Legacy Project

2

After Thursday's insanity, Friday went by like a breeze. Piper was putting in strong lap times, and every lap she felt more comfortable and confident in the car. Saturday's fp3 went well for Piper. She was happy with it at least. "I don't actually feel nervous anymore, like, it was more the press and the other drivers off track I was worried about" Piper said as she pulled the zipper of her race suit up, "Like, I know I'm good on track, I know I'm a good driver. Sometimes that's the only thing I am sure of". Emma nodded, handing her the balaclava and her helmet, "Go out there and smash it, like always." Piper clambered into the car, watching the clock tick down till the start of Q1. "Hey Pip," Emma said, placing her hand on the other girl's helmet, "Aroha". Piper nodded at her friend with a smile, pressing her radio button and saying "Aroha". It was the Māori word for love. The girls had learned it in year one. Neither of them had Māori ancestry, but it reminded them of home. In fact Piper's helmet featured small Māori designs along with the word Aroha, and Kia Kaha, which basically meant 'be strong'. Her helmet also featured her grandfather's original number, and the word legacy. The clock ticked down till the very last second, and Piper's engineer Georgia came over the radio. "Okay Pip, show them what you've got". Piper had a fire in her belly, and she was ready to prove to everyone that she was more than 'just a girl' or any other stupid assumption they had.

"Piper, that's P10! How the hell did you do that" Georgia's voice came over the radio at the end of Q3. "Let's go! Guess being a girl gives you an edge, hmm" Piper laughed in response. As she made her way back to the garage she could see everyone celebrating. Alex and Lily were both on her side of the garage, screaming and laughing with everyone else. "Well done Kiwi! That was awesome! I told you you'd give me some competition huh" Alex said running over to her and hugging her, followed by Emma, Lily and Georgia. "Well done Piper," Jost said walking over to the group, "that was very impressive, lets see how you go tomorrow, I have a feeling you could bring home some good points." After post-quali interviews, Piper, Emma, Lily and Alex were in a taxi back to the Airbnb. "I can believe that interviewer had the balls to say your radio comments were unprofessional. Saying you shouldn't be able to say Aroha, Fuck him" Emma said huffley scrolling through her phone. "Ems, they just have an issue because they wanted me to do shit so they could say, see she doesn't deserve to be here, they were also going to pick something." Piper said smiling. "Oh you are so mature, I would have shouted at him" Alex said laughing. Piper was exhausted, and went straight to bed. She had the best sleep she had had in years.

The starting grid was heaving on sunday morning. There were media everywhere. Piper cheekily waved at Alex at the other end of the grid. "You were really impressive yesterday" Piper looked around startled. "Holy shit, you're Sebastian Vettel" she exclaimed. "Correct" he said nodding. "And you just said I was impressive, omg" she said with a hand over her mouth. "Well you out qualified me and lewis, I'd call that impressive wouldn't you, Mick?" Piper hadn't noticed the other german behind her, She turned around and smiled at him. "Where did you qualify?" She asked timidly. "P12, so watch out for me in your mirrors" he said smiling at her. "I need to go talk to my engineer, I'll see you two later" Seb said excusing himself from the younger two. "Hey Mick, I wanted to say thank you again for yesterday. I didn't fully take in what you said until I watched it again last night. It was really nice of you" Piper said fidgeting with her sleeve. Mick put his hand on her shoulder, "You belong here as much as the rest of us, anytime you need to hear it, just come find me. I know what it's like having a legacy to protect," he said motioning to her helmet. "I better go, but hey, show them how a girl races?" he said walking away. "Danke Mick" she called before climbing into her car.

90 minutes later, Piper was sitting in the parc ferme in shock. "Pip, Pip, are you okay? Do you need help getting out of the car" Georgia called over the radio. Piper didn't reply. "Alex is coming to get you, he just pulled in, hold tight". Piper looked up as someone patted her helmet, "You can't stay in there all day kiwi" Alex said looking down at her. "Did they say P7, did I finish P7 Alex" she said looking into the older boy's eyes. He nodded. "Oh My God, OH MY GOD, What the fuck" she said jumping up, after alex reached down and undid her seat belt. Once she was out of the car, she started jumping around and dancing and laughing. The young girl was celebrating as if she made it onto the podium. "Kiwi, you're causing quite a commotion" Alex said patting her head and laughing, pointing towards the podium area where everyone was watching her. "Ah fuck it, I don't care" she said while struggling to throw her arm over alex's shoulder as the pair made their way for weigh in. "Congratulations Piper! That was really impressive" a voice called over to her. She turned her head in the direction of the voice. Charles was sitting against the wall under the podium, smiling up at her. "Thank you, I feel a bit stupid celebrating like that, I mean you came first and you are so relaxed". Charles just shrugged and smiled. As the two Williams drivers kept walking, Lewis looked to the two ferrari drivers. "She's going to give us hell on track, I can feel in now."

"Holy shit Alex," a kiwi accent shouted across the media pen. Alex Albon turned around before sighing,"Got to get used to that not being me". Marcus was making a b-line for Piper who was in the middle of an interview. "I am really ecstatic with my result and-" Marcus tapped her on the shoulder. "Not now, please, Marcus," She said with a polite smile before continuing. "And I am excited to see what the rest of the-" Piper was interrupted again with another tap on the shoulder. "No Marcus- as I was saying, I am really excited to develop my-" Another tap. "Holy shit, Legsweak, what do you want!" Piper snapped before covering her mouth and turning back to the journalists. "I am so sorry! My mum is going to kill me for swearing on TV." Piper looked directly into the camera. "Mum, it was Marcus' fault, I swear!". Naomi Schiff laughed, while Natalie just motioned for Marcus to join the interview. "We may as well welcome Marcus Armstrong to this interview, Marcus what is that behind your back?" Piper had not noticed Marcus' suspicious pose. "Thank you so much for asking Natalie, this is a long standing celebratory tradition-" Piper's eyes went wide, "No, Marcus, later please!" she proclaimed while burying her head in shame. "Can someone please elaborate? Both for the viewers at home, and well, me." Naomi said smiling. "Well, Naomi, this here is one of New Zealand's finest exports" Marcus then held up a bottle of beer. "Speights Original" Piper said, shaking her head at Marcus. "And you see ladies, Alex and I have had a tradition, to finish one of these bad boys in under 10 seconds, as a celebratory gesture." he said before handing the bottle to Piper. "Well who are we to deny a touching tradition" Natalie laughed. "Can we even air this?" Naomi asked, before someone behind the camera nodded. Marcus pulled out a bottle opener and knelt down in front of Piper, holding it up towards her. Piper shook her head, "Marcus get up, not on TV". Marcus also shook his head, "Alexandra, if you don't do this, the all blacks will lose this season."Piper sighed. A small crowd had formed around the interview, including Alex and Emma, who were cheering for Piper. "Sub 5, I reckon" Alex shouted. Piper looked into the camera one last time before saying "I really am sorry Mum, but the All Blacks!" she gestured, "who is timing?" Naomi pulled out her phone, "Okay, 3,2,1, GO!" Piper began to knock the speights back. She was not a fan of beer, but it was blasphemy to say such a thing in New Zealand. "Done!" Piper shouted pulling the bottle from her lips. "Oh my god, 4.87 seconds" Naomi shouted, with a giggle while the small crowd celebrated. Marcus and Piper laughed, Marcus put Piper on his back and the two began humming the New Zealand National Anthem. "I think we will bid goodbye to our Kiwi friends now" Natalie said with a laugh. Piper jumped off marcus' back and motioned for the microphone quickly. "Sky Sports, F1 and the FIA do not condone binge drinking or any drinking of an unsafe manner. Drink responsibly!" she announced in a very serious tone, then laughing and hugging marcus as they walked towards Emma and Alex. "Pip," Emma laughed linking their arms, "Your mother wants to kill Marcus" she giggled. "Why" Alex and Marcus laughed as they walked. Emma held up Piper's phone, turning it to the two boys. There was a notification on her lockscreen, 

Mumma

Fucking South Islanders. 

Good job baby, smashed it like I knew you would. 

Its 4 am. I hope you know I love you if I'm up this early.

Again, FUCKING SOUTH ISLANDERS!

Piper laughed. "Didn't you live in Christchurch for two year?" Marcus said frowning. "Yes, but the ground decided to die for those two years." Piper said, still laughing. "But isn't your mum from Christchurch too?" Marcus said. "Yes, but she just hates you!"