𝐒𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐄, formula one

𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

▬ BEGINNING ▬
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The top step of the podium was something Camille Sutton knew all too well. It brought her back to when her whole world was upside down and she felt so alone. The cheers, the champagne, the trophies, the satisfaction of winning, it all reminded her that everything was under her control. She claimed that top step ever since she first started karting, she kept holding onto that step for a long time after that, even in Formula One, the sport she entered three years ago. And with her entry, the paddock would never be the same again.

Sixty Grand Prix entered.

Eleven podiums.

Of which seven wins.

The one win in her rookie season paved her future path from there on out. That one win, that small victory, changed everything for her. The steps of the podium became like second nature for her. She never tried to avoid them, and the weight of the world fell off her shoulders when they were finally hers to own. Over and over again, she took those steps, but never thought she deserved it. It was her duty, her life's work, to prove herself and everyone else wrong.

The pinnacle of motorsport, the ultimate dream.

A dream she shared with many, but there were only a few people able to make that dream reality. The lucky ones. Those who won. Those who made history.

He and she made history, but they were history as well.

The relationship she had with Pierre was just one of many paths her life would take. A path with a dead end, but not an unforgettable one. A decade of friendship hand in hand with years of rivalry, and eventually the kiss that sealed their love story forever. Something not easily forgotten, but also not worth repeating if it ever came to light. No one would want to repeat the long flights to foreign countries, or the nights spent drinking too much and sleeping too little.

The media didn't care how true what they said about her and Pierre was, they just saw the opportunity to sensationalise the romance between a pair who never seemed interested in public attention, a couple who had been through hell together, a pair that made headlines wherever they went. It caused quite a bit of controversy when the announcement about her Formula One seat was made public, however, most of the attention fell off her shoulders, because the public believed there was no way it could've been anything more than a publicity stunt.

Women's achievements meant nothing when men were involved.

So all those feeder series championships, all those cabinets filled with golden trophies, medals and certificates she received for her accomplishments, none of those things meant anything when she was standing right next to Pierre. It was insulting to her pride, and she despised the fact that some journalists decided to smear her name, make fun of her, and make her out to be a fraud. Though, years of racing in a man's world made her immune to such insults, and she had grown used to the press taking pleasure in ruining her every single night. They weren't doing her any harm, and she couldn't find it within herself to do the same to them. Proving oneself was done on track, and if anyone thought otherwise, they were very much mistaken.

In her first season, Pierre only became her teammate halfway through. Being demoted from RedBull's main team didn't land well with him, although he was quick enough to change his perspective. He had a new teammate to beat, a rookie for that matter, and the battle was fierce. Their collision at the final race of the 2019 season, and the aftermath left both of them sore and bruised, and their friendship was shattered beyond repair.

An unfortunate chain of events followed in the 2020 season. The high tension and pressure built up until it exploded out of control; the media had its fill, rumours sprouted around the paddock, and a scandalous affair was announced by insiders. Her career would forever be marked by shame, while her relationship with Pierre would be irrevocably stained. On track, they were teammates, rivals, with no room to change that. Outside of the car, they were strangers. Strangers who shared just a bit too much of the same memories, the same dreams and the same regrets.

Approaching the fourth season, Camille was determined to break through the cycle of mistakes, failure, and regret and create a new start for herself. To become her own person again. This year, she planned to give herself the title, and maybe, the recognition she never expected from the rest of humanity. Her disdain and her desire to bring glory to the sport, were going to propel her forward, no matter how hard it seemed at the start of the season. No pity, no guilt. Just pure determination to achieve her goals.

And this time, she would do it without his help.