This time, he didn't push for any speed limits, only purely testing the tire's degradation lifespan and some tuning flaws and shortcomings.

Additionally, Chen Xiangbei was worried that in a heavy fuel load state, if he retuned the engine to full power output, he might not make it to the upcoming qualifying race due to a potential engine blowout.

Chen Xiangbei "played it safe," but his competitors on the track had no intention of conceding.

Especially Bottas, Ricardo, and Bianchi, these well-known F3 drivers, who are super geniuses that swept their opponents along the way and coincidentally are renowned for their one-lap speeds.

During his peak as the number two driver for the Mercedes Team, Bottas could hold his ground with Hamilton in qualifying at a 40-60 split. If Chen Xiangbei can break the track record, he theoretically has the strength to do so as well!

As for Ricardo, no need to say more, he's a template for a historic opening, a rookie speed exceeding his champion teammates.

If it weren't for Verstappen breaking his spirit on the Red Bull path, he might not have left F1 quietly.

"It seems that Xiangbei's lap time has had a 'catfish effect,' this year's practice lap times are close to a full second faster than last year!"

"Bottas and Ricardo, these two drivers, have lap times very close to Hamilton's pole record. If not for the crowded track conditions, maybe there would have been a second driver to surpass the pole record."

"No wonder the Chinese driver Xiangbei chose to go out first, he probably considered the traffic conditions early on."

James was chattering about the track situation, but there was no other driver that could bring him the same shock as Chen Xiangbei just did.

To put it bluntly, if that were a qualifying race result, Chen Xiangbei might even deserve the name "Star Circle."

"James, I believe Xiangbei wasn't just considering traffic issues."

"He wanted to use his recent lap times to submit an application to the F1 teams present!"

Guest Karas keenly noticed Chen Xiangbei's little thought, often people care about first impressions.

Compared to being the first to run the fastest lap that others can't reach, even if surpassed later, the initial impact and shock are far superior.

"That's right, the Chinese driver Xiangbei, he wants to become a formal F1 driver."

James nodded in approval of this statement, Chen Xiangbei was indeed submitting a statement of intent!

...

The 30-minute practice session quickly ended, and Chen Xiangbei's lap time still topped the leaderboard, like an insurmountable mountain.

Back in the paddock, F3 competitors realized the challenge they faced, and all set their car suspensions to the hardest setting, and adopted a medium-low downforce plan.

Many were eager to try, planning to follow Chen Xiangbei's example, and go full throttle to challenge the Red River Bend and the two-kilometer-long straight!

According to pre-race rules, after the practice session ends, drivers enter the pit to change to new tires and refill fuel, followed immediately by the 30-minute countdown for the qualifying race.

This time Chen Xiangbei didn't rush out of the pit, he had predicted that many drivers would imitate him, and they'd end up at a disadvantage instead.

As Chen Xiangbei anticipated, seven or eight drivers rushed out hoping to get a clear track, only to find themselves stuck in traffic without the imagined ideal space.

And that wasn't the worst of it, next was the scenario where many drivers thought, if Chen Xiangbei can do it, so can I.

Just after the apex of T1 turn, they accelerated at full throttle.

The lucky ones spun out immediately after hitting the accelerator in the turn.

The less fortunate ones "luckily" made it out of the bend, only to find themselves unable to control the car at the famous Red River Shore.

Even though the run-off area of the Red River Bend is extraordinarily large, it couldn't withstand the more than 200 km/h downhill sprint speed, wrecking three cars in a row before arresting this trend of reckless imitation.

Meanwhile, the crowd's doubts about Chen Xiangbei diminished noticeably.

The evidence was right there: even if Chen Xiangbei was driving a "specialized car," the lap speed he achieved didn't warrant ridicule!

The qualifying lap time leaderboard constantly refreshed, Chen Xiangbei remained in the repair station as steady as Mount Tai.

"Mr. Xiangbei, the fastest lap just clocked in at 2 minutes 05 seconds 255, only a millisecond away from the pole record."

Watching Bottas set a fast lap time on the track, Mizutani Sho couldn't help but point it out.

Practice is practice, qualifying is qualifying, Chen Xiangbei hadn't reached the point of confidence yet.

"Hmm, let's wait a bit more."

Chen Xiangbei responded calmly, with no intention of heading out.

Soon, as the track's grip improved, Bianchi broke the pole record, with the leading lap time reaching 2 minutes 05 seconds 173!

The track erupted with thunderous cheers and applause, though Bianchi's lap wasn't faster than Chen Xiangbei's earlier, this was the real pole time of the qualifying race, creating a new track record by this genius driver from France!

Meanwhile, in the spectator stands, a boy in his early teens was cheering excitedly.

His name was Charles Leclerc, known in later years as Ferrari Team's famous driver, "Extreme Guy."

Bianchi was Leclerc's mentor in his racing career, and more of a "godfather" in his life.

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