Unexpected

Part 57

What. A. Race.

The rain made it so unpredictable. And the newly coated surfaces of the track were as slippery as an ice skating rink. I was lucky (and skilled enough) not to end up on them. I have my highest ever points finish, thanks to almost half the grid DNFing. I can hear my team cheering and yelling in the background when team principal Yasuda-san comes on the radio to congratulate me after I cross the finish line.

A race like this can give someone a huge confidence boost. When experienced drivers were making mistakes and crashing, not only did I finish in a high position, but I never spun or made any other error. I am a rain goddess.

"Yes, girls!" I say over the radio (since all the other drivers say 'Yes, boys'). "We did it!" Not that our team has more female employees, but just because I'm a girl.

"You did it! Yatta!" replies my race engineer.

"Domo arigatou, mina-san."

When I'm standing in line to get weighed, I see Danik, who finished P3. I clap him on the shoulder and say, "Congrats. You did an amazing job."

"Thank you."

"And congratulations on becoming a father. That was yesterday, correct?"

"Yeah. I'm flying home as soon as possible so I can see the both of them."

"Поздравлю," I congratulate him once more in Russian.

It's not a regret, but I feel bad that Nico Hulkenberg didn't get a podium. He was running in the top, only to get caught on the slippery surface and crash, ending his race. Ten years in F1 and he hasn't been on the podium once.

When I see Sangil outside the Nissan hospitality suite he picks me up and swings me around.

"Sangil, wait," I laugh. "I'm all wet and need to change."

"I'm just so excited for you! Congratulations! This is the best you've ever done."

"I know, I'm excited, too. But let me change into something dry."

"Something like your usual jeans and Nissan T-shirt?"

"For now, since I still have to go to the media pen. After that I have the team debrief, and after that I can change into something else." My sister Mirai spots me when we walk inside. I remember what she said back in Australia about her idea of an exciting race. "Did you enjoy the race?"

"Very much. It was exactly what I had wanted. Half the grid not finishing, lots of crashes, and time penalties. I think the time penalties are dropping Alfa Romeo out of the points, and Kubica from Williams is in tenth place. A Williams! Getting points!" She laughs. "What a crazy race, and I got the privilege of seeing it live. I'm glad I came."

"I'm relieved that it was other drivers with the crashes and penalties, not me. Otherwise I would be one unhappy bunny."

When I'm ready to leave for good, I change into leggings and a warm, soft top. I catch up with my friends downstairs in the sitting area. "Are you ready to roll?" After receiving an affirmative answer, we walk to the red GTR and climb inside. "Get ready for the autobahn. Two hours, or less, of an adrenaline rush as I drive you to our next destination."

"Didn't you just have an adrenaline rush?" asks Airi from the backseat.

"Yes, but you guys didn't."

"I'm fine, thanks."

"You have no choice. Besides, I won't drive over the speed limit."

"Does the autobahn have a speed limit?" Woosung wants to know.