In Love With Formula 1

Part 95

For the race on Sunday I qualified second meaning I would start race one 9th, I thought a podium was definitely achievable, especially with the effective slip stream down the massive straight, or I would get close enough and pass under breaking in to turn 1.

I would visualise all of these things that could happen before going out on to the grid, I made sure to crack all of my bones that I could, having an amazing previous weekend put a lot of pressure on me to perform well this weekend but I knew I couldn't let it get the better of me.

"You alright?" Carlos asked me

"Yeh" I replied 

"Well, the question I asked yesterday, can I ask you now?"

"Ask me after the race" I said before smiling quickly at him and walking on to the grid.

I wasn't sure why I was putting it off, I knew I was going to say yes, but out of everyone I thought Carlos would know that asking right before a race was extremely poor timing.

I took the knee and I saw a few people around me do it as well, I didn't really know that it would make more people do it.

I got in my seat and all the mechanics left the grid and I was there in 9th waiting for the formation lap to start.

"How's the radio?" Tonio asked

"Wonderful but please don't talk much" I replied as I weaved around to get some heat in to my tyres.

"Got it, what info do you want?"

"Gap infront and if it's under a second behind"

"Copy that Izzo, best of luck"

I pulled up in my grid slot and waited for everyone else to do the same as I stared at the board that would shortly be lit up with 5 red lights.

Before you knew it I was at turn 1, my tyres were still a bit cold but under breaking I passed 8th and 7th, I was only 4 cars behind a podium.

After around 5 laps of racing my tyres were fully up to temperature and I could start making bold moves knowing that the car would comply.

I was right behind the car in front and as we dived down the hill on to the final straight I went for the inside line and committed to braking later than the car in front. I did so going slightly deeper in to the corner so I could take the racing line before the car that was now behind me, I didn't even know what position I was in.

"Final lap, gap in front is 3 tenths"

"I knew that" I replied before pushing ever harder, I wanted to overtake this car.

In to a 90 degree right under braking I overtook the other car down the inside, it was a move I knew would be in those compilations, it was one of the best overtakes of my life, I was millimetres away from the barriers.

I gained a bit of time through the middle sector to make sure that I would keep the position along the straight.

"That's P2 Izzo, P2, incredible job" Tonio said

"Fuck yeh, I enjoyed that one" I replied

"You know the drill by now"

"Can't help being this talented" I said jokingly back as I changed the engine mode and picked up marbles to cool the tyres down.

"Izzie you seem to be bounding from one strength to another, you have been on the podium every weekend so far, how was your race?"

"It's a massive privilege to be able to be on the podium consistently, I never thought I would be this consistent but a lot of it has to do with the team, they are constantly teaching me ways to look after my tyres better, obviously I had never really done that till this series"