Full Throttle

The Final Race

"Hey, guys! Welcome to Abu Dhabi! If you couldn't already tell, I am hyped right now-"
"Yep, too hyped."
"Shush, Nick. Yeah, I've got Nick with me, and the wonderful, the beautiful, Katie Forrester!"
"Hey, guys!"
"It's the last race of the season, and boy, has it been a rough one. There's been high, there's been lows, and there's been time where I've been high and low within a couple of milliseconds. I'm talking about Silverstone, by the way. Anyway, guys, currently, we are on the way to the track. It's boiling hot and-, hang on," I passed the camera to Katie so that I could pose for some pictures for fans and sign some merch.
"Do you want me to hold the camera from now on?" Katie asked.
"I think that would be best," I laughed. "Anyway, it's boiling hot, for me, anyway, because I'm British and cannot handle any kind of temperature over 25° Celsius. This race, I think that it's going to be quite emotional for me; I'm a very sentimental gal, you know? So, yeah. I'm looking forward to the race, but also, it's going to be the last time driving my car until winter testing. I know that a few of you asked what I'd be doing over the break, so, I'll tell you, because I'm just the best. I'm staying in Monaco. My dad is actually over there right now because there were some problems with the apartment, and he said that he'd go and sort them out for me before I got back. I am leaving Abu Dhabi slightly early. I'm leaving on the Monday, instead of when some of the other drivers leave. This is because I need to go and see my doctor over in Monaco, don't worry, it's nothing to be scared about. I was just supposed to have one of my check-ups over here but, being the idiot that I am, I forgot my records and some of the important stuff is on paper. So, yeah, that's fun. Um, there's not much else going on, really. Kate, what are your plans?"
"Spending time with my family, going back to England. My sister has just had a baby, so I'll be spending some time with my new nephew, which is so exciting!"
"I've seen the pictures of him, he really is adorable," I said to the camera. "How about you, Nick?"
"Spending time with the kids, enjoying not seeing you for ages, and making sure you're training and working out still over the holidays."
"Simple, love it. So, the main reason for this video was, not to update all of you about my life, but to actually send a very, very happy birthday to my biggest fan, Paige! I met her during my very first race weekend in Australia, and we've been total besties ever since. She gives the greatest hugs, and today, Friday the 29th of November, she is turning a mighty nine years old! Paige, I'm wishing you the best birthday anybody could ever imagine, and keep an eye out, I've sent you some presents. Anyway, guys, I know the video is short, but you'll have to live with it. I'll see you guys soon, thank you for watching. Bye!"

My helmet made my face hot, and it didn't help that I was already going to sweat more out on the track. It was Qualis, and I had made it into Q3, which I must say, I was very chuffed about. With my final attempt at getting a good grid place for tomorrow about to start any minute, and Jonathon talking to me through the radio, I focussed on my breathing, trying to get my heart to slow down.
"Okay, Jessie. You are good to go."
"Copy." I waited for the mechanic to signal for me to pull out of the garage, and then went straight out on the track to do my outlap.
"Okay, so I want scenario 4 as you make the last turn, scenario 4."
"Copy."
I turned the dial, before rounding the final turn and accelerating to start my flying lap. I pushed 140mph down the straight towards Turn 1, taking the first turn at 105mph. Up to 6th gear for Turn 2 and then it was 7th for the bend of Turn 3. I hit gear 8 on the run to the 5th Turn, but down-shifted to 3rd to weave the corners and keep my racing line tight for Turn 6. The hairpin of Turn 7 was taken in 2nd gear, before I hit 205mph in the DRS zone. Back down to 2nd gear for Turn 8, and 3rd for Turn 9, I pushed my foot down to open up to full throttle in the final DRS zone of the track, reaching just shy of 200mph. Turns 11, 12, 13, and 14 were taken back down in 3rd gear, and I pushed all the way to Turn 17 in 7th gear, my top speed getting to 170mph. Decelerating to 80mph for Turn 19, I quickly upshifted to 6th gear along to Turn 20 and 21, which I took at 105mph. I accelerated hard across the line, breathing hard as I slowed the car back down and got out of the racing line for the other drivers that were finishing their laps. I waited to hear Jonathon's voice over the radio, begging for a good place on the grid.
"Alright, your lap time was 1.35.602. You're starting P5 tomorrow, Jessie, P5."
"Fuck yes! Brilliant! Ah, that's put me in a good mood. Come on, guys!"