In Love With Formula 1

Part 92

Because of the reverse grid I would be starting from P12 for the first race and then the grid would be reversed again for race 2. Having 2 races on a Saturday and then 1 on Sunday meant that I was busy all weekend, I barely had any time to look at my phone. So having breakfast with all of my mates on Saturday morning wasn't really what I had planned.

"So, you know I get to test an F1 car if I win a race this season?" I said to Lando, Carlos, Daniel, Charles and Pierre.

"Well that just doesn't seem like a challenge" Carlos said

"The first offer was if I got a podium, I made it harder for myself"

"You'll win in no time" Charles said

"I don't know, I've never been in a race situation, we'll see how it goes today"

"Get those motherfuckers is all I have to add to that" Daniel chimed in 

"Do you want to know which car it is?" I asked them

"Well obviously, it will be a Mclaren" Lando scoffed

"Or a Redbull" Pierre added

"Guys you have forgotten my other sponsor, Mercedes, I will drive that car if I get a win"

Everyone's jaws dropped at this and then everyone erupted in to sort of screaming that I was guessing was excitement.

"No effing way" Lando said after composing himself

"Yes effing way" I said back

"Why do you get all the good stuff" Charles said 

"Mate you drive a Ferrari be quiet" I said back to him

After some arguing over which F1 car was the best I had to leave to go to my first race.

I arrived on track reasonably early, I had my headphones on and jamming out to my amazing playlist full of the best party music. I headed towards the garages but I was stopped by some journalists on the way there.

"Izzie, your first race in F3 how are you feeling?" One of the journalists asked

"Absolutely buzzing, no matter the result, it's experience in the car, I'll develop with the car" I said before diving in to the garages so I wouldn't have to answer any more questions.

"Morning, we have 2 hours until we need to be in the pits" One of the mechanics on my car said

"Okay, can we go through the pedal mapping, I want to make sure everything is okay" I asked him

"Yeh sure, we'll do the steering wheel as well, are you wearing knee pads?"

"Yeh, I'll have to make sure they don't press on the clutch pedal"

"We'll do some checks on it don't worry"

I spent half an hour going through all the pedals, steering wheel settings and positions, and making sure my mirrors were in the right place for me.

By the time it was near race time we were all in the garage listening to music and dancing around like idiots just to let off some steam before the race, plus it was good fun.

I got out on the track to line up on my grid spot and some of the nerves were slowly creeping up, I got my shaky knee and I wanted to scream, out of excitement and nerves.

On the formation lap I just talked myself through each corner and what I needed to do at each one as well as some overtaking possibilities, I couldn't just follow cars around the whole time.

When the lights went out my reactions were like lightning, I was away and had gained a couple of positions just on the straight down to turn 1. By the end of lap 1 I was in P9 and had my eyes set on the person in front of me.