Now paying the price for impulsive behavior, ending the F1 Chinese Grand Prix early.
Many tis, what seems like an insignificant mistake often determines the fate of the world championship towards the end of the season, especially when the McLaren is quite competitive.
Originally, Hamilton was third in points, just behind Red Bull Racing Team's Vettel and Ferrari Team's Alonso, with the gap very close.
After this race, it might widen.
Of course, now that the die is cast, being angry and regretful is aningless. Although Hamilton likes to complain, he is definitely not a fragile driver.
Clenching his fist and taking a few deep breaths to suppress the surging emotions, Hamilton took one last look at the departing Chen Xiangbei.
The Chinese Grand Prix is over, but the F1 ga has just begun!
As the accident was cleared, a green flag appeared outside the wall to restart the race, while the safety car exited through the escape route.
Alonso is very experienced at holding position, giving Weber no chance to overtake and continuing to maintain his leading position.
At the sa ti, Weber, trying to prevent Chen Xiangbei from attacking, couldn't fully overtake Alonso, leaving the top three drivers in a fragile balance.
But Rosberg, who was in fourth, drove with great frustration in this race. After finally having a breakthrough in qualifying and with Chen Xiangbei being penalized, he got a good start in the second row.
And he controlled the race pace perfectly, stubbornly maintaining his rank with this performance-disadvantaged rcedes car.
Rosberg had not forgotten the ridicule from Chen Xiangbei. He thought he could defeat his teammate on the East Sea Circuit, in China's ho race, completing his revenge in the most exhilarating way.
However, Trulli's appearance ruined everything!
Frankly, at this mont, Rosberg too beca heated, and the position beca irrelevant to him. His mind was full of overtaking Chen Xiangbei to prove he was not a weakling making excuses.
Now, with Chen Xiangbei right in front of him, he wants to win back!
"Bei, Rosberg is advancing; pay attention to your defensive line, and try to preserve tire life as much as possible."
Odetto, seeing Rosberg closing in on Chen Xiangbei, imdiately issued a warning.
This ti, the opponent is definitely coming aggressively, even likely to make impulsive moves.
Although Rosberg's past character did not show recklessness, he must not be underestimated, especially with Trulli setting an example.
"Team leader Odetto, Mr. Xiang Bei has to preserve the tires and defend; it's hard to do both."
Sawano Hiroyuki said worriedly, as these two aspects are fundantally contradictory.
"Yes, but this is racing."
For Odetto, such scenes are already very familiar.
Let alone Chen Xiangbei being a re station champion, many championship-contending teams see victory just ahead, yet experience car failures and retire from races; isn't that kind of fate harder to accept?
At least, Chen Xiangbei's fate is still in his hands.
Just as Odetto predicted, Rosberg is now not considering tire conservation; he is attacking Chen Xiangbei with full force.
Facing Rosberg's offensive, Chen Xiangbei quickly changed lanes to block, trying to make his movents as less aggressive as possible to avoid excessive tire wear while defending.
It's hard to achieve both, but Chen Xiangbei still won't give up.
The HRT and rcedes cars continued their offensive and defensive war, and the Ferrari and Red Bull did the sa ahead.
The Red Bull Racing Team once worried that Chen Xiangbei would reap the rewards, considering whether to let Weber launch an attack imdiately to wear down Alonso's tires.
Now seeing Rosberg attacking first, it's simply a godsend assist!
This leaves Red Bull Racing Team with no worries, as both Alonso's and Chen Xiangbei's tire life is decreasing simultaneously.
Currently, Vettel has already switched to new tires, leveraging the performance advantage of Red Bull Racing, quickly surpassing the slow cars in front to improve his position, and he should soon reach the leading group.
By then, none of the front-runners with excessively worn tires will be able to withstand Vettel's onslaught!
Chen Xiangbei is fully aware of the situation on the track, and even as things headed towards a dire direction, he still doesn't show urgency.
Because Chen Xiangbei knows that the graver the situation becos, the more important it is to maintain a calm and clear head, making no erroneous judgnts.
Thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-five...
Laps gradually adding up while the session gradually decreases.
"Ladies and gentlen, the race has reached forty-six laps, with only ten laps remaining until the end."
"The competition among the four cars in the leading group is intense; they haven't noticed that there is still a car rapidly approaching from behind, and that's Vettel from the Red Bull Racing Team."
"With new tire advantage and absolute performance, none of the trailing drivers can face him head-on one-on-one. Following this trend, if the leading drivers further consu each other's tires, they still won't be able to withstand the surging Vettel."
"It appears the two-stop strategy by Red Bull Racing Team is very successful; Chen Xiangbei is in danger."
Li Bing narrated the situation on the track; don't be deceived that Chen Xiangbei has already chased to third — the prospects are not optimistic.
With Red Bull's double cars in front and their performance being extrely strong, gaining a ti window, they hunted back.
Of course, this also relates to the lack of blocking from the trailing drivers.
With no chance of winning, trailing drivers aim to collect points without going all out to block an inevitable superior opponent.
Just like how in later years when Verstappen pits for new tires and cos out, the trailing drivers also give way, both sides clearly aware they are not competitors!
"Bei, Vettel is already behind Button; it's quite clear he intends to give way, and he could reach your back within a maximum of three laps."
"I predict Rosberg also won't defend."
Hearing this news in his earpiece, Chen Xiangbei knows the ti is right, and it cannot be delayed further.
A surge of courage fills his heart, and for the first ti, a ferocious expression appears on his face.
Teammates' sacrifices, the team's expectations, the audience's anticipations, his own dreams...
With all these factors, Chen Xiangbei bears too much; he is at a point where he cannot afford to lose — he must win the station championship!
The T7 and T8 combination bends of the East Sea Circuit are low-speed hairpin combinations, a right bend paired with a left bend, with high requirents for the driver's line while providing enough width for crossover lines, making overtaking lines unpredictable and entirely dependent on reflexes.
Decreasing reflexes are a common issue among "senior" drivers, not exclusive to Schumacher; Trulli and Weber face the sa problem.
No matter how great the sports star, they cannot escape the erosion of ti, let alone a driver like Weber who has never been at the peak.
Having endured for so long, let Weber and Rosberg play together!
A foot on the accelerator, Chen Xiangbei's speed skyrocketed, reaching an impressive 290 km/h.
Entering T7 with overwhelming speed, he completed an overtake on Weber, with both cars lined up side by side.
Weber's face was filled with sincere surprise; he never expected Chen Xiangbei to launch an attack so suddenly.
However, years of racing experience kept Weber firmly on the driving line, having tires past their peak grip could not withstand Chen Xiangbei's rough thod of a late-brake speeding overtaking.
But Weber was mistaken; Chen Xiangbei's overtaking wasn't rough but purely technical.
At the T8 bend, Chen Xiangbei counter-steered, correcting the car at a faster speed, and then the two cars crossed lines to overtake.
Throughout the process, Chen Xiangbei operated smoothly, without the slightest sluggishness or unfamiliarity, as if he had rehearsed countless tis.
Until he watched the HRT Racing Car pass before him did Weber realize sothing — Chen Xiangbei held sothing back on this East Sea Circuit, exhibiting a ticulously precise technical overtaking style never shown before.
What other trump cards does the Chinese Kid have yet to play?
User Comments
0 comments from readers