Lights Out and Away We Go

Fifteen

Monday 17th April 2023

After avoiding going into the Red Bull headquarters for the weekend, today they called me and made sure I was coming in.

"Fucking, get out my way" I huffed as Wren and I drove to Milton Keynes in my car "Alright Ez, calm down" Wren said "I have to tell you something, but you can't tell anyone" I said as we stopped at traffic lights

"Yes, I'm listening"  Wren replied

"Okay so, Lewis and Angela came over to mine and Isabel's Thursday last week and told me that there's a chance I could move to Mercedes for next season"

"Lewis Hamilton?"

"Wren, is that the only thing you picked up from that?"

"Okay sorry. Jesus Ez that's amazing."

"But I don't know what to do. Obviously I have to let Micheal know so she can negotiate the contracts and things. Also my Red Bull contract ends this season and they haven't got me to sign my new one yet"

"I'll give Micheal a call when you are in the meetings today, then you should speak to Mercedes to get to the bottom of their contract with you"

"Yeah. I guess. I have to have a proper think about it" I said ending our conversation on that topic.

+++

Pulling up to the Red Bull headquarters in my McLaren Senna, I opened my door shitting myself for what's to come as I know I won't be saved by Max or Wren. "Hey Ez, whatever happens you'll be fine" Wren said as I was about to shut the door "Yeah thanks, I won't be long" I replied shutting the door and then walking to the entrance of the Red Bull Racing headquarters.

"Morning Miss King. Christian Horner, Helmut Marko and some share holders of Red Bull Racing are waiting for you in the meeting room upstairs" The receptionist told me as I walked in "Ah thank you" I replied walking towards the elevator to the second floor.

Well here we go, no turning back now. As I opened the double doors to the meeting room, 10 men including Horner and Helmut were sitting waiting for me. Fuck sake. I took a deep breath in and walked to the empty seat at the end of the table next to Christian.

"Morning" I smiled, not getting anything back I quickly realised I should just keep my mouth shut. "Ezralia King. In light of the events that happened this weekend, we are here to remind you the importance of the brands look. Because of your idiotic decisions this weekend, it has made Red Bull look as if we don't take good enough care of our athletes. As a team and brand we need to know everything about our athletes and you chose to withhold information about the severity of your injury's which presents ourselves to other worthy athletes to perform with the Red Bull name and sponsorships behind them to double check whether they should be our athlete or sign with someone else" One man stood up and said. Okay well holy fucking shit they aren't holding back.
"That's not what I wanted at all. I wanted to race and if I told anyone about my ribs I would have been deemed unfit and have to sit it out. I'm going for the World Championship this season, I'm planning on being the worlds first women Formula One driver to win it and be the youngest driver to win it, and I sure as hell won't win or get close to it if I sit out because of a bruise. I've worked my arse off to get where I am in this sport, if I were to take a race off I would be called 'weak' and 'delicate' by the men that are stuck in the 1920's where they still believe women are meant for the kitchen and nothing else. I've been told shit like that all my career, ever since karting. So I'm sorry if I decided to race, I truly am. I never wanted the brand to look negative and not take care of their athletes. But I'm not sorry for growing a thick skin and pushing through my pain, because that's what's got me to Formula One." I stood up and hit back at the man. He was speech less, the whole room was. They all sat and stared at me. Horner patted me on the back as a signal to sit back down and a well done.