In any era, the detailed power parameters of F1 engines are core secrets for the racing teams and engine suppliers. Outsiders can only estimate the approximate range through FIA document leaks and test speed, waiting for team data to be decrypted years later.

The 2.4L V8 engines of this era, lacking turbocharging, indeed show a significant disparity in paper performance compared to the over 1000 horsepower 1.6L V6 hybrid engines of later generations.

But this doesn't necessarily mean they are a lot slower!

Because the factors determining the speed of a race car aren't only limited to engine power, but also include the vehicle's weight.

The RA108 has most of its parts custom-made from carbon fiber materials, with a total weight just over 600KG. The ground-effect cars of the hybrid era, due to carrying batteries, turbo, and more electronic equipment, have a minimum weight of 798KG.

A weight difference of a full two hundred kilograms means the power-to-weight ratio can fully offset the difference in horsepower.

Thus, the speed gap between two cars from different eras won't be of a discontinuous nature, and lap times depend more on the type of circuit and road conditions.

Of course, overall, the speed of hybrid ground-effect cars is still faster than the naturally aspirated cars of this era.

After all, technology advances, and times progress.

"I understand, I will try my best to maintain zero errors."

Chen Xiangbei nodded and took the data board from Odetto.

"Not try, but ensure it."

Odetto emphasized, honestly, money was a secondary factor, mainly it was a matter of spare parts.

Honda Group's technical route has been replaced by Mercedes, and most of the former materials and parts have been shipped to the Tokyo headquarters following its withdrawal, and the Brown GP research base no longer produces them.

If the car gets damaged, repairing it would be very troublesome.

"Okay."

Chen Xiangbei nodded and said nothing more.

Heading to the driver rest room behind the pit stop, where a brand new helmet and racing suit were already prepared for Chen Xiangbei.

The speed and danger level of F1 racing far exceed those of Renault or F3 racing, and the FIA has extremely strict standards for the lightweight and strength of helmets, as well as the fire resistance and moisture wicking performance of racing suits.

For example, they must withstand a temperature of 800℃ for at least 12 seconds. The temperature felt by the driver during this process? It must not exceed 40℃, ensuring that even if the car crashes and a "sea of fire" level of explosion occurs, the driver can climb out of the cockpit within a dozen seconds.

During Chen Xiangbei's time at the Blackley Factory, the Brown GP Team had already tailored a racing suit, helmet, gloves, and other gear for him based on his height and weight.

Compared to the generic gear worn before, not to mention differences in material or performance, at least the tactile experience has qualitatively improved!

After changing into the racing suit, Chen Xiangbei sat in the rest room, familiarizing himself with the buttons and functions on the steering wheel.

Actually, during the month-long training at the Brown GP Team, Chen Xiangbei had learned about F1 steering wheel related knowledge. However, the button layout of each team's steering wheel might have subtle adjustments based on engineers' arrangements and drivers' habits.

This means Chen Xiangbei only needs to remember the changes in a few buttons.

After finishing all this, Chen Xiangbei walked out of the driver rest room and returned to the pit garage, by this time, the RA108's tires and fluids were fully preheated, just waiting for Chen Xiangbei to sit inside and connect the ignition power.

"Xiangbei-kun, the Catalonia Circuit has almost all types of curves and complex road conditions."

"The only advice I can give you is that the G-force of a fast curve can produce centrifugal forces four times the driver's weight. You must constantly grip your steering wheel tightly."

"Go for it, Xiangbei-kun!"

Sawano Hiroyuki said this, as a textbook-level test track, there's no need to emphasize what needs attention.

Drivers need to face all challenges here!

And it's not just drivers, but also for team members.

A comprehensive circuit means there is no specific tuning scheme, requiring team engineers to make choices based on varying temperatures and environmental conditions.

Is it better to choose a high downforce setup for grip and fast corners?

Or a low downforce setup for straight-line and fast acceleration?

It's often impossible to have the best of both worlds; making a wrong choice may put the driver at a disadvantage at the starting line.

"OK."

Chen Xiangbei gestured and then signaled to Liang Chi next to him.

With the rear mounted starter motor turning, the Honda RA808E engine roared to life with a "boom," its roar echoing throughout the pit garage.

The racing engine, even at idle, has nearly ten thousand RPM.

As the most powerful racing car on the blue star, it verifies that street saying: don't challenge my idle speed with your top speed!

That's also why, during temporary stops of an F1 car, you can often see technicians blowing air into the air intake with huge blowers in broadcast footage.

It's because the engine temperature skyrockets due to exaggerated idle speed, and stationary cooling cannot take place, so they must rely on blowers to assist.

Hearing the RA108's beast-like roar, Chen Xiangbei felt his blood ignite simultaneously, and he was finally going to drive a real F1 car and soon experience the impact of its performance!

"Fluid temperature normal."

"Circulation lubrication normal."

"Sensor data test passed."

Each command was transmitted within the TR, and Chen Xiangbei could feel the excitement in the voice of the team's engineer.

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