Turbulence [𝗠.𝗩.]

♦ Australia, Race Day ♦

Tory Torpedo and Bomber Bond comparing notes in the paddock, wonder who their victim will be? Fingers crossed it's Verstappen - @Forever44

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AUSTRALIA
3RD RACE OF THE SEASON
APRIL

"Radio check."

"Loud enough to burst my eardrums, Mateo."

"I can whisper if you like."

I appreciate the joke. After qualifying, I wasn't happy. P13, which means my average starting position is already looking pretty poor. The chat with Mick last night helped me to get at least some of the shit out of my head. I was initially sceptical, thanks to what Fernando had said weeks ago, but Mick had a good point too: We are teammates, we support each other as much as we race each other.

He had plenty of advice on what I should do, and I'll admit it wasn't what I expected, but it did line up with what George was trying to push me to do: get my head out of my arse and race when on the track, but leave the shit that happens there, there. Don't carry it, let others cause drama if they want.

It's easier said than done, but it doesn't matter right now. The lights flicking to life ahead of me, the feel of the engine rumbling, wanting to be unleashed, the way the car lurches as the race begins... that's what matters.

We're flying into the first corner, and I fight to maintain my spot, unable to put the pressure on Albon ahead of me. Before we can really get going though, the flags are out. Behind us, Charles Lerclerc and Lance Stroll have had a collision, and the Monegasque is out. The safety car doesn't stay out for too long though, and we're off again. I try to overtake Ricciardo at the start of turn 3, and chaos erupts. I see a Williams, vaguely, within a cloud of smoke, rolling back into the track as I dive right, the same way everyone else is, to avoid hitting the stranded car, but getting gravel peppering our floors.

The safety car comes out. Not long after, we're all returning to the pit lane under a red flag due to the debris and gravel on the track. I hadn't pitted during the earlier safety car, but under the rules, I get to while the flag is up. Mateo decides it's best we go for hard tyres, and with the right management, I won't need to pit again.

I hop out of my car and head to the pit wall, where the team is, Mick follows. We both want to take the chance to talk strategy with our engineers.

"I'll have fresh hards, with Webb up my arse. This isn't ideal." But then nor is restarting the race on anything less than fresh tyres. I'll have the time to at least break them in under the safety car before we do the grid start. It might be better for me to trust Mateo rather than my own conflicted mind.

"Haas are struggling today." Mateo speaks with a firm tone, absolutely sure of himself. He has to be, but he's not the one out there in the car. I will have Webb trying to overtake at the first chance he gets. "They aren't saying it directly over the radio, but it looks like suspension issues to us."

"That's dangerous." If their cars are suffering that kind of issue, they should have pitted and retired them.

Mateo shrugs as I overhead someone telling Oliver the race will be resumed in a few minutes. "Could be manageable for all we know. Either way, they will be slower than you."

"Any damage from the gravel?"

"None."

Good.

The restart is smooth, and as I fight to hold off James, I'm losing time. The gap between myself and Yuki Tsunoda grows with each lap. My eyes check my mirrors at every corner, watching for a sign of which way Webb is going to attack. Twice he tries to feint me with a dummy move. I almost take the bait each time because I'm so desperate to keep my place, but Mateo keeps reminding me to stay calm, stay focused.