Racing For Love

Chapter Eighty Six

There was a week, just one small week, sandwiched between the Mexican Grand Prix and the Brazilian Grand Prix where everything hung in the balance. Contracts, meetings, sponsorship deals - they all converged in a flurry of activity. Jono had jetted straight to Brazil and I was a million miles away from the scorching Sao Paulo track on a plane back to the UK - our reunion brief as we once again found ourselves apart.

I had noticed during the past few races that Jono had become increasingly distant and it was evident that the championship was now his singular focus. I couldn't blame him - with the trophy within reach, he couldn't let it slip through his grasp. Our conversations had become more brief gradually, and when we did speak, his voice was full of determination, but devoid of the usual playful banter. The constant calculation of points, strategies, and rival drivers had consumed him, and it was as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

Meanwhile, I found myself navigating the complex formal negotiations back at Bianchi HQ. The consortium was on the cusp of something monumental, it would be the rebirth of Bianchi Racing, with fresh resources and a newfound vitality. Farid Al-Mansoori led discussions on behalf of the board, along with the administrators and we spend long days working everything out. By the end of the week, the pile of completed documents grew, and there was a palpable excitement around the offices. Nobody knew exactly what was happening, but it seemed everyone was aware that the team was making its way out of administration with new investment. The anticipation for the Brazil Grand Prix grew because it wasn't just another race; it was where we would be announcing everything - the driver line-up for next season, the team's new name, and the various new sponsorship deals - everything needed to fall into place before then.

Since COTA, Kate and I had spoken a couple of times - she was the only one who knew about my involvement in the consortium as most days, I had snuck in early and left late to avoid anyone seeing me. After another late finish in the office, I met up with her for dinner - nerves swirling, as we had not been able to properly talk since I had handed in my resignation. I walked into the familiar restaurant - she was waiting with a bottle of wine and two glasses, already sipping from one whilst tapping away at her phone. As I approached, she looked up and smiled warmly, before standing to embrace me. Her tight hug comforted me, and I felt a little emotional at her kindness, which I didn't fully deserve.

As we settled back into our seats, the conversation quickly turned to the impending announcements and the logistics of the consortium's involvement with Bianchi Racing. We discussed how the news would be delivered to the team - the press releases, and the timing of it all. It was a complex puzzle with many moving pieces, and Kate's organisational skills were invaluable in navigating this intricate process.

"Sorry, I'm sure you have more interesting things to talk about other than work. Kate, i'm so pleased you agreed to have dinner with me. I'm still more than embarrassed about how I spoke to you...that day." I told Kate, my face flushing in recognition. "It was unacceptable - you're one of my best friends, and I should never have treated you like that."

Kate chuckled softly, her eyes warm with understanding. "Annie, it's in the past. We all have our moments, especially in high-pressure situations. I probably could have reacted better to your comments too - after everything with Andrea, it felt like you were judging my friendship with Farid as more than it was."

I smiled in return, but my eyebrow quirked with intrigue. I certainly wasn't going to mention it again, but I was sure that there was more to the friendship than she was telling me. Michelin starred dinners weren't the normal setting for a friend's dinner, and I wished she trusted me enough to tell me about what was happening between them. On more than one occasion, Kate had mentioned Farid, slipping his name into conversation in a way that appeared casual, but I had begun to notice the light blush in her cheeks when she spoke about him. He was well known for his business acumen, handsome looks and unmarried status and was clearly extremely driven and laser-focused on the success of Bianchi Racing. From all of my interactions with him however, I could see why he would get on well with Kate because his focus was not just on the profits for the shareholders, it was about the potential within the team and the people behind it.