The state of Schumacher’s coback and his goals are the focal points of external attention.
Gazing at this scene, which was completely different from what he had imagined, Chen Xiangbei felt a bit disinterested. During this tedious mont, he happened to catch sight of Hua Bu sitting in the audience, whose face mysteriously revealed a cryptic smile.
"What does this an?"
Briatore’s unusual expression made Chen Xiangbei feel a tinge of foreboding.
While he was wildly speculating in his mind, a reporter suddenly shifted focus and asked, "According to public records, capital from China has acquired sixty-seven percent of HRT Team shares."
"Mr. Chen Xiangbei, do you believe you entered the F1 Paddock through Chinese capital?"
Upon hearing this question, Chen Xiangbei was taken aback and glanced at Briatore.
"Was this arranged by the Italian scoundrel?"
However, this ti, Hua Bu showed no change in expression, still maintaining that ambiguous smile.
"A paid driver entering the paddock doesn’t necessarily an they lack strength."
Chen Xiangbei responded with a remark, not denying the fact that he was a paid driver.
For a "three no’s" driver from China aiming to rise up, without the financial backing, entering the paddock would be impossible.
The rules are such; it is not about strength.
"If you have strength, why still pay?"
It was clear the reporter was not convinced, imdiately posing a sharp counter-question.
"Schumacher was also a paid driver; who can question his strength?"
Schumacher once purchased a formal seat in Jordan Team for a price of fifteen thousand pounds per race. He promised to provide an annual sponsorship of no less than three and a half million pounds over the following two years.
Of course, King of Cars is King of Cars; Schumacher astonished everyone after just one race with Jordan Team and was quickly poached by Benetton Team at a high price.
Buying an opportunity with money is never wrong; lacking strength is.
Chen Xiangbei believed that a genuine paid driver is soone who can only stand in the paddock through sponsorship.
"Schumacher proved his strength with achievents, but you have not."
"I can prove it as well."
"With a few races in lower formula series?"
Another reporter chid in, his tone filled with sarcasm.
Then another driver spoke up, "Mr. Chen Xiangbei, as far as I know, you are still a green light driver, so does participating in the opening race count as illegal?"
With this remark, the entire audience burst into laughter.
The so-called green light driver refers to a driver who has obtained F1 testing qualifications but has not yet received a Super Driver’s License.
Such "trainees" must have a green light lit at the rear of their F1 cars when running laps, similar to a "learner" sign stuck on a new driver’s car trunk.
Though Chen Xiangbei received notification from the FIA that an exception would be made to issue him a Super Driver’s License, it still hadn’t been issued by now.
Clearly, this reporter must have obtained inside information and intentionally pointed it out.
Truth be told, Chen Xiangbei himself found it puzzling.
Even if F1 suspends during the winter break and Western work efficiency is low, shouldn’t there always be FIA staff on duty?
Two months have passed, and the official Super Driver’s License is not yet produced?
At this mont, Jean Todt stood up, took the microphone, and said,
"As dia reporters, you should mind the tiliness of the news. Two months ago, Xiangbei had already obtained his Super Driver’s License; he is not a green light driver nor participating illegally."
After this remark, Jean Todt pulled out an A4 paper from under the table, featuring the official FIA logo and the HRT Team na with the approval year.
The lower left bore Jean Todt’s signature, and the holder’s position on the lower right prominently displayed Chen Xiangbei’s na in Pinyin.
This is the Super Driver’s License issued by the FIA, the highest level racing license held by less than a hundred people worldwide!
With this license, one can drive any type of racecar, and of the highest level at that.
For example, in the WEC Endurance Race or GT events, racers are rated Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze; typically, you achieve results step by step to upgrade licenses and participate in top-level events.
Drivers with a Super Driver’s License are directly rated as "Platinum" level.
This is why Verstappen can directly compete in a GT3 race at the Nurburgring circuit.
Following the revelation of this Super Driver’s License, the earlier laughter turned into dead silence.
Many who were watching the spectacle never expected Jean Todt to have such a hidden card.
In fact, this was not an unforeseen situation; if not for the conflict between Briatore and the FIA due to "Crashgate," in theory, there was no need to obstruct the issuance of Chen Xiangbei’s Super Driver’s License.
It must be recognized that Chen Xiangbei is not just a driver; behind him stands the vast Chinese market!
The value of comrcial interests far surpasses that of a Super Driver’s License, let alone the fact that theoretically, Chen Xiangbei’s F1 testing mileage fully ets the standards.
As for racing speed, it hardly matters.
Could he be any worse than Ino Yuji, who couldn’t even understand team orders?
After a brief silence, the journalist who posed the question earlier seed sowhat embarrassed and persistently asked, "Chen Xiangbei, you said you can prove your strength, so what is your expected ranking for the debut race?"
"Scoring in the debut."
This ti, Chen Xiangbei answered very pragmatically.
Winter test results are hardly indicative, as most teams and drivers have their hidden tricks reserved.
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