Turbulence [𝗠.𝗩.]

Belgium, Qualifying

BREAKING F1 NEWS: Otmar Szafnauer FIRED by Alpine! More sackings expected TODAY! MAJOR reshuffle going on at Alpine this week! - @F1TeaTime

My oh my, what an interesting day, wouldn't you say, @WilliamsRacing? - @JaguarF1

@JaguarF1 Indeed it is! I wonder how @AstonMartinF1 are doing? - @WilliamsRacing

@JaguarF1 @WilliamsRacing Is it wrong to say we're in a partying mood? - @AstonMartinF1

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BELGIUM
12TH RACE WEEKEND OF THE SEASON - 3RD SPRINT WEEKEND
JULY

I don't want to be here.

Not while it's raining.

Not with the amount of questions I've had to field about the last time I was here.

Mick has been at my side every minute he's able to, and he's been a lifesaver through this. Max's support has been everything to me as well. I know I shouldn't be afraid of this stupid track, but it's the bad one. The one that's cost at least three lives in the past decade. It's almost cost more than that, because of that one fucking corner.

Vershtoppan (Max);
Quick coffee?

Jahsica (Me);
Can't. Oliver wants us in
team meetings.

I'm still knackered from yesterday's run - my legs are aching from such a long run in such cold weather - but the pain is a good motivator and a good distraction. It's temporary, and my fear will be temporary as well. I will make it disappear. I will conquer this track.

It will not beat me.

The meetings go by as if this is all part of the season. No change. Not once is my last visit here mentioned. All eyes are on the fact this is a sprint weekend, but that despite the lack of the regular free practice sessions, we are likely to be given intermediate and wet tyres, which means we won't be wasting slicks. However, if the weather does not clear up, we'll be at a disadvantage if we waste the inters. They aren't given to us in an infinite supply.

As I head to my car, I spot Claire. She gives me a thumbs up, which I return as I get into the car, which has yet to be fitted with either the blue or green marked tyres.

"Radio check." Is the first thing I say once I have my steering wheel in and the electronics up and running.

"Loud and clear."

"What tyres are we thinking?"

"Inters for now. Watching the others first... Albon out on inters... Hamilton on wets."

"We should go for wets."

"Might be best."

The mechanics move around, pulling out the tyres and fitting them to the car. Going for wets is the best move, since I'll do an exploratory lap first. It'll be slow, because the wets aren't allowed to be in blankets. Once I'm out, heading onto the track, it's a slow crawl around the circuit, as Hamilton flies past me on his wets, kicking up insane amounts of spray.

"It's bad out here. What's the forecast?"

"More rain."

"Great." I don't hide the bitterness as I crawl past that turn, onto the long straight. I have to keep moving to the side for the few other drivers that are braving the conditions. Those that aren't? Well, they're watching how we all go.