The 2023 Formula One World Champion

Chapter 1

"Red bull's newest driver will be newcomer and F2 champion Eliza Kane from Australia" Christian Horner announced, and I felt pats on the back of encouragement from my family who had all gathered to watch the announcement and my team trainer Imogen's arms wrap around me.

"You did it! You made it to the big leagues" Imogen smiled, her dark hair falling around her face, Imogen was tall and sleek like a model, but she had no interest in modelling. Imogen has been my trainer and best friend for many years now, we had met back in my carting days when we were both around 13. Imogen's older brother Daniel was also carting and so we had spent many weekends together, but Daniel had taken off and already made it into F1 years 12 years before me, but today I was making my 2023 debut into F1. I had known for weeks that I was going to be apart of red bulls team for the 2023 season, Imogen and I had been in talks with Redbull for months now, but only just last week had I signed the contract. We had gone together to Red Bulls headquarters in Milton Keynes. Christian had given us a tour of the factory before we headed to his office to sign my contract. As soon as we had left the Red Bull Factory, we had headed straight to the bar to have celebratory drinks.

"It only took 12 years to catch up to Daniel" I laughed; Imogen paused giving me a weird look

"Well, I didn't tell you because I didn't want it to effect your contract with Red bull but Daniel hasn't signed with anyone yet for the 2023 Season" Imogen explained

"What? How could he not be signed with someone, what about McLaren?" I asked.

"They signed Oscar" Imogen said.

"I'm making my F1 debut without Daniel?" I asked and Imogen nodded. "Well, we better get training, I'm going to have to work hard to keep my spot if Daniel's on the table now"
"Now is the time to celebrate with your family not train Eliza" Imogen laughed as my dad put a drink into my hand.
"We won't get to see you too much once the season starts El, come and enjoy this time with us" My dad smiled. My dad always managed to push all my nerves and worries aside.

A Month Later...

Today I was walking into my first official practise day in Bahrain. I was shitting myself. As I headed towards the Red Bull garage I saw Christian walking towards me, Coffee in hand.
"Eliza, how you are feeling about getting out on that track?" Christian asked
"I'm shitting myself to be honest" I said causing Imogen to stifle a laugh behind a cough
"I'd be surprised if you weren't" Christian said taking a sip of his coffee "Once you are out there it'll be a different story"
"You know it will be" I smile
"Go on, go get ready they will want you for promo photos soon" Christian nodded to us as we walked away.
"Telling the Primary that you are, and I quote 'shitting yourself' may not be a good start to your F1 career El" Imogen laughed
"Hey, I was just being honest" I laugh as we walk towards my private room. Some of the guys on the Red Bull team greet us as we pass.

"Hey Eliza" Mark says as we get to the door of my room.
"Hey Mark, what's the plan for today?" I ask as I open the door dumping my bag on the table. The room is small with a few chairs and a cot to lay down, my Red Bull racing suit hanging on a hook from the wall. Mark was basically a glorified assistant making sure I get every where on time.
"You need to change into your suit and we are going onto the track to take photos with the rest of the teams, and if you aren't changed in five minutes and walking out that door, you will be late" Mark said closing the door as I rolled my eyes
"Fuck sake" I say looking at my phone quickly to check the time "I thought we got here early" I start stripping off.
"So did I?" Imogen says slipping out the door. I pull my race suit on as quickly as possible and head out the door to where Mark and Imogen stood talking.
"So, they moved the photoshoot forward hence why you are running late" Mark explained as we walked towards the track.
"Great, I suppose all the other drivers are there already" I say as I head towards the pit wall.
"Yep" Mark nods as all the other drivers come into view, I jump the pit wall and walk towards where the other guys are standing around talking. I had met none of them. This was going to be awkward. They were standing in groups talking while the photographer set up his gear.
"Kill me now" I hissed to Imogen
"Too late for that" Imogen smirked before walking off to where the other assistants and team trainers were waiting.
"Hey" I heard from one group of the drivers "You're Eliza, right?" Lando Norris was walking towards me.
"Hi, yeah Eliza" I nod
"I'm Lando, but I'm sure you already know that. I watched a few of your F2 races last year, that time you went from P20 to P1 was very impressive" Lando said as a few of the other drivers walked towards me, including my teammate Max Verstappen.
"I'm surprised Red Bull is taking a risk on such a new driver" Max said as he joined the group of Lando, Oscar and myself.
"I have won the F2 championship the last 3 years running" I answer
"Red Bull still doesn't take the sort of risks, Danny should have had that seat" Max smirked, he was trying to rile me up and I knew it, but I took the bait anyway.
"I agree Danny deserves the seat, but that choice wasn't for me to make. Red Bull made that decision in particular Christian. I believe they said they wanted someone fresh to give you a run for your money" I snapped back watching the smirk falls from Max's face, as it grows on mine.