Rise Up

Chapter 11: Scared Of The Rain

Quali day in the rain? Simply a mess.

"How's the condition on track?"

"Fucking wet. Wetter than the sea. I think all the rain of the whole planet is here right now, how can it be possible?"

"Please Kiara, be focused and slow down a bit, we don't want to risk anything."

"Me neither Fred, believe me."

I've just started Q2 and the rain is still pouring like if it's the last day of the world before the apocalypse.

"I can't see anything guys, honestly it's a mess."

"We are reporting to the FIA, also the other drivers are saying so."

"I don't know how it works in F1 but I think these are no the right conditions to race."

"Copy, I'll let you know if there are updates. Go slow, keep this time."

As I kept driving, trying to follow the track as I remember it, I saw in the mirror an orange car passing by, so much faster than me.

Please, slow down a bit, dude.

"It's a yellow flag Kiara, please keep the delta positive and slow down."

"What? What the hell happened?"

"Sorry. It's red flag, red flag. Try to come back to pit."

"What happened?"

"Ehm, a McLaren crashed. I think it's Norris, he was on his fast lap to set a time."

"What have I told you, huh? These are not the conditions to drive! I can't believe it! How many times do we have to risk our life for such stupid reasons? What a fucking mess! Unbelievable!"

"Please Kia, slow down and calm a bit. I'd like to remember you -not that I care too much- that FIA can listen to our team radios."

"Can they? Good to know then! I haven't even started-"

I stopped mid sentence when I reached the orange car, or better, what remained of the McLaren.

He wasn't moving.

Inhale, exhale Kiara.

"Fred?"

"Yes?"

"Is he ok? Please, tell me he's fine."

I stopped my car close to his. I pulled my completely wet visor up to be able to see a bit more but he wasn't moving.

Inhale, exhale.

"Ehm, I don't have any news about him."

I turned off the radio and stopped completely the car. I pulled my seatbelts off and started to stand a bit up in the car, as much as possible, hoping to see more of him.

"Norris! Norris! Are you ok? C'mon Norris, say something? Urgh, I can't get out of the car. It's so wet that it's slippy as soap. Oh, for fuck's sake, say something! Lando! Lando! Please, say something!"

And like a thunder in a storm, all of a sudden, I saw his arm in the air with his thumb up.

He's ok.

"Fred, Norris is ok! Did you hear me? Lando is ok. Send help though."

"Copy! The safety car is coming. Please, go sit and come back here!"

***

"So, to sum up this quali session: rain, fear, rain, Lando on his fast lap to score pole position, more rain, pure terror, bad crash in front of me, panic, Lando is fine, money penalty."