When the first female F1 driver is announced, no one expects her to get on so badly with Ferrari golden boy Charles Leclerc, but do they really hate each other as much as it seems?
The next morning, when I went to breakfast, I met Charles as we happened to leave our room at the same time. Although I still thoroughly disliked him, something felt different between us. It was like our experience in the lift together has altered our relationship but I wasn't sure how.
When we got to the lifts, Charles pressed the button and I went to take the stairs.
"You're not serious Hakimi, we're on the 8th floor." Charles raised his eyebrows at me.
"It's a good workout" I excused myself although I knew he knew the real reason.
"The lift isn't going to get stuck again Edom," he grumbled.
"I'm not scared about getting stuck in a lift. I'm scared of being stuck in a lift with you" I jabbed back.
"Felt like you really needed me last time," he smirked.
With that, I pushed the doors to the stairs open and headed down to breakfast.
In the dining buffet room, I made eye contact with Max, who signalled me to come over to him and I did. I knew I couldn't prolong this conversation for much longer. I sat down opposite him and smiled warmly.
"Morning Edom," he said with a slight smile.
"Morning Max" I smiled back. Although the vibes between us weren't bad, neither of us knew what to say and we sat in an awkward silence.
"You never called." I broke the silence.
"Neither did you," he quickly replied. We fell back to silence. I looked everywhere but his face, but I could feel him staring directly at me.
"Look Edom." Max finally said. "I don't know how you feel, but I really enjoyed that night and I like you. To me that evening wasn't a one night thing, but you left straight after and I got the impression you didn't feel the same. Please tell me I got the wrong impression. That night was one of the best I've ever had with any girl."
As he was talking, I saw Charles enter the room. I wondered what had taken him so long considering he had got the lift. We made eye contact and his expression remained neutral for the first time. That was until he saw I was sitting with Max and his expression darkened. He went and sat with some Ferrari engineers on the other side of the room but I noticed out of the corner of my eye he was watching us.
"Look Max," I replied. "That night was great for me too but it's so risky for me. If we were found out, I would get slated by media. I could even lose my job or jeopardise my future in F1 ."
"Well, so could I then," Max said back.
"It's different for you Max." I said back sadly.
"What? How?" He sounded slightly irritated.
"I'm a woman Max," I sighed "Whilst you'll be celebrated for making a connection, I'll be called a slut. You're a world champion, you've already got respect - me? I've not got that. I would be made out like I was doing it for benefits on track and slated for sleeping with a colleague." I paused, taking a breath.
"Being the only female driver, I have to prove more than all you male drivers. If I mess up on track, it's because I'm a woman, not because the car is bad. It takes more for me to win respect from viewers and potential sponsorships. A relationship with you would make you look cool but it would make me look shallow and pathetic."
"I see" Max said slowly.
"You don't," I let out a sad chuckle. "And it's not your fault. You're a guy so you can't relate or completely understand, but I hope you'll try to see what I mean."
He put his hand over mine on the table and gave me a sympathetic smile.
"I'm sorry you're treated this way. Especially considering you're currently the best rookie this year, if not one of the best rookies of all time." I smiled back at Max.
"Have you told anyone about that night?" I questioned.
"Umm, just Danny," he replied.
"Riccardo?"
"Yeah. Is that ok?"
"Yes, just please make sure he doesn't tell anyone," I said.
"Yes of course," Max promised. "But maybe we can do that evening again?" He said with a small wink.
"Maybe" I chuckled.
With that, I got up and went to the buffet, grabbing some pastries and then went back to my hotel room to chill before practise began.
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Just a short chapter but I hope you guys enjoyed!
I just watched England VS Australia in the Woman's Football World Cup and (although football still requires work) I hope f1 can get to the equality between genders that football is getting to. Well done England!!!!
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