CHAPTER 119: CHAPTER 91: PROMISE TO MEET AT THE SUMMIT

Sawano Hiroyuki revealed his role as a race engineer, not only shocking Tsuchiya Keiichi and Suzuki Aguri, but even Chen Xiangbei looked at him in disbelief.

During his time at the Honda Racing Academy, Chen Xiangbei genuinely recognized Sawano Hiroyuki’s character and coaching abilities.

Although Sawano Hiroyuki was silent and rather stern, appearing difficult to get along with, he was actually meticulous, professional, and fair, never showing favoritism to any trainee, including himself, the new Chinese kid.

Moreover, Chen Xiangbei received a piece of information from Mizutani Sho during training.

He learned that his opportunity to join the Honda Racing Academy was thanks to Sawano Hiroyuki advocating for him against public opinion, giving him a trial chance!

Without Sawano Hiroyuki’s perseverance, there would be no Chen Xiangbei today.

Or to put it another way, without Sawano Hiroyuki’s ability to "recognize talent," Chen Xiangbei would face many struggles to smoothly enter the true formula system and earn a ticket to race in Europe.

As Chen Xiangbei turned 19 this year, his growing age only highlighted his "shortcomings" in the eyes of the outside world, making it unlikely to easily receive signing or trial opportunities, essentially trapping him in a deadlock.

However, precisely because of Sawano Hiroyuki’s professionalism, Chen Xiangbei never considered requisitioning team members under him.

The reason is simple—consider the director of the Honda Racing Academy and former double champion of Japan’s Super Formula and Super GT. Why would he serve as a race engineer for a trainee?

If he succeeds, it’s fine; but if he doesn’t perform, Sawano Hiroyuki’s efforts and rewards are disproportionate.

Chen Xiangbei chose the lowest point of Japan’s racing landscape, hoping to opportunistically establish his team which is quite the gamble.

Yet in some aspects, he’s pragmatic.

At least Chen Xiangbei knows his abilities, intending to get Liang Chi and others in as base-level maintenance technicians, with plans to gradually advance. He’s never aspired for "engineer" level roles, let alone technical or managerial positions.

Now Sawano Hiroyuki has voluntarily offered the opportunity!

"Sawano, are you sure you want to serve as a race engineer for this Chinese trainee?"

Tsuchiya Keiichi questioned incredulously.

Though both the ARTA team and Nakajima Planning fall under the Honda umbrella, they’re not exactly Honda Group!

Their race cars, Honda NSX-GT, rely on Honda-provided technology, with Honda’s own modification brand as one of the main sponsors.

Even F1’s Super Aguri Team used Honda engines, with the paddock referring to them as Honda’s B team.

But ultimately, the ARTA team is not Honda Group!

Sawano Hiroyuki choosing to go to the ARTA team to serve as a race engineer for a rookie Formula driver is indeed stepping down in rank.

"That’s right, I’m sure."

With a blank expression, Sawano Hiroyuki nodded while acknowledging that he had already deliberated on everything needed during the journey here, leaving only the answer to give!

When Tsuchiya Keiichi and Suzuki Aguri heard this response, they exchanged a complex glance.

Having worked alongside Sawano Hiroyuki before, they understood his character and abilities clearly, knowing that such a decision could only mean that the newbie named Chen Xiangbei had remarkable qualities.

Just one Renault championship and breaking Kobayashi Kamui’s track record—does that suffice for collaboration with the ARTA team?

After hesitating for a while, Suzuki Aguri glanced separately at Chen Xiangbei and Sawano Hiroyuki. In their eyes, he seemed to see the same thing: desire and trust.

In the past, Suzuki Aguri’s career didn’t fare well; during that era, Europe was rife with discrimination and mistrust toward Asian drivers, despite Nakajima Goro’s scoring history not dramatically changing the overall situation.

In his first two years entering the F1 paddock, he only performed in the team once, spending two years on the sidelines.

At that time, Suzuki Aguri was just like Chen Xiangbei is today, hoping for the team to give him a chance to prove himself.

Due to such experience, Suzuki Aguri defined the foundation of the ARTA team’s creation as pointing the way from the bottom to the top.

Suzuki Aguri hopes that through his support, talented young individuals struggling for opportunity can reach the summit of Formula Racing!

"I’ve never forgotten the initial dream of rising from the bottom to the top."

With that, Suzuki Aguri stood up and extended his hand, saying, "Chen Xiangbei, the ARTA team welcomes you aboard!"

Suzuki Aguri ultimately made a choice, backed by two reasons.

The first reason is Chen Xiangbei was very well-prepared for this conversation. He specifically had Hoshino Yoshi schedule it at the Capital High parking lot intending to disrupt the Chinese kid’s plan through a sudden "attack" to witness the most genuine reaction.

The fact proved that Chen Xiangbei accurately understood his core values and regrets, showing excellent poise.

Additionally, with Sawano Hiroyuki’s assistance, having trust in his former colleague’s judgment meant he wouldn’t pick the wrong person!

The second reason is that Suzuki Aguri does not want Super Aguri Team’s years of hard work to go to waste.

If they fully withdraw from the European Formula Paddock, it would mean that aside from a few within the European team who could return to Honda or be taken by the ARTA team, most would face layoffs.