Ashley POV
We were dead slow. We just don't know where our pace went. On the other hand, Max was killing it. He had about a 50-point lead to me in the points. I looked at the data on the sheet again and again. We were in our HQ. Our next race was in Silverstone.
"Where is the pace going, Ollie?" I asked as we both sat down looking at sheets and sheets of data. James entered the room.
"Oliver, can I talk to her for a minute?" he asked. "Of course," Ollie said and walked out. James came and sat beside me.
"Am I getting fired?" I asked him in a light voice. "You are not going anywhere," he said smiling. I looked down.
"That car is just not fast isn't it?" he asked. I shook my head saying no. "I just don't understand where it went away?" I said covering my face. Alex also came in. James gave him a nod when he came and sat beside me on the other side. I gave him a fist bump.
"Ash we wanted to talk to you. I know you are worried about the pace. But we are worried about you" James said.
"Ash..I've known you all your racing life. I know that you always wanna fight. Always wanna get on top. But that is not gonna happen always in Formula 1. You cannot be good at all the circuits" Alex said.
"You are doing good. You don't have to beat yourself up so much. We've come a long way from where we were last year. We want you to bask in it for some time" James said.
"I know. It's...." I fiddled with my finger. "Maybe I'm just nervous. I'll be alright" I said. "You know when I had to sit at that Red Bull garage was the worst period but the best teacher. You should always look at the bigger picture. Or else it's gonna consume you" Alex said. I nodded.
"I understand," I said. "Don't stress yourself. We'll get there. Step by step" James said when we heard a knock on the door. "Yup," Alex said. Bella entered in.
"We have a problem," she said and opened the door. All of us looked at each other and made our way outside.
We entered the media room and everybody was looking at the TV. Theo and Oliver noticed me and came to my side. Helmut Markov was talking on the mic.
"Of course, she is gonna become slow. Formula 1 is a tough sport and she is weak. I mean the car is slow I agree but look at Alex. He can get it into points. She just jumps out of it and whines about it being slow" My hands became stiff and my nails dug inside my palm.
"Is this live?" James asked. Bella nodded.
"Next race is her home race. And if she fails, which is a huge possibility looking at her recent form. It's gonna be a huge embarrassment for herself, her team, and her boss. James has done an incredible job in getting that Williams fast. Hope he is not making a mistake in giving that car to the right person"
The reporter next asked him about Max and me. Which was just what everyone needed. "Looks like she is close with Max. What do you have to say about it?" she asked.
"I don't know what are those intentions. Maybe she is trying to distract him" He said and gave out a laugh.
"Is he fucking serious?" Theo asked in a very angry tone.
My nails dug deeper. "Max is an animal. Nothing is gonna stop him from winning that title. Not even her cheap tactics" he added. I put my hands behind me so that no one could notice it. I'm pretty sure there were scars there from my nails. The live ended.
I could feel everyone's eyes on mine. I've been pretty used to it. But not this way. There it stayed in everyone's face. The pity look. The one I hated the most.
I inhaled a sharp breath, closed my eyes, and exhaled through my mouth. I opened my eyes. Theo, Oliver, Alex all three were by my side. It was clear in their faces. They didn't know what to say.
Theo put a hand on my back. I was still looking down. I slowly raised my head. "We have to train. It's time" I told looking at T softly.
"Ashley, We'll handle it. I promise" James told me. I gave a short nod. I looked at Alex who had the worst expression on his face.
I mean I am his friend but that was his mentor. Helmut paved the way for Alex to enter Formula 1. He also helped him get a seat here in Williams. He noticed me looking at him and gave me a very 'sorry' look.
"Please don't do anything stupid. The last one you need is to go against your mentor. Please Don't" I told him. I knew it was the most difficult for Alex.
"Ash"
"Promise me?" I asked him. He struggled to answer. "Alex!" He gave a single nod. I looked at Theo.
"Let's leave T," I said as he along with me swiftly made our way toward the gym.
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Third Person POV
In Milton Keynes.....
"Why? Why? I just don't understand. Why would he do that?" Max shouted in front of Christian and his father.
"I know. I know it's bad. But Max, it was live. He just didn't know what he was saying" Christian tried.
"Oh really? Can I go on telling everything? Every comment he's been passing on every driver" Max shouted again taking his phone.
"What are you doing?" his father asked. "She deserves an apology"
"No Max. We will deal with this properly. We cannot call her directly. We'll only make this worse" Christian warned him. Max was impatient.
"Well then do it soon. I cannot believe how irresponsible we are" Max said in an annoyed voice.
"Maybe it's for the best. Let her feel the pressure" his father said. Max gave a sharp look. "She always has this huddle of guys around protecting her. Alex, Lando, George...even Lewis. And looks like you've joined them too"
"They are her friends. That's what they are for. Have you seen her do one move wrong with the fellow drivers? On and off the track" Max explained and looked to Christian.
"Tell me you never regretted not approaching her for our team when she was available. Tell me you didn't want her in our team" Christian didn't say anything.
"She is one of the best drivers out there Max. No doubts. But right now she is your number 1 contender for the championship" Christian said.
"Then we win that fair and square. Not like this" Max said in a very strict tone.
"Max..I'll make sure she receives a formal apology from our side. I promise" Christian said which made Max a bit calm.
