Racing For Love

Chapter Five

The race is thrilling - watching it as an employee is different, and i'm constantly thinking about content as I watch the laps tick by. Of course, there's on track drama, and I already know that we'll be clipping down Jono's on board camera footage of him saying "There's bloody traffic everywhere, it's the M25 out here!" as even Joe laughs about it.

Jono performs well and heads up through the ranks, comfortably sitting at P3. Sitting in second position is Pablo Hernandez of Energy One racing team - the iridescent blue of their car sitting in between the red of Bianchi currently. As Jono fights for second, this gives Lorenzo a chance to pull away from Hernandez and comfortably sit in pole position. I'm on the edge of my seat as they drive the final lap.

Hernandez is holding Jono off, but barely and Jono keeps going for the overtakes, narrowly missing out on turn 11, but picks up speed before turn 12. Hernandez doesn't get the exit he needs coming out of turn 13, and this gives Jono an opportunity to compete again - wheel to wheel down the straight and into turn 14. Jono takes the inside line and gets round Hernandez, pulling round quickly and into the final straight. At this point, i'm screaming at the TV as Jono crosses the line. The first race of the season and we've made it a Bianchi 1,2!

My phone rings and it's Matt - we're both screaming at each other - he's at the pit wall, cheering as the cars go by - our energy electric. I turn to Uncle Joe, and he's smiling with a tear in his eye - I hang up with Matt and grab his hand, worried. "I'm so proud of you, Annie Girl." he says quietly. I've inherited our family passion for F1, which sometimes feels difficult to navigate - the thing that took my parents away now consumes me, in more ways than one...Lorenzo's face pops into my head, and I pick up my phone to message him...that's what a friend would do, right?

"Congratulations on your win Lorenzo - enjoy celebrating tonight" and I send the same message to Jono too, because I'm still trying to convince myself that there's nothing between Lorenzo and I, even though I can feel my stomach flutter as my phone pings with a message, hoping it's Lorenzo.

"Thanks Annie! What a start, eh? It was incredible. x" a message from Jono reads. Did he intend to put a kiss at the end of his message? I imagine he's probably sending blanket messages to everyone and didn't even think about it, but nevertheless, I smile. Jono is one of the nicest people in F1. It's been great working with him so far, and he is exactly how the media has portrayed him - it's not a surprise that he has a lovely girlfriend, Charlotte, I've not met her yet but she's amazing at sharing the content we've been creating at Bianchi, getting more followers on to us.

I give Joe a kiss and leave him to settle to bed even though he slept through some of the middle of the race- it's still a late one for him, so he'll be shattered tomorrow. I let his carers know i'll call in the morning, but generally if he's been up late, he's not great the following day and it's better for me not to visit and give him some recovery time.

As I hop in the car to go home, my phone alerts again and Lorenzo's name pops up "A win to start the season, incredible. Perhaps you will be there to celebrate with me on the next one, Miss Annie?" Lorenzo's apparent continued interest making my heart soar, despite my brain reminding me that the last thing I should be doing is getting involved with Lorenzo. As I settle into bed, I message him back;

Annie: "I'm always celebrating with you, even if i'm not there."

Lorenzo:"Yes, but I cannot kiss you if we are not in the same country, and that would really be a prize to me, better than a podium."

Annie: "Who says i'd kiss you if you won?"

Lorenzo: "Not even on the cheek? Miss Annie, your words cut me deep"

Annie: "Maybe on the cheek, but only for a win"

Lorenzo: "I'll take it, and continue to work on getting a proper kiss from you."

I'm grinning as I snuggle in under my duvet. As much as i'm trying to play it cool, I cannot think of anything better than kissing Lorenzo. Those soft lips on mine, his strong arms wrapped around me. I take a deep breath and turn my phone off, hoping that i'll dream about kissing Lorenzo because at the moment, that's the only place that I can risk doing such a thing.

***

All the build up for the Shanghai race feels like it's for nothing as the wet weather causes a nightmare for the grid, but it feels like especially for Bianchi. Jono is involved in a huge crash at the start, wiping out four cars. A DNF for race 2 is not going to help our chances, and then Lorenzo spins out, quali wasn't great and he started in P3 but after the wet conditions, finishes the race in P6. We've still got some points on the table, but not where we want to be and there's a definite level of frustration amongst everyone. Lorenzo and I have been continuing to message each other between the races - I feel more in control when he's not around the office and I can't physically see him, despite myself, I can feel a connection building between us, and I know that he'll be gutted with today's race.

"What a rubbish result for today - wet weather was tricky. At least i've got a reprieve on that kiss though! ;-)" my message more forward than I would be normally, but i'm hoping it'll cheer him up - I know that he'll be annoyed after today. "Yes, Miss Annie, but there's always Australia ;-)" his response making me smile, but also nervous...I am now simultaneously hoping he wins and looses the next race.