CHAPTER 205: CHAPTER 113: YOU THINK YOU CAN STOP ME? (DOUBLE-LENGTH)

Mansell noticed Chen Xiangbei’s car number 13 at this moment. As a professional formula driver, his reaction wasn’t slow. He almost simultaneously turned the steering wheel in the opposite direction, avoiding the collision with a hair’s breadth!

"FUCK!"

Mansell shouted angrily with lingering fear. He never expected that during the early and spacious stages of the qualifying session, someone would choose to launch at the last second, catching him off guard.

Not satisfied with just cursing, Mansell also stuck his hand out of the cockpit and made the internationally "friendly" gesture towards Chen Xiangbei in the car behind — the middle finger!

Originally, Chen Xiangbei was already quite upset. If it weren’t for his quick response, the two cars would have definitely collided.

Additionally, in order to avoid the incident, Chen Xiangbei abruptly turned the steering wheel, pulling on a still-healing muscle strain in his shoulder. A sharp pain surged through him, further igniting his anger.

He immediately pressed the communication button and informed: "Odetto, report driver number 9, Mansell, for an unsafe release to the FIA!"

The so-called unsafe release refers to incidents where a car nearly collides while leaving the pit lane. The event organizers or FIA would investigate such dangerous behavior.

If it’s determined that the team made an error in judging the timing for a safe release, the driver would be penalized with at least a 5-second time penalty in the race.

"Received, but I have to tell you, such a report won’t do much good."

Odetto spoke in a flat tone. He had seen the near-collision earlier and could understand Chen Xiangbei’s feelings at the moment.

However, he also needed to make Chen Xiangbei understand that, just like unexpected lane changes on the road, in this era when FIA penalties are quite lenient, unsafe releases in pit lanes during junior formula races are often disregarded by the FIA unless a real collision occurs.

Hearing Odetto’s response, Chen Xiangbei was momentarily stunned. He realized it indeed wasn’t of much use.

Because in this era, many formula racing rules aren’t fully developed. Much like Magnussen’s famous "dragon line" maneuver, which would have resulted in penalties wiping out all his Super Driver’s License points a decade later.

However, the actual FIA regulation prohibiting drivers from obstructing by making secondary moves in braking zones wasn’t formally detailed until 11 years later.

Even in F1, such situations of unsafe releases in lower-level formula races would naturally be considered trivial by the FIA.

"Understood."

Chen Xiangbei responded, then took a deep breath to adjust his emotions.

Drivers need to have temperament and personality but must not transform it into "road rage."

Feeling the changes in the car’s tuning and providing feedback to the team is of utmost importance for Chen Xiangbei at the moment!

While Chen Xiangbei was able to control his emotions well, the track broadcast captured the moment when Mansell raised his middle finger, prompting James to immediately fan the flames.

"OH MY GOD, just now two cars nearly collided in the pit lane, initially judging from the broadcast footage, the responsibility mostly lies with driver number 9, Mansell, for the unsafe release."

"However, Mansell inherited the fiery temper of the ’Lion King,’ old Mansell, and clearly blamed driver number 13, Xiangbei, and even flipped him off."

"I wonder how the Chinese driver Xiangbei will respond. Will he choose to respond strongly on track or maintain composure and focus on qualifying?"

"Staler, what do you think?"

James turned to Staler next to him. This veteran F1 investor had experienced the paddock events of the ’80s and was quite familiar with the former Williams driver, ’Lion King’ Mansell.

The full name of "Lion King" Mansell is Nicky Mansell. He was a local British formula driver who, driving the Williams FW14B in 1992, was crowned that year’s F1 World Champion!

Mansell’s personality was fiery and fierce. His fighting spirit was extremely strong, earning the nickname "Desperate Fighter." He once drove with a spinal fracture, concealing his injury by taking large amounts of painkillers to continue racing.

His bold, reckless driving style earned him the respect of countless British fans. Coupled with his golden hair, he fit the characteristics and spirit of a lion, thus gaining the title "Lion King."

Even Senna, known for his daring, described Mansell as "someone who will never be defeated."

However, as the saying goes, "a fierce father’s sons," both of Mansell’s sons, after entering professional racing, did not inherit his talent and skills, only his fiery and impulsive temperament.

A fierce and impulsive temperament with talent is called high-spirited.

No talent with such temperament is simply called an idiot or fool.

Clearly, driver number 9, Mansell, belongs to the latter.

But the British fans at the scene, supporting local drivers and through their filter of "Lion King" old Mansell, instead erupted in cheers.

Enjoying the spectacle without concern, Mansell’s toughness suits their taste; if Chen Xiangbei is unhappy, then fight back!

Sitting in the studio, Staler, faintly hearing the cheers of the grandstand audience, faced with the host’s "tricky" question, just smiled and replied.

"James, a mature driver will control his emotions well. Xiangbei has always been known for his calmness and stability. Your question greatly underestimates him."

Although Staler hadn’t interacted with Chen Xiangbei in life, he learned quite a bit from Zhang Zhicong.

From this old friend’s account, Chen Xiangbei is like an emotionless racing machine, with emotions that are often frighteningly stable, hardly influenced by external factors.