Heureux - Charles Leclerc

1

🎵 Lo/Hi - The Black Keys 

When I was 15 I went to my first Formula 1 race, I was hooked. The buzz of the engines as they sped around corners and zipped down the straights, the laser-sharp focus engineers needed while changing tyres, and the energy that the crowd emulated at every race no matter what. All weekend long. It was unlike anything else I had ever experienced in my life, from that moment on I knew that this environment I got to be a part of, even for a few hours, was the place where I belonged.

I spent the last 5 years in school with the goal of working within F1, driving me to graduate at the top of my class, in both my Bachelor of Communications Degree and my Public Relations Diploma courses. I want to work in F1 for the culture, the pace, and the sheer energy you experience on the track. It's unlike anything in this world, and I always wanted to be passionate about what I do with my life. I never want to live to work, and I got this gut feeling that working in that profession would let me work to live, work to really feel alive.

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I walked along the corridor from the office in my father's garage, seeing my father and my Uncle Cliff leaning back in the familiar white and green folding lawn chairs the guys used when there was some downtime between appointments.

"This Thursday the team has meetings before we go into full swing the following week, so I think the most logical plan would be to take the first train into London and... speak of the devil, Luna!" My Uncle announced when he noticed me walking towards them. "What can we do for you?" My father said, ignoring my uncle "I just wanted to see if Cliff had thought any more about getting us, his favourite and only niece, into the event at King's?" I smiled at him clasping my hands together, just hoping for good news "Just before I tell you I want you to remember who your favourite Uncle is..." I grinned at him "... And are my only uncle." I interrupted, he shot me a look and I chuckled and raised my hands, not wanting to push my luck right now.

"I'm so sorry to tell you this..." I felt my face fall and disappointment coursed through me "... but to get there on time we'll have to leave at 6:15 am on Sunday morning" I lifted my head and I beamed at him. Excitement, anxiety, and stress are just a few of the ways to describe how I'm feeling at this very moment, but for a temporary minute, I'm pissed. "Are. You. Serious. Right. Now." I swatted him on the shoulder "Dick move Cliff" He sat there, laughing, obviously very proud of his antics.

I shook my head ignoring my uncle, I turned to my father as he spoke "Are you coming over for dinner tonight?" he questioned, "Nope, no time. If we're going to this seminar in London, that means I have a ton of work to do, I have to print stuff out, dig out folders so my papers don't bend and tear, I have to clean my apartment so I can actually feel organized, oh god I have to pick out something to wear and..." 'ENOUGH, WE GET IT" They interrupted in unison. "Okay, rude. I'm going home, but Cliff shoot me an email with how things will work on Wednesday. Thank you again I appreciate this." I turned, giving him a hug "Don't mention it, it'll be good to see some of the guys from my time in there." With that I gave him a small smile, I turned and walked out to my car, waving goodbye as they went back to their seats. I turned on some music and drove back to my apartment, mentally making a list of all the lists I need to make.

This event is held by McLaren Racing in London, they are having different department heads give talks about what they do in their fields and how it impacts the team as a whole. It is an invite-only event, so the fact that I am going is just a dream. My Uncle Cliff is a race engineer for Pierre Gasly at Scuderia AlphaTauri. This is his first year with the team but he began in F1 as a garage technician with McLaren for 17 years. He worked his way up and eventually got the opportunity to become a race technician and he moved to Formula 2, before making the jump. Cliff has been the most supportive person of my future aspirations, he has always tried to get me involved however he can. He was able to bring me along to certain races and gave me insight into what working in the racing industry actually meant, but the thing that means the most is that he actually supported me. He made sure I knew that what I wanted was achievable and that if I worked hard enough that I would be there soon enough.

When I found out about McLarens upcoming event, I immediately called Cliff and begged him to see if there were any strings he could pull to get us in. I have to admit that I did feel a bit bad, I didn't want him to think I just used him because of his job but I think we both know that our relationship is more than that. He basically acted as a father after my mum left my father and me when I was a baby. He was always there and still is. I don't know if anything will come of this seminar but I'm excited to get my name out there, do some networking and make connections with people who have some sway in the places they work in. At a bare minimum, Cliff and I get to spend a day in London and I go home with nothing less than I came with. A depressing thought if you spend too long thinking about it.