Why race if you don’t have money?

Chapter 118 Test Drive Brawn GP Racing Car (Two-in-One)

One extremely convenient thing about British racing is that the headquarters and R&D bases of many F1 teams are basically within a -kilometer radius of London.

Starler originally planned to finish his role as commentator, come over to say hello to Chen Xiangbei, and inform him in person that the Brown GP team had hired him as a test driver.

But when he arrived at the drivers' lounge, Starler changed his mind.

Chen Xiangbei's performance in today's qualifying round was too perfect. He planned to invite the Chinese kid to the R&D headquarters of the Brown GP team to witness the RA109 prototype car full of black technology with his own eyes.

At the same time, Chen Xiangbei’s results today were used to tell Ross Brawn that his choice was correct!

It should be noted that the process of hiring Chen Xiangbei as a test driver was not smooth sailing. The majority of the team management, including Ross Brawn, opposed Statler's proposal.

They believe that a newcomer who has only participated in one Renault junior race, even if he gets the pole position and the championship in the first race, is still not strong enough to serve as a test driver for the F1 team.

In a sense, the doubts raised by the Brown GP team management are reasonable.

In the fifty-year history of F1, only one "Finnish Iceman" Kimi Raikkonen has made the jump from Renault to F1.

How many super geniuses are there in the world?

Even if there is, it is impossible for it to be born in China where there is no foundation in Formula One racing!
In addition, they have no connection with Chen Xiangbei, and do not have the sentiment of Starler who once invested in Chinese racing, so they cannot trust and accept a new driver without reason.

But as an investor who invested 40 million US dollars, Starler went against the crowd and finalized Chen Xiangbei. Now it is time for the two parties to meet.

"With great pleasure."

Chen Xiangbei accepted Staler's invitation without any hesitation.

All his knowledge of the RA109 prototype comes from historical data.

It will be a wonderful experience to witness the fastest and most powerful racing car currently on the market and visit the R&D factory of Brown GP.

After informing the team members, Chen Xiangbei got on Starr's old Jaguar and headed to the Brown GP team's R&D base in Mi Town. The distance between the two places is about 80 kilometers.

While driving, Chen Xiangbei asked a question.

"Mr. Starler, why did you suddenly announce that I would be the test driver?"

Starler seemed to have anticipated this question. He smiled faintly and said, "When I came up with this idea, the outside world was generally opposed and skeptical. They thought that I was only signing a Chinese rookie out of financial gain and personal preference."

"I don't deny there were selfish motives involved. I hoped the drivers who emerged from the China Racing Championship would achieve success, proving that the investment and hard work of those years were not in vain."

"But what really impressed me was the vision and potential you demonstrated, far exceeding the level of a junior Formula One driver."

"I firmly believe that one day you will be able to step into the F1 paddock!"

Stahler made it clear that Chen Xiangbei conquered him with his own strength, not with sponsorship funds or personal relationships as the outside world believed.

"Thank you for your recognition, Mr. Stahler."

Chen Xiangbei replied with a smile, and a warm feeling arose in his heart.

Many times, self-confidence and recognition from outsiders are two different concepts. It does take a bit of faith and "courage" to be able to unwaveringly support a new Chinese talent at this stage.

"Bei, you're welcome. My recognition comes from the fact that you've proven your strength!"

That's right, whether it's Staler or the audience in the stands.

The reason why Chen Xiangbei was able to gain support and recognition, and gradually change people's perspective, lies in his speed and achievements.

Without strength as a foundation, he will only be quietly eliminated and forgotten!
After about an hour's drive, Jaguar stopped in front of a very modern factory. A huge sign above the gate read the name of Brown GP.

However, Honda's "H" logo is still seen in many places on the factory walls, telling the world its original identity.

Starler led Chen Xiangbei into the factory. Compared with the empty former Super Aguri headquarters, this one was filled with various equipment, instruments and racing parts. At a glance, there were at least dozens of R&D engineers working diligently.

Although there are nearly one billion fans watching F1 races around the world, not many people know much about the development process of the racing cars.

In fact, after an F1 car is developed and puts on the track, it does not stagnate without changes. It needs to continue to innovate and upgrade throughout the entire season to maintain sufficient competitiveness.

This is why, many times, a team starts off very fast and crushes its opponents.

As a result, as they ran, they gradually fell behind and could not be found. This was often because the team could not keep up.

Similar situations occur more often in small teams, such as the 22-year Sauber team. At the beginning, the C42 relied on the advantage of being the lightest in the paddock and basically occupied the front row of the "Earth Group".

However, as the competition progressed, the team's funding and R&D could not match those of the big teams, and it was gradually caught up and surpassed by its competitors.

As for the fact that the large fleets are becoming slower and slower, the reason may be that the upgrade is not big enough, or there may be a "negative upgrade".

After all, actual racing is different from wind tunnel simulations, and the track layout and driver adaptability must also be considered. Often, upgraded parts look great in the computer data, but in practice they are a mess.

Therefore, ensuring that a racing car is competitive throughout the year and even building a real "Mars rover" requires extremely high R&D capabilities from the team, and there is no room for any technical errors in the entire process.

Soon Chen Xiangbei and Starer passed through the assembly workshop and came to the finished product garage.

As the door slowly opened, a searchlight shone down from the ceiling, illuminating a yellow and white Formula One racing car. It was the RA1 prototype, the ultimate product left by the Honda F109 team.

Of course, it should now be called the Brown team's BGP001 car!

The two walked up to the racing car, and Starer reached out and slowly stroked the shell, speaking in a tone that could be described as "intoxicated".

"Bei, this is the racing car that embodies the technological achievements of four R&D teams. It is so elegant, charming and powerful!"

Starer's actions and words all revealed this old British man's heartfelt appreciation and love for the BGP001 racing car.

Chen Xiangbei can empathize with this, because when a driver faces a truly powerful racing car, the burst of emotions he feels cannot be suppressed!

In fact, what Starler said was not detailed enough. This BGP001 not only brought together four top R&D teams, but also had the assistance of three different wind tunnels. It can be called a milestone in the history of F1 racing.

The three wind tunnels are located at the Brawn GP R&D headquarters in Rice, the Super Aguri R&D headquarters near Silverstone, and the Honda racing headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

As for the fourth top R&D team, it comes from engine supplier Mercedes!

Honda completed almost all the aerodynamic design of the RA109 prototype, but was unable to get to the stage of installing the engine and testing the actual vehicle.

With the complete withdrawal of the Honda Group, Ross Brawn naturally could not get the supply of Honda racing engines. He could only turn his attention to other engine suppliers, and Mercedes-Benz came into his sight.

The two parties reached a cooperation agreement under the mediation of McLaren CEO Whitmarsh, with Mercedes providing the Brawn GP team with race engines. In order to ensure the perfect adaptation of the engine and gearbox, the R&D team was also dispatched to modify some chassis designs.

The birth of BGP001 is full of twists and turns and legends. Since then, it is unlikely that several giants will jointly develop the same F1 car in the entire history of Formula One racing.

Just as Chen Xiangbei and Starer were admiring the racing, a middle-aged man wearing glasses walked into the garage. He was Ross Brawn, the founder of the current Brawn GP team!

"Statler."

Ross Brown called out to Starler first, as he was very grateful to the former Willims investor.

If it weren't for Starrer's investment of 1 million US dollars at a critical moment, Ross Brawn would not have the confidence to raise enough funds before the start of the new season to complete the acquisition of the Honda F001 team, let alone let the BGP, which is the result of the hard work of several R&D teams, race on the track.

Then Ross Brown waved again and said: "HELLO, North."

Seeing Ross Brawn appear and take the initiative to greet Chen Xiangbei, Starler's face was full of surprise.

I had never informed the team headquarters that I would be coming, nor had I told Ross Brawn and Chen Xiangbei that I would be coming with me.

How did he know about this and how did he know the Chinese boy?
Looking at the surprised expressions on Starler and Chen Xiangbei's faces, Ross Brawn knew what they were thinking and simply took the initiative to tell them: "I got a call from Odetto. He said you should go to the team headquarters."

There was one more thing Ross Brown didn't say, which was that Odetto hoped to take care of Chen Xiangbei.

The F1 paddock is actually a very small social circle. As long as you can stay in it for decades, you can basically have interpersonal relationships in various teams.

Odetto and Ross Brawn are former colleagues at Ferrari.

"Hello, Mr. Brown."

Chen Xiangbei responded while extending his hand respectfully.

In today's F1 paddock, Ross Brawn is not just the founder of the Brawn GP team, he can also be called the number one racing engineer in F1.

Ferrari's most prosperous five-consecutive championship dynasty was jointly created by the iron triangle consisting of driver Schumacher, team manager Jean Todt and technical director Ross Brawn. It can be said that it ushered in a great era of F1!

"Brown, since Odetto called, I'm sure you've already heard the news that Bei got the connecting rod and broke the track record."

"Ah."

"Well, are you convinced by Bei's demonstrated strength and potential?"

In response to Starr's words, Ross Brawn just smiled and did not give a direct answer.

In a sense, avoiding the topic is also an answer.

That is, Chen Xiangbei's performance is still not enough to impress Ross Brawn.

Think about it, as the technical director who built the Ferrari dynasty, how could he be easily impressed by Renault's consecutive poles in Formula Junior? As for the track record, Ross Brawn's philosophy is the same as Odette's: Formula Junior records are for talented drivers to sweep.

Take Vettel and Hamilton, the newcomers who entered the paddock in recent years, for example. Not to mention the junior formula track records, even many F1 records have been easily broken by them.

For example, appearing on the podium in the first race, reaching the podium nine times in a row in the rookie season, becoming the youngest race winner, and even the youngest world champion, etc.

This is what we call a truly talented driver!

It is indeed not easy for a Chinese driver to come to the European track and achieve good results. He can understand the special care of Starer and Odetto.

But in competitive sports, "sympathy" is worthless, and Ross Brown does not accept the bonus of emotional points.

Chen Xiangbei is very good, but he is far from the level that Starler and Odette "boast" about.

"Rose, how exactly does Bei have to prove himself to gain your approval?"

Starler asked back, he really hoped that Ross Brown accepted Chen Xiangbei not for his own sake, but out of appreciation for his strength and talent.

"Let's not talk about that for now. Bei is here at the Brawn GP team headquarters for the first time. I'll take him on a tour to familiarize himself with it."

“Also, we welcome Bei to be our test driver.”

Ross Brown changed the subject and replied with a smile. He didn't want to discuss this topic with Starler in front of Chen Xiangbei.

After all, the Chinese kid is still a young driver, and many of his words are too blunt and can easily undermine his confidence and even hurt his self-esteem.

Starler didn't say anything more about this. He actually knew that he was a little anxious.

Chen Xiangbei continued to visit the team headquarters. Ross Brawn did not treat him as an "outsider" and basically visited every important department, even the latest research and development plan of the racing car.

This also indirectly shows that Ross Brawn's "rejection" of Chen Xiangbei was not based on his Chinese driver background like others, but was entirely because his strength and performance did not meet the standards.

As they walked, they came to the racing simulation room, where there were two of the most advanced four-axis simulators, corresponding to the two official drivers Jenson Button and Barrichello respectively.

Due to the acquisition and reorganization, the Brown GP team has not signed a third driver or other test drivers except Chen Xiangbei, so the racing simulation room is empty.

"Kita, as far as I know, the Super Aguri team's assets have been sold to a German company. If there are no conflicts with future races, you can come here to test and practice on the simulator."

After the Super Aguri team went bankrupt, the R&D team was incorporated into the Honda F1 team, which is now the Brown GP team.

Ross Brawn is very familiar with the current situation of Super Aguri. What he said was, to some extent, an indirect support for Chen Xiangbei's technical equipment.

Otherwise, to be honest, it is difficult for a new driver at the Renault level to test the data limits of an F1 car on a simulator!
"Mr. Brown, can I try it now?"

Chen Xiangbei, who had hardly spoken during the entire visit, finally spoke.

He knew very well where Ross Brawn's "refusal" came from. Trying to convince a team owner who was a top engineer was like trying to convince a science and engineering man.

It’s no use just talking, you have to present the data.

Although the data from the racing simulator cannot be equated with the actual track results, he believes that Ross Brawn can clearly understand its value.

"No problem, you can simulate driving a few laps."

Ross Brawn agreed readily. In his opinion, Chen Xiangbei, a Chinese boy, might have never been exposed to such an advanced racing simulator, so it was understandable that he was full of curiosity and yearning.

After turning on the power, Chen Xiangbei sat in the cockpit of the simulator and set the driving parameters very skillfully.

Ross Brawn, who saw this scene, showed a look of surprise on his face. How could this Chinese kid know so much about Brawn GP's racing simulator? It was clearly his first time to come to the team headquarters today.

In fact, it is not Chen Xiangbei who understands the Brown GP racing simulator. To be precise, he understands the Honda camp's racing simulator.

The simulator at the Suzuka Racing Academy was retired from the Honda F1 team, and the Brawn GP is the "reincarnation" of the Honda F1 team, which means that these racing simulators belong to the same standard model.

When Chen Xiangbei was a Honda trainee, he drove it every day. How could he not be familiar with it?
This is why Chen Xiangbei asked to use a racing simulator. He wanted to show Ross Brawn his strength!

After setting the driving parameters, the next step was to select the type of car to be simulated. This time, Chen Xiangbei chose not the familiar Formula Renault car, but instead directly selected the BGP001 car, which had not yet been released on the interface.

That's right, he plans to drive an F1 car around in the simulator like a real test driver.

Ross Brown, who saw this scene, showed an expression of surprise on his face.

Having never driven an F1 car or a simulator, Chen Xiangbei was curious and wanted to give it a try, which was understandable. However, driving directly with the BGP001 prototype car data would be even more difficult than a normal F1 car.

Chinese boy, do you really have the ability to control it?

Or maybe he just wants to show off?
Of course, since there are no accidents or car damages in the simulator, if Chen Xiangbei really wants to experience driving an F1 car, Ross Brawn will not stop him.

He just felt that the Chinese guy was a little too hasty and that test drivers also needed a process of learning and familiarity.

After the Formula One racing car model is finalized, the simulator enters the track map selection interface.

This time, Chen Xiangbei did not hesitate at all and directly pressed the confirmation button of the East China International Circuit!

If you want to show your strength, you have to show your strongest side.

As a Chinese driver, there is no doubt that the track Chen Xiangbei is most familiar with is naturally his home track, the Donghai International Circuit.

It’s just a pity that Chen Xiangbei never raced as an F1 driver in his previous life.

However, he could no longer count how many laps he had run on the racing simulator.

When the familiar scene of the Donghai International Circuit appeared before his eyes, Chen Xiangbei simulated driving the Brown GP car and began to speed.

Ross Brawn folded his arms across his chest, watching Chen Xiangbei's simulated driving with a nonchalant air. To him, a new Renault driver's laps were like a child playing house.

After all, Ross Brawn is the iron triangle that created the legend with Schumacher!
But a hint of surprise flashed in Ross Brawn's eyes. He saw that Chen Xiangbei's line was smooth and fluent. This was definitely not the proficiency that a newcomer who had just come into contact with a racing simulator could display.

"Starler, has he ever driven a racing simulator?"

"Well, he was a student at Honda Racing Academy."

After hearing Starler's answer, Ross Brown suddenly realized.

No wonder Chen Xiangbei is so skilled in setting parameters and is very familiar with the Donghai International Circuit.

It seems that he ran on this Chinese home track a lot when he was at the Honda Racing Academy.

However, Ross Brawn soon realized a problem, that is, as a junior driver of Renault and an older newcomer, Chen Xiangbei has not had much exposure to the simulator.

In the limited practice time, he needs to simulate driving a Renault racing car. Where does he get the energy to become proficient in operating an F1 car?

Even if Chen Xiangbei took a different approach and used his precious simulation driving time to control an F1 car.

But the problem is the BGP001 racing car parameters. The complete data was only obtained through private testing a few days ago, and was only entered into the racing simulator yesterday.

The team's two official drivers have not yet simulated driving the complete BGP001 racing car, and there is no possibility for Chen Xiangbei to have any contact with it.

Why does it seem like the Chinese kid is quite adaptable? Could it be that his talent is really that high, and that Starler and Odette are not exaggerating at all?
At this time, no one could answer Ross Brawn's doubts. He saw that Chen Xiangbei had finished the first lap and started at full speed to make a fastest timed lap.

If Chen Xiangbei's smooth cornering and line-cutting before were enough to surprise Ross Brawn, then the speed shown by Chen Xiangbei now was enough to make him stunned.

You have to know that for a new driver at Renault level, even if he is driving an F1 car in a racing simulator, the driving experience is completely different.

Not to mention speeding on the track, being able to start normally and drive slowly and leisurely through a lap is considered a good talent.

In most cases, it is not surprising that a racing car will spin in place as soon as you step on the accelerator.

Chen Xiangbei was able to finish the first lap, and Ross Brawn could explain it by saying that he had driven a Honda simulator.

The speed displayed now is so fast that even if a real F1 driver were to simulate the parameters of the BGP001 car that he has never driven before, let alone driving a racing simulator, he would probably only be able to achieve the level of Chen Xiangbei.

Are you kidding me? Can Chinese newcomers match the adaptability of F1 drivers?
Ross Brawn couldn't believe it was true, even though he had witnessed it with his own eyes. This incident was even more bizarre than Starrer's suggestion that Chen Xiangbei be a test driver.

Because this is fucking at the level of a real driver!

Ross Brawn stared at the simulator screen, feeling Chen Xiangbeizhi's silky smooth cornering and line-cutting, until the virtual BGP001 car crossed the starting line and a lap time of 1 minute 33 seconds appeared on the screen.

Seeing this number, Ross Brawn stood there as if struck by lightning.

He has a vivid memory of the fastest lap record at the Donghai International Circuit, which was 04 minute 1 seconds set by Schumacher during the Ferrari dynasty in 32.

Chen Xiangbei's lap time was only 1.5 seconds slower than Schumacher's record.

In the F1 world, a gap of 1.5 seconds is actually quite large, but the quality of the results depends on the object of comparison.

One is the fastest lap time achieved by the racing king Schumacher in a Ferrari, and the other is the second lap time achieved by Renault newcomer Chen Xiangbei using BGP001 test data.

If Ross Brawn remembers correctly, among the four rookie drivers who joined F1 last year, except for Vettel who could lap faster than Chen Xiangbei at the Donghai International Circuit, the lap times of the other three F1 rookies were not as fast as this simulated lap.

Is there something wrong with the simulator, or is there something wrong with my eyes?
(End of this chapter)