My Mentor (Sebastien Loeb X OC)

The youngest Dakar Rally winner

Today is going to be an interesting day for me. If you are wondering, I am Claire Block, the daughter of rally legend Ken Block. I will be the youngest winner of the Dakar Rally if I can get the car through the last stage without any issues. The thing is I have the bonus of my father being here. He is doing a demo run in the Extreme E Odyssey 21. I reckon he is using it as an excuse to see me win. Something tells me that his presence may jinx my almost perfect run. I hope not. I am currently helping my lead mechanic to work out what was slowing me down on the previous stage. The thing neither of us can think of anything.

"Have you checked the suspension? A familiar voice asks. Typical. he wants me to do well so he will always check on me. He should be checking on my lead mechanic. After all, I have given him a lot of work to do for the past three days.

"That was the first thing we checked dad," I say as I pull myself away from the car. I quickly shake the dust off my hands.

"Claire, I think I found the issue," my lead mechanic remarks. I use it as a cue to join my dad.

"Thank you, Dani," I reply as I leave the garage with my father. He leads me to the garage that belongs to the Extreme E crew. I am blown away by the size of the car. I can see why my father is excited about the prospect of driving the car. I find myself a little jealous mostly because I am supposed to be driving the car for X44 but it hasn't been confirmed yet and I really want to try my hand at some form of electric racing. As soon as the thought comes across my mind my notification tone goes off. I check it to find that Lewis Hamilton has sent me a message that confirms that I will be a part of his team.

"Oh," jealousy soon gives way to joy.

"What's wrong?" my father asks me. I can tell that he is worried because I probably look shocked.

"Nothing is wrong. I'm joining Extreme E," I reply. I sent Lewis a response explaining that I will formally commit after testing. My father's mood changes from being worried to being excited. I can see the pride in my father's eyes. After ten minutes of waiting the test of the Odyssey 21 has come to an end. Based on my father's look I would be making the right decision in joining X44. However, my thoughts about the test don't last long as it is my turn to get the last stage of the Dakar Rally underway.

"Claire, are you ready to go?" my co-driver checks on me as I make sure that I am comfortable in the car. It is the only ritual that I have and it will be shed when I join Extreme E.

"Yup I'm good to go," I replied. I soon set off at a considerable pace. I think the only car that will have a chance to beat my time is my father in the Odyssey 21. The good thing for me was it was only a demo run. After five minutes of following my co-driver's instructions flawlessly, I spot a hazard in the form of some rocks.

"Caution. Rocks," Your co-driver confirms through careful instructions. I try to take evasive action. I barely miss them. That was too close for comfort. The thing is I know I have the skills to correct any mistakes that I may make but I don't want to risk it on what could be the most important stage of my rallying career. After three more minutes of wrestling the car through the sand, I spot the final checkpoint that is acting as the finish line for the rally.

"And we are done," my co-driver signifies the end of the stage. I skillfully bring the car to a stop. I am exhausted after that stage. It was probably one of the more dynamic. Now I need to check the electronic timesheet to see the benchmark time that I set as the first person. I get the feeling that the other drivers will be close but none will beat my time. The bike riders will certainly beat the time but there is no true overall winner that gets crowned. Only class winners.

"Thank you for your help Steph," I thank my co-driver as I join her in the hospitality area. I know she is happy to help but I have always felt better after acknowledging my co-driver for her efforts in helping me. Without her, I would have definitely gotten lost. After two tense hours of waiting in the hospitality area, my father joins me. I can see the pride emanating from his smile.

"Congratulations sweetheart," Your father says as he pulls me into a bear hug. I check the timesheets over his shoulder to find that I am still on the top. I am quick to slip my way about of the hug. That means I am the youngest ever Dakar winner at the age of seventeen. Most of the credit should go to Steph but I was driving the car. I shrug the thought off as I join my team for the podium ceremony. It has been a couple of weeks since my victory at Dakar and I am getting ready to test the Odyssey 21 alongside Sebastien Loeb. I am currently chatting with him. It feels weird to be having a conversation with one of my role models. I am glad that I am not a complete fangirl. I mean not yet anyway. He is briefing me on what to expect since he has been working on this project longer than I have.

"Ok, so I just need to be careful of the instant torque," I confirm. Sebastien nods as he takes the passenger seat. I find some comfort in the fact that I will be trading places with him soon even though I know I don't make the best passenger. I get to work on getting the car around the track. I can see why my father liked the car. It performs like a Dakar spec car without any of the drawbacks of an internal combustion engine. Even Sebastien is enjoying his time as a passenger. After ten minutes of driving, I bring the car to a standstill so that Sebastien and I can trade places with him.

"It seems like you had nothing to worry about," Sebastien remarks.

"Well, we will see when we get to our first location," I responded with an optimistic grin. It doesn't take long for us to get settled. Sebastien launches the car which catches me off guard. I try my best not to let out a squeal but my best is not enough. The only drawback to the Odyssey 21 is the fact that it is quite enough for me to hear Sebastien's chuckle.

"Sorry, Seb. I'm not the best passenger," I am struck by a wave of embarrassment. Now I know how Steph felt as my co-driver and she had pace notes to read. After another ten minutes of driving the test has come to an end. I am happy with the way it ended. Lewis has decided to join us so that he can get our opinions on the performance of the car. Lewis looks like he is in deep thought already.

"Claire, would you say there is anything we need to change or be mindful of?" Lewis begins what feels like an interrogation. I try to think of something but I cannot think of anything negative to say. Well except for the fact that the car is quiet. That is just something that I will have to get used to.

"We will have to see when we get to race conditions," I respond. It sounds like I am avoiding the question but it looks like Lewis is satisfied. I put it down to the fact that he is a race car driver himself. How he is going to balance his Formula 1 duties with his Extreme E duties is beyond me. I am content with the fact that I have one contract sorted. I am just waiting on the Rally X test so that I have something to do between the Extreme E events. That will come in a few days so I am happy to wait.