Staring at the final rankings displayed on the big screen, Ross Brown, who had been pondering for a long time, finally made up his mind. He walked out of the Brawn GP Team's pit room and headed to the Campos Team's repair station.

At this moment, the Dream Team had already completed the post-race inspection and was preparing for everyone to return to the hotel.

Looking at the suddenly appearing Ross Brown, Odetto guessed that there must be something important to discuss, so he patted Chen Xiangbei's shoulder to let him stay, while he led the crew members to leave first.

The two came to the driver's lounge to sit down. This time, Ross Brown did not hesitate much and said, "Xiangbei, your performance at the Spa Station showed me infinite potential for the future."

"I am willing to take this gamble and provide you with an official driver seat."

Ross Brown made up his mind. After the 09 season ends, between Button and Barrichello, the lower-ranked driver will not be renewed, freeing up this slot to sign Chen Xiangbei, forming a "old guiding new" inheritance model.

Upon hearing Ross Brown's decision, to be honest, Chen Xiangbei was not too surprised.

Perhaps the moment Ross Brown appeared in the Campos Team's pit room, his expression had already conveyed everything.

"Mr. Ross, what do I need to pay?"

In his past life, Chi Xiangbei made a lot of efforts and conducted many negotiations in seeking an F1 driver seat.

He knew there's no such thing as a free lunch in the world, even if he was a driver supported by a national team, one must strive for benefit or fame.

Racing is a sport, but F1 is a commercial operation. Chen Xiangbei is not a naive young man; an official driver's seat requires an equivalent exchange.

"Twenty million US dollars, this is the minimum price I can persuade the board."

Ross Brown came with great sincerity this time, and to a certain extent, he also owed Liu Xiang a favor.

If it wasn't for Chen Xiangbei's persuasion to Staler to invest, even if they could eventually acquire the Honda F1 Team, the process would inevitably have twists and turns.

So without any commercial bargaining, Ross Brown decided to reveal the bottom line of the team's offer directly.

Regarding this number, Chen Xiangbei didn't have a major objection.

Before Liberty Media Corporation operated the F1 events, paying drivers was a common phenomenon in the paddock, far from the disgrace or shame considered later.

Except for rare genius youngsters who emerge suddenly, coupled with a very powerful background or family.

A "three-no attributes" driver like Chen Xiangbei, no matter how excellent he performs in the paddock, sponsorships still cannot be ignored.

The starting price for a spot in the bottom teams of this era is ten million US dollars, and the higher it goes, the ceiling is limitless.

Take the Russian driver Petrov who is competing for a Renault seat as an example, he offered twenty million US dollars, and it doesn't include advertising investment from Russian oil and banks, the total is at least over fifty million US dollars.

That's why, when Chen Xiangbei was negotiating with Renault's team leader Blair, he maintained a calm temperament, with a casual attitude, not thinking that the other party only provided the third driver contract as a trick.

He knew clearly that Petrov has spent a fortune, and Renault's leader also showed the greatest sincerity, unless Chen Xiangbei could surpass this price.

Though Brawn GP doesn't have the foundation like Renault, it still cannot be considered as an emerging team after all Honda's foundation still exists.

And now, with Daimler Group and Abu Dhabi Consortium acquiring stakes, it's clear that these two major shareholders are not short of money, twenty million US dollars is indeed the base price that Ross Brown could persuade the board, going lower would just demean itself.

But the problem now is, Chen Xiangbei doesn't have twenty million US dollars…

He previously raised around twenty to thirty million in advertising sponsorship, which has almost been consumed in the Catalonia Circuit's trials.

The only definite source of funds to compete for the F1 seat, is the fifty million yuan promised by Peng Sheng from Jiuli Sports.

Calculating according to the current RMB to US dollar exchange rate at 6.8, Chen Xiangbei needs to raise a sponsorship amount as high as one hundred and thirty-six million, with a shortage of over eighty million in the funding gap.

Trying to gather this money, frankly speaking, isn't that easy.

"Mr. Ross, thank you very much for your invitation, but to gather this money, I need some time."

Chen Xiangbei also spoke truthfully. He lacks behind a stable super sponsor, especially like manufacturers such as Honda or Toyota.

Earlier, Chen Xiangbei set his sights on Huali Automobile, as it's considered the only domestic car enterprise with ambition and racing genes.

But the acquisition of Volvo Cars has already depleted the Huali Group's funds.

Of course, Chen Xiangbei knew clearly that with Huali Automobile's background, trying to "squeeze" some money out is always possible.

But he wasn't sure if relying solely on facilitating the acquisition of Volvo's "help," it could earn him enough face to make Huali Automobile invest.

Besides, several potential sponsors which Chen Xiangbei had laid out early on also need time to negotiate and communicate with.

In summary, in the 09-year timeline, mobilizing billions of funds really counts as an astronomical figure.

"I understand."

"Xiangbei, I hope we can truly fight side by side."

Ross Brown stood up and extended his right hand to Chen Xiangbei.

Ever since the disbandment of the iron triangle from the Ferrari Team, he hadn't anticipated a newcomer like this for a long time.

If Chen Xiangbei can smoothly join, coupled with next year's funding and technical support from Mercedes-Benz Group, Ross Brown is confident in creating another "Prancing Horse Dynasty."

"I hope so, too."

Chen Xiangbei shook hands with Ross Brown; this counted as his heartfelt words.

According to historical progression, if there aren't any major changes, next year Brawn GP Team should rename to Mercedes Team.

Though it's the era of the Red Bull Dynasty's reign around the 2010s.

But as a newcomer entering the F1 paddock, being able to instantly join a top factory team like Mercedes, what is there for Chen Xiangbei to be dissatisfied with, it cannot be that his start already belongs to a championship team, right?

Even if Chen Xiangbei wants to join Red Bull to seize Vettel's "prosperity," the others wouldn't accept him...

The stage of discussing strength has passed, now it's time to talk about money.

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