The Formula 1 grid didn't want another team but one appeared anyway. With a reputation to rival Ferrari, Lamborghini was ready to take their place on the grid. Wanting to showcase a level of stability, even if the first year didn't bring results, th...
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The buzz of the Formula 1 paddock during testing was something that Lucia Romono was not used to, having been in a Formula 2 paddock for years. She was, however, used to being at the Pitwall. She also knew that she'd still be in the F2 paddock from time to time to visit their newest juniors.
Despite Lamborghini being a new team, Lucia was quick to persuade the company to start a junior team while they could to encourage people that they were serious about their position. They had two Formula 2 drivers, two Formula 3 drivers and two F1 Academy drivers.
Lucia had been quick to secure the only Formula 3 driver, Sophia Floersch, before Alpine could. She'd also secured Nikita Bedrin as the team felt it would be best to support an Italian.
Most of the F2 drivers already had academies so Lucia wasn't left with much choice but she'd chosen Clément Novalak and Kush Maini as the strongest choices.
As for the new F1 Academy, Lucia had been in a lot of conversations before deciding to sign Jessica Edgar and Marta Garcia after great results previously from both. She wanted to get early with singing two of the drivers.
Of course, Lucia's main concern was Formula 1 but that never stopped her from supporting new drivers coming up into the sport. She planned on making the team a success and one way to do so was preparing the future of drivers.
In a way, Lucia found it quite amusing to stroll through the paddock and have people staring at her like she was some kind of myth. She had a lot of confidence as she walked, standing reasonably tall with a cool look that sometimes didn't suit her Italian accent. Despite people not particularly wanting her and the team there, she was walking with her Lamborghini symbol proudly on her shirt in Bahrain.
A lot of payouts had to happen for them to agree for the new team and it was starting all over again as Andretti was trying to get into the sport. Lucia knew the reason they were finding it harder was the reluctance of an American team to join that always proved their success elsewhere. The other f1 teams didn't want to lose out on more money. It had already taken Lamborghini years.
"Lucia! Ciao!" Came the voice of Andrea Stella
"Ciao," Lucia replied politely, stopping in her steps.
"I was wondering when I would see you," said Andrea. "It has been years."
Andrea Stella and Lucia Romono knew each other briefly, both being Italians and within the same field. Andrea was the 2023 Team principal for McLaren racing.
"You are the first to speak to me," Lucia commented as they shook hands. "People are curious but say nothing."
"Do not say that too soon," Andrea whispered. "Sky Sports presenters stalk you after sessions."
