Car Racing without Money

Moreover, to control costs and ensure safety, the FIA has set new regulations allowing only eight new engines to be activated throughout the year, with only one engine allowed to be activated in each race; otherwise, a penalty for engine replacement must be faced.

In later years, this standard was further reduced to allow only four power units to be used throughout the year, prompting engine suppliers to focus more on durability and reliability, to prevent the "bomb" from blowing the cylinder on the track frequently.

It turns out the regulations are effective; at least the common nickname "Cylinder Explosion King" of this era has basically disappeared in later years, at most referred to as a tractor.

Currently, in the Brown GP Team's garage at the Catalonia Circuit, there are only two spare power units for the RA108, with nowhere to replace them if damaged, as the Honda F1 Engine Factory has long been closed.

As the saying goes, good fortune comes in pairs, misfortune does not come singly.

While Chen Xiangbei is in a bottleneck period, the situation at the Brown GP Team can be described as a decline period.

In the first seven races, they monopolized six race wins, with the BGP001 car showing absolute dominance.

Just as everyone thought the drivers' and constructors' double championship in 2009 would be a foregone conclusion, other teams learned black technologies like the double diffuser and gradually applied them in races.

In contrast, the Brown GP Team has now become a private team, unable to gather the power of three teams and the wind tunnel like last year, the development level has quickly fallen behind and cannot keep up with the upgrade speed of other teams.

Additionally, to cut costs, the originally merged 700-member research team from the Super Aguri Team was trimmed down to 430 members.

Various changes led the BGP001, the "Mars Rover," to decline mid-season to the point where it can't even reach the podium, and the atmosphere and goals of the entire team also changed.

Time came to August 17, and Chen Xiangbei's testing mileage at the Catalonia Circuit had accumulated to 2000 kilometers, equivalent to running six standard F1 Grand Prix races.

The Brown GP Team has already submitted a Super Driver's License application to the FIA for him, but there's no absolute certainty whether he will receive a special approval.

Chen Xiangbei's results and status remain his current shortcomings.

After two months of intermittent testing, the lifespan of the two spare power units has almost been exhausted.

In fact, Chen Xiangbei has already been using them conservatively, and the Super Dream Team hasn't run them at full power either. It can only be said that the reliability and durability of the engines of this era really have a big gap compared to later generations, easily leading to inexplicable failures.

On this day, having breakfast in the hotel, Chen Xiangbei was preparing to head to the Catalonia Circuit for training when Staler appeared rushed in the restaurant.

"Odetto, Xiangbei, I need to discuss something with you."

Without the usual pleasantries, Staler went straight to his request.

"OK, let's go to the hotel's meeting room."

Odetto knew Staler had rushed to the Catalonia Circuit to discuss matters concerning Chen Xiangbei and the team, so without hesitation, he led him to the hotel meeting room for a talk.

After the three sat down, Staler asked, "You guys should be following the F1 Grand Prix, right?"

"Of course."

Chen Xiangbei nodded, as a Formula driver, even if he's exhausted and busy, he can't ignore the F1 events.

"Then you should be aware of the changes in the results of the Brown GP Team."

"Yes."

"Ross and the board are planning to sell the team to the Daimler Group (Mercedes parent company)."

Staler revealed the reason for his arrival this time, that the Brown GP Team was about to change ownership and would be renamed the Mercedes-Benz Team in the future.

Upon hearing Staler's words, Chen Xiangbei's expression was calm; the wheels of history were moving forward, and his presence has not reached the level of influencing the course of history.

The renowned Mercedes Team of later generations is eventually about to be born.

In contrast, Odetto's expression turned heavy upon hearing this news.

To be honest, Chen Xiangbei, a Chinese rookie, getting such favorable testing conditions is inseparable from the help of shareholder Staler and team manager Ross Brown.

Once the Brown GP Team upgrades to the Mercedes factory team, what it will involve behind the scenes will be a trillion-level big group, making individual power appear insignificant.

Without the help of Ross Brown and Staler, even if Chen Xiangbei has the skill, it still might be very difficult to compete against opponents.

Just like when the Super Aguri Team dissolved last year, driver Sato Takuma ran the fastest lap in the winter test cars but couldn't beat a Swedish newcomer Buemi.

Most of the time, F1 is ultimately a sport for whites.

"Is this decision confirmed?"

Odetto asked in return.

"The board members and minor shareholders mostly agree, but Ross is still hesitating."

"However, given the team's current declining performance, the acquisition will become inevitable."

Staler's face showed a regretful expression, this is the sorrow of a small private team.

Even if they have a temporary lead relying on black technology, if subsequent development capabilities can't keep up, they'll still be caught up with by big teams upgrading. Only by "selling" to a giant like Mercedes can they get enough funding to continue playing in the F1 paddock.

Currently, Staler holds just over ten percent of the team's shares, but no matter how unwilling he is, as long as Ross Brown agrees to sell, there will be no power to stop it.

"Xiangbei, it seems your showcase plan needs to be on the agenda."

"At least while the Brown GP Team is still in my and Ross's hands, providing the resources to let you become the focus of the entire venue!"

The showcase plan Staler mentioned is the "substitute driving scheme" proposed by Odetto several months ago.

Seeking opportunities to participate in F3 support races and deliver a stunning performance, thereby gaining sufficient exposure and fame!

However, how to find an F3 team willing to offer Chen Xiangbei the opportunity for substitute driving became the challenge in front of them. At that time, Chen Xiangbei also couldn't guarantee he would definitely amaze in the F3 race.

If he failed to produce results, it would result in a scene of adverse effects from the operation.

But now there's no time to wait; once the Daimler Group completes the acquisition of Brown GP, it will become exponentially harder for Chen Xiangbei to obtain F1 team resources.

"By the way, how's Xiangbei's testing performance at the Catalonia Circuit now?"

After discussing the showcase plan, Staler immediately added another sentence.

Chen Xiangbei's F1 testing results will predict, to some extent, his potential performance in the F3 as a substitute.

After all, being able to drive an F1 car should undoubtedly be enough to create a phenomenal effect.

"1 minute 21 seconds 435."

Odetto casually replied with a lap time.

[What?]

Upon hearing this number, Staler widened his eyes and drew in a breath.

Chen Xiangbei's lap time was only 0.2 seconds behind Button and 0.4 seconds behind Barrichello in last year's Spain Station qualifying.

The most important point is that this lap time from Chen Xiangbei, in last year's qualifying, would mean directly entering Q2!

Is this the true talent of the Chinese Kid?