away we go • formula 1

advance australia fair

The morning of my first Australian GP was stressful to say the least. George left very early to head to Williams. They were still trying to make the best out of the mess they had on their hands.

I was pretty nervous as this was the first race of the season and my first race a real driver for the team. But I was also happy and hopeful.
Things with George seemed to be ok again and Max and I are friends again.  Alex and I were teammates and for once everything was on track.

"Caro we have an issue.", Luca greeted me when I stepped into the garage.  My mood flipped by 180°. "What's the issue?", I asked in full work mode now. "So you know how we got P6 in Quali? Well apparently there was an issue with a yellow flag that Mercedes saw and reported to the stewards. Long story short: you are now P9.", I must have looked furious because Luca looked kinda scared. "What the hell... don't they have other stuff to worry about? I went slower as soon as I saw the yellow flag what more do they want!? How come it's the first race and I already wanna walk up to Toto to whack him over his head.", the problem I had with Toto was rooted in the beginnings of my career. "I'm sorry Caro. But you are great here  so we believe you can gain back positions.", with that he left me to get ready for the drivers parade.

So what was my problem with fellow Austrian Toto Wolff? To put it simple he didn't believe in me and never gave me a chance. But it wasn't just that. He just wasn't willing to take the risk that Nikki Lauda had taken when taking me under his wing. Nikki is a Mercedes advisor and let me tell you the power this man has over the team is immense. Nikki spotted me go karting in Vienna. Lord know what he saw in me that day but he saw something. And when Nikki is certain that you are worthy he will do a lot to get you where he believes you can be. When the time came for me to get into the formula Sport he supported me and got the Mercedes junior teams interested in me. In comes Toto Wolff. In my very first season he thought it was right to let me know that he did not see anything in me and that a place in Formula 1 with Mercedes is never going to happen. Let me tell you this broke me. But I had already built a name for me in the world of motorsports. Red Bull being an Austrian brand and me being a Austrian they offered me a spot in their junior Programm without hesitation. This is when I met Helmut Marko. Undoubtedly just as threatening as Toto but the difference was that he was impressed. And this is why I don't like Toto Wolff or Mercedes in general. Even though it was George's biggest dream to drive for them...

"I really don't get drivers parades normally. But this I could get used to", I chattered with Alex soaking in the atmosphere at Albert Park . "Yes this is nice. Did you and George fix thing after we left?", Alex asked. "I guess.", I showed a crooked grin. "I'm sorry to hear about your grid penalty.", he said while we got on the truck. "Yeah me too. f***ing mercedes.", I said under my breath so now reporter can pick it up.  "Hey guys.", Max greeted us when he stepped onto the truck. "Hi.", I smiled. "I heard about the grid penalty. Sucks.", he started the conversation. "Yes l guess they were too bored.  Freaking Toto just hates me. Please make them suffer.", I pleaded Max. "Anything you wish for.", he joked.

My car was put on P9 on the grid. "Caro, radio check.", Luca transmitted. "Loud and clear Luca.", I answered, "shall I sing? You know to better the mood?", I asked. I heard a laugh from the other side of the transmission. "Ok here we go:
Live is life (na,na,na,nana)
Live is life(na,na,na,nana)
Live is life(na,na,na,nana)
When we all give the power
We all give the best
Every minute of an hour
Don't think about a rest
Then you all get the power
You all get the best
When everyone gives everything
And every song everybody sings.
This my dears was a very popular Austrian song called life is life by Opus.", I laughed. "Thank you Caro.", Luca chuckled. "Just trying to educate you all.", I said. Soon after the race started.

"It's lights out and away we go! Great start by the Mercedes drivers. Leading the pack through corner 1. The Red Bull of Max Verstappen close behind in third place and oh no what is this. Red Flag." "It looks like the second red Bull might be the cause of it." "Let's Liste to his radio: 'Pierre are you ok?' 'Yes someone rear ended meF*****!'. This doesn't sound like a happy Pierre Gasly." "We are now getting a replay of this incident. Zwesper just barley missing the cars and getting through unscathed. Stroll and Hülkenberg also out of the race."

The rest of the race was uneventful. Lewis won by a landslide. Valtteri came in second with Max completing the podium. I got back up to P7 which was good considering I nearly got taken out by Lance, Nico and Pierre. I parked my car in parc ferme and looked up to the led screen. Alex got P11, Lando P15 and George was butt last. I guess this wasn't going to be a nice chill last evening....

"Hey good race.", Daniel congratulated me in the paddock when I was about to leave. "Thank you. Yours was decent too.", he waved it off. "I'm gonna cut the crap. Do you know Max hotel room number? I wanna talk to him.", he looked anxious. "Yes I do just follow me.", I smiled and we left for our hotel.
"Don't leave before this is alright again, ok?", I told him as I hugged Daniel goodbye. "I won't. ", with that I left him to talk to Max.

I walked back to my room in deep thought of how the talk between he two former teammates will pan out. My room was a bit of a mess and I decided that I needed to start packing tonight. The plane would leave tomorrow at lunch but I didn't wanna stress pack before going to the airport.  I wasn't awaiting anyone or anything that evening anyways.
I packed all my stuff and ordered some room service. Kalle and Sofie asked me if I wanted to have dinner but I didn't feel like going out tonight. I texted George but wasn't counting on an answer. He looked absolutely devastated after race. I mean it was his first race and the car is shit to put it a nice way.
In the back of my mind I couldn't stop think about Max and Daniel. So I put on some Netflix so I could get my mind of things.

Can I come to your room~ Max

I read the text and typed my reply instantly. Guess I was gonna find out what happened tonight.
Two minutes later I heard a knock on my door and sprinted to open it. "Hi.", said not knowing if it was appropriate to smile. "Hi, can I come in?", Max whispered. "Sure." I closed the door behind us.

We sat in silence. Max wasn't big with words but you could see the conflict on his face. Him trying to find the right way to word his feelings and thoughts.
"I guess you know that Daniel came round?", he asked into the silence. "Yes. He asked me for you room number.", I admitted. "Oh thanks for telling him.", then he stopped talking again.
After another 2 minutes of silence I couldn't take it anymore. "Max did something happen?", I asked moving closer to him. "We talked... about everything. And I think we are friends again.", he whispered. I couldn't hold back the smile now and hugged him. "That's great. I'm super happy for you.", I broke the hug and saw he wasn't looking happy. "No it's not even about Daniel. We are gone but we talked about our lives and he made me realised what an idiot I was. I hurt some people without noticing it. And I'm so sorry for that." He explained. "Yes but you realised and you can always try to apologise. Look at us. We also made up. So as Justin Bieber said : never say never.", I told him.
"How is it that you always know what to say? Aren't you like 5?", he looked at me in disbelief. "I'm just an old soul.", I said, "on another note do you wanna stay for a movie? To celebrate all the friendship rekindle-ations?". "Sure."