Turbulence [𝗠.𝗩.]

Singapore, Pre-Race

GPDA STATEMENT: On the subject of the FIA's consideration of accepting bids for a 12th team to be included in Formula 1. Please read our statement in full at this link. - @GPDA

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SINGAPORE
15TH RACE WEEKEND OF THE SEASON TOMORROW
SEPTEMBER

I follow Mick into the large meeting room. The black, metal, collapsible chairs are all set in rows for us to pick from. The atmosphere is tense already, and the meeting hasn't even started yet.

Lewis, George and James are sat together. Lewis seems like he wants to be anywhere but here. George and James have stern expressions etched into their faces.

Mick leads me over to where Fernando, Sebastian and Kimi are sat together. Fernando taps the empty seat next to him as he calls out to me. I have to sit there now, rather than over with Oscar or Liam. I hold back a sigh and do that, whilst Mick sits down next to Sebastian.

"This is going to be fun!" Fernando's accent makes the lift in his teasing tone go higher, almost giving it an edge of sarcasm that could rival my dad on some days.

"I take it this is because we're not happy about another team? Or is it because of next year's calendar?" I ask cautiously, looking around as the last few drivers wander in. Max and Daniel sit as far away from the Mercedes duo as they can. Oscar sticks to Lando, and Carlos joins them. Charles goes over to the Red Bull pair. A few F2 and reserve drivers make their way in as everyone gets started.

We don't have much say in anything, as a union of drivers, but it exists because of Senna's and Ratzenberger's deaths. And right now, with all that's happened these past few years in terms of safety and near-misses, we might have to start trying to throw some weight around. Threaten to boycott media events and such.

I zone out as the FIA's statement is read out to everyone. I've heard it already. Most of us have. They have accepted a series of bids for consideration, but they've made no such decision on altering point allocations. They're even considering pre-qualifying making a return, which could spell disaster in terms of organising race weekends. It could even force some teams to go under if they can't make it to actual qualifying.

George speaks up first. He's bringing up safety, and Lance - who has come and joined us - pipes up with talk of Dilano. George presses ahead, agreeing and reiterating concerns we've all had about the wet tyres and how poor they've been, along with the shocking conditions we're sometimes made to race in. There are some disagreements, and I'm not surprised that Max is shaking his head. He thrives in the wet weather. Not all of us do, though.

Finally, though, I decide we need to focus on the real problem, right as George mentions that with two extra cars, tracks like Spa will become a death trap.

"We really need to start pushing the FIA." I feel pins and needles creep up my neck as all eyes turn to me for interrupting George. Beside me, Fernando is nodding, seemingly agreeing with me. "I mean— not that I'm ungrateful for this year, but after our TP spoke to Vowles, it became clear that most of the teams are struggling financially. And we're one of them, even with our results.

Shit, look at Alpine. They had a few bad races, and sure, I'm not entirely sorry Otmar is gone but look how they did it. The way management have been ruthless this year shows that teams are bleeding. This isn't sustainable. We need to make it clear that there's no way, as it stands, that another team can be here. Fuck, I actually feel bad for the damage my team has done by existing. But they never tell you that. They never let you see that side of things. I know nobody wants to come out and go 'Hey, my team is gonna go bankrupt' but we have to say something more powerful than just 'Wah, point allocation'. They clearly don't give a flying fuck about safety, so lets make it about the money."

I feel like I've not made any kind of point. I've just said my unfiltered thoughts because people were watching me with expectant expressions. I want to sink into my chair and vanish. I want to leave the room.

"We're running at a loss." James says, drawing attention off me. Thank fuck. "I mean, I might not get a contract purely because they can't afford to pay me. We need the prize allocation to change, so teams can earn enough to reinvest in the sport. Jess has a brilliant point. We should hit their pockets by making it public knowledge that teams are still suffering after the pandemic nearly threw a bunch of them under."

"I can ask my dad to say something." Lance adds, already on his phone. "I mean, I can ask if he wants to say something. He's not happy with the way they aren't even asking the team owners about this, they're just looking over bids and then they'll throw it at the FOM to handle. Pretty shitty, if you ask me."

Murmurs of agreement ripple through everyone. Even Max nods, half-shrugging.

I find my voice again without meaning to. "What if we try again to talk to our TPs? I'm sure we can get them to agree to back us up again. I know the first time kinda fizzled out, but now that we have a more strategic plan for pushing back, maybe they'll be inclined to help properly this time? And if Lance can get his dad to say something, other owners might speak up, hell — if Toto says something, that's two owners speaking out. It might start a ripple. Even a small one."

"We don't really have a plan, Jess." George starts, but Sebastian interrupts him.

"We do, George. We arrange a statement, which you and the other directors can sort out. You're good with words, you'll know exactly what to say." Sebastian gestures vaguely as he talks, his voice confident but not pointed. It's still warm, as if we're talking amongst friends, rather than having a meeting that could become heated at any moment, given we all have wildly differing opinions. "Lance can speak with his father, whilst we all speak to our teams about emphasising the financial cost, the risks of seeing others fall out of the sport. If there's one thing we can count on, its that for all their talk, the team principals have as much respect for each other as we drivers do amongst ourselves."

I watch George as he nods, understanding flickering across his face. "Alright. I'll get to work with the others. We do need to shift gears for now, though. Tyre deg is still a pretty big issue..."

I feel Fernando reach around and clap my shoulder, half-hugging me, gently shaking me as well. "You're a clever one, eh?"

A blush fueled by embarrassment at receiving a compliment - a nervous reaction that annoys me - fills my cheeks. "Thanks."