Free Web NovelChapter 820: Chapter 335: The Treatment Reserved for Schumacher by the King of Cars (Part 2)
In theory, when the performance of two cars is evenly matched, the car behind cannot catch up with the car in front.
So there is only one answer.
Alonso is faster!
Before Chen Xiangbei could think of a strategy, Alonso suddenly changed lanes from behind and appeared on Chen Xiangbei’s right side, showing an aggressive stance as if he was going to overtake in the turn immediately.
Following normal defensive logic and reaction, Chen Xiangbei should immediately change lanes to block the car. On such a narrow track as Monaco Circuit, there’s no need for the car in front to engage in extreme defensive maneuvers; just a slight movement of the car body can prevent the car behind from overtaking.
It’s like driving on a two-lane road, where the car in front only needs to straddle the middle line to block two cars behind completely.
But Chen Xiangbei didn’t move!
He still followed his rhythm, taking the normal racing line through the turn, instead of changing lanes to a defensive line, as if he didn’t notice Alonso’s plan to dart around the back.
"That’s it, Chen Xiangbei didn’t react!"
"Alonso’s darting attack is too swift; indeed, the older, the wiser."
"Is Monaco’s narrow track unable to stop Alonso?"
"Do you think Alonso is just any ordinary racer? It’s normal that he can’t be stopped."
The grandstands were filled with groans, as fans knew the pressure to defend against Alonso was immense.
However, considering the unique terrain of the Monaco Circuit and the impressive speed Chen Xiangbei demonstrated in qualifying, extending the miracle wasn’t out of the question.
The ideal is full but reality is harsh.
Setting aside the safety car lead, if Chen Xiangbei were overtaken, it would mean he couldn’t even defend for a lap.
The gap is indeed a bit hard to swallow.
But then came an even more inexplicable scene: Alonso didn’t utilize the gap at T5 to overtake, he instead changed lanes back during the braking point into the turn, and continued to follow Chen Xiangbei through the curve.
If Chen Xiangbei couldn’t block, everyone could understand, but Alonso not taking the great opportunity to overtake left the live audience puzzled.
"SHIT, what’s going on, why didn’t Fernando overtake?"
"Is Alonso letting the Chinese kid off easy?"
"FUCK, has the F1 race been influenced from the outside? Not overtaking in this situation?"
"Alonso, don’t give Driver Bei a chance, take him out as soon as possible!"
Alonso’s fans and Chen Xiangbei’s detractors were noisy; this puzzling maneuver was truly hard to accept.
It’s not possible that Alonso, at this critical juncture of the championship, is arrogantly playing a cat-and-mouse game, right?
"Driver Bei is taking the track very seriously."
As the chatter continued outside, in the studio, local commentator Henry remarked with an admiring tone.
"What do you mean?"
Red asked immediately, feeling quite confused.
"There is a bump on the ground in the T5 overtaking route, if hit at high speed, it will smash the chassis. This isn’t something you can feel in the racing simulator; you have to walk the track and observe the ground carefully to know this hidden danger."
"Alonso was actually faking, and Bei didn’t fall for it."
The street circuit’s characteristic comes from the detail changes in the road environment, especially after being paved with a layer of black asphalt. The road’s undulating features are not obvious; you need to observe from different angles to find the anomalies.
Alonso knows there’s a bump there he can’t drive over. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Chen Xiangbei knows it too.
Besides displaying driving skills, they’re also engaged in a battle of wits.
Hunter never really liked Chen Xiangbei, mainly because this Chinese principal threatened Rosberg during practice and qualifying.
But at this moment, he has to admit Chen Xiangbei had reasons to secure pole position; at least in track detail observation, the Chinese kid hasn’t slacked off at all!
Not only commentator Hunter, but even Alonso following behind Chen Xiangbei, showed a trace of admiration in his eyes.
Throughout most of the season, Alonso was in front of Chen Xiangbei in qualifying, with rare occasions where he was far behind. This is related to Ferrari cars being slightly biased in performance and their chaotic strategy.
Today is the first time Alonso is right behind Chen Xiangbei, allowing him to observe this young Chinese’s control and response from the nearest distance.
Honestly, Chen Xiangbei’s performance so far has been not inferior to any top driver on the field.
His control doesn’t have any evident flaws or corrections, and his passionate line is precisely smooth; his reaction speed and response are extremely fast.
Using a popular internet phrase from later generations to describe him: this guy is not below me!
If the previous feats are achieved by talent, then Chen Xiangbei’s insistence on navigating the standard racing line earlier shows pure effort; the Chinese kid’s exploration of track characteristics is thoroughly detailed.
He can’t fool him.
Realizing this, Alonso pressed the earpiece button without hesitation and said to Domenicali: "Execute Plan B."
"Received, Plan B launched."
After seeing Alonso unable to surpass Chen Xiangbei in the broadcast, Domenicali already put Plan B on the agenda.
As he finished speaking, Alonso stopped striving to chase Chen Xiangbei; instead, he took a defensive line, slightly reducing his speed to block Vettel’s following car.
Simultaneously, Masa accelerated aggressively, directly launching a fierce offensive towards Vettel, instantly forming Ferrari’s double-car pinching tactic!
Witnessing this scene, Red Bull Racing’s team leader Horner’s face could be described as livid; initially, in the overall points board, Weber and Vettel stood second and third respectively, and the situation was promising.
Regarding both Monaco Station and the final station, as long as they could successfully pin Alonso once, they could essentially secure the WDC (World Drivers’ Championship), and WCC (World Constructors’ Championship) had already been in Red Bull’s bag.
Now, the situation took a nosedive; Weber’s withdrawal due to malfunction not only deprived him of the championship contention, but also put Vettel in a predicament of being pinched on both sides. How could one Red Bull Racing car compete against two Ferraris?
Not everyone is named Verstappen!
"Vettel, hold your position, Alonso won’t block for long."
Horner advised Vettel through the voice communication, boosting his spirit.
Currently, with Weber’s withdrawal, as long as Chen Xiangbei secures the substation champion title smoothly, he can at least reach the top three in the overall points board, reducing the points gap with Alonso to a single digit.
Exactly how much depends on the post-race results of Alonso and Vettel.
A single-digit points gap implies an easy comeback, in recent years the F1 championship title has been snatched by latecomers in such a manner.
Horner doesn’t believe Alonso would abandon suppressing Chen Xiangbei to obstruct Vettel, leaving the risk until the final station.
Ten laps! At most ten laps, if Masa doesn’t surpass, Alonso will give up the block and turn to pressure chasing Chen Xiangbei, or they’ll be expanded by a pit window period.
Vettel must persist, the world championship is always for those who perform stably!
"Received."
Vettel understands his situation, he must block Masa no matter what, not allowing Red Bull to complete a double-car meetup.
Except the opponent came prepared, and he fought a battle without preparation, relying on will cannot change many things; Ferrari practiced this double-car tactic many times on the racing simulator, absolutely giving Vettel no chance!
After three laps, when the race reached the tenth lap, Masa seized the opportunity created by Alonso’s block to surpass.
This sight brought a dead silence to Red Bull Racing’s repair station, strategy group members were at a loss for words.
They also understand they can’t blame Vettel, he tried his best.
But just when everyone thought Alonso would vigorously catch up to Chen Xiangbei, an unexpected scene emerged on the track.
Alonso swapped positions with Masa smoothly, then the number two driver fully PUSH pursued, while the number one driver followed behind, saving tire consumption by drafting.
In the paddock, everyone knew Ferrari was prepared with a double-car tactic to deal with Chen Xiangbei, but none anticipated that this young Chinese kid posed such a significant threat in Ferrari Team’s eyes, to the extent that they could completely sacrifice a wingman.
This is reminiscent of the time when Alonso was in Renault Team facing the King of Cars Schumacher—a treatment akin to Driver Bei secretly growing to such a stage?
