Actor: Thank you.

The following day, in Brackley, Northamptonshire, British Isles.

The Honda F1 team's technical center and factory are located here.

Of course, it is now being renamed the BU Brawn GP Team Factory.

Don't be fooled by the fact that they're an island nation's racing team. Even when they're working on projects involving European classic cars, they still have to do research and development in Europe because all the technical talent is local.

Although it has not been officially announced, all the major racing teams already know about Honda's withdrawal.

Honda's legacy is quite valuable, but the major racing teams are currently unable to acquire it and have no intention of taking it over.

The wind tunnel equipment alone, manufactured by Honda, cost as much as $4000 million.

All of these were "sold" to Ross Brown.

Is this Asian man reliable?

After a brief introduction, Brown found the factory director and showed Zhang Yuan around the facilities.

Especially the races from previous years.

I even took him to a professional racing simulator to try it out.

He followed behind, adding to the introduction with a smile, while secretly chatting with his buddy Todd.

Todd knew he had no money.

They weren't just poor, they were truly destitute.

So, in a great hurry, he personally led Zhang Yuan to this place the very next day.

However, before coming, at the end of his meal with Yang Ziqiong, he made a request.

That means when Zhang Yuan invited Yang Ziqiong to Shanghai to participate in a charity race, he would go along as well.

His purpose in going there was to meet the eldest son of the Huo family.

Yang Ziqiong's family and the Huo family had some interaction, but not much.

Especially after both of their fathers passed away, they had very little contact with each other.

He needed Zhang Yuan to host the event and act as an intermediary, just as he would act as an intermediary for Zhang Yuan and Brown to introduce each other.

The Frenchman made these arrangements because he was trying to vie for the position of FIA president.

Almost all high-level motorsport events, including F1, Le Mans, WRC, GT racing, and WTCC World Touring Car Championship, are governed by the FIA.

By ascending to this chairmanship, one can become the visible voice of the world's motorsport.

The Ho family enjoys a prestigious reputation and wields considerable influence in the world of sports.

He has connections not only with the Olympic Organizing Committee, but also with football, basketball, and water sports.

Gaining their support and connections would increase Todd's chances of winning.

The reason why Yang Ziqiong was so enthusiastic towards Zhang Yuan after he arrived in Paris was largely due to this.

She wanted to help her boyfriend get a higher position.

With her boyfriend rising to a high position, she also benefits from it.

Zhang Yuan readily agreed, believing that Todt's position would in turn guarantee his own status within the F1 team.

This is called a stakeholder.

"Enthusiastic, generous, and passionate about public welfare," Todd replied to his friend's question.

“I checked, and he has hosted charity racing events in Shanghai every year for the past few years without receiving any profit from them.”

"Maybe he really likes this sport."

"Also, I have contacted Barclays Bank to verify the funds, and he does indeed have large deposits there."

"You need the money, don't you?"

Brown nodded.

F1 racing is quite different from regular racing.

This sport involves traveling all over the world; it's a world tour.

The first five races of 09 will be held in Bahrain, Melbourne, Shanghai, Malaysia, and Spain.

Spanning three continents!
The cost of transporting goods by truck is astronomical at each stop.

How poor was the Brawn GP team at this time?
It's one thing that Mercedes owes them engines, but the entire fleet only has three new chassis.

The team has two racing cars and one test car, which is exactly three sets used up.

In other words, if a major accident occurs during the race and the chassis is damaged, the team will not even be able to assemble enough cars for the race.

Fortunately, both drivers are not only top-notch, but also known for their rock-solid stability.

In addition to funding from their parent companies, half of the teams also have a large number of sponsors.

Advertising costs for key positions on race cars, such as the front wing, rear wing, sidepods, and driver's helmet, can be at least tens of millions of US dollars per year.

Even a tiny advertisement, just a small square on the car body, with your company name displayed, can easily cost at least a million US dollars a year.

Therefore, in the early days, racing sponsors were brands like Marlboro, British American, and Camel, because tobacco companies had plenty of money.

Back then, race car drivers also smoked, drank, and got perms; they were quite wild, which perfectly matched the brand's image.

Who sponsors the "lousy" Brawn GP team?

You're almost out of money to buy a car, and you'll be at the bottom of the class every time. I'd be ashamed of that.

Therefore, in 09, Ferrari's sponsorship fees alone approached 2 million US dollars.

Brawn Racing currently has... 3 sponsors.

better than nothing.

When Honda ran away, all the sponsors who had followed Honda also ran away.

Therefore, the team's remaining funds were only enough for transportation costs for four races.

Later, Brawn Racing adopted a new approach: in each new location, the team's business manager would contact local brands in advance.

Beer, potato chips, lighters, shipping, toys... whoever wants them, whoever is willing to pay, no matter how little, I'll put their ads on this site.

It's like begging for food.

Given the current difficulties, seeing cash is like an Indian seeing a lizard – they can't wait to get it.

But Brown was still somewhat conflicted.

"What are you thinking about?" Todd noticed his friend's hesitation.

"If your team can finish a season, that would be a success. Now that someone is willing to invest, isn't that a good thing?"

“But… okay then.” Brown wanted to say something but didn’t.

"What exactly happened?" Todd pressed.

“Yesterday, the engineers tested our car on the simulator and found that it is 3 seconds faster than last year’s Ferrari in a lap time.”

Todd's eyebrows practically flew off when he heard that.

A lap time of less than three seconds is unacceptable!

But he quickly calmed down.

"First of all, you are comparing it to last year's car, but other teams will also improve this year."

"Secondly, simulator data can be inaccurate; only after the formal testing begins can we know the car's true performance level."

“You’re right.” Although Brown was a technical director by training, he wasn’t sure if the current results were genuine.

If this is true, it's terrifying.

Because while there have been instances of small car teams making a comeback in history, they are extremely rare.

This sport is basically about whoever spends more money wins.

"So I advise you to show sincerity. The other party's funds should be enough to support you for at least half a season."

"We can only talk about what comes next if the global economy recovers a year from now."

“Solve the problem at hand first.”

After discussing it, the two found Zhang Yuan, who had just finished playing on the simulator.

His expression was somewhat strained.

Even emulators are incredibly difficult to run!
If you press the accelerator even slightly harder, the car will spin.

One must be as precise as a doctor stitching a needle to even begin to grasp the basics.

Otherwise, top F1 drivers who go to other races, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the WRC rally, will basically dominate and easily defeat their opponents.

Just like when someone who has participated in the Olympic table tennis competition goes to play in the provincial competition, they completely crush their opponents.

“We have tentatively agreed to your idea,” Todd said first.

"Now, let's talk about the details."

Zhang Yuan smiled.

He knew that if he hadn't gotten in through Yang Ziqiong's connections, he wouldn't be standing here at all.

Who would pay attention to an Asian person, especially one who isn't the owner of a large conglomerate? It's like how a crosstalk performer needs an "introducer and guarantor" to become an apprentice.

One of the origins of this set of rules is the Green Gang rules in Shanghai.

Society is everywhere, and without Todd as a "mentor," people won't trust you even if you have money.

Mexican gangs still have money; would anyone dare to take it?

Besides, without someone to show you the way, how would you know which way the government office faces?
If you want to buy a Champions League team or an NBA team, they won't even bother with you.

The culture of recommendation letters is even more prevalent in the West than in China, because in Europe, there are many large families with centuries-old histories and deeply rooted relationships.

"20% of the team's shares."

"Impossible, at most 10%."

"That's too little, I can't accept it."

“It’s impossible to buy a 20% stake for £1000 million; the team’s current assets are at least £8000 million.”

"But you haven't sold it, and you won't easily sell it to others."

"In short, £1000 million is impossible."

"What if I add another 500 million pounds?"

Zhang Yuan ultimately spent £15 million to acquire a 1500% stake in the team.

However, it does not involve day-to-day management. Accountants and legal counsel can be stationed on-site, and one can also obtain the position of an executive director.

He also requested three more vehicle advertising spaces, one large and two small, for his own use.

The other party agreed, but requested that the advertising brand be reviewed.

What if you advertise for XX website or a drug trafficking group?

When the other party imposed restrictions, Zhang Yuan raised the bar again, demanding a year-round paddock pass and the ability to bring people to the garage for every event.

The team also needs to cooperate with the brand's activities, with at least five opportunities per year.

A whole host of business details need to be finalized; it can't be done in a day or two.

Zhang Yuan also needed to find his lawyer from North America to review the details.

“Zhang, I’d love to welcome you to the team right now.” Brown finally spoke after chatting until late at night.

Having a technical background, he speaks with great care and precision.

"But it's not the right time yet, because changes in team shareholders require approval from both the FOM and FOAT associations."

"So if you have time, please go with the team to Bahrain for preseason testing and also attend the association meeting."

"We will vote on many things before the season, and we will also bring this up."

"Okay." Zhang Yuan's expression turned somewhat serious upon hearing this.

There is internal strife everywhere; the most difficult thing to deal with in the world is people.

Three days later, he and Brown flew to the Persian Gulf.

The Bahrain Salki Circuit, like the country itself, is located deep in the desert.

Winters are dry and cold, and unlike the ocean, the desert has no temperature-regulating function, so the temperature difference between day and night is extremely large.

You can wear long sleeves during the day, but you'll have to put on a down jacket at night.

All F1 teams will conduct preseason vehicle and tire testing here for the 2009 season.

The team principals of the ten teams met with representatives from the FIA ​​and F1 racing companies in a conference room.

Zhang Yuan could only wait in a nearby lounge.

He glanced at it when he arrived.

The people who entered the conference room were almost all white; there were no black people, and very few Asians.

So he was somewhat worried, fearing that he might get stuck at this point.

This sport was almost exclusively for white people, especially European white people.

The first Black driver was Lewis Hamilton, who only started racing in 2007, and although he was Black in skin color, he was actually British.

The first Chinese driver won't appear until 2022.

This industry is very exclusive.

We waited all day, and the meeting room was filled with the sounds of people banging on tables and throwing chairs, and constant noise.

That's how white people are; they wear suits and ties in public, but they're just as barbaric behind closed doors.

There's no peaceful way to discuss things; it always ends in arguments.

As he waited and waited, until he was almost asleep, a deep voice with a heavy accent suddenly rang in his ear.

"You're the Chinese guy Brown was talking about?"

"Huh?" Zhang Yuan opened his eyes and saw a short man with a full head of white hair.

"Hello, Mr. Bernie."

Zhang Yuan recognized him; this was FOM, the owner of F1 Management Company.

To put it simply, this person is a shrewd businessman.

He's not just any ordinary unscrupulous merchant; he's even more cunning and treacherous than that old Jewish man.

You can think of him as the "Master Huang" of Formula 1.

FOM was originally an organization formed to fight against the FIA, the International Automobile Federation.

But at his peak, Bernie used various means to acquire almost the entire Formula 1 sport, which made him one of the top ten richest people in Britain.

"Seventy percent of the time it's someone else's business, but for the remaining 30%, you still have to consider their feelings..." That's basically the situation.

The ten teams share 30%, while he alone enjoys 70% of the revenue from television, online, and other broadcasting services.

This old man has done things like deliberately booking all the hotel rooms in a small town before negotiations to put pressure on his opponents, leaving them nowhere to stay.

This is intended to tire out the negotiating partner, put them in a bad mood, and affect their performance.

This is the real business battle.

Because of his appalling behavior, two years ago, ten racing teams united to form FOAT, the Racing Teams Association, to fight against his company.

Therefore, within the competition arena, the three major organizations—FIA, FOM, and FOAT—are mutually restraining and fighting amongst themselves.

It would be strange if they didn't fight.

"Yes, it's me," Zhang Yuan replied confidently, yet cautiously.

"Are you an actor?" the old man asked, squinting his eyes.

“Yes, a well-known actor,” he emphasized.

"Are you here to have fun or to make money?" The old man was very direct, speaking as bluntly as a hot knife through butter.

"I'm here to invest," Zhang Yuan answered without hesitation.

“Listen, kid, I’m going to make a deal with you now,” Old Deng said arrogantly.

“I will agree to your investment in the Brawn team.”

"But you must guarantee that you and Ross Brown support every decision my FOM makes."

“I will discuss it with Brown, but everyone can only control themselves.”

"So all I can guarantee is that I will support you unwaveringly," Zhang Yuan replied, standing up a full head taller than Lao Deng.

“I don’t like or trust Chinese people. You’re all just a bunch of unsophisticated farmers,” the old man continued, not backing down.

Zhang Yuan knew that this was the opponent's tactic.

Belittle your opponent to gain a psychological advantage.

If you get angry because of this, your anger will cloud your judgment, which will just help him achieve his goal.

"It's a coincidence, I don't like you either."

“Your taste in clothing is terrible.” He raised his head without backing down.

"However, we don't need to like each other, because we're both here to invest."

He replied firmly, his gaze resolute.

A few seconds later, the old man, expressionless, extended his right hand.

Zhang Yuan also extended his right hand.

They shook hands firmly.

"I still don't like Chinese people, but I like you," the old man said curtly.

The more you bow your head to such an arrogant person, the less effective it will be.

They already looked down on you; they're just testing you.

Once you kneel down, you're completely finished; no one will ever look at you with a second glance again.

Only by being firm yet rational can we find a way out. (End of Chapter)