CHAPTER 200: CHAPTER 112: DIRECTLY STEPPING INTO THE REALM OF F1 (DOUBLE CHAPTER)

When he said this, Staler’s tone already contained an uncontrollable excitement.

When Chen Xiangbei initially talked about the performance of the RA109 prototype car, Staler was skeptical at best, or just giving face at worst.

What kind of dual-layer diffuser black technology could provide the car with top-tier speed?

If F1 racing were this easy to lead in, it would simply insult the billions spent on research and development each year, not to mention the wisdom and hard work of hundreds of top engineers.

However, as a professional investor, believing is one thing, and verification is another.

A true investor never rejects seemingly fanciful ideas and suggestions. On the contrary, most investments in incubating projects and startups are flashy and shallow, with a greater emphasis on whether the founder can articulate a grand vision!

Investment failures are common, but as long as one project succeeds, the returns can cover dozens of previous failures!

Staler eventually went to Honda’s F1 R&D center in Milton Keynes, UK, where he met former team manager Ross Brown, as well as the legendary RA109 prototype car.

Brown was overjoyed at Staler’s arrival and investment ideas.

With the F1 new season about to start, if the team acquisition and registration were not completed before the opening race, even if finalized later, they would miss this year’s F1 Grand Prix.

In response, Brown showed great sincerity, practically revealing the racing development data without reservation, along with their 1 minute 19.489-second result at the Barcelona track.

When he heard about this lap time, Staler was speechless, thinking Ross Brown could boast even more than Chen Xiangbei!

It should be noted that since the Honda Group announced its withdrawal from F1, this RA109 prototype car did not participate in the winter testing with other teams in Barcelona. So where did this result come from?

More importantly, the fastest lap time during the 2009 winter test was 1 minute 19.751 seconds, achieved by Red Bull Racing Team’s Vettel.

Beating the fastest winter test lap time directly? He’s got to be joking!

Faced with Staler’s doubts, Brown provided the complete test footage and the original lap time data from the Barcelona track.

The RA109 prototype car indeed didn’t participate in the team’s winter tests; this data came from Brown’s private test run, for which he paid out of pocket.

He chose to do this out of a mindset to leave no regrets.

Even if the acquisition ultimately failed and the RA109 prototype car never raced, at least he witnessed its speed and success without failing the efforts of him and his colleagues.

This is a true uncrowned king of cars!

After seeing the footage and data, Staler realized he was facing a hidden gem. Without much hesitation or consideration, he immediately invested 40 million US dollars, acquiring a 50% stake in the new Brown GP Team.

Staler had witnessed the power of the RA109 prototype car, while the spectators at the track hadn’t; they thought this old guy was just hyping and boasting.

"Honda had a good operational state last year, yet the team’s ranking was only fifth. How could a withdrawn and dissolved research prototype become the fastest car in the paddock? What joke is this old man cracking?"

"Having faith that the RA109 is the fastest and strongest car of the new season is like believing that I’ll win the F1 Driver’s Championship this year."

"Although Staler is boasting, I’m still pleased that British driver Button can stay in the paddock."

"Indeed, Jenson Button’s capability justifies his stay!"

Compared to the birth of the Brown GP team, UK fans cared more about whether local driver Jenson Button could stay in the paddock.

Fans from every country hope to see their homegrown drivers within this top-racing temple of the world.

It’s just unfortunate that today at the Donington Park Circuit, Chinese fans supporting Chen Xiangbei could only feel envious hearing these conversations.

They don’t know when they will witness the debut of a Chinese F1 Driver. Can Chen Xiangbei achieve this?

The two people in the broadcast booth obviously didn’t know the spectators’ complaints.

Even if he knew, James wouldn’t expose it.

At this moment, he could only laugh awkwardly, noncommittal about Staler’s "fastest, strongest car" statement.

Then he changed the subject: "Mr. Staler, I remember you mentioned you had an important announcement today. Does it also relate to the Brown GP team?"

"Yes, but the focus is on the driver."

"Oh, do you have a new driver lineup?"

Upon hearing James’ words, the British audience, who were just celebrating Jenson Button, suddenly became serious.

If Staler dared to cut Button, his ancestral tomb would probably smoke today.

"Indeed, there’s a brand new driver lineup."

Staler flashed a mysterious smile, whetting everyone’s appetite.

"Today, on behalf of the Brown GP team, I announce that a driver from China, Bei, will be our test driver!"

As Staler’s words came out, it was akin to dropping a bomb at the Donington Park Circuit, sending the entire audience into a frenzy.

The F1 team is a colossal organizational team that includes not only two official drivers but also a third driver, reserve driver, test driver, simulator driver, and even young drivers in the reserve ladder!