Car Racing without Money

Upon hearing Staler's words, a hint of surprise appeared on Chen Xiangbei's face.

Although Uncle Liang had previously mentioned that Staler shared a close friendship with Williams and might be able to secure a recommendation, which would greatly help in vying for an F1 team seat in the future.

But those are things for the future, Chen Xiangbei never imagined that in his very first Renault Formula race, he would have Sir Williams watching on-site.

This kind of opportunity is absolutely a rare find!

Seeing the change in Chen Xiangbei's expression, Staler shook his head and added, "But I'm sorry, Sir Williams didn't show much interest. His minimum requirement for promoting newcomers is to win the Renault championship."

Finland's legendary talent Raikkonen achieved a triple jump into F1 driver status with the Renault 2.0 Formula championship title.

Raikkonen also fulfilled his talent, not being any misjudged champion, and clinched the 2007 F1 World Championship title with exceedingly clean and beautiful victories!

Since then, the Renault Formula championship title has become the benchmark for entering the good graces of F1 teams.

Then Staler spoke again: "However, I contacted the head of the Renault Sport Academy yesterday, and he can consider giving you a spot as a trainee driver, which would grant you top-tier resources upon entering F3."

Chen Xiangbei can secure the pole position and championship in the first round of the Renault European Cup, it can be pretty much confirmed he'll smoothly advance to F3.

According to FIA rules, once a driver enters F3, they will use the same track during the F1 race weekend, which is commonly known as the "support races."

If he obtains a trainee driver position with an F1 team, it means Chen Xiangbei could directly enter the F1 garage P-room during race weeks and discuss with engineers and staff while watching F1 races, and learn about F1-related tuning and race strategies in advance.

Furthermore, trainee drivers can enter the F1 team factory and use the team's dedicated simulator.

Thus, while actual F1 drivers are developing and giving feedback, trainee drivers can stand alongside and learn by observing, acquiring invaluable racing data and track experience.

If he knows how to be sociable, he might even receive personal guidance from top F1 drivers.

Latter-day Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu joined Renault Sport Academy and explicitly stated in a media interview that he received much help from his idol, "Head Brother" Alonso.

They would walk the track before the race, and Alonso would inform him of track surface conditions and curb bump details, and generously share onboard information from engineer briefings, as well as explain unclear points like a teacher.

This is why lower-tier formula drivers hope to join big teams or F1 team training camps.

The resources and technical support they can provide cannot be compared with small teams.

In Staler's eyes, the Super Dream Team is just bearing the title of former F1 Super Aguri Team, while in reality, core assets and equipment have long been sold to German Fengtai High-tech, leaving nearly an empty shell in name only.

Currently, Renault Group is actively promoting events, such as the winter tour Chen Xiangbei participated in Japan, which was part of their promotional efforts.

Now, Renault Group's goal is to establish an Asia top regional event similar to the Renault European Cup with a focus on the Chinese track.

Chen Xiangbei, as a Chinese driver, fits perfectly with Renault's promotional image selection criteria, and they are even willing to offer a seat with the sport academy.

Truthfully, this is a mutually beneficial arrangement that suits both parties, and if Chen Xiangbei agrees, it will be very beneficial for accelerating his career development.

After all, the formula event is never about gradual upgrades, as long as there's enough experience and strength, one can surely be the next Kimi Raikkonen, directly "triple jump" from Renault to F1 paddock.

Or like Vettel and Verstappen, skipping GP2 (F2) straight into F1.

It should be noted that for formula racing, age factors heavily in driver assessments. A newcomer starting karting at 18 is considered inexperienced, whereas entering the F1 paddock at 20 would be considered a genius!

But the problem is, by doing so, Chen Xiangbei must abandon the racing team he's built great rapport with, and give up the dream of forming a Chinese Formula team.

Just during the recently passed award ceremony, team members were still cheering for his championship win, those excited words and euphoric smiles seemed to still echo in his mind.

Is it really his intention to succeed and then "cut ties with those who helped him first"?

"North, make your decision now, I'll contact the Renault sports head to promptly arrange assessments and trials for you."

Staler reminded, not thinking there's much need for further consideration.

Not to mention that Super Aguri has already collapsed, even if it were still operational, the value of Renault's training far exceeds that of private teams.

Chen Xiangbei remained silent; Staler's appearance and proposal were too sudden, leaving him utterly unprepared.

Within such a short time, it's difficult to devise a plan that considers everything.

"North, what are you hesitating about?"

Staler seemed puzzled, does such a great opportunity need deliberation?

If it weren't for years of friendship with Zhang Zhicong, and if he weren't the founder of Huasi Sports, he wouldn't bother helping an unknown Chinese driver gain such a valuable placement.