"Sponsorship? Are you a paid driver sponsored by an F1 team? ”

Lu Ningping has long known that Zhang Yifei has entered the F1 team, after all, this news is about to be publicized throughout China.

The main reason is that Zhang Yifei has no F1 results yet, otherwise his influence will reach the level of Liu Xiang in the future.

However, in the publicity of various media, there is no mention of sponsorship and payment, and Lu Ningping has always thought that Zhang Yifei is a non-paid contract driver, so he is a little surprised.

After all, in the F1 paddock, there is still a chain of contempt, and contract drivers have to sponsor paid drivers by a higher level.

"I'm not a sponsor of a paid driver, but you also know that Ah Hu and they have passed, plus Junko Takeda and Ukyo Yamamoto from the previous Toyota Academy, it is not so easy for them to get into the F1 team."

"So I made a deal with Proster Racing for a $2 million sponsorship that would allow my entire team to join the F1 team."

Two million dollars?

When he heard this number, the expression on Lu Ningping's face became serious. As a Chinese driver, Asia's top rally driver, he is the kind that has seen the world.

Knowing that the $2 million sponsorship cost is at most an entry-level fee for an F1 team.

But this money, for the current domestic price, is undoubtedly sky-high!

There are no formula sports in China, at most some karting sports, so there is no accurate sponsorship cost to compare.

But if the scope is expanded to other racing events, such as the Hong Kong-Beijing Rally, which was the most popular before. The sponsorship fee of Subaru and 555 cigarettes, if you don't count the cost of the car itself, the sponsorship fee alone is only hundreds of thousands of levels, and it is less than one million.

Zhang Yifei's current $2 million, simply calculated at an exchange rate of eight to one, is also 16 million yuan, which is not an easy figure for some companies and wealthy people at this stage.

"This price is not a small amount in China, and it may have to be discussed."

Just when Lu Ningping was thinking about which rich people were suitable for the company, Zhang Yifei said again.

"Uncle Lu, it may be more than two million US dollars, at least I need a sponsorship of no less than 100,000 US dollars in a short time. Of course, whether it is advertising or endorsement, I will give him the best price. ”

The "debt collection" organized by Renault made Zhang Yifei feel a kind of financial pressure, so he needed to get the money in a short time.

After deducting today, there are only two days left in the remaining time, even if this time is negotiated, there may not be enough time to engage in any advertising and endorsement, so the other party is likely to "pay first".

Since it is the first payment, it is purely to cash out Zhang Yifei's current popularity and reputation. Since the other party is willing to believe and help himself, Zhang Yifei also reciprocates the favor and can give the best price.

"How much is a short period of time?"

Lu Ningping asked, he needed a more accurate time.

"Except for today, there are two days left."

"Only two days?"

Lu Ningping didn't expect Zhang Yifei to be in such a hurry, did he owe foreign debts?

"Uncle Lu can't take out two million dollars, but there are still 100,000 dollars, if you are in a hurry to use the money, take it from me first."

Hearing this, Zhang Yifei shook his head and replied: "Uncle Lu, I'm also an F1 driver, and I still have to take your old capital for 100,000 US dollars, which is too much of a failure." ”

"That's it, Uncle Lu, you can help me contact first, and then I'll talk if I don't have enough time."

Zhang Yifei is still relatively confident in sponsoring this aspect, which may have something to do with his later concepts.

After all, twenty years later, the advertising cost of tens of thousands of dollars is a small amount at all. Any popular TV series or variety show, there are not a few who win the bid for advertising costs hundreds of millions, and Zhang Yifei doesn't think that two million dollars is a big problem at all.

He even thought that this kind of global advertising opportunity, two million dollars is simply a leak. After all, the era of Ferrari and Schumacher will soon be ushered in, and the influence of F1 will reach an all-time high.

Under this global heat, if the sponsorship fee is placed in 20 years, it is estimated that it will have to be used in 100 million units, and it is still in dollars!

It's just that Zhang Yifei didn't take into account the domestic economic situation and consumption concept, and he hasn't experienced 20 years of rapid economic development.

"Well, I'll get you in touch later."

Lu Ningping nodded, and began to think about suitable sponsors in his mind, mainly some entrepreneurs on Hong Kong Island.

After all, as the world's financial center, Hong Kong Island's wealthy people are still relatively wealthy in this era, and their horizons are much broader.

Two million dollars is a lot of money, but for the real big companies and the rich, it's not an exaggerated number, it's just a matter of whether they are willing to pay it.

After determining this matter, Lu Ningping left home and helped Zhang Yifei contact the wealthy and enterprises on Hong Kong Island.

The reason why Lu Ningping knows so many Hong Kong Island tycoons is that the main channel is related to the students of the karting club.

You must know that in this era, there are people who have money to play go-karts, and they can also fund the establishment of a club, and the family is basically the kind that is either rich or expensive. After a long period of communication, it is natural to expand his network in disguise.

Of course, knowing them doesn't mean you can do business with them. If you change to an ordinary coach, in the eyes of these rich people, you are just a part-time worker.

But Lu Ningping is different, he has the identity of the Chinese car king, and he can be regarded as the banner figure of domestic motorsports. And Lu Ningping has a deep friendship with many old leaders of the China Automobile Federation, these people are basically the backbone of the General Administration of Sports now, plus the relationship with Mr. Huo on Hong Kong Island, so Lu Ningping's status is far from being as simple as a coach.

As soon as Lu Ningping left with his front foot, Lu Ningning, a little girl, stuck to her like a dog skin plaster, and asked all kinds of curious questions, Zhang Yifei's racing experience in Europe.

At first, Zhang Yifei could answer patiently, but then there were all kinds of questions, which were simply non-stop, and almost didn't explode Zhang Yifei's mentality of asking.

In the end, because it was time for class in the afternoon, Lu Jingning reluctantly left, which also made Zhang Yifei breathe a sigh of relief.

After Lu Ningning left, Zhang Yifei entered the waiting time, but Zhang Yifei's mentality was very stable, he knew that there was no hurry to talk about business, and he couldn't hurry up.

It's just that the progress of the matter exceeded Zhang Yifei's previous expectations, and Uncle Lu left for more than an hour, and Zhang Yifei received a call from him.

"Yifei, the sponsorship has already been announced, Mr. Guo Henian, the chairman of the Guo Group, plans to meet with you."

The Kwok Group?

After Zhang Yifei heard this name, he began to search for relevant memories in his mind. He's not familiar with business entrepreneurs, but if he's not mistaken, the Kwok Group looks like a Malaysian overseas Chinese company that is a leader in Asia's hotel and sugar industries.

For example, the famous Shangri-La Hotel Group in China in later generations is an industry under the Kwok Group, but I don't know if anything has changed in the world.

"The interview is fine, where?"

"No. 16 Gefu Road on the top of the mountain, Mr. Guo is waiting for you at home."

The Peak is the abbreviation, and the full name should be called Victoria Peak, which is the traditional top wealthy settlement on Hong Kong Island. In later generations, many mountaintop mansions on Hong Kong Island actually referred to this place.

Zhang Yifei naturally knew about this kind of famous place, so he immediately replied: "Okay, I'll go over immediately." ”

Called a taxi to No. 16 Gouge Road on the top of the mountain, Zhang Yifei just pushed the car door and got out of the car, when he saw a middle-aged man wearing a Western-style butler costume standing on the side of the road.

After he saw Zhang Yifei, he bowed slightly to Zhang Yifei, and then made a gesture of please and said, "Mr. Zhang, the chairman is already waiting for you in the living room, please come in with me." ”

"Okay, thanks."

Zhang Yifei replied politely, but he was very curious and surprised in his heart. Maybe it's because of his turtle and dick.,The profession of housekeeper he's only seen on TV before.,This is the first time I've seen it in reality.。

Following the middle-aged housekeeper, Zhang Yifei entered this hilltop mansion, decorated in a standard European British style, which is also related to the special historical reasons of Hong Kong Island. Zhang Yifei has nothing new about this style, because he has also finished Silverstone Station in the UK, and he has seen a lot of British decoration styles, which is nothing more than more luxurious here.

There was a huge reception table in the living room, and an old man sat on the main seat, and Uncle Lu sat on his left hand side. If nothing else, this old man should be Mr. Guo Henian, the chairman of the Guo Group.

"Hello, Mr. Guo, I'm Zhang Yifei."

Zhang Yifei greeted first, after all, the other party can be his grandfather at his age, and he should have respect and politeness, which Zhang Yifei has never lacked.

Hearing Zhang Yifei's greeting, Guo Henian showed a smile on his face and said in a cordial tone: "I have seen a lot of reports about you on the news before, and now I see that I am even more talented." became China's first F1 driver at such a young age, and he was really a hero. ”

"Come, fly, sit down and say."

After Guo Henian praised a word, he beckoned Zhang Yifei to sit down like a kind elder. His attitude still makes Zhang Yifei feel good, and it is not without reason that he can become a top entrepreneur.

After taking a seat, Guo Henian said: "Yifei, Xiao Lu has already told me about sponsorship. Although I am only a Chinese, I am also concerned about the development of sports in my home country, and as the first Chinese driver to enter F1, we naturally want to support you. ”

Listening to Guo Henian's words, Zhang Yifei didn't say anything, because he felt that such a tone would definitely add a but.

Sure enough, Guo Henian immediately said: "In fact, it is not only China that develops F1 sports, but also the construction of the Sepang circuit in Malaysia this year, and F1 motorsport is booming in Southeast Asia and expanding its influence." ”

"For example, the sponsorship cost of $2 million is not much, and it can even be said to be a good price."

Unlike many domestic companies, there is no clear understanding and understanding of F1 event sponsorship.

Because of the construction of the Sepang circuit, the development of F1 sports is actually ahead of China, so Guo Henian is no stranger to the F1 sponsorship system, and he knows that the sponsorship cost of two million US dollars is an extremely favorable price.

"We don't have a problem with sponsorship, but we have an additional requirement."

It should come but it will come after all, Zhang Yifei was also ready for the other party's request, so he replied calmly: "Mr. Guo, what do you want." ”

"We, the Kwok Group, are planning to enter the hotel industry in the mainland, so we need to expand our influence in the mainland. But as you know, there is no Chinese Grand Prix at the moment, and the Donghai International Circuit is still under construction, and it will take at least two years to start. ”

"So we set our sights on the Ao Island Grand Prix, which is the most prestigious Formula 3 event in Asia, and if you can participate, I think it will be a sensation for the influence of the mainland!"

This is the condition for Guo Henian to meet with Zhang Yifei, that is, the sponsorship of two million US dollars is no problem, but Zhang Yifei must participate in the Australian Island Grand Prix.

Because compared to formula cars elsewhere, the Grand Prix on Ao Island is on your doorstep. It can be said that both the dissemination of the event and the influence of the event have brought more direct and obvious effects.

In addition, Ao Island also has a special historical reason, and it is currently on the eve of the return, if Zhang Yifei can run a good result, under the bonus of this special time point, he will definitely be able to get free media publicity at the national level.

Maybe the final impact is similar to winning the championship at home in the 08 Olympics.

At present, the focus of the Kwok Group is to open up the mainland market, so for them, the impact of an Ao Island Grand Prix may be far greater than that of an ordinary F1 Grand Prix.

I have to say that it is not for nothing that Guo Henian can become the richest man in Malaysia, at least this business vision is very vicious, and in the short time of negotiation with Lu Ningping, all kinds of benefits have been considered clearly.

But this is not a very happy thing for Zhang Yifei.

The Ao Island Grand Prix is indeed famous, and even has the title of the cradle of rising motorsport stars. Many world-renowned racing drivers have come to the island to participate in the rookie period, such as Senna, Schumacher, Hamilton, Kubica, Vettel, etc.

However, Zhang Yifei is not an ordinary newcomer, he can be regarded as an official F1 driver. And the Ao Island Grand Prix, the full name in formula racing is - Ao Island Grand Prix Formula 3 FIA Intercontinental Cup!

To put it simply, it's an Formula 3 event.

In reality, F1 drivers, it is not for nothing that they participate in low-level formula cars, and there are many of them.

For example, it is very common for the third driver and test driver to participate in the F3000 class when they do not have the opportunity to play.

But it is very rare to relegate to participate in F3 events, after all, the level is too different. This is only possible for drivers who are very novices, or who are not valued by the team at all.

Zhang Yifei didn't position himself as a rookie, and the Prost team also regarded him as an official driver, so participating in F3 events was very downgrade for Zhang Yifei.

"Mr. Guo, you should know that I am an F1 driver, right?"

Zhang Yifei did not refute it directly, but this sentence is undoubtedly reminding the other party of his current grade and level.

"Of course I know that playing in Formula 3 is a relegation for you.

"But it's not unacceptable because you've only played in Formula 1 and before you run F1, it's still a promotion, not a relegation."

"And the Australian Island F3 race has a special character, it is an independent cup, and it only needs to run one time, and there is no subsequent schedule. Therefore, all things considered, running an Aodao F3 race is completely within the acceptable range. ”

Guo Henian analyzed various pros and cons, and in his opinion, running an Aodao F3 race is a matter of effort for Zhang Yifei. And getting $2 million in sponsorship for a single event is definitely a win-win deal.

To be honest, Zhang Yifei doesn't really want to run, after all, in his opinion, F1 drivers running F3 events is a thing that is out of line.

Winning is a matter of course, but if you lose in the gutter, it's going to be a stain on your career. At that time, other people will not care about your objective factors, as long as you know that you have signed an F1 team contract and are an F1 driver.

But people are poor and short-sighted, Zhang Yifei needs this money now, and businessmen are all profit-seeking, in exchange for a rich entrepreneur, maybe there are other more bizarre requirements, and in terms of efficiency, it may be difficult to compare with Guo Henian.

may have seen Zhang Yifei's hesitation, at this time Guo Henian spoke again: "That's it, Yifei, in the conversation with Xiao Lu just now, I also knew that you need a personal sponsorship of 100,000 US dollars." ”

"As long as you participate in the Australian Island Grand Prix, we will sponsor the event with $500,000, and you only need to run this one. I think that's enough to show our sincerity. ”

Damn, this is smashing me with money!

Zhang Yifei muttered in his heart, he didn't expect that he would also be "smashed" with money one day.

The 500,000 US dollar race sponsorship fee, only one F3 race, is indeed very sincere, and the Guo Group is considered to have made a bloody investment. It can be seen that they attach great importance to the mainland market, and it can also be seen that they affirm Zhang Yifei's influence in the future.

But Zhang Yifei still didn't let go, because if he participated in the Ao Island Grand Prix, it would disrupt all his previous travel plans, so he needed a little time to think about it.

"Mr. Guo, it is true that I feel your sincerity, but the Ao Island Grand Prix is outside my plans."

"So I need a moment to think about it, can I give you a definitive answer tomorrow?"

Hearing that Zhang Yifei finally relented, an old fox's smile appeared on Guo Henian's face.

I saw him stand up, patted Zhang Yifei on the shoulder enthusiastically and said, "Of course it's no problem, I have a hunch that this will be a win-win cooperation." ”