For as long as she could remember, Eilana Santos had looked up to Ayrton Senna as her inspiration, his face etched into her vision and her father reminded her that the man was the king of Brazilian racing. Since him, only one Brazilian Formula 1 rac...
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2007 - Australia
"I don't like that I can't see Uncle Micky anymore," Eilana Santos complained.
The heat of Australia didn't get to her as much as other people, though she was a little frustrated that she was having to deal with change. For as long as she could remember, it had been Michael Schumacher at her father's side but now he wasn't. While Michael actively made time to visit his goddaughter and Miguel brought Eilana to see his so Mick, it wasn't the same to the young girl.
"I know but at least it is Kimi, yes?" Miguel soothed as he held her hand tightly.
"I like Kimi," Eilana mumbled. "It's just different."
"Things change, Lana. You know that, you're old enough to know that," Miguel added.
"I know that. I just do not like it—"
"What do you not like?" The voice of Kimi was a mumble as he jogged up to walk next to Eilana. "What?"
"She is sad about Michael being replaced by you," Miguel explained with a laugh.
"I can leave then?" Kimi suggested in a joking tone.
As they got to the driver's room, Eilana's head began to droop slightly as she fell onto the chair. She often got tired after being around too much noise, especially since she was still young and getting used to everything. Her brain just got too overloaded trying to hear the different voices.
"She looks exhausted," Kimi commented lightly. "Why, it is still early in the day?"
"She's been getting headaches from her hearing problems, I've taken her to a lot of doctors but they all say it's not something they can help or fix," Miguel replied sadly. "She is coping but being in the paddock is tiring for her, I do not know how to help."
"It's not your fault, Miguel," Kimi assured. "There is nothing you did wrong. She doesn't let it get to her, does she?"
"No," Miguel sniffled. "No. She's still doing what she wants to do."
"Then why worry?"
"Because she's my child, that's what I have to do," Miguel smiled.
"Buy her ear defenders," Kimi suggested after a moment. "The little kids have them for the noise. Buy them for her. You both know sign language and I can learn it for her too."
