Among the unofficial drivers, many positions overlap depending on their roles. For instance, the third driver also acts as the reserve driver, and test drivers also drive simulators, etc.

Typically, if an official driver is absent due to an accident or is temporarily banned, the priority substitute is definitely the designated third driver, followed by the reserve driver, youth training driver, etc.

For top major teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull, test drivers and simulator drivers scarcely have any chance of racing.

Even when there's a rare opportunity of an official driver being absent, the team would urgently promote a youth training driver to substitute, giving them a real-world exercise to evaluate the potential of these backup drivers.

Veteran drivers often resemble a "lottery ticket" with a "thank you" note on it, implying it's better to gamble on a new ticket for better fortune.

In the future, Chinese Driver Zhou Guanyu was initially rumored to join Ferrari as a simulator driver.

Because the former Sauber driver Giovinazzi, whom he replaced, also had been a trainee at the Ferrari Driver Academy, and after losing his seat, he moved to the Ferrari Team as a simulator driver, their career paths are quite similar.

As a result, Giovinazzi the simulator driver, effectively vanished from the F1 Paddock and stayed at the factory driving simulators, with almost no exposure.

Fortunately, Zhou Guanyu currently has the identity of a reserve driver. Regardless of whether he gets another chance to substitute in an F1 race car, he at least maintains his presence in the paddock, thus having the capital with the possibility of sponsor support to seek out potential seats in other teams.

Chen Xiangbei, as a test driver, is between a reserve driver and a youth training driver. Normally, he wouldn't stand in the pit box watching the race with the team, but could have the qualification to test drive an F1 car at critical moments.

It's crucial to know that obtaining a Super Driver's License during this era requires not only race performance points but also at least 300 kilometers of experience driving an F1 car.

Meaning Chen Xiangbei must find a real F1 team to test drive their old model cars to gain mileage and experience.

Under normal circumstances, no F1 team would give Chen Xiangbei this opportunity.

Like when Sir Williams mentioned before, Chen Xiangbei must at least win the Renault championship before he enters consideration.

Bear in mind, it's merely a consideration; a "three-no driver" without backing from big car manufacturers, sponsor capital, and demographic registration hardly remains competitive even with decent performances.

Chen Xiangbei's road to obtaining a Super Driver's License ahead of time will be long and arduous.

Now Staler has given Chen Xiangbei this opportunity, even if it's just a test driver seat, it's a step into F1's supreme domain!

"Did I hear wrong? A Chinese newcomer who has only run one Renault Formula race became the test driver for Brawn GP Team?"

"Is Staler senile? How much money did Huasi Sports lose to need to sell seats this way?"

"Though the Chinese Kid's debut performance was okay, the gap with an F1 test driver is way too big."

"An entry-level formula driver becoming a test driver is only achievable by geniuses like Raikkonen and Hamilton, why assume a Chinese kid can do it?"

The spectators in the stands filled with skepticism, even though a significant portion among them already recognized Chen Xiangbei's skills.

After all, dominating Magnussen, Vergne, and other famous European prodigies in the debut race, securing pole position and winning two races, no matter how blindfolded denial couldn't negate this.

However, this doesn't mean everyone agrees with Chen Xiangbei becoming an F1 test driver - there's unquestionably a hidden agenda!

Not just the track audience bewildered, even James, with years of hosting experience, was stunned when he heard Staler announce this as the breaking news.

What kind of joke is this? No matter how Brawn GP Team reorganizes, it's still an F1 team in top-tier competitions.

Are they just "desperate" enough to appoint a Chinese newcomer?

"Staler, can you explain to me and the audience the reasons for signing Xiangbei as a test driver?"

James had anticipated the audience's reaction; they needed an explanation.

"There are two reasons: First, Xiangbei is from Huasi Sports, which counts as a young driver cultivated under the system I built."

"The second is Xiangbei possesses foresight and exceptional potential; I believe he will definitely become the next F1 driver!"

Staler had long had an answer to this, he felt Chen Xiangbei deserved this position.

Let's not forget, being a test driver isn't the same as a formal driver; Brawn GP drivers have the room for trial and error!

Meanwhile, at the pit box in the maintenance zone, Chen Xiangbei stepped out of the drivers' lounge in his racing suit, only to find the eyes of the whole team, more than a dozen pairs, fixed collectively on him.

This eerie scene made Chen Xiangbei feel jittery.

He asked somewhat puzzledly: "Is there something wrong with me?"

"Xiangbei-kun, when did you sign with Brawn GP Team to agree to become their test driver?"

It was Mizutani Sho who asked, finally resolving Chen Xiangbei's confusion.

But it raised a greater puzzlement...

That is, he hadn't signed any agreement with Brawn GP Team at all, nor did he know he became a test driver.

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