Chapter 99: Chapter 84: I Want to Form a Racing Team (Part 2)
Even in entry-level formula events like Renault, let alone in the pinnacle F1 level, it’s impossible for every team member to be a top engineer. There are different divisions of labor and cooperation, somewhat independent to an extent!
Take the most renowned Red Bull F1 Team for example. The team composition can generally be divided into three major sections: research and development, operations, and maintenance.
The research and development section is the core of motorsports. After all, the quality of a car depends entirely on how well the R&D is done. No matter how skilled a driver is, they can’t win a championship with a tractor.
This department has two branches, with the key figure being the technical director who leads car design and development. This person typically has an excellent technical and scientific background, and a former holder of this position was the famous aerodynamicist, Newey.
The other technical branch is responsible for the events, led by the race engineer. They are in charge of collecting data from the car and providing feedback to the factory. This also includes various racing adjustments and settings, as well as communication with the maintenance team.
In a certain sense, the race engineer is also the person who collaborates most closely with the driver.
The head of the operations department is called the team manager. Authorized by the team owner or board of directors, they can coordinate everything related to the team. The position is held by a rather famous former professional driver, Horner, at the Red Bull Racing Team.
The maintenance section is relatively simpler to understand. To put it bluntly, it’s a group of car mechanics, led by the chief technician.
Chen Xiangbei currently doesn’t want to get involved in R&D or operations. He plans to start from the maintenance department, which has the lowest requirements and difficulty.
Liang Chi and the others have years of experience in R&D and maintenance of the CFR2000. Theoretically, adapting to Renault cars and even higher-level formula cars shouldn’t be very difficult.
Upon hearing Chen Xiangbei’s explanation, Liang Chi and Qin Lianjie remained silent as they pondered the feasibility in their minds.
After a moment, Liang Chi finally said, "If it’s just about forming a maintenance team, we don’t have much of an issue."
"The issue is, how could a professional racing team allow you to insert people into it?"
There’s never been a concept of an independent maintenance team; it must rely on a professional racing team.
Professional racing teams aren’t philanthropists, and automotive giants like Honda aren’t easygoing either. They participate in motorsport to expand their brand influence, cultivate their racing talent, and develop and validate various cutting-edge technologies.
Why would a small-time figure like Chen Xiangbei get to pick the fruits of their labor?
"I have a way; I’ll tell you after it’s successful."
Liang Chi’s concerns were something Chen Xiangbei had thought over for two lifetimes, devising various solutions to many difficulties.
Of course, no one can guarantee a 100% success rate with such matters. If it weren’t for hearing the news about Huasi Sports going bankrupt and the team members having to go their separate ways, Chen Xiangbei wouldn’t have chosen to reveal it at this time.
His most important task right now is to achieve results in the races and enhance his reputation, so he has the capital for future negotiations!
That night, instead of opting for a hotel room to rest, Liang Chi and Qin Lianjie laid out mats in the apartment, making it convenient to head to the Suzuka Circuit with Chen Xiangbei the next day.
Qin Lianjie’s apartment is in a traditional tatami style, and sleeping on a mat doesn’t really feel any different than a bed, to be honest.
The next morning, after freshening up and having a quick bite, the three of them prepared to set off.
Chen Xiangbei opened the door only to see Qin Qiuyu standing in the corridor, with a look of wanting to say something but hesitating.
Upon seeing this, Chen Xiangbei offered, "Are you looking for your brother?"
Unexpectedly, Qin Qiuyu shook her head, saying, "No."
"Then is there something you need?"
"I want to go to the track with you all to watch the races."
Qin Qiuyu had only been exposed to street racing before. Her recent visit to the track was her first time, initially wanting to see the skills of professional driver Yamamoto Naoki.
As a result, Chen Xiangbei unexpectedly ran a race with Hashimoto Ichiro, opening a new world for Qin Qiuyu. To her surprise, the gap between professional and amateur drivers on the racetrack is so vast!
Now that Chen Xiangbei is about to race Yamamoto Naoki again, she’s even more curious about what scenes will unfold between professional drivers.
Even before Chen Xiangbei could reply, Qin Lianjie overheard their conversation and came over, habitually saying, "At your age, you should focus on your studies. Stop thinking about racing, especially not with a bunch of unruly people. Do you know how worried our parents are about your safety?"
"Aren’t you doing the same thing?"
Qin Qiuyu retorted. To a certain extent, her involvement in street racing was influenced by her brother, Qin Lianjie.
"I..."
At that moment, Qin Lianjie was at a loss for words.
People are often like that. Even when they haven’t achieved something themselves, they wish others wouldn’t do it either.
The more contradictory point is that they can’t just stand by and watch without concern.
"Go ahead, being interested in professional racing is better than hanging out on the streets."
Chen Xiangbei patted Qin Lianjie on the shoulder with a smile, opting to guide rather than strictly forbid.
...
As the four of them set off, the Suzuka Circuit was already buzzing with activity. The main grandstand in the paddock was filled with nearly ten thousand spectators.
This is the foundation brought about by a sound racing system. Holding similar-level events domestically usually has trouble attracting even a thousand live spectators, most of whom are comp tickets and supportive relatives and friends.
The pit lane was a hubbub of activity, with every pit garage open and members from numerous teams adjusting equipment.