"I have no problem taking on the role of HRT manager, but I must have absolute command over the team, and not even the higher-ups are allowed to interfere."
"No problem."
Chen Xiangbei agreed without hesitation, as he had already reached an understanding about this with Kalanbant.
"Secondly, my annual salary cannot be less than five million US dollars, and there must also be bonuses for team performance."
"OK."
"Thirdly, I don’t trust the theoretical speed of the TF110 until results show. We need a Technical Director to lead the team’s developnt."
"Who?"
Chen Xiangbei asked back; he hadn’t discussed this with Kalanbant.
"Bob Bell, along with so Renault team mbers."
The Ferrari triumvirate composed of Schumacher, Jean Todt, and Ross Brown is widely known.
But not many people know that Renault had its own triumvirate.
That was during the ’05 and ’06 ’Red vs. Blue’ battles with Ferrari, composed of Alonso, Briatore, and Technical Director Bob Bell, known as the Renault triumvirate!
Bob Bell, as a Technical Director, may not be as famous as Newey, Byrne, or Tombazis.
But the cars he led the design of weren’t bad.
During his ti as Technical Director at Renault and rcedes, Bob Bell led the championship cars in 2005, 2006, 2014, and 2015, making a na in F1 history.
With the Renault "Crashgate" scandal breaking out, Bob Bell briefly served as interim Team Principal after Briatore left, until current Team Principal Blair arrived, at which point he chose to leave the paddock and is currently unemployed.
Among Bob Bell’s subordinates is a future famous top designer nad Jas Allison.
During his stint as Technical Director at the rcedes Team, he secured five Constructors’ titles and four Drivers’ titles.
The W11 car, in particular, is hailed as one of the strongest F1 cars of all ti!
Of course, Jas Allison isn’t as renowned now as he will be in the future; he previously held the position of Head of Aerodynamics. With Bob Bell and others leaving, Renault Managent promoted Allison to Deputy Technical Director.
"No problem."
Chen Xiangbei agreed outwardly with no change in expression, but inwardly he was filled with joy.
He never imagined the deal would co with such a valuable bonus!
It’s important to know that, most of the ti, a team manager needs to fly around the world with the team to participate in races.
No matter how strong Briatore’s managent skills are, a Technical Director is still needed in the rear to oversee car developnt and upgrades at the Lifield Technology Center.
Previously, Chen Xiangbei had limited good candidates for the position. Developnt work is different from managent; F1, as the technological pinnacle of the automotive industry, is not sothing outsiders can easily get involved in.
Even as a ti traveler, he could only be an observer.
Now, with the TF110 prototype as a foundation, the demand for car developnt isn’t that urgent, and the position of Technical Director could be filled slowly by the HRT managent.
Chen Xiangbei is just a driver and can’t do everything.
The Technical Director is the last missing piece of the HRT team puzzle, and Bob Bell’s arrival will complete it.
If only leveraging the power of Honda and Toyota, but now adding Renault’s expertise, is a huge step forward.
If this lineup were available ten years later, forget 60 million US Dollars, even with an additional zero, it might not be enough to assemble such resources.
Cadillac Team’s entrance fee alone is 4.5 billion US Dollars in 2026, not to ntion the astronomical costs of establishing a research base and poaching Red Bull and rcedes talents.
"Hua Bu" of course wasn’t aware of Chen Xiangbei’s thoughts and saw this Chinese kid as having fully agreed to his demands without any haggling.
This level of sincerity is truly comndable!
Even though he was extrely profit-driven and results-oriented, he was sowhat moved by the other party’s genuine attitude.
At this point, Briatore stood up, extended his hand with a smile and said, "Xiangbei, you’ve convinced ."
"I will accept your invitation to beco the manager of the HRT Team."
"Mr. Briatore, on behalf of the HRT Team, I welco you on board!"
After expressing his congratulations, Chen Xiangbei did not hesitate a bit and imdiately called the boss, Kalanbant, asking him to bring the contract to Renault Headquarters as soon as possible to prevent any unforeseen complications.
Chen Xiangbei recognized Hua Bu’s abilities, but he had no trust in the character of this old rogue.
Over the phone, Kalanbant almost dropped his phone in surprise when he heard that Chen Xiangbei had managed to secure Hua Bu, along with a forr Renault Technical Director on the side.
Kalanbant, at that mont, wasn’t sure whether to attribute this to Chen Xiangbei’s luck or his capabilities.
Acquiring the team legacies of Honda and Toyota could be explained as capitalizing on previous good relationships.
Briatore had no relationship with Chen Xiangbei, not even answering Kalanbant’s calls, yet was persuaded by Chen, who also managed to poach Renault’s technical resources.
Could it be that there truly exists soone blessed by God in this world?
Of course, amazed as he was, Kalanbant drove over imdiately.
He, too, fully understood Hua Bu’s capabilities. It is said that in turbulent tis, a heavy hand is required. Only with such a strong manager can the different factions within the HRT Team be unified in the shortest ti possible.
While Kalanbant was connecting with Hua Bu on one side, Chen Xiangbei on the other end received a call from Lu Xiaoman.
The 2009 ROC National Cup organizers had already announced the race schedule and driver lineup.
The event was scheduled for mid-November, right after the end of the 2009 F1 season and just before testing of new cars for the winter season — to accommodate current F1 drivers’ participation.
The lineup of participating drivers could no longer be rely described as "luxurious"; calling it a battle of the gods would be more appropriate.
Two drivers for the German team are Schumacher, the King of Cars, and Vettel, the future four-ti Red Bull champion.
The drivers for the UK team are the reigning world champion from Brawn GP, Jenson Button, and the three-ti world touring car championship winner from 2005 to 2007, Andy Priaulx.
UK Team 2 includes Hamilton, the future seven-ti rcedes champion, and David Coulthard, the 2001 F1 World runner-up.
Drivers for the French team include WRC’s absolute ruler, nine-ti champion Sebastian Leib.
And, the 2008 World Touring Car Championship winner Ivan Mueller.
...
Seeing all these nas, one would not expect them to compete in the sa event if it weren’t for the ROC National Cup.
The Chinese team drivers are Chen Xiangbei and Han Han.
There’s no need to introduce Chen Xiangbei, while Han Han beca the track and rally double champion in 2009, becoming the first cross-border champion driver in China.
"Xiangbei, news from Mr. Peng is that they expect to finish in the top three of the National Cup."
"If achieved, top-tier sponsorships will follow, and the HRT Team won’t have to worry about funds for future upgrades."
Lu Xiaoman communicated these final words over the phone — the podium is the national goal!
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