The faceless number 18 - the wild wolf and his pack

the wolf and his prey

*Riana*

I felt like a deer being circled by a big wolf. Because wherever I moved, I had the feeling that his gaze was already there.

I could now understand where his nickname "the wild wolf" came from. Actually, I had always assumed that he got the name because he hunted his opponents like prey on the track, but I could well imagine that it also had something to do with the way he looked.

A shiver ran down my spine every time. Not that I was intimidated by such things, but I had to admit that it made me nervous.

He seemed a bit like he was about to pull me through a door and eat me. But not in the good way.

I was all the more relieved when he and Fernando drove out onto the track. While they were doing their first laps, Pietro, one of the other mechanics in Fernando's crew, introduced me to the workshop rules. He explained to me where exactly what was and what belonged where.

Our equipment in the youth classes had been significantly less. I already knew what to do with all the things, but it would surely take me a while to remember where exactly what was.

We also practiced pit stops under competition conditions during free practice. We had practiced briefly before practice so Tom and I knew what our tasks were. But the pit stops were easy for me. I had already done a thousand pit stops. There was nothing that could upset me anymore. I was assigned to a wheel with Pietro and Jeff. Jeff operated the wheelgun, I pulled the tire down, Pietro put the new tire on.

We did well for the first time working together as a team. I had a really good feeling after the first free practice.

It wasn't that different from Formula 2 and the other mechanics were really relaxed. They were all trying hard to get me involved in the team. I was glad they took me to lunch right away and I didn't have to sit by myself like I used to do in school some days.

"Most important question first," Pietro leaned forward a bit "Your favorite team and you don't have to say Aston Martin just because you work here now. The team you've supported since you were a kid."

"Well if it were up to my dad definitely Ferrari, but deep down, always Red Bull. At least since they had their prime with Vettel," I laughed.

"I like her.", Adem smirked and held out his fist for me to pound in.

We spent the lunch break discussing why Red Bull in particular.

The second free practice session flew by.

Pietro explained a lot more to me, and also warned me that there would be some kind of entrance exam.

This was waiting for Tom and me at the end of our working day in the form of an old motorcycle: "It's not a Formula 1 car, but an engine is an engine. You have until tomorrow morning to get it running again. Use the tools here in the pit and good luck," Alessio, the chief engineer, said goodbye to us and then left the pit with everyone else.

"Well great." grumbled Tom "And I thought I could fall into bed now."

I just shrugged "The sooner we get started, the sooner we'll be done," I said and headed off to get some tools.

Tom had already caught my eye during the interviews. He had such a way of talking that I'm sure he could captivate a lot of people with. But he had also been one of those guys who gave every woman a disparaging look.

I couldn't stand him for that reason alone. But maybe it was just the situation at the time. Maybe he was actually quite nice.

I came back with a lot of tools. The first thing I did was try to start the machine to hear where the problem was.