Chapter 104: Chapter 86: Pole Position of the Track Record (5K)
In formula racing, there are many flag signals, among which the most common are yellow, red, and green flags.
Yellow signifies that there is an obstacle on the track, and drivers need to slow down; overtaking is prohibited during this period.
A red flag indicates that the race or test session is ended prematurely due to some reason, and drivers must return to the pit lane to await further instructions from the race organizers.
Green flags mean the track is clear and drivers can compete normally.
Now, a red flag has appeared on the track, meaning all cars must return to the pit lane.
The organizers take advantage of this time to send out engineering vehicles to remove the two damaged cars and quickly clear the debris on the track from the crash, to prevent tire punctures in the upcoming race.
Due to the slow speed during the warm-up laps, the damage from the collision is not severe, and it is quickly dealt with, allowing the organizers to announce the continuation of the race.
Twenty-seven remaining cars return to the track. With the crash during the warm-up lap as a "cautionary tale," drivers on the track are much more disciplined after resuming, with no one attempting any flashy maneuvers.
Even Chen Xiangbei opts for the conventional snake-like maneuvering during warming up the tires, rather than using the tire-friction heating method as before.
It’s not that he’s afraid of making a mistake, but he can’t bear it if some "expert" imitates him, leading to a chain reaction that causes problems.
"It seems track accidents are the best tranquilizer; it’s obvious drivers are much more conservative in warming up the tires now."
Nakajima Hideyuki continues to commentate on the race. He hadn’t expected his own jinxing to be so accurate, referring earlier to improper maneuvers leading to a crash, and then it happened immediately after.
"Nakajima, not everyone is conservative; 13th driver Chen Xiangbei on the track chooses to accelerate and overtake during the warm-up lap!"
Tanaka Nobuaki observed the 13th car weaving through the traffic with snake-like maneuvering, overtaking two or three cars ahead within a short period.
"Interesting, is this newcomer from China planning to fulfill his boastful pre-race declaration of speed in this way?"
Nakajima Hideyuki jested, immediately causing an uproar of laughter among the audience.
From the current situation alone, Chen Xiangbei is indeed faster, but unfortunately, this is a warm-up lap.
Going too fast can result in insufficient tire warming, possibly requiring a few more laps to warm them up, wasting time.
It’s important to note that today, the temperature at Suzuka is close to zero; even after two or three laps, it may not be possible to reach the optimal working temperature for the hot-melt tires, let alone with Chen Xiangbei’s methods.
With only thirty minutes for the qualifying session, losing a lap to the red flag and then reorganizing for a restart, three to four minutes have already passed. Is he planning to spend a third of the time on tire warming?
Chen Xiangbei is unaware of the commentary, having no relation to speed and arrogance, purely avoiding getting stuck in a cluster of cars.
Even during warm-up laps, some drivers’ speed appears dreadfully slow in Chen Xiangbei’s view, which he finds unbearable.
Or to put it another way, Chen Xiangbei is too fast, making normal speeds seem slow.
With his successive overtakes, Chen Xiangbei quickly reaches the first echelon at the head, comprising only three or four cars.
This group includes Guoguang Team’s Yamamoto Naoki, with car number 6.
Chen Xiangbei also notices the foremost position, where the car bears the number 1!
Chen Xiangbei is unaware whether Renault assigns car numbers through random drawing or follows F1 rules where the number 1 driver defaults to last season’s defending champion.
However, judging by this guy’s speed and smooth operations, it’s clear he’s no rookie.
With a sense of curiosity, Chen Xiangbei presses the communication button on the steering wheel to ask via team radio: "Director Sawano, what’s the identity of car number 1?"
"Ooshima Kazuya from the Toyota Team, last year’s Renault Winter Tour champion."
"Then why is he still racing?"
Chen Xiangbei asks rhetorically; the Renault Formula is not F1 with no higher tier, who would race such entry-level events for two years?
"After winning the championship, Ooshima Kazuya faced scheduling conflicts between the European Renault series and Super Taikyu (Japan Super Endurance), and ultimately chose to withdraw."
Among Japan’s three major super events, endurance races are considered the least prestigious, thus Chen Xiangbei has little knowledge of the participating drivers.
But to speak earnestly, driving styles of prototype endurance race cars are closer to formula vehicles compared to touring cars.
Ooshima Kazuya, being the champion of last year’s Renault Tour, coupled with his qualification for the Japan Super Endurance, is unlikely to be weaker than Yamamoto Naoki in sheer strength.
Chen Xiangbei hadn’t expected that Japan, within a small region’s entry-level formula event, could foster so many formidable drivers; this is the benefit of having a complete event system.
Counting Chen Xiangbei, there are five cars in the first echelon maneuvering in snake-like movements. Perhaps feeling the pressure of being "chased," the drivers at the front unanimously increase their speed.
The warm-up lap finishes quickly, yet the tires have not reached optimal operational temperature. PUSH (acceleration) too early will wear the tires unnecessarily without achieving the fastest lap time.
Most drivers remain restrained, waiting for further tire warming.
However, some daredevils don’t care and start speeding up to overtake in the second lap, aiming to reach the front and begin their flying lap to clock the fastest lap time.
With someone leading, chain reactions naturally occur; the track is so congested, no one wants to face mobile roadblocks when it comes to their flying lap.