Racing For Love

Chapter Three

It's amazing how settled I already felt at Bianchi in just a few short weeks. After the disaster of my first day, Kate and her team presented their alternate plan, which saw Mark in the - literal - firing line. He was gone within the week, not that he was happy about it - escorted off the premises shouting obscenities at everyone - Kate in particular. She was pretty chilled about it all, perhaps because she was now running the whole department. Everyone's moods definitely seemed improved, and there was a constant buzz about what this year would be like, especially with the new rules in place, our strategy involved a lot more trackside social media content.

Pre-season testing was underway in Barcelona but I wasn't yet trusted enough in the team to travel, so I stayed in the UK. This suited me fine - I wasn't ready to be away from Uncle Joe just yet. I was happy to work on the logistics and content analysis. With our new social strategy in place, there was plenty to prepare and complete and Kate had put me into a small sub-team with two others, so I really wanted to prove myself. Today we were going live from the Circuit de Catalunya with the pit crews poised to take the viewers through the garage and then interviews with head mechanics and drivers. It had been a challenge to get everything prepared, but Matt and James were in Barcelona ready to film and we had worked tirelessly on a basic script for this first video.

I felt the nerves rise as I logged in to the live stream. I had it all lined up across our social channels, and with a few clicks, they were off. I could see the numbers begin to rise as viewers started logging on too - comments coming from all over the world as the pit crew began their tour, Matt on camera work with James providing the hints we'd discussed when the guys were struggling with where to go next. I held my breath as they moved, seemingly effortlessly (though I knew the logistics involved in these next steps) to the head mechanics. They spoke in detail about some of the new changes to the car this season, with some amazing camera work from Matt. The final challenge was the drivers. They went across to Lorenzo first - as current champion, there were lots of people waiting to see what he had to say this early in the season. We had prepared questions, and James began:

"So, Lorenzo. You're coming in pretty strong after winning the drivers championship last year, how does it feel to have everyone chasing you?"

Lorenzo laughed "as long as they keep chasing me, everything will be...bene" he made his signature "pinecone" gesture and the fans were busily joining in sending emojis across along with their own questions.

"And how are you feeling about the car, Lorenzo?"

"Of course, you cannot go wrong with a Bianchi car. Just look at these curves, like a beautiful lady, eh?"

I cringed - Lorenzo was known for being somewhat of a lothario, his good looks and charm meant he was often being linked to supermodels, his relationship status the talk of many a gossip column. There was always speculation and with comments like that, accompanied by the sultry gaze down the camera, it would definitely get them talking, despite it being an odd description for the car.

James left Lorenzo and walked across to Jono's side of the garage. By contrast, Jono always came across a little more reserved, though he was known for his dazzling grin, and accompanying banter. James made light work of the questioning, with Jono responding excitedly about the car and the season ahead.

"This is your 8th season on the track, Jono, and your 6th with Bianchi. What are your challenges for the year ahead?"

"Thanks for reminding me how old I am!" Jono grinned. "I'm looking forward to racing with my buddy Lorenzo and dominating those P1 and P2 slots for another season. My main challenge will be keeping up with Lorenzo here!" He followed this up by chucking a tennis ball in Lorenzo's direction, which bounced off the back of his head. I was worried that the direction had gone a little too jokey, but the fans seemed to be loving seeing this more relaxed and casual side of the team. James and Matt signed off and finished the live. I checked online at our numbers and could already see that several of the sports news channels had picked up the story.

My phone rang, and I could see it was Matt - I excitedly answered. "Oh my gosh, that went SO well! Have you seen the numbers I've just sent across? They're beyond expectation!"

"It's great!" I could hear the excitement in Matt's voice too. "The guys here loved it - they're all still on a high, chatting about how good it was. Oh, I've got someone here who wants to say hi!"

The phone was passed across to, as I heard chatter in the background and the rumble of the track.

"Ah, Miss Annie. Congratulations on your live streaming" a purring Italian voice spoke down the phone. Only Lorenzo calls me Miss Annie, but I would have recognised his voice anywhere.

"Thank you Lorenzo, but it is not just my project - Matt and James have been running it too."

"Ah yes, but you are the brains. I can see this, and they also tell my father."

"Your father knows about this?" I nervously ask

"Of course, Miss Annie. This new direction, he is very interested in seeing how our fans react. He is very happy!"

Relief floods over me - if Mr Bianchi is happy, then it proves he made the right decision with putting me into the marketing team. I spend the rest of the day on a high, looking across media platforms to put together a report for Kate on our first live stream. I email it across before I leave for the day, pleased that our strategy seems to be working.

I get home after a brief visit at the nursing home. Joe was not in a good mood today - black clouds hung over his head and I couldn't get through to him. He kept on calling me Susan - I'm assuming this is the Susan he used to work with at Bianchi years ago, since he kept on referring to the office and the team, but I'm not sure. I leave soon after I'd arrived, telling him I must get back, and my shoulders slump as I head out the door. After the excitement of the day, I was desperate to show Uncle Joe what I'd been doing, but it wasn't meant to be. The thing about Alzheimers is that it's so unpredictable, and I'm still struggling to get used to only seeing glimpses of Joe, and not knowing when that will be.

As I arrive home, my mobile phone pings, alerting me to a new message:

You've turned me into a meme, Miss Annie.

Of course I know who it's from, but a gif follows the message of Lorenzo, making his "bene" sign. A quick look across social media shows that everyone is using it, and although Lorenzo probably wants me to be chastened, this is good news for us - any sort of traction across social platforms is positive, especially for the fans.

Oh dear. I hope you are not too upset Lorenzo
deciding to keep my tone casual and hope that I've got that right. Also how do you have my private number? I imagine he managed to get it out of Matt, that guy's a sucker for the drivers.

Matt gave it to me - incase I needed to contact you urgently about marketing things ;-) Lorenzo adding a winky emoji makes me realise he is joking, and my heart flips a little. He got my number through nefarious reasons, but it's exciting to have this extra connection with him. I keep my tone neutral - I don't want to get the wrong end of the stick - after all, Lorenzo flirts with everyone, but I can't help thinking back to when he checked my collar....this was weeks ago now. If he was interested, he's taking his time, and he's not normally known for that.

Of course, if there's something urgent, you can contact me. Or if it can wait till I am back in the office, all of the team can help

And what if it is not urgent, but I simply want to chat to a beautiful lady, Miss Annie?
Lorenzo replies, almost immediately.

My face flushes - thank god he can't see me down the phone. He is definitely flirting with me, but I'm also conscious about how fragile my position is. I can't be flirting with our lead driver whilst there's so much I still have to prove. I leave his message on read, and put my phone across the other side of the room, so that I won't be tempted to reply. I have more important work to do than to get involved with a Formula 1 driver...