The TF110 engine roared, its power output was much stronger than before, and with an extrely low aerodynamic downforce setup coupled with a hard suspension, Chen Xiangbei experienced minimal aerodynamic pressure on the long straight at the start.
to 100 km/h in 1.9 seconds.
to 200 km/h in 4.7 seconds.
to 300 km/h in 11.6 seconds.
The insane acceleration demonstrated how terrifying an F1 car can be without the constraint of aerodynamic downforce.
And this wasn’t even the speedoter’s limit. As he approached the end of the long start straight, Chen Xiangbei reached an astonishing speed of 320 km/h!
But to navigate through the T1 spiral combination turn at East Sea International Circuit, he needed to reduce his speed from 320 km/h to around 95 km/h in just two seconds.
At this point, the driver’s neck would endure approximately 5.5 Gs of force.
Later, rcedes driver Russell described in an interview that, when you add the weight of the head and helt together, 5.5 Gs translate to about 55 kilograms of weight, equivalent to carrying your girlfriend on your head with your neck!
As to why he suddenly used his girlfriend as a taphor, that’s sowhat intriguing...
"Xiangbei’s speed is a bit dangerous."
In the HRT Team’s pit room, data engineer Mizutani Sho noticed Chen Xiangbei’s speed and muttered instinctively.
It should be noted that this was the first practice session. Besides optimizing the original upgraded aerodynamics package, the TF110 had significantly adjusted its power unit output and response, making its handling feel quite different from before.
Even though Chen Xiangbei showcased his top adaptability at the Australian Grand Prix, it was impossible to go all out on the first lap of a practice session without simulator training, as if it were a qualifying run.
In fact, Chen Xiangbei’s starting speed had already surpassed the cornering speed of most qualifying laps.
Not only did Mizutani Sho notice Chen Xiangbei’s unusual speed, but McLaren’s team principal Whitmarsh, who was catching up with Ross in the rcedes pit room, also realized sothing was off.
Whitmarsh had a very good personal relationship with Ross Brown. Last year, even the Brown GP team’s acquisition of rcedes engine support was thanks to his diation.
However, as rcedes officially entered and acquired Brown GP to form its own factory team, they beca competitors with McLaren, their forr partner.
Of course, rcedes was still a newcor, and the conflict of interest between both parties was not severe. The real conflict would arise in 2014 when McLaren switched to Honda’s engine supply.
"Isn’t Xiangbei’s speed on the long straight a bit too eager to show off?"
Whitmarsh questioned. With his professional expertise, he could see that Chen Xiangbei was pushing at full speed.
As a ho track driver, wanting to showcase his speed in front of a Chinese audience was understandable.
However, going all out on the first formal lap of the first practice session was sowhat hasty.
According to news reports, Xiangbei hadn’t returned to the team headquarters for simulator training, and with the HRT Racing Car’s engine tuned by the Ferrari team for this race, was the Chinese Kid really self-taught to adapt?
Common sense and experience told Whitmarsh, that’s impossible!
"Xiangbei... he is not a driver who likes to show off."
No matter how the outside world comnted on Chen Xiangbei, Ross Brown knew this young lad’s nature.
Effort and resilience were the decisive factors in Chen Xiangbei’s performance, not relying on joint publicity with Briatore.
"Is that so?"
Whitmarsh did not argue. Compared to his old friend Ross Brown, he didn’t know much about Chen Xiangbei, purely observing from the perspective of an onlooker in the paddock.
But his tone was sowhat flippant, internally not agreeing with Ross Brown’s assessnt of Chen Xiangbei.
Perhaps once the Chinese newcor wasn’t like this, but from the recent CCTV interview, Whitmarsh could sense a youthful arrogance born from early success, a vibe many young drivers have experienced!
As everyone talked, on the track, Chen Xiangbei hit the brakes heavily, the inertia-induced G force hitting his neck like a giant hamr, his well-developed muscles instantly tightened, and blue veins visibly surfaced.
The strong grip of the hot-lt tires clung firmly to the ground, yet what happened next was beyond Chen Xiangbei’s expectation. Without the aid of aerodynamic downforce, relying solely on chanical grip, the braking distance was too long, missing the optimal turning point.
Faced with this situation, Chen Xiangbei could only increase the force under his foot, leading to a brief mont where the tires locked, a puff of smoke rising from the T1 corner.
Chen Xiangbei then sharply turned the steering wheel, with the hardest suspension setup enhancing the car’s stability in high-speed corners but equally reducing traction control in low-speed corners.
The too-fast entry speed caused Chen Xiangbei to inevitably skid, with the car crossing the curb and rushing into the run-off area!
This scene caused a direct uproar among the audience.
Many Chinese fans were expecting Chen Xiangbei’s astonishing performance, hoping he’d outperform other drivers for a Star Circle lap and take pole position at the East Sea International Circuit, and even compete for the event’s victory.
But going off track on the first lap of practice?
The bold claims in the pre-race interview instantly felt like re babbling.
At this rate, wouldn’t silence follow after the race?
anwhile, fans from other countries and other drivers’ fans, who had been overshadowed by the Chinese audience’s montum and volu, finally seized this opportunity to strike back.
"Haha, and he wants to win the championship? Can’t even hold steady on the first lap?"
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