Racing For Love

Chapter Forty

Weather conditions are perfect for our cars - the track isn't too hot which should be good for tyre management during today's race. With Jono starting at pole, it's important that he has a good start, especially since he's struggled maintaining starting position during the season so far. Into turn one, Pablo Hernandez who started at P2 is challenging him on the outside and they are wheel to wheel. Jono manages to maintain the racing line and pulls ahead and clear of Pablo, who has picked up some damage and a potential puncture it seems.

As the race unfolds, I find myself alternating between watching the track and stealing glances at Joe. His eyes are fixed on the cars below, and I can see the passion and excitement in his gaze. Despite the pain etched on his face, he remains fully immersed in the race, cheering for Bianchi and occasionally offering his expert commentary on the drivers' moves.

I sit beside him, occasionally checking my phone to make sure work-related tasks are running smoothly. The content I had prepared earlier is being posted and shared, and I can see the engagement and excitement building online. It's a juggling act, trying to balance my responsibilities, but I'm determined to make this day special for Joe.

As the race continues, Lorenzo fights through the pack and because Pablo needs to pit early for replacement parts, Lorenzo is already up to 5th place by the mid point in the race. Uncle Joe is transfixed, and I check he's ok.

"Jono needs to maintain his pace otherwise he's going to loose his lead. His third sector isn't quick enough" he confirms - his brain obviously working on racing strategy at this point, and running on instinct. I secretly cross my fingers under the table for Jono to find his form and keep his lead.

Lorenzo keeps moving up through the grid, the pace on the Bianchi cars unmatched, so whilst he continues to improve his position, Jono's lead increases and he's currently around 20 seconds clear of the rest of the field. As cars come in to the pit to change tyres, we watch eagerly as Lorenzo gains positions with a quick pit stop, and moves onto some fresh tyres. An excellent overtake sees him move up into P2 and he consistently puts in fast laps trying to catch up to Jono. There's 10 laps to go when we hear a radio message from Jono asking about fastest lap:

"Give me the numbers on fastest lap."

His engineer replies "You're head by 17 seconds, you don't need to attempt."

"Give me the details."

"Fastest Lap is Lorenzo - 1.31.587. Repeat, no need to attempt"

"Understood."

I know that Jono is going to attempt, despite what his engineers and the strategy is suggesting. I wonder if this is part of his own plan to prove himself a better driver than Lorenzo, or whether it will provide more bargaining power for his contract negotiations. Jono goes fastest in sector one, and it's clear he's pushing everything. I'm watching and chewing my lip obsessively as the car falters as it goes through Maggots and Becketts - this slight misjudgement means that there's understeer through Chapels and Jono just about manages to stay on track. We hear his radio again.

"Reminder not to attempt fastest lap and maintain position." - this time it's the stern voice of Davide Romano which surely means Jono is in trouble.

"Understood." comes Jono's reply when the car is once again stable along the Hangar Straight. We see him cross the line as he begins his final few laps, and it looks like he's backed off and is just maintaining position - he's still leading by 15 seconds - Lorenzo has caught up a bit, especially after Jono's error on his fast lap attempt, but there's no way he can catch up to compete for P1. The camera follows some of the drivers in the midfield as Uncle Joe points out that Jono is going purple (registering fastest) in sector 1 and 2.