Under the Microscope (Book One of Three)

Chapter 17

Probably another chapter coming later today as this one is quite short.

Please vote and comment so I can gauge what you think :)

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"So, points?" Annie begins and a huge smile immediately covers my face.

"Yup, points!" I beam and there's a pause as it takes me a moment to realise that I'm meant to elaborate, "two whole points! Obviously, that was the goal for the season, to get a point. So, I'm really happy with my performance yesterday as well as the team. We didn't necessarily expect to be coming out of the race with anything, given where we started, but we worked for it, and it paid off this week."

"Absolutely, and it's quite the turnaround from your first week, where you were quite critical of your performance. It can only go up from here!" I nod in agreement at the first part but it slips slightly with her last statement.

"Well, no, it can definitely go down again. But yeah, the first race was not a moment of pride for me, I could have done better. I don't think my placement at the end of the race would have been any higher, but I believe that I personally could have raced a better race. Then the second week, I was happy, just frustrated. Felt like I had driven the perfect qualifying lap, and then couldn't even get out of Q1, that was upsetting. That's one of the frustrating things about Formula One, I'm learning quickly. If you don't have the machinery, it doesn't matter. But this weekend also confirmed to me that it takes the work of a good or even great driver to cross it over the line. If you have a great car, but a good driver, you will only ever get good results. For great results, you need both." Annie nods appreciatively, as my eyes wander I can see Toto is happy with my answers and Olivia also looks pleased.

Annie speaks up again, bringing my attention back to her, "Are you a good driver or a great driver?"

"I'm a great one." I say confidently, although mentally I'm cringing at the words. "If I wasn't yesterday would not have been possible. My driving ability is good, always has been, but I do a lot off the track, and I think that helps. Not just in terms of time on the simulator or in a gym, but in other ways too."

"Care to explain?" Annie asks and I just smile cheekily and shake my head.

"Can't give away all my secrets." I joke, tapping my nose and winking. Annie lets out a light chuckle.

"Do you mean in how the strategy was your idea, or that there have been reports of you finding issues with the car through data, or the handstand?" Annie asks, still pushing for more.

I tilt my head to the side and ponder, eyes darting towards Toto and Olivia, both who are pushing me too explain. I straighten back up and nod. "All of the above. I understand the data, I didn't necessarily know how to fix it, but I could tell there were inconsistencies that no one else had spotted. All I did was point that out." I pause, taking a moment before I continue, "I did push for the hard tires and the long stint strategy. We're in a unique position with the new model of cars that mean no one really knows how the tires will react with the cars. I didn't necessarily expect that they would be so okay after 57 laps, it's just a shame the regulations forced us to pit, because I definitely could have done the whole race on the one set." I joke.

"And the handstand?"

"Oh, that? That was just me having some fun. It's hard to get in the zone before a race sometimes, especially with all the media around. I had an impulse, and I just did it, I realised afterwards though it was surprisingly useful. Sent all the blood to my head and hands, exactly where I want it when the race is starting." I explain simply. These questions are easy, I'm having a grand old time.