CHAPTER 111: CHAPTER 88: HONDA OFFICIAL DRIVER CONTRACT

Just as Chen Xiangbei was wondering which bastard was so rude, a familiar Japanese-accented English voice reached his ears.

"Chen Xiangbei, first of all, congratulations on winning the race and breaking Kobayashi-kun’s track record."

"Do you feel lucky about this?"

Lucky?

Faced with this adjective, Chen Xiangbei looked over and, sure enough, it was Fuji TV reporter Segawa Hiroaki, who had interviewed him in the pit lane earlier.

"Do you think you can win a race and break a track record by relying on luck?"

Chen Xiangbei didn’t answer directly but responded with a rhetorical question.

Noticing that Chen Xiangbei’s tone held some displeasure, Segawa Hiroaki pressed the issue while it was hot: "If it’s based on strength, do you think you are stronger than Kobayashi-kun, Chen Xiangbei?"

This kind of question would indeed be tricky for the average driver to answer.

Saying you’re stronger than Kobayashi Kamui, he is Japan’s new generation of genius teens, and this is his home ground at Japan’s Suzuka Circuit; some face-saving is due.

It’s like being interviewed in Yanjing’s Bird’s Nest, winning a minor championship, and then arrogantly thinking you’re better than Liu Xiang or Yao Ming.

But if you say you’re weaker, the pride and confidence of a racer, Chen Xiangbei is absolutely unwilling to admit.

In that case, it’s better to follow his true feelings and say, "I was at least stronger than the then Kobayashi Kamui."

Now, Kobayashi Kamui is already at the threshold of F1, and Chen Xiangbei admitted he’s a bit lacking.

But the Kobayashi Kamui who set the record at Suzuka Circuit years ago, Chen Xiangbei has absolute confidence to beat!

As soon as these words were spoken, they spread through the Suzuka Circuit via the live broadcast, causing a stir among the audience.

Kobayashi Kamui is currently a symbol of Japan’s racing world and is seen as the next genius teenager to enter F1.

Did Chen Xiangbei become so arrogant after just winning a minor championship in a selection race?

Initially, the Japanese audience on-site, still clapping and congratulating out of politeness and courtesy, now exploded.

"What gives this Chinese rookie the right to compare with Kobayashi-kun? Does he really think he can make it into F1?"

"I think even making it to GP2 is questionable; ignorance is bliss!"

"Probably just got a bit cocky after winning the championship; youthful arrogance is actually normal."

"Youthful? He’s already eighteen!"

Perhaps it was this last audience member’s remark that inspired Segawa Hiroaki’s next question.

He immediately asked, "Chen Xiangbei, with such confidence, do you think you can become the next Sato Takuma?"

Hearing this question, Chen Xiangbei shook his head in front of the camera.

While many thought he was aware enough to know he couldn’t compare to a historical genius like Sato Takuma, thus shaking his head to deny it.

Chen Xiangbei’s answer once again showed what "arrogance" of a Chinese newcomer means!

"I won’t become the next Sato Takuma; there’s only one Chen Xiangbei in this world. I’ll write my own legend!"

While Sato Takuma’s entry into F1 is indeed a miracle, Chen Xiangbei will not become anyone’s second; he will only become his own first.

"Xiangbei-kun, you are truly confident."

Seeing Chen Xiangbei say this, even Segawa Hiroaki, who was out to make big news, couldn’t help but sigh.

"If you’re not confident, why be a racer."

The post-match interview ended abruptly here as the staff of the Japan Automobile Federation came over, informing Chen Xiangbei that he needed to go up to the podium for the award ceremony.

When Chen Xiangbei stepped onto the podium, second-placed Ooshima Kazuya and third-placed Mukai Takuma were already waiting there, their expressions complex.

In this race, they might have thought about losing, but never imagined losing so badly, completely overturning their perception of Chinese racers’ strength.

After a brief and polite handshake, the broadcast announced a moment of silence, as the next part was the national anthem segment on the podium.

Standing on the top podium waiting for the national anthem, Chen Xiangbei noticed many Japanese spectators were already leaving.

Honestly speaking, in events of this low level where foreign racers win, it’s still hard to get recognition from the home crowd, who often choose to leave after watching the race. Moreover, Chen Xiangbei’s post-match interview, in a way, touched on the "glass heart" and the pride of an automotive powerhouse.

In a country with an unstable automotive industrial base and a near-zero racing system, dare to boast and disregard Japan’s two top racers, they couldn’t be bothered to watch Chen Xiangbei’s victory display.

But Chen Xiangbei didn’t care about that; he knew clearly that racing belongs to a world where the strong are respected.

Senna’s "rage," Schumacher’s "ruthlessness," Hamilton’s "hypocrisy," Verstappen’s "spoiled child," none of them could be considered perfect good people.

But so what?

When standing atop the highest podium, don’t you have fans all over the world, and scholars to defend you?

Moreover, Chen Xiangbei didn’t feel arrogant, he was merely stating the facts.

The award ceremony ended without a champagne celebration, partly because the event level wasn’t high enough for such grandeur, and partly because Mukai Takuma hadn’t yet reached adulthood.

Chen Xiangbei held the trophy and walked toward the pit lane. When he was on the podium, he had actually already seen Liang Chi and Qin Lianjie there, but since the process wasn’t over, he hadn’t greeted them yet.

"Uncle Liang, how was it? Not too bad, huh."

Chen Xiangbei said as he smiled and handed the trophy to Liang Chi.

"Not bad at all."

Liang Chi glanced over the trophy, unable to conceal the smile on his face.