The Winner Takes It All

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Walking through the testing paddock for the first time is always scary, especially for the new people. The paparazzi are mental here, trying to get all the scoop they can on the new cars. They would harass anyone walking through the paddock, the newest people were the easiest to attack, they don't have media experience, making them an easy target. Me being one of the newest faces in the paddock, and Max Verstappen's new race engineer, meant all eyes would be on me.

I wiped my already sweaty hands on my trousers as I entered through the turnstiles. I turned to my left to see a man walk in beside me, definitely hiding from the press with the big hoodie and joggers. He notices me looking and gives me a small smile, his chocolatey brown eyes meeting mine. He soon disappeared off into the crowd, blending in perfectly.

I went over my 3 rules in my head over and over as the paddock busied around me:
1. No work relationships
2. No making friends with the enemies
3. Never, ever, let the outside world effect my work, as it will end up badly for everyone

I glanced around at the busy scenes of the paddock. Barcelona was beautiful in the spring time and the sky today was cloudless, making it perfect weather for sunglasses and sandals but most importantly testing. No wind and no rain makes the conditions almost perfect. However, I didn't really have the chance to glance around before I was bombarded by cameras and microphones being shoved in my face.

"Y/N how are we feeling about your first season? What are the goals?"

"I don't have goals, I only have expectations, and those are very high." I responded to one interviewer.

I spotted a Mercedes shirt over to my left, and instantly recognised it as Toto Wolff. He seemed to nod his head to the side in admiration of my comment and turned to the man stood next to him and whispered something. The man soon turned around and watched like a hawk, as I answered the rest of my questions.

"What is it like being a woman in your position? And how is your relationship with Max?"

Don't you love being a woman.

I bit my tongue and answered.

"One, it's shit. And two, max and I get on very well, and I feel that's important for us to work as a team dynamic."

"What about Mercedes? Should they be worried this year?"

"Mercedes can be as scared as they want. I honestly could not care. It doesn't affect me if Toto Wolff is scared or watching my interviews from across the paddock, I certainly won't be losing sleep over him."

I noticed Toto and the other guy were still staring and I took it as an opportunity.

"Wolff the interviewer is asking if you are scared." I shouted over to him.

"Absolutely Petrified." The Austrian replied sarcastically, smiling for the camera.

"There you have it from the man himself. I must strike fear into him being a woman" I said emphasising the woman before walking off.

I heard feet catching up behind me and turned around to be face to face with the Mercedes team principle.

"Wolff." I said nodding.

"Toto please. Y/N is it? You are the new red-bull engineer." He said holding his hand out for me to shake.

"Indeed. The one and only. Came to ask if we can go easy on you this year?"

"You sound confident." He said raising an eyebrow.

"Like I said. Expectations, not goals."

"Well may the best team win I guess, winner take it all etc. good luck, because you will need it." He said letting go of by hand sourly.