In response to Odetto, Chen Xiangbei felt somewhat baffled. This team leader usually seems quite amiable, but once on the track for official practice, he seems like a different person.

If I have a problem, just say it directly...

Data analyst Mizutani Sho listened to the TR (team radio) conversation, looking equally puzzled.

He quickly accessed the database to pull up the cornering speeds of other drivers in previous Renault Eurocup races, comparing them to Chen Xiangbei's recent performance.

Once again confirmed, there was nothing fundamentally wrong with Chen Xiangbei's approach and driving lines; it certainly wasn't worth criticizing.

"Senior Sawano, the data is fine, what's up with team leader Odetto?"

Mizutani Sho asked in confusion, hoping Sawano Hiroyuki might know the answer.

After all, even though the latter hasn't raced in F1, he's still a double champion in Japan's top events, with far richer track experience than Mizutani, so he might understand Odetto's intention.

"There's indeed no issue."

Sawano Hiroyuki shook his head and then added, "Let's see what Odetto says after the run."

With doubts lingering among everyone, Chen Xiangbei completed his first timed lap on the Silverstone Circuit.

[1 minute 59.436 seconds!]

Upon seeing this lap time, the faces of the "Chinese" team members in the pit box, including Sawano Hiroyuki and Mizutani Sho, displayed expressions of joy and excitement.

Even in an unfamiliar environment, Chen Xiangbei maintained his usual adaptability and speed. This lap time was incredibly close to the track record, slower than the fastest lap by less than two seconds!

Many might not know that F1 circuits actually have two different track records.

One is called the pole position record, also known as the fastest lap.

Only the fastest lap achieved in the official race can be considered the track record.

It might seem somewhat complicated, but the understanding is quite simple.

That is, strictly speaking, the qualifying session isn't the actual race; it's merely a "prelude" to determine the starting order.

Furthermore, the fastest lap achieved in qualifying is unsustainable, often using brand-new tires, running only two or three laps worth of fuel, and with the engine power cranked up to near blowing points, producing a "god-like lap."

The official race requires consideration of many factors, making the lap speed naturally much slower.

In general, the fastest lap in the F1 race is two to three seconds slower than the qualifying pole fastest lap.

Of course, there is another scenario where during the last few laps of the official race, a pit stop for new tires and a full push for the fastest lap can narrow the gap between the two.

Chen Xiangbei's current practice setup hovers between qualifying and the official race.

Not as extreme as qualifying, yet also not conserving on fuel and tires as in the official race.

The Renault Formula race record at the Silverstone Circuit is 1 minute 59.017 seconds, while the qualifying pole record is 1 minute 57.582 seconds.

If Chen Xiangbei maintains this speed progression, surpassing the race record would be smooth sailing. As for challenging the pole record, Sawano Hiroyuki and the others dare not imagine.

After all, the pole record at Silverstone Circuit differs from Japan's Suzuka Circuit.

All of the strongest Formula drivers on Blue Star have raced at Silverstone Circuit.

If you could break the pole record, it would mean you've become the strongest ever!

And currently, the holder of the Renault level pole record at Silverstone Circuit is none other than the illustrious seven-time champion Michael Schumacher.

However, as race cars continue to evolve, speed is increasingly fast in some sense, the pole record couldn't remain forever.

Still, even so, challenging the pole lap speed isn't something that Asian drivers can touch!

"Sawano, how's my lap speed?"

Chen Xiangbei asked through TR.

"Single lap 1 minute 59.436 seconds, ran very well."

Sawano Hiroyuki affirmed with a nod, he too had raced Silverstone Circuit back in the day.

Although the single-seater Formula car of that era differed from the Renault car, with the track layout and performance all altered, he could still judge the quality of Chen Xiangbei's lap speed.

If no "godly duels" occur in this Renault Eurocup season, given this state of progression, Chen Xiangbei's qualifying should comfortably make it into the top ten!

"Odetto, any suggestions?"

Chen Xiangbei inquired of Odetto again, feeling the lap time was pretty good himself.

"Run another lap."

Odetto's response was still terse, without offering Chen Xiangbei an explanation.

"Alright."

Chen Xiangbei didn't persist. He promptly commenced his second timed lap.

The car raced forward, and in less than two minutes, the time seemed to fly by.

The lap speed of Chen Xiangbei quickly appeared on the race data monitoring screen inside the pit box.

[1 minute 59.291 seconds]

Though it looks like an improvement of only 0.1 seconds, the fact is, as a driver's competitive level increases, lap speed improvements become smaller and smaller, eventually making mere hundredths or even thousandths of seconds feel significant.

There's potential for further reduction of fuel weight in Chen Xiangbei's car, combined with no feedback on track feeling for fine-tuning, ultimately likely to speed up by another few tenths of a second.

"Run another lap!"

Before Chen Xiangbei could inquire, Odetto's voice actively came through the headphones this time.

Chen Xiangbei still didn't question, increasing his lap speed by another 0.1 second in the next lap.

In response to Chen Xiangbei's lap speed improvement and stable performance, the faces of the Kobayashi Shuji team members on the other side of the pit box showed expressions of surprise, not expecting this Chinese newcomer to be this strong.

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