Chen Xiangbei parked his F3 car in front of the champion’s sign, and the mbers of the Dream Team had already rushed over from the pit. This ti, even Odetto was present, and the two sides embraced tightly across the barrier to celebrate.
The reporters, seeing this, also extended their microphones, all asking Chen Xiangbei about his thoughts on winning the championship.
"Mr. Chen Xiangbei, you won the F3 series race as a substitute driver. What do you have to say about that?"
"Xiangbei, you showed absolute dominance in this race. Will you fulfill your pre-race promise to advance to F1?"
"Driver Xiangbei, besides the Renault Team managent, have any other F1 teams contacted you privately?"
"Xiangbei, if you had the opportunity to join F1, which team would you want to go to?"
This ti, the focus of the reporters’ questions was not only on Chen Xiangbei winning the championship but also on wanting to know about his future career plans and if he could beco an official F1 driver.
To be honest, Chen Xiangbei’s performance no longer needed the expertise of F1 managent professionals. Even ordinary dia reporters had realized that this Chinese kid was becoming a rising star in the racing world.
This is the most cost-effective ti to sign him.
Facing the reporters’ questions, Chen Xiangbei did not say too many emotional words, nor did he want to make any grand declarations.
He just took Hank’s microphone and then found the cara on the track’s broadcast big screen.
Then he said, "I am ready to beco an F1 driver, just waiting for the official contract from the team."
"Choosing will be the best decision you ever make!"
After saying this, Chen Xiangbei tossed the microphone back to Hank.
So things only need to be said once; next, he will enjoy the glory of being a winner!
"Team Leader Ross, should we really not consider it?"
At the Brown GP Team’s pit, seeing Chen Xiangbei’s "invitation" through the lens, team test engineer Field asked, his mind in a whirl of emotions.
As the team leader for Chen Xiangbei’s testing at the Catalonia Circuit, he had witnessed this Chinese newcor’s superb talent and potential.
To say a not-overly-ambitious statent, based on the growth rate he showed during the test phase, surpassing Barrichello is just a matter of ti, and even Jenson Button is not out of reach.
After all, an F1 driver’s career is like a tire’s grip, with a "peak value" as well.
Beyond the peak period is a downhill path; no one can withstand the erosion of ti, not even Schumacher, Alonso, Hamilton, and the likes, for even the gods standing at the peak will eventually have their mont to descend.
If the two drivers of the Brown GP Team represent the present, then Chen Xiangbei represents the future.
Field believes it is worth betting on!
For the strategy team mber’s words, Ross Brown felt very conflicted.
To be honest, he was the first F1 team managent to consider Chen Xiangbei’s potential. At the sa ti, Ross Brown allowed Chen Xiangbei to skip levels, intending to nurture him as a reserve F1 driver to so extent.
According to the normal genius speed of rising one level a year, Chen Xiangbei would only run F3 this year, run GP2 next year if he did well, or save money running the famous Renault 3.5 era if not as good.
Anyway, the fastest speed would be to stand at the entrance of the F1 paddock in two years.
Yet, the Chinese kid had advanced this schedule by almost two years!
Ross Brown believed that given his help and the friendship between Staler and Chen Xiangbei,
as long as the Brown GP Team offered a contract, Chen Xiangbei would definitely agree without hesitation.
However, the cost of this gamble would be the fate of the entire team!
Why did Ross Brown agree to the Daimler Group and the Abu Dhabi Consortium’s shares? The premise was that although the team had survived, it had not secured a major sponsor.
All the operating costs from the beginning of the year until now were accumulating debt to clear out the family assets.
If they did not accept external shares, the team would be forced to repay debts and might as well proactively negotiate a good price.
So people may wonder why the Brown GP Team, despite being in contention for the championship, lacks money and major sponsors?
The reason is simple; F1 sponsorships have a delay.
The vast majority of sponsorship contracts were signed in advance the previous season. Aside from Chen Xiangbei, who had a god’s-eye view knowing Honda’s legacy would be a Mars Rover, no one outside had much faith in the barely "surviving" Brown GP Team.
By the ti Brown GP achieved results, the team’s operations were already in extre difficulty.
And because there was no money, the season upgrades could not catch up. When the major sponsors decided to invest, they found that Brown GP Team’s results suddenly fell short, so they chose to observe again.
Including Brown GP, many small teams have fallen into this kind of vicious cycle.
Ross Brown carries the fate of the entire team on his shoulders and desperately needs the 09-season driver’s championship to turn things around. He doesn’t dare to gamble!
"Team Leader Ross?"
Seeing that Ross Brown still didn’t respond, Field called out softly.
Facing Field’s expectant eyes, Ross Brown sighed deeply, still not giving an answer.
At this mont, in the direction of the podium, the awarding guest had already presented the trophies to the top three drivers. Imdiately behind Chen Xiangbei, a bright flag appeared on the LCD screen, and the track broadcast also played the national anthem.
Chen Xiangbei looked solemnly ahead, listening to the familiar tune in his ears, with countless thoughts in his mind.
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