Chen Xiangbei didn't manage to join the F1 training program or driver academy in his previous life, let alone sign as a test or trial driver. Today is also his first time witnessing the operations of the P-room in a truly competitive professional F1 team.

No wonder every driver dreams of joining top-level large teams or factory teams; they are indeed on a different level compared to medium and small teams.

Even Brawn GP is like this, so Chen Xiangbei wonders what the P-room scene is like for giants such as Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, etc.

However, watching closely, Chen Xiangbei noticed a peculiar atmosphere; that is, Button and Barrichello didn't seem to communicate at all, from beginning to end...

Chen Xiangbei knows that, for championship-contending drivers, the biggest enemy often is their teammate. But he didn't expect the competition within Brawn GP to be this overt.

Recalling the news reports from that year, it seems that there was already a forewarning.

In the first seven races of the 2009 season, Brawn GP exhibited a posture akin to a fierce tiger, showcasing the strength of a formidable "Mars Rover" crushing the competition.

Among them, Button won five races, and later Barrichello was penalized, losing a champion title, effectively leaving Button with six wins out of seven races!

With this achievement, Button surpassed Barrichello in an unprecedented reversal, solidifying his position as the number one driver in the team.

Unexpectedly, starting from the eighth race, Barrichello launched a counterattack, leading Button in almost every race performance and also grabbing three race wins, gradually closing the point gap between them.

Back then, Barrichello was forced to be Schumacher's second driver, which was an unavoidable circumstance.

During the Ferrari Dynasty, the peak strength of the King of Cars was an insurmountable high.

Even so, Barrichello occasionally complained and murmured. Asking him now to be at peace as Button—a mere "younger guy"—and to give up the championship pursuit is utterly unthinkable!

Under such circumstances, Barrichello's team canceled the data sharing between teammates.

Just like in 2024, Zhou Guanyu and Bottas of Sauber Team refused team data sharing when facing direct seat competition.

Of course, whether they fight or not has little to do with Chen Xiangbei; he is merely an observer.

Compared to the applause and cheers of F3, the roar accompanying an F1 driver entering the track is akin to an "earthquake," existing on a completely different level.

Even in the P-room, wearing monitoring earmuffs, Chen Xiangbei could still feel the impact of the roar, as well as the resonance connecting with the heartbeat.

Honestly, just for a moment, Chen Xiangbei further understood the meaning of the historical phrase "A real man should be like this."

Indeed, as a formula driver, no one wouldn't want to experience this glory where seventy thousand people cheer for them!

The practice session was quite routine, with the only surprising point being Heidfeld from BMW Sauber Team, who achieved the fastest lap.

Moreover, Trulli from Toyota Team ranked second, and Sutil from Indian Force ranked third.

However, this aligns with the chaotic state of the 2009 season; since the solitary leading Brawn GP team pulled ahead, giants like Ferrari, McLaren, Renault haven't been able to take over the dominating flag.

Instead, it gave various small teams an opportunity to seize victory from the top, plunging into a festive frenzy.

In many substation events that followed, it was common for small teams to burst forward as dark horses, achieving the fastest laps or pole positions, and even reaching the podium.

With the end of F1 practice sessions, it signifies the complete halt of the Friday schedule.

"Xiangbei, how do you feel?"

Removing the monitoring earphones, Ross Brown asked Chen Xiangbei.

"Very impressive."

Chen Xiangbei responded with admiration; the cooperation and synergy of a truly active F1 team indeed left him in awe.

"Xiangbei, if—I mean if—you are interested in becoming the third driver?"

This sentence had Ross Brown hesitating throughout the practice session.

The "advancement" plan of the Chinese Kid can be said to be propelled single-handedly by Ross Brown, now asking him to slow down his steps is indeed somewhat contradictory.

However, as a former member of the Ferrari Team's iron triangle, Ross Brown realized that Chen Xiangbei is not someone to remain in obscurity; he truly doesn't want to miss this opportunity.

Moreover, at present, no team has invited Chen Xiangbei, and there's still an issue with the Super Driver's License approval, so it's uncertain if he can join F1 next season.

"Mr. Brown, sorry, I'm not considering it."

Chen Xiangbei has struggled for two lifetimes to cross this F1 threshold.

Even though things are not yet confirmed, he won't leave himself any retreat and will strive with all his might!

"I understand, go back and rest, and energize yourself for tomorrow's first round of the main race."

Ross Brown didn't say much more; he knew the mindset of wanting it all isn't right, and some things can only be left to fate.

Leaving the P-room of Brawn GP Team, Chen Xiangbei didn't linger at the Spa Circuit very long, after changing out of his racing suit, he headed directly to the hotel, watching the copied qualifying race footage.

Finding his weaknesses while also studying the opponents' vulnerabilities.

Seeing Chen Xiangbei focused on this scene, Odetto and other strategy team members standing outside the door didn't interrupt; it's better if a driver can absorb experience and digest it independently.

"Senior Sawano, I'm feeling like Xiangbei's performance on this race feels quite different."

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