Racing For Love

Chapter Thirty Eight

As soon as I arrive at The Paddock, James leaps at me - his eyes wide as he looks around before excitedly talking at me "Annie, oh my - it's kicking off! Have you seen what Jono posted this morning? We need to change the caption on any photos of Jono and Charlotte from last night. Bloody hell - the drama! I am LIVING for it!"

"Morning! Have you already had too much coffee? Yes, I've seen the tabloids too, they're almost as excited as you. Don't worry, I've already changed the caption for our post because...I helped Jono record his video last night."

"You what?!" His voice is incredulous, "and you didn't give me the heads up? I need all the information, now spill!" James is a lot more energetic than normal, and I think he's enjoying the drama of the "big break up" - I tell him what I know, which isn't much more than him, and we find Matt who helps to settle down the situation. We send James off on a drinks run - strictly decaf for him - and I get a minute to speak to Matt alone. We chat amiably until I finally pluck up the courage to ask him what's been on my mind.

"So, I was thinking about what you said the other day and I was wondering if I could have drinks with you and Faye one evening if that's not too weird? I know that she's not in the marketing department, but I wondered if she'd give me an overview of what it's like working at Aerial?" Whilst I've not made up my mind on what I'm doing next, I'm making sure that there are options, and should my position not be made permanent with Bianchi, I have another direction I can go in. I also keep thinking of the most recent speculation about Jono's contract which is if you listen to the rumours, it's likely to be renewed with Bianchi any day now. If I moved to another team, I'd be able to continue working in my dream job, but I wouldn't have to see Jono every day, which would certainly make keeping my feelings in check easier.

"Sure thing Annie. We'll get something sorted for after the weekend." He smiles at me and squeezes my shoulders before continuing to set up our equipment. I'm so lucky to have him looking out for me. We get everything set up by the time James comes back, and we start going through our filming schedule for today.

I have a minute so I check FormulaOMG! and see that they have published the video I put together. I was feeling pretty excited and proud, until I look at the engagement rates - lower than I had expected, and this is probably because of the barrage of posts they have put up about Jono and Charlotte's split. I try not to feel too disheartened - turns out everyone is interested in Jono's relationship status, even if i'm trying to avoid it.

***

Quali day is looking good - the weather was overcast first thing, but the sun is burning through the cloud cover, and by the time the cars are getting ready to head out on track for FP3 it is bright, with a little breeze. We film Jono putting on his custom helmet design for his home race and this will be edited later with some shots from the crowd - there are some great banners for him and plenty of union flags waving for him and the other British drivers on the grid.

As practice gets underway, I spot Isa across in Lorenzo's garage and smile warmly - i'm still pretty terrified of her, but as my parents used to say "kill them with kindness" so I wave across too, but get little reaction from her. I alert Matt to her presence and we get some shots of her talking to the engineers - we can add these in later to appease Andrea Bianchi, I think.

Our cars tend to perform better on street circuits, rather than proper tracks, so it's not a surprise when we're running P4 and P5. I know that the team have been working hard in the simulator to practice on this course - Jono especially - and he is focussed on getting a podium at his home race, the winning spot has evaded him every time he has raced here with Bianchi. I watch as the session concludes - FP3 is mostly a warm up and the guys are both on different tyre strategies to maximise the data available ahead of quali later today. the FP3 positions don't mean much in this respect, I have to keep reminding myself.