Chapter 102: Chapter 85: The First Professional Race (5K)_2
Chen Xiangbei replied with a smile, ready to show off a bit.
At this moment, Sawano Hiroyuki glanced at the computer screen, which indicated that Chen Xiangbei’s car fluids had reached optimal operating temperatures. He then said, "The temperature’s about right, proceed to the pit lane to queue up."
"Yes, Director Sawano."
The team members responded in unison, then got into race mode, pushing Chen Xiangbei’s Renault to the pit lane to queue up.
At this time, the pit lane had already formed a long line, with every car hoping to be at the front to avoid being blocked during the qualifying race.
To be honest, Chen Xiangbei didn’t really understand this mentality.
With dry track conditions in the coldest month of January, the track temperature was very low, requiring a long warm-up period to reach the optimal flying lap conditions.
Even if you’re at the front now, once you’re doing warm-up laps, you’ll just get clumped together again. What’s the rush?
However, while the drivers were queuing in the pit lane, a Fuji TV reporter came running over, trying to seize the opportunity to conduct pre-race interviews with the participating drivers up close.
In Japan, there are two ways to watch Formula racing. On TV, it’s broadcast by Fuji TV, similar to CCTV Sports and Five Star domestically. Mobile and computer streaming is done by Dazn, which can be likened to Tencent in China.
Fuji TV has a long history and a strong audience base in Formula commentary, with hosts and guest lineups offering unique features, excelling at leading topics and interacting with the audience.
Today’s reporter is Segawa Hiroaki, who had received a tip-off from Matsuboto Brown, planning to dig deeper to create a big news story.
But he was turned away by the Honda team members and couldn’t interview the person involved, Chen Xiangbei.
Since he couldn’t get into the paddock, he could only wait for Chen Xiangbei to come out, with the pit lane queue being the best opportunity.
When Segawa Hiroaki saw the number 13 Renault with the Honda logo, he immediately grabbed his cameraman and rushed over to start an interview with Chen Xiangbei.
Sawano Hiroyuki initially wanted to stop him, but seeing the camera already aimed at them, making any move now would seem like a cover-up, so he could only let Chen Xiangbei face it calmly.
This kid’s mental fortitude should be able to get him through this, right?
"Hello Chen Xiangbei, I’m Segawa Hiroaki from Fuji TV, I’d like to conduct a brief interview with you before the race."
"Are you a rookie driver from China?"
"That’s right, I’m a rookie driver from Huasi Sports in China."
When answering, Chen Xiangbei made sure to mention "Huasi Sports."
Even though Huasi Sports has closed down, it represented China’s initial exploration into Formula racing, and pioneers should be remembered by the world.
In the main stand, Liang Chi saw Chen Xiangbei’s face on the big screen and heard him mention "Huasi Sports," feeling an instant surge of emotion.
He wished Zhang Zhicong could be sitting here as well, hearing one of their trained drivers publicly announce their Huasi Sports identity!
But the reporter’s next question completely caught him off guard.
"Mr. Xiangbei, we received a tip-off claiming you gained your Honda academy status and race entry through financial advantages and unfair competition. Is that true?"
This statement caused a commotion at the Suzuka Circuit, as only a few people had early knowledge of the tip-off. Now that it’s being broadcast, it’s become widely known.
"Of course not,"
"But it was confirmed by Honda academy members that there was no internal selection for your race entry,"
Segawa Hiroaki expected Chen Xiangbei to deny it, but canceling the internal selection was a fact, leaving no room for argument.
"Indeed, there wasn’t, because the lap times of others were at least two seconds slower than mine. Was there even a need for an internal selection?"
Strength is the basis of confidence. Chen Xiangbei wasn’t bothered by skepticism; he would eventually silence these doubters.
Two seconds?
Hearing this response, Segawa Hiroaki showed disbelief on his face.
As a sports reporter for the Formula races, he was very familiar with lap time concepts.
How could it be possible for them to be two seconds slower per lap? Not even the Suzuka Circuit record holder, Kamui Kobayashi, could make fellow academy members that much slower.
Besides, the Honda Suzuka Racing School is renowned in Japan, so it’s hard to believe the drivers there would have such poor skills.
"Chen Xiangbei, I don’t believe the other students are that slow."
"Isn’t it possible that I’m just that fast?"
Chen Xiangbei replied with a smile, and indeed, aside from Hoshino Yoshi, one or two others weren’t slow on dry circuits, only a bit more than a second off Kamui Kobayashi’s record.
But Chen Xiangbei broke the track record by 0.5 seconds, didn’t that mean they were two seconds slower per lap?
Faced with Chen Xiangbei’s "arrogant" remarks, Segawa Hiroaki didn’t feel refuted or upset; instead, a hint of delight appeared on his face.
As a media reporter, he’s not afraid of interviewees making shocking statements, but fears they remain silent and speak flawlessly, as that wouldn’t generate any buzz or heat.
It was clear that rookies like Chen Xiangbei lacked media handling experience. His remarks would undoubtedly cause an uproar.
Chen Xiangbei saw the change in Segawa Hiroaki’s expression and understood what he was thinking, simply because he was a rookie. They were trying to capitalize on his "careless speech" to create a big news story.