REMEMBER THE NAME

2019:17

"As we finish this debrief, I would like to say congratulations to Sophie for not only bringing Williams its first points of the season, but also scoring her first points in Formula 1." Claire smiles over at the girl who was a few seats away, while the others in the room clap for her as Sophie puts her head down to hide her red cheeks.

"And that's us done for today, thank you everyone." Claire informs everyone. Pushing away from the table, Sophie begins to stand, taking off her headphones. "Actually Sophie can you stay back, I'd like to have a word with you."

Sophie nods her head as George and Debbie give her worried glances, but all she does is smile and nod her head towards the door to let them know it's alright to go, taking a seat back down and spins anxiously as the last people leave.

Once the room is empty she turns towards Claire who was sitting at the head of the table with her head in her hands.

"Well done for the points today Sophie, it really is something you should be proud of." She takes her head out of her hands, crossing them and leaning back on the chair. "I just really wished you hadn't defied team orders in doing so."

"Had I followed team orders, Williams would still be sitting with no points. If you expect George to overtake the world champion without him speeding off in front, you are severely mistaken." Sophie defends.

"I think you are underestimating his capabilities." Claire tries to put the pressure back on to Sophie.

"I don't think I am, I think you are underestimating Hamiltons capabilities and in doing so are undermining mine." Sophie does all her best in the situation to keep calm, beginning to pick at her nails under the table.

"We understand where your capabilities are, and that's why we gave the order which you disobeyed. Which leads me on to my next discussion - your contract. As you know there is a clause in your contract which stipulates you must follow team orders. The message passed to you specified what we were asking was an official order yet you still went against it. Therefore I am letting you know that as of right now your seat is under review, and I can confirm that for next year you will not be offered a contract." Claire takes a deep breath as she finishes, carefully watching the girl in front of her for her reaction.

Sophie laughs.

And not like a cute giggle, a manic laugh which from Claire's facial expression seems to have scared her, contradicting her expectations of Sophie.

"Sorry, sorry." Sophie collects herself. "I just find the irony in the whole situation hilarious, because whilst I've been underestimating you, you've been underestimating me." Claire looks confused. "Well you see, I overheard your phone call - the one where you admitted that the only reason you signed me was because your car was so shit and you needed someone to take the blame." The look of confusion on Claire's face slowly morphs in to the horror of realisation. "And then you withhold my capability through your team order clause - making me look worse than I am. And now you tell me that I won't be getting a contract extension just as we go in to summer break when I'm not able to seek out another contract, and most teams have already signed their drivers - leaving me with no chance to secure a seat for next year and putting me out of Formula 1. God Claire you really are a master manipulator." Sophie shakes her head in disbelief with a sarcastic smile on her face, before standing up and making her way to the door. "I thank you for the opportunity you gave me - my first seat in formula one and my first points, but I'm not letting you take my dignity and talent away from me any longer. And for that reason I am letting you know that for next year I have signed a contract for Toro Rosso, and the news of this will be released tomorrow."

She shuts the door behind her and smiles. She was free from the weight on her shoulders and the dark clouds hanging over her head. But her smile drops as she realises the Netflix crew had been standing outside with a microphone pressed up to the door listening in to the conversation the whole time.