Trust In Talent - Somi X Reader

Chapter 7

Y/N POV

Formula 2 is really different compared to Formula 3. The cars are so much difference between then. Formula 2 cars are wider, longer, bigger and most importantly, it has so much more downforce compared to the Formula 3 cars that I drove. With the extra downforce, driving these Formula 2 cars are a lot more demanding to the human body compared to the Formula 3 cars, especially on the neck. My first outing in the Bahrain test was really difficult for me because I couldn't get used to the car, and finishing 21st out of the 24 drivers that has participated in the pre season testing.

Even though I was clearly struggling during the first 3 races of the season, I managed to use those races to try and get used to the car so even though I was struggling and fighting at the back of the grid, I was able to learn so much from the data available. Also, I have spent almost every day in the factory and simulator trying to learn about the car to improve my results. Heading into round 4, Silverstone, I feel a lot more confident. I was more prepared and also Silverstone is one of my favourite tracks in the race. Hopefully I will be able to do well in this classic track.

Practice and Qualifying went well for me. Carlin has managed to find a really good and balanced set up for both of the cars which allowed me and my teammate Yuki Tsunoda feel comfortable and able to push for a good lap. I managed to qualify 5th while Yuki Tsunoda was 4th. This was a really good qualifying position for myself and the team because it gives us a really good chance to win the feature race.

Feature Race

Alex Jaques: And it's lights out and away we go for the feature race here in Silverstone, Mick Schumacher gets off well from pole and so does Y/N from 5th on the grid who's already challenging Guanyu Zhou heading into turn 1.

Starting in 5th, I managed to get a good start and immediately jumped Yuki Tsunoda as I had much more grip starting on the clean line when Yuki Tsunoda was starting on the dirty line. I was immediately behind 3rd placed Guanyu Zhou. This is a really good chance for me to get onto the podium and get my first podium in Formula 2. I sat behind Guanyu Zhou for the whole first lap but heading into the second lap, I saw Zhou had a bit of a wobble on the exit of Luffield, immediately trying my chance, I tucked in for the slipstream and pulled out onto the inside of Copse. However, my speed was too high heading into the corner and there was no way I was going to make it. Going wide, I lost two positions to Yuki Tsunoda and Dan Ticktum, relegating me to 6th.

Composing myself, I decided to go for it again. I didn't come here to finish 6th after starting from 5th. I came here to do my best. I was in the zone after a few laps, being one with the chassis. With a much better setup and on the softs compared to Dan Ticktum who was on the hards, I was able to get a lot more grip in the Maggots, Becketts, Chapel section and breezed past the DAMS car down the Hangar Straight moving up into P5. With Tsunoda getting the preferred strategy, he came in first to try and undercut Guanyu Zhou in P3 who was also starting on the hards, I decided to take this as an opportunity to close up to P3.

Stuart King: Ok Y/N, Yuki in the pits, push now we box next lap.

With that, I drove the wheels out of this Carlin Formula 2 car, using up all the rubber I had left on my tyres. On the timing dash of my steering wheel, my sector one and sector two times are all personal best sectors. Before I head into the pits, I was right behind Guanyu Zhou which theoretically means I would be able to over cut my teammate Tsunoda. Sure enough, after the pitstop, I came out right in front of Yuki, it was really close but because of the nature of the pit lane exit, I managed to take the inside line heading into turn 3 which elevates me into 4th place.

I was pushing like a mad men on my fresh hard tyres, trying to close the gap to Guanyu Zhou and see if I could get that third place. A few laps later, Guanyu Zhou went into the pits to change his tyres and just like it was planned, he came out behind both me and Yuki. However, the Virtousi car was on the softer compound of tyres meaning he will be quick at the end.

The final few laps was tense, but I managed to hold off Guanyu Zhou towards the end of the race to finish the feature race in third place. My first ever podium in Formula 2. This is a really big moment for me because I know this type of performance has definitely caught the eye of a few Formula 1 teams.

Alex Jaques: Mick Schumacher, holds off Callum Ilott to win the feature race here in Silverstone. But the story of the day is Y/N, finishing third for his first ever podium in Formula 2. It looks like the young driver has finally settled into the Formula 2 car.

Stuart King: Y/N, well done, that's P3. Your first podium in Formula 2.

Y/N: HAHAHA, YESSSSS. Thank you guys, the car was amazing today. Hopefully many more podiums to come.

Sprint Race

The sprint race wasn't as exciting for me. It was just a really boring race from my perspective. Because I finished 3rd in the feature race, I will have to start this race in 6th with the reverse grid rule. However, we decided to start on the hard tyres for the sprint race avoiding any risks of a puncture mid race. This means that I don't have as much grip as the drivers who were starting on the softs. I had a really quiet race in 6th fending off Callum Ilott and Mick Schumacher behind me gaining some crucial points for my points tally in the championship after a poor start to the season.

Once I headed back home, I was very tired so I decided to go to sleep. Clearly, I was still not really used to the demand to the body that the Formula 2 cars give. My neck was sore as I lied down on bed after 2 very solid races, I received a phone call from my mom.

Mom: Hey, Y/N. Great race, I was watching it. Congratulations on the podium.

Y/N: Thanks mom, I'm so tired right now, so I'm going to bed.

Mom: I won't bother you then, I'll cut to the chase. I've received an today and I have some good news for you...

What is the good news for Y/N? Continue reading to find out.

I'm sorry if the first load of chapters has been focusing on Y/N's racing career so far. But just stick with me. I am trying to change the plot a bit so it gets a little bit more interesting for the readers.

Also, now that I have more time, I might upload this book more frequently instead of just sticking to the weekends. But the main updating schedule for this book will still be the weekends. If you don't want to miss any chapter of this book, do follow me and add this book to your library.

Finally, thank you very much for 250 reads. This means so much to me as I see the read count rising every day. Thank you for all of your support and please keep reading, voting and sharing this book.