DNS

Part 34 - F2

Todays the day.

Two days have passed since I received the message from Trevor, and the news of who Sara was. I've made no effort as of yet to contact her, my absolute focus has needed to be on making sure I nail this meeting and am prepared for anything that's thrown my way on the day. This is top priority.

Yesterday was spent being pushed and quizzed by Charles on the sim set up, practicing as much as possible to regain some familiarity of the tracks.

I'm a nervous wreck as I see the time hit 09:30, only 30 minutes until i'm there and either make or break my opportunity of getting back into racing. I cant keep my knee still as my leg bounces anxiously in the car.

Charles hand lands on my thigh, lightly squeezing it, stopping it from shaking. "Calm down amour, everything's going to go well just focus on what you need to do - and just be yourself."

His laid back calmness begins to ease my nerves a little, Charles is driving me to the meeting for morale support and because it's also over an hour outside of Monaco. I need to use this time to continue my prep and make sure I've done my research on the team. I need this to go well.

It's also the last day I'll be spending with him before he heads to Austria for testing, practice, media and then eventually the race. Sadly I don't think I'll be able to join him there to watch the first race - although things in F1 are starting back up again I'm pretty sure because of the current covid restrictions that no spectators are allowed in the grandstands or to attend the race, but it would be amazing to be there supporting him - I'll have to somehow try and find a way.

The sun blasts through the windows, as Charles blasts Coldplay - it's 34° today which isn't helping either, I'm pretty much dripping with sweat hanging my head out the window like a dog trying to get a breeze, and with 15 minutes now left of the journey I don't think I'm going to be in the loveliest state for a first impression by the time we arrive.

We arrive at the gravel entrance of Flexas - a long and not very well known karting track, i'm surprised I didn't come here more often as a child actually given it wasn't too far from Monaco, but I think I'd only been here twice.

We'd agreed to meet here while Trevor and a few of the race engineers for Carlin are in the country to watch some junior karting races, looking for youth drivers that can eventually join the team.

Walking up towards the sideline of the main spectator area I notice the Carlin logo on a stand, and Trevor sitting with two men who were most likely engineers - I had no idea what he looked like when I received the initial message but I was quick to Google him afterwards.

He shouts me over waving his hand as he notices me arrive, "Lilly, hello - over here." Charles is quickly swarmed by all the young drivers before their race begins, all wanting autographs and pictures.

I'm quite glad I brought him here actually because watching him get bombarded took quite a lot of pressure away from me.

As I approach Trevor he stands to shake my hand, introducing me to Milo and Shavik, two of the Carlin engineers and also talent scouts in a way I guess. I introduce myself and we begin to talk about my racing career for a while, answering all his questions before the topic eventually turns to to my accident.

"Your crash was awful to watch, did you think you'd ever come back and be able to race after that?" He asks.

"I didn't think I was going to survive after that so race - no. But I'm lucky to be alive and racing is everything to me, I'm great at it and I know I'd be an asset to the Carlin F2 team." I say confidently.

He smiles at my response.

"Well I've seen your driving history and I like your confidence, this was more of a formality to meet you in person but as far as I'm concerned we'd like to have you onboard. You'll need to complete some sim testing in our base in Surrey which I'm sure you'll have no problem with, and then we can discuss contracts for the 2021 season." He shakes my hand again, let's me know they'll be in touch - and walks away to watch the racing commence. I'm speechless.

That happened so fast and I can't believe what I've just heard?! It's seriously happening. Trying to keep my face and body language as cool as possible so I don't absolutely lose my mind, I make my way back to Charles car, get inside, and just scream.

Quickly realising car windows are absolutely not soundproof as a few heads swing in my direction, I lower myself down the seat like a slug in an attempt to hide. Also how did I get back in here? why has this man left his car unlocked? He really isn't all there sometimes.

I notice him finally approaching the car after another 20 minutes or so have passed and he looks exhausted. I don't know how he does it but he completely loves his fans, he's spent so long with the kids - and everyone else for that matter, just signing things and taking photos, having conversations. He has time for everyone and I love that about him, I can't wait to tell him what's just happened.

As he sits down next to me in the car letting out a tired sigh, I practically dive on him. "I'm in Charles, I'm actually going to be racing in F2 I can't believe it, my eyes starting to fill a little."

"I had no doubt at all." Wrapping his arms around me. "You shouldn't doubt yourself ever, I'm proud of you for doing this baby, maybe one day you'll be back on the track with me again." He winks and laughs, arms still wrapped tightly around me.

I know he's joking but come on Charles, one thing at a time please - I've not had a race in F2 yet, and the chances of me getting into F1 are absolutely minimal so let's focus on getting into F2 for 2021 at the moment.

Although there's nothing in the world I'd love more than racing alongside him again. F1 was always the dream, but it's going to take an awful long road to get there after over 2 years of not being on track. Maybe one day.

Right now I just want to enjoy this moment, I've got Charles, and I'm going to be racing again - life seems to be really picking up for me at the moment and I just feel complete happiness.

I just hope it lasts.

—————————————————————————