Under the Microscope (Book One of Three)

Chapter 29

Again, sorry about the less frequent uploads, just super busy!

Please comment and vote if you're enjoying it!

I'm also sort of struggling with writing it atm, so yeah if you have any ideas please let me know!

****

"So, Elodie, all the fans have been going crazy over you in the Mercedes race suit. How does it feel to be racing for the team?" Will asks excitedly, a look which I return happily.

"It feels fantastic, the way that the entire team has put their effort into making sure that we are in the best possible position for the weekend. Whether that is testing setups on the sim or just getting used to driving a new car or callouts and plans, the team effort has been remarkable. And yeah, I think all black is a good look on me." I say enthusiastically.

"Is it perhaps a glimpse into the future for you?" Will asks and I shrug.

"I think what Mercedes has done is create a really good line-up of drivers, if we were able to have three cars in each team then we would dominate. However, there are only two spots and so I would be extremely surprised if this was my near future. We're like the Real Madrid of F1, just the strongest bench ever!" I joke around, not really answering the question. 

Will laughs, "and how is the transition between the cars, am I right in thinking you hadn't done any work on the simulator before this weekend?"

"Yeah, I haven't been on the Mercedes sim since New Year's Eve, but fortunately and unfortunately, I had been rinsing the Williams simulator for the last ten days trying to get ready for the upgrades I received" I explain, "but all that work on the simulator, despite being for the wrong car will still has its uses. The Mercedes simulator engineers have been fantastic at helping me with the transition and it has allowed us to rinse through some options to try and accelerate finding the ideal set-up so we can focus on running pre-race and qualifying programmes for tire and fuel options during the free practices." I try and explain, but I confuse myself slightly. "But I must have spent about 20 hours in the last couple of days on the simulator," I say seriously, trying to answer the question.

"And the transfer between cars?" Will reminds me.

"Oh yeah, it's...very different," I say chuckling. "Obviously, the Mercedes car hasn't been up to the usual standards of the team this year, but in comparison to the Williams, it is uh...yeah, it's different," I say giggling and smiling lightly as I stumble over my words trying not to shit all over the Williams car, also keeping expectations low is key to this weekend.

"And you're taking the place of Mr Consistency, do you feel the need to keep his car in the top five?"

"Mm, I guess, I'm more focussed on trying to grab a podium than just keep it in the top five but I think that's what I can hope for! The top five, not the podium," I say cheekily winking and he nods as we finish there. I circle my shoulders trying to release all the tension from sitting in the simulator and car recently. Free practice this morning was good, and the hours of graft being put in on the simulator seemed to pay off, I was feeling very comfortable in the car and was managing to enjoy driving at higher speeds, despite the increase in porpoising that came with it. Plus, I'd seen the photos and Will was right, I really did look good in the black Mercedes race suit and fireproofs and the matte black helmet I had bought with me this week looked dirty. 

All in all, the weekend had thus far confirmed to me that I did feel ready to be in a top team and drive at that level. However, it also made me sad as I realised that I would not be able to do that with Mercedes, and this team really felt like home to me. As if sensing my thoughts JC nudged me in the side; "Just enjoy the weekend, this is your best chance at a podium or race win even for the season." She whispers and I nod. However, this sent me into a further spiral of realising that I would miss having JC with me next year as well. I looked at her with sad eyes and again, as if sensing what I was thinking she gave me a look as if to say, I'm here right now.