas was quite average, yet he managed to sign with an F1 team and even partnered with Leclerc at Sauber.
However, Ericsson’s seat at Sauber in 2019 was occupied by the returning Kimi Raikkonen. This seat later fell into the hands of Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu after Raikkonen retired again.
Originally, according to the historical progression, Ericsson would have been signed as a test driver for the Brawn GP team at the end of 2009, after racing in the Grand Prix.
Now, this test driver contract has been taken over by Chen Xiangbei ahead of ti.
It’s fair to say that Ericsson, unknowingly, beca the biggest "victim" of Chinese drivers...
Of course, at this mont, Ericsson doesn’t know his fate is so dismal.
He is standing next to Motana, looking enviously at Chen Xiangbei on the top podium.
There’s no driver who doesn’t want to beco a champion.
Even less so, there’s no driver who doesn’t long to win at their ho track.
Chen Xiangbei achieved both, conquering them with his prowess on the track.
Without jealousy and hatred, only admiration remains.
Chen Xiangbei takes the trophy from the leaders, then receives flowers from Dong Licheng.
As they shook hands, Dong Licheng leaned forward, and Chen Xiangbei thought the award presenter was going to say a few polite words of encouragent.
Instead, he heard: "Xiangbei, I am Yuanxi’s father."
[Dong Yuanxi’s dad?]
Chen Xiangbei was full of surprises; he only heard from Qin Lianjie about Dong Yuanxi’s family background and didn’t know Dong Licheng’s na or appearance, let alone imagine he would be presenting the award.
Seeing Chen Xiangbei’s confused expression, Dong Licheng smiled knowingly, patting Chen Xiangbei’s shoulder with his other hand, saying, "Good racing, keep it up, I’m optimistic about you."
"Tha... Thank you, Uncle."
Chen Xiangbei stuttered in response, inexplicably feeling a certain guilt.
Taking the trophy and flowers, Chen Xiangbei cald his unexpected feelings and lifted them above his head, signaling to the audience below.
Undoubtedly, this action ignited the atmosphere’s powder keg, and thunderous applause and cheers erupted again at the East Bay Circuit.
However, the revelry didn’t last long. As the bright national flag appeared on the LCD screen behind Chen Xiangbei, the venue fell silent for a mont.
Simultaneously, the circuit’s broadcast opened, and the familiar "March of the Volunteers" began playing.
Standing on the top podium, listening to the national anthem echoing in his ears, Chen Xiangbei was montarily lost in thought.
He finally won the Grand Prix, taking the most determined step toward his F1 journey.
Next, it’s likely about hearing the national anthem play within the F1 Paddock!
The end of the award ceremony also signifies a temporary halt to the clamor.
However, Chen Xiangbei’s fa in the country will start to explode from this mont.
The excitent of winning at Australia’s doorstep is far greater than Chen Xiangbei’s achievents in the European Renault Formula. Along with the broadcast of CCTV’s interview, he may beco the next iconic athlete known to every household dostically.
Just like Yao Ming and Liu Xiang.
It’s important to know that the true influence and prestige of F1 surpass those of the NBA, let alone the 110m hurdles, which is a relatively niche event.
Chen Xiangbei’s ergence marks a "zero breakthrough" in a foreign dominion-level popular event, a feat Cheng Congfu and Ma Qingye couldn’t achieve.
The use of "possible" stems from the fact that the F3 championship tier is a bit low. For Chen Xiangbei to beco a true sports star dostically, he still needs an F1 championship title.
By then, he might even have the chance to surpass Yao Ming and Liu Xiang.
Returning to the repair station to change out of his racing suit, when Chen Xiangbei walked out of the driver’s lounge, he saw a familiar face.
"Xiangbei, congratulations on becoming the Grand Prix champion."
Zhang Zhicong said this with great emotion and nostalgia; in so ways, Chen Xiangbei fulfilled his formula dream.
"Thank you, Uncle Zhang."
Chen Xiangbei replied with a smile and hugged Zhang Zhicong.
"Xiangbei, do you have ti now?"
Zhang Zhicong imdiately asked again.
"Yes."
"Xiangbei, do you rember I talked about contacting so potential sponsors from Hong Kong Island?"
"Hmm."
Chen Xiangbei nodded, having heard it once in Zhang Zhicong’s ho in Hong Kong Island.
But at the ti, Zhang Zhicong teased without revealing the identities.
"Today, this potential sponsor ca to the scene to watch the race, and he’s none other than the kung fu star Brother Cheng Long."
Cheng Long?
Hearing this na, Chen Xiangbei froze.
There’s no way to express familiarity or unfamiliarity with Cheng Long; Chen Xiangbei grew up watching his movies.
He never imagined Zhang Zhicong’s contacted sponsor would be Brother Cheng Long; could it be that he’s planning to form the "Dragon Team" early?
"Brother Cheng Long is waiting for you in the upstairs VIP booth; why don’t we go up to et him first?"
"Sure."
Without hesitation, Chen Xiangbei nodded in agreent.
No matter if they can finalize a sponsorship deal, at least eting a kung fu star is worthwhile.
Chen Xiangbei greeted the crew mbers and then followed Zhang Zhicong to take the internal elevator of the racing building to the upstairs VIP booth.
Opening the door, Chen Xiangbei saw a "familiar" figure before the floor-to-ceiling windows. Though not tall, the figure was solid and broad.
It’s just that when this person turned around, the wrinkles on his face and the gray hair at his temples could not hide the marks left by ti—he is none other than the kung fu star who accompanied Chen Xiangbei throughout his teen years—Cheng Long!
"HI, Xiangbei."
Seeing Chen Xiangbei at the door, Cheng Long, without any air of a big star, warmly ca forward to give him a hug, just like his image on TV.
"Hello, Uncle Long."
In contrast, Chen Xiangbei appeared rather cautious, responding politely without the flamboyant persona seen on the track.
"Just call Brother, Uncle Long sounds a bit old."
Cheng Long replied with a smile, inviting Chen Xiangbei to sit down on the sofa.
At one ti, regardless of age or seniority, people would call Cheng Long Brother.
As ti passed, online in Chen Xiangbei’s previous life, "Uncle Long" gradually beca more common, and he beca accustod to this designation.
Since Cheng Long doesn’t want to admit to aging, Chen Xiangbei naturally complied and changed address, "Alright, Brother."
Thus, the two sat facing each other on the sofa, and Cheng Long first praised him excitedly: "Xiangbei, you perford brilliantly on the track just now, showcasing the strength of our Chinese drivers."
"I’ve watched the Grand Prix many tis, but this ti I finally witness a Chinese driver winning, and the award ceremony’s national flag and anthem make feel very proud and proud!"
Cheng Long wasn’t being polite; he genuinely expressed this sentint.
Only those who’ve road abroad and thoroughly understand racing know how rare this formula championship is.
In the more than fifty-year history of the Grand Prix, they only waited for Chen Xiangbei to appear!
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