Chapter 100: Chapter 84: I Want to Form a Racing Team (Part 3)
We must know that Japan, being the strongest racing country in Asia, not only has manufacturer teams from car companies but also many sponsored teams with modified parts, such as Dome and Mugen.
Then there are private teams established by drivers after retirement, like Kunimitsu and Aguri.
Compared to sponsored teams and private teams, manufacturer teams naturally have more resources and talent-attracting capabilities.
However, in lower-tier formula racing, since standardized race cars are used, the advantage in technical leadership is not obvious; it is more about the driver’s personal ability, and having good talent offers a chance to win the championship.
In fact, Japanese domestic car races, such as Super GT, have never been the sole domain of factory teams; instead, it’s been a thrilling competition among many strong teams for decades.
In contrast to the bustling scene in other teams’ P rooms, the Honda Racing Academy’s P room was filled with a peculiar atmosphere, and the expressions on the team members’ faces were extremely solemn.
Especially the chief technician, Watanabe Hideyuki, who kept his head very low, not daring to face Sawano Hiroyuki.
The reason was because of a big piece of news during the pre-race media interviews. A Fuji TV journalist got a scoop from a former Honda Racing Academy student, alleging that there was unfair competition within the academy, claiming a new Chinese member bought their status and race entry with monetary advantages.
Apart from the whistleblower, the Fuji TV journalist also contacted other Honda Racing trainees to corroborate, confirming the truth of the matter!
When Sawano Hiroyuki and his team came to the P room to adjust equipment in the morning, they were utterly confused by the sudden media interviews, never expecting such allegations and rumors to circulate at such a critical pre-race moment.
An internal academy investigation was immediately launched, with the whistleblower’s identity basically pinned on Matsuboto Brown.
As for those racing trainees who confirmed the information, they were similarly close friends of Matsuboto Brown. The reason they would give false testimony was simple: Chen Xiangbei’s sudden appearance directly "took" the race entry, even canceling the originally planned internal selection race!
From the perspective of Nakajima Goro and Sawano Hiroyuki, they could clearly see Chen Xiangbei’s potential to lead by a margin, and the track lap data also proved this point.
Is there still any need for internal selection when resources are focused on cultivating such talent?
However, those racing trainees didn’t think the same way; they looked down on Chen Xiangbei, harboring various feelings of envy and jealousy.
Adding to it was the fact that later, the Chinese kid in the academy, thinking he earned the attention of the principal and director, became arrogant, acting independently and ignoring others, as if he looked down on everyone.
The accumulated conflicts, stirred by Matsuboto Brown, exploded before the race intending to mess with Chen Xiangbei’s state of mind, making him underperform and turning the rumors into "facts"!
Aside from the rumor incident, during the investigation, the chief, Hideyuki Watanabe, also voluntarily confessed to doing something wrong.
He had copied Chen Xiangbei’s practice recordings and data and handed a copy to Matsuboto Brown, which eventually ended up in Yamamoto Naoki’s hands!
"Watanabe, why did you do that?"
Sawano Hiroyuki suppressed his raging anger and questioned Watanabe. Having been employed at the racing academy for nearly ten years, he was usually a dependable and steady individual; why would he do something as reckless as leaking team data?
Honestly, Sawano Hiroyuki was utterly puzzled!
"Matsuboto said he realized his previous arrogance and wanted to thoroughly learn his competitor’s strengths, hoping to win back on the track someday and return to Honda Racing Academy."
"I believed Matsuboto’s words, which is why I gave him the USB stick with Mizutani’s previously copied data."
Hideyuki Watanabe responded full of remorse. Matsuboto Brown was the student he was closest with, and he couldn’t bear to see him get pushed out of Honda Racing Academy for a bit of youthful arrogance.
Coincidentally, that day Nakajima Goro had asked for a copy of the recordings, and after viewing, Hideyuki Watanabe returned it to the P room and casually handed it to Matsuboto Brown.
Who would have thought Matsuboto would exploit his goodwill and hand over Chen Xiangbei’s racing data to competitors!
"Hideyuki Watanabe, you’re temporarily suspended, awaiting internal academy action!"
Regardless of whether good intentions were exploited, mistakes must bear consequences, and the specific punishment will be determined by Principal Nakajima Goro.
As Sawano Hiroyuki spoke these words, Chen Xiangbei happened to walk into the P room and hear them, making a face full of confusion. Suspending the chief technician before the race? What kind of trick is that?
"Director Sawano, did something happen?"
Feeling the heavy atmosphere among the team members, Chen Xiangbei asked a question.
Facing Chen Xiangbei’s inquiry, Sawano Hiroyuki’s expression was somewhat complicated, unsure whether to reveal it.
After all, racing is a sport deeply reliant on mental state, and pre-race mindset naturally plays a part in that. Matsuboto Brown timed the allegation very well.
But if not mentioned, no one could guarantee whether a journalist might interview him, shocking Chen Xiangbei more unpreparedly, possibly wrecking his mood before the race even more. It’s better to let him know now and prepare.
Without much hesitation, Sawano Hiroyuki recounted the events exactly as they happened.
After listening, Chen Xiangbei’s expression was quite intriguing. It wasn’t that he felt any particular pressure, but more like, why the hell is this even an issue?
He had faced similar "money buys opportunity" rumors no fewer than ten times. It stemmed from his underwhelming results in formula racing due to a poor foundation in his past life.
He was in that state of comfortably advancing or being easily eliminated.
Each time he defeated a competitor, many media outlets speculated whether it was due to his performance or financial backing securing him the spot.
Having heard it numerous times, Chen Xiangbei grew numb, thinking if he had such money, how could he have had such a shaky foundation?
He would already be racing in F1!
"Director Sawano, it doesn’t matter. There’s an old Chinese saying: ’Rumors stop at wise men.’"
"If there are indeed too many fools, then let them see the truth through strength."
Chen Xiangbei replied with ease, getting ready to head to the driver’s lounge to change into his racing suit.
Seeing him in such a state, Sawano Hiroyuki didn’t know what to say, not feeling any pre-race pressure and even maintaining emotional stability in the face of such disturbances. Is this really a newbie in his first race?
"Xiangbei, but Yamamoto Naoki has the race recordings; he can analyze your driving style specifically."
"Director Sawano, I often watch Schumacher’s recordings too; can I target him?"
Leaving this statement, Chen Xiangbei walked straight to the lounge, leaving a stylish impression on everyone present...