Records {C.L}

Meeting the team

"Andrea! Coboară mai repede!" [Andrea! Come downstairs faster!] I heard Alex scream from downstairs as I was applying perfume before getting out of my room. 

"Acuma cobor! Stai să îmi iau ghiozdanul." [I'm coming! Let me take my backpack.] 

I packed my notebook to maybe note some information at the meeting today. I grabbed my water bottle and phone, and headed downstairs where my brother impatiently awaited me, eager to leave so that we could avoid any potential traffic delays in Italy.

" în sfârșit, ești gata! Mulțumesc Dumnezeule, hai că întârziem." [Finally, you are done! Thank God, let's go or we're going to be late.] He said, and took the car keys from their stand next to the door. 

Outside was parked a beautiful dark blue Mercedes-Benz E 2022 that was my brothers. He got it for himself after I signed the contract with Ferrari for F1. He thought that now that I'm breaking all the records in F1 history, I should be driven in a nice and comfortable car.  So why not get a new car?

Once Ferrari had made all the necessary arrangements, they relocated me and my manager (my brother) to Italy. This way, I can be readily available whenever they require me to carry out any testing.Being honest, leaving my family behind in Romania wasn't easy at all. However, it was a sacrifice that I had to make in order to fulfill my childhood dream.

Achieving such a high level of performance in Europe, particularly in Romania with its limited economic and professional prospects, was no easy feat. Consequently, I made the decision to move to Austria despite it being a considerable distance away from Romania.

It was hard to move in another country as an 8-year-old to compete in different competitions when other kids were encouraged to play with dolls or cars. Oh, and let's not forget the fact that I was a girl in a boys sport. Luckily my family was extremely supportive of me and moved for me to Austria.

I was staring out the window as my brother drove to the Ferrari headquarters in Maranello. The sun was shining beautiful on the clear sky while the wind was slowly blowing. As we got closer we started seeing fans waiting for my and Charles Leclerc, my teammate, arrival. 

"Sunt aici și pentru tine, nu uita asta surioara. You are a Ferrari girl now." [They are here for you too, don't forget that sis. You are a Ferrari girl now.] He said proudly looking at me from time to time while getting closer to the gate.

As we were in front of the gate I rolled my window down to say hi to everyone.

"Hello guys!" I said excited, waving my hand to the tifosi. "How is everyone doing? Excited for the new season?" I asked while signing some things they gave me and smiling for pictures.

Everyone was so sweet wishing me good luck in my first season in F1 and asked me some stuff about my last season in F2. 

After a few more pictures and autographs we entered the headquarters and meet with Frederic Vasseur and went to the meeting room where everyone was there except my teammate, Charles, who apparently loves to be late at the meetings based on his strategist words.

While Charles was being late, I got to know the team a little better. I found out that my engineer, Ravin, liked some romanian songs and me and my brother were very excited.

As we were enjoying our talk, the door opens to reveal a tired Charles apologizing for being late due to his trainer making him stay longer.

"Sit down Charles, we waited for you to arrive anyway." Fred said calmly showing him to his appointed chair.

"As everyone knows already, we are starting a new era in F1 with the first female driver in history being in our team." Everyone was paying attention to his words and clapping for the team's new achievement.

"Andrea, why don't you tell everyone what have you accomplished till this point in the racing field." He said moving everyone's attention to me now.

"Well, I started competing in F3 at 16 years and I participated for 3 seasons in which I won 2 word champion titles. After that, I joined Prema Racing in F2 for an additional three seasons, during which I triumphed and secured three championships. Now, I find myself eagerly anticipating my upcoming season, aiming to make it the most remarkable one yet. And who knows, perhaps even more outstanding seasons await me in the future here at Ferrari." As I finally finished my speech, everyone started clapping and hoping at a great season.

"That is a beautiful resume, congratulations Andrea and I hope we will make a great team together." Charles said clapping and smiling at me.

"That's one of the reasons we choose Andrea as our new driver. We consider her to be among the finest talents, and based on our thorough evaluation of her performances, we are convinced that our exceptional drivers will lead us to the championship this year, surpassing all previous records." Fred said proudly to the team. 

After an  hour, the meeting settled smoothly with every aspect being covered.

 Everyone has decided that we should go tonight at a bar in the center of the city to party the start of the new season. I was honestly really glad they suggested that, so we could spend some more time together.

As my brother and I got home I started getting ready, but my brother sat on the couch with his laptop.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you getting ready? We are leaving in 20 minutes." I said excitedly while trying to find a pair of shoes to match my outfit.

"I don't feel like drinking tonight. You can go if you want, I will stay here and finish some paper work." He told me while following me with his gaze while I tried figuring out which pair is the best for my outfit.

"Noooo, why are you such an old man. Comme on, let's party for my new contract!" I said while getting on the couch next to him.

"First I'm only 3 years older so don't call me an old man. And second, just go have fun with YOUR team. Ok? I will be fine here alone." He told me while putting his laptop on the coffee table in front of him.

"Argh! Fine, I will go alone." I said getting up from the couch and getting my bag, phone and putting on my shoes. "Bye old man!" I yelled while getting his car keys and leaving.

"Put my car keys back sis! You have a car too, take that one." He yelled from the couch.

"But I'm used to yours, plus I have a lot of stuff in there, and it catches too much attention."

"You have work stuff there and mine catches attention too. Just take yours."

"But..."

"No"

"But :("

"No and stop"

"Fine."

"Have fun sis and don't get too drunk. Call me if you want a ride back home!" He yelled while I opened the front door.

"No promises! Byeee!" And after that I closed the door getting to my car which was parked next to his.

My car was a fully customized red Ferarri Roma that I got for myself after winning my second title in F2. The car wasn't a bad one, but the vibrant red specific to a ferrari was making in pop in any crowd.

The ride was relatively a short one, only 20 minutes to the club where we were supposed to meet everyone from the team.