Especially in F1, the legacy of seats is always maintained!

Starting from Leo Ginnunen, the first F1 driver in 1974, Finland has been grooming generations of successors in the paddock until three-time champion Mika Hakkinen reached the peak.

The driver who inherited his mantle was the one known as the "Finnish Ice Man," Kimi Raikkonen.

The great achievement of Raikkonen's "triple jump" couldn't have been achieved without Hakkinen's recommendation. Simultaneously, he helped his fellow Kovalainen secure a seat, intending to continue Finland's racing legacy.

Unfortunately, Kovalainen started strong but declined, letting down his name as a "Finnish racing genius."

However, the emergence of Bottas provided a target candidate for the next generation of Finnish F1 drivers. He has already received sponsorship from Finnish giant Vihuri Group, and Hakkinen can provide networking resources within the paddock.

Chen Xiangbei can obtain technical resources from the F1 team, they have their ways to achieve it.

According to current pressure and intensity, the two rounds of F3 races at the Spa Circuit might turn into a low-level "arms race!"

At this time, Chen Xiangbei returned to the pits, and the maintenance team immediately gathered around him to fully inspect the car to ensure no issues would arise during tomorrow's race.

It's essential to know that the two laps of full-speed push by Chen Xiangbei, combined with the characteristics of the Spa Circuit, exert immense pressure on the engine's power output.

If any risk is identified, even if penalized by a post-race penalty, the power unit must be replaced.

Unbuckling the six-point safety belt, Chen Xiangbei exited the cockpit and entered the P-room. Odetto didn't congratulate him for the pole like the other team members but instead crossed his arms and focused on the lap time rankings on the screen, appearing thoughtful.

"Odetto, is there a problem?"

Witnessing this scene, Chen Xiangbei proactively stepped forward and inquired.

"This Ricardo and Bottas, they've got something."

Odetto replied casually.

He wasn't looking at the fastest lap times of the two opponents but rather their average lap times.

Ricardo and Bottas pushed one lap in practice and then pushed two flying laps in qualifying, maintaining a frightening stability in all three laps, almost close to the pole record.

Even Bianchi, apart from one lap affected by slower traffic, actually had two laps breaking the pole record.

The consistency in lap times signifies the astounding hard skills of these drivers. It seems Europe is still Europe; overall, drivers' strength remains significantly ahead of the Grand Prix.

"Yes, they're strong."

Chen Xiangbei nodded, agreeing with Odetto's assessment.

However, this response surprised Odetto, as the Chinese Kid rarely openly acknowledged his opponents' strengths.

"Kid, you're not scared, are you?"

"I'm on pole, why would I be scared?"

Facing Odetto's inquiry, Chen Xiangbei replied disdainfully.

Admitting the opponent's strength doesn't mean fearing them.

Chen Xiangbei is more standing from a historical perspective, knowing that both of them, during their peak, possessed at least upper-tier driver levels in the paddock.

"That's more like you."

Odetto didn't think too much about it; not paying attention to opponents aligns better with Chen Xiangbei's "persona."

As they conversed, FIA officials came with a team for a car inspection.

Inspections for lower-level formula cars only happen after the main race, targeting the top three and randomly selected few cars, rarely during qualifying. If present, it's theoretically random.

But the FIA officials came for the car inspection so swiftly, it's clearly not a random result; they're evidently prepared.

Once during a Renault championship, facing such "humiliating" inspections, Chen Xiangbei felt anger and dissatisfaction.

Now, his mood didn't change much; he seemed very calm.

Changes in strength genuinely bring confidence and grounding.

After experiencing so many races, Chen Xiangbei is no longer the "novice" newcomer; he has all the qualifications to become an F1 driver.

"Excellent, you've grown."

Seeing Chen Xiangbei remain silent, Odetto casually encouraged him.

Having been in the paddock for decades, he knows that solely relying on anger won't earn recognition from others.

The astonishing pole lap time from Chen Xiangbei ensured that some opponent teams would request inspections to prevent the Dream Team from using illegal designs or materials, like swapping illegal wings, or improper size nose wings, etc., to gain an advantage.

Or, more drastically, using higher calorific fuel, stripping components to reduce weight, and so on.

"I said before, this race will be an undisputed vindication."

"FIA's inspection is better; it ensures that losers can't find reasons or excuses."

Chen Xiangbei replied flatly, knowing that from the moment the Dream Team was utilized, Spa Station would be accompanied by controversy and doubt.

FIA's inspection eliminates much verbal conflict to some extent.

"Good, keep this mindset."

After saying that, Odetto added, "F1 practice will start soon, you should head to the Brawn GP Team's P-room to feel the real atmosphere of an F1 team."

"Alright."

Chen Xiangbei nodded and directly headed towards Brawn GP Team's P-room.

Chen Xiangbei is not just an F3 driver; he is also a test driver for the Brawn GP Team.

Theoretically, Chen Xiangbei's work includes watching on standby in the team's P-room and at the headquarters in Blakeley, testing the car's upgrade kits on simulators for data enhancement.

But in fact, Chen Xiangbei's test driver contract was signed by Staler using his shareholder identity in addition to Ross Brown's personal friendship; the Brawn GP Team never expected him to be useful...

However, the recent performance of Chen Xiangbei in qualifying was witnessed by Brawn GP members; this time, they truly realized that Team Leader Ross and shareholder Staler were so "visionary," discovering the potential of a Chinese rookie so early!

Strength is always the primary criterion for recognition in the F1 paddock.

Even if Chen Xiangbei is a test driver, once he reenters Brawn GP Team's P-room.

This time, it's no longer a matter of overlooking or polite gestures.

Brawn GP members collectively applauded Chen Xiangbei; the Chinese Kid's speed earned their recognition!

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