The words "Marilyn, you are now an F1 driver" played in my mind. Yes there have been moments where it was all I ever wanted but right now was not the time. Sitting on my grandparent's floor was when I first heard those words. My nan embraced me with excitement as my heart only sank. I had one rule for if I had ever made it into Formula One. I cannot date another driver if I ever became one. I was going to have to tell him, Max...
There were a few weeks of rushed preparation after the news was announced. The most treacherous part was the long flights from Australia to Germany, for the official welcome into the Porsche Formula one team. Upon landing, there were flocks of paparazzi asking an array of questions that I couldn't really answer. Questions like "who was my teammate?" and "why I got the position" the who I have no idea but the why I knew.
"Marilyn WAKE UP" I heard my father cry out from across the house. "We aren't leaving without our main driver!". My father was an avid car nut you could say, raced his whole life and was a journalist as I was growing up. I rolled over to see 4:00 am displayed on my pink analogue clock. Rushing to get out of bed I thought back to the times when I was around 8-9 and my dad would leave nearly every week for some race or new car event. I always wanted to join him but always afraid to ask. I was 17 around the time when I had gotten ' into my first big race after getting my driver's license. I had now been on a few track days with him and gave it a good crack, so he decided to sign me up for a beginner's race team. Smiling to myself I looked down at my very own driving suit before stuffing it into a duffle bag.
"You finally ready peanut"
"Yes, dad" I said in an annoyed tone, I really hated early mornings. He grabbed the few remaining items "You will do amazing l am sure of it" as he was leaving, he had kissed me on u the forehead smiling down. He was a tall human, well to me and all my height at 5"2.
I had dedicated many annoying early mornings with my dad just to get me to where I am now. At 21 I had won the Women's champion series and set multiple new track records even with our engine suppliers being Alfa Romeo.
I was pinching myself as we arrived at the Porsche HQ in Stuttgart Germany. This week leading to the car reveal was going to be a long week. I had gotten maybe three or four days before getting into full preparation mode, jet lag was being a major pain in my backside.
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