imagine: form a mental image or a concept
you didn't know what you were getting into when you turned your hobby into an actual career on f1. based on Lewis' "imagine" tweet.
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Friday May 6, 2022
"care to expound upon that?"
After missing the Australian and Emilia Romagna Grand Prix because of illness, it was great to be back, especially at the first-ever Miami Grand Prix. You questioned if it was the stress of your new career, especially after the SA Grand Prix, or the fear of failure creeping back in. The fear was so bad that you opted out of your one chance to be on television. You lied telling the production you were unwell when you were 100% healthy. Four days later, you actually get ill. You didn't believe too much in karma, but it felt like it at that moment. One thing is for sure, you were grateful you didn't tell anyone about your opportunity to be on television. Being relegated back to watching from the sidelines isn't what you wanted to do again, so you vowed to take care of yourself and try not to lie again. All you could do was hope that you'd be given another opportunity, but deep down, you doubted.
You told your viewers and followers you wouldn't be at previous races because you were recovering, so there would be no live updates or videos, but they'd still get the articles. You tried to keep the reason for your absence vague because you didn't want to be perceived as weak, as if you couldn't keep up with the others. Most were messages of support, but still there were a few who tried to speculate about your absence. It took you some time to learn that you don't owe anyone an explanation.
You were kind of grateful the Emilia Grand Prix wasn't too eventful racing-wise, because the "jewelry ban" seemed to be the trending topic of the whole weekend. Along with people calling Lewis "washed" because he missed Q2. You wanted to scream at your television when commentary or others refused to acknowledge he was essentially ending his season to do experimental setups on his car, not his teammate. He was sacrificing his season for the development of the team. Statistically, the greatest driver of all time in F1 was a Black man. Lewis, being the face of this sport, wasn't what they wanted, and seeing him struggle brought them joy. You tried putting that context in your tweets and articles, but there was no changing the ones who prayed for this moment. They had an agenda, you did not. You weren't one to praise the FIA, F1, or other teams because you feared losing credentials if you did not. Making it this far would not change you because from day one, you vowed to call out bullshit when you saw it.
//
"Wow" was all you could think as you entered the Miami Grand Prix Paddock. You didn't know if it was because you'd been away for a while or the number of celebrities walking past you, but the energy was indescribable. An unrecognizable voice calling your name brought you out of your daze. They introduced themselves and once again used your name. "Hi, I don't think I am familiar with you. Can I help you with anything?" is what you said to the stranger in front of you who was wearing multiple media lanyards fitted with an earpiece.
"We were in correspondence previously, via email, about you being a guest on the show Monday, following the Grand Prix. It looks like you are better and we want to know if you will join us this Monday to talk about Miami. Would you be interested?" You froze in place, wanting to be anywhere but there. "Well, there's no backing out this time," you thought. You told them to give you one second as you checked your empty calendar, acting as if you were busy. "Looks like I am free. You still have my contact information, so you can send me the details on what I need to do or read?"
