Under the Microscope (Book One of Three)

Chapter 4

"So, how are you feeling about the season?" Will asks, I can tell this is just the first of many of these questions and having already spoken to Olivia, I have a well-rehearsed response.

"Well, I'm optimistic of getting a few points this season." I begin my explanation, "with the change in specifications for the cars, I feel we have as good a chance as anyone to do well this year. It'll be hard, even with the budget cap to keep up with the other teams more sizeable budgets, but we have a good team at the factory and I'm hopeful for a decent season."

Will is nodding to my answers "What would be a decent season do you think? Results wise?" he follows up.

I cock my head to the side as I take a sip of my water, quickly thinking over my answer. "Points would be good. It's been a struggle for the team in the last few years, but I'm definitely looking to try and gain some points. But personally, getting the time in the car, learning how to drive in F1 and making that step, maybe having some good battles in the car as the new updated rules are promising would be nice. Just developing myself as a driver and getting points for the team is our priority. And you never know, maybe we have the winning formula." I smile brightly at him towards the end. Being optimistic is good, Olivia had said, does no one any good to shit all over the team before I have even gotten an opportunity to get in the car.

Will nods, and then shoots me an apologetic smile which instantly tells me what the next question is. He tried to treat me like another driver, but if he didn't ask the question then he wouldn't be a good journalist. "And how are you feeling about being the first woman in an F1 seat since Suzie Wolff in 2011, for Williams also?"

I nod as he speaks, taking another opportunity to sip at my water, even though I'm not thirsty. "I feel good," I say politely, "Williams is very open-minded and positive, as shown by their previous track record with Suzie. It does cause me some nerves, but I try not to lose too much sleep over it. I am hoping that I can show what women are capable of in the sport when given the opportunity, but I try not to put more pressure on myself than any of my competitors put on themselves, y'know. It's a difficult, high-pressured environment already, so it doesn't benefit me in any way to put myself under any more pressure. So, I just try and focus on the positives that I have achieved one of my life goals by making it, and now it's time to get busy achieving the other ones." Will is smiling, silently thanking me for my good response.

"I have a feeling that is just your first of many questions like that," he says, and I nod agreeing with him, trying not to let the smile fall off my face. It's about to be a very long couple of hours of interviews, repeating those same answers to different news stations. Then we continue and he asks me a couple more general questions before we wrap up. "Thanks again Elodie, for being a good sport. I'll be trying to keep those questions to a minimum, but if I didn't ask-" I put a hand up signalling for him to stop as I put a smile back on my face.

"Don't worry about it Will, I understand. I genuinely don't mind; I know there will be questions. I'm just hoping that as time goes on people will stop caring about that and focus on my racing. But that isn't going to be this weekend, I know that." I pause as I take another sip before continuing; "If you didn't ask you wouldn't be doing your job, and it is good that people know that I'm not afraid to own the fact that I'm different. It would be a disservice to the other women and girls that want to get into motorsports if I acted like it hadn't hindered my ability to get where I am today y'know. I'm unique in the line-up, but I'm just as good or I wouldn't be here." Will is smiling, thanks me again, and I turn to Olivia, and she gives me a thumbs-up before pushing me onto my next interview with Sky, and on and on the interviews go for the next hour. By the end of it, my feet are sore and I'm desperate to get back to my hotel room and take a shower, being in my race suit has made me super sweaty.