REMEMBER THE NAME

2019:16

"So when are you going to tell Williams?" Toto asks Sophie as they enter the paddock.

"Well considering you're dressed as though you're from the 1950's, it looks like I've got another almost 60 years before I need to break the news." She jokes back, struggling to keep down a laugh at her stepdad who was dressed in a pair of trousers with suspenders and a matching hat.

"It's a traditional outfit." He defends as they stop outside of Mercedes' hospitality, turning to face her. "And my advice is to tell them today before the announcement tomorrow."

"I'm planning on telling them today..." she trails off. "I'm just going to make sure that Franz doesn't need to use his safety clause first."

"However you do it, just be mature and professional." He rolls his eyes before taking his hat off and turning to make his way in to Mercedes', leaving Sophie to take a deep breath

"Hey Toto!" She shouts just as he gets to the door, quickly turning back. "Good luck today." She smiles, making her way to the very back of the paddock towards Williams, just as a few drops of rain start to fall.

—

"Okay Sophie, we're looking at an intense race today. With what we know the rain doesn't seem to be going anywhere so you are likely to be on wet tyres for the full race, but if anything changes we will let you know." Alexander's voice comes through the radio as everything is getting set up on the grid.

"Okay, good to know. I know we're starting at the back so please let me know if there are any crashes ahead because I have a feeling that there will be a few." She feeds back, looking at the 17 other cars in front of her.

The grid clears and the drivers start on their formation lap, with Sophie like the others zigzagging to get heat in to her tyres but also to gain an understanding of the traction on the track. It was sloppy due to the rain, but nothing that she couldn't control. Growing up in the uk, most of the outdoor tracks that she would kart on were often soaked, so if anything this weather comforted her, reminding her of the good old days.

Taking 18th on the grid, Sophie stared straight ahead at the lights, allowing nothing to divert her attention.

One light
Two lights
Three lights
Four lights
Five lights

And it's lights out.

Sophie puts her foot down and picks away as sharply as you can in a Williams, taking the inside of the track and getting as close to the car in front as possible. The visibility was horrendous with all the spray from the cars in front shooting at her, but she focussed all that she could in to trusting her instincts.

"The cars behind you have picked away quicker and just overtaken you so you are currently P20. Car in front is Norris."

"Shit." Sophie mutters to herself as she does her best to take the corners tightly to catch up.

"Yellow flag up ahead. Perez at the right side of the track due to the car spinning so watch out when approaching."

Sophie presses the acknowledge button and minds her speed alongside steering clear of any possible debris on the track, due to the spin in front of her.

Once she was cleared of the yellow flag zone she pushes the car to go faster, closing up to Albon. As she nears him on the corner, she waits as last minute as possible to brake, taking the corner wide and cutting him on the inside, overtaking him cleanly.

"That is you P18 Sophie, next car is Vettel. Overtake as soon as possible as there's talk of a safety car." Alexander informs her.

Seeing the red of Vettels ferrari not too far away, she pushes on the corners as much as the Williams allows until she's finally up behind him. Using him as much as possible to get a tow, she takes the opportunity to undertake him on the corner, very similarly to the manoeuvre she just pulled on Alex.