Turbulence [𝗠.𝗩.]

Mexico, Pre-Race

GPDA Statement: On the topic of Andretti's comments about F1 team leadership and certain F1 drivers. Please read our statement in full at this link. - @GPDA

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MEXICO
19TH RACE WEEKEND OF THE SEASON
OCTOBER

George didn't tell me until two hours before the next meeting.

It turns out Andretti has continued making comments about the teams, and in private, his more scathing remarks about specific team principals have ruffled feathers. All of it is slowly coming to light, but the GPDA want to hold onto some of the proof they have. Just in case.

As for why George wanted me to leave something to him... he was chatting with Toto while I was texting him. I had basically fed information straight to him.

All in all, it means the tug-of-war between the current grid and Michael Andretti will only rage on, likely past the season end. I don't feel like budging on my position, and Oliver clearly won't after what Mick and I have said about it. I don't doubt Mercedes don't want to budge either.

My phone goes off; I look down at it to see the text I've been waiting for whilst all this drama has been kicking off.

Vershtoppan (Max);
Got some.
When do you have to have it ready?

I have to hide my smile, because I'm with Mick right now. I've decided to go for a few extras to add to his present. But the photos will be the most important part. Something to smile at. Hopefully. I'm well aware it might backfire and instead make him feel worse, but I'm hoping it comes across more as a reason to still look back at the past with fondness.

The other gift is an attempt to help him look forward. To his own future. Out of the two of us, although he's scored less points this season, he has been the more consistent driver. No, he hasn't touched the podium, he hasn't regularly finished in the points, but he's had consistency. I haven't. He's got all the markings of being a great driver in his own right.

I nudge Mick as we head into our hospitality unit. This is a unique place to race: we are at altitude. High altitude. The air is so thin up here, you can feel the struggle just by briskly walking, or trying to run up stairs. This is going to be hard on the cars, as the thin air won't move how we want it to. Even with all the training we go through, to race here is a challenge in itself. I've been here before, to watch a race, but that's different to actually driving a damn car around here.

It's not as if we're so high up that we need oxygen tanks, it's just a minor change. But it's enough that you're yawning a lot, tired after a quick jog down to the garages.

As we settle in for free practice, there's all kinds of troubles. The anti-stall keeps kicking in, but it turns out there's just a software problem. The handful of rookies being fielded for the session by other teams are having similar troubles. Poor Theo Pourchaire hasn't even been able to properly enjoy a lap in the car.

I spend as much of the session adjusting to the light air and how the car wants to act because of it. It's very different, but I can handle it after about twenty minutes. This is a slower circuit than others, so I have to make sure I'm not trying too hard when I push, or I'll slide right off the track.

We change the tyres, to see how the softs will feel, and holy hell am I flying around this track. Understeer tries to rip me off the track at turn 6, and I have to fight the wheel briefly for control. It's not as bad as it could be, though. Pourchaire is still in the garage, according to Mateo. He won't get out for the last few minutes of this session.

I've not failed to take notice of how some of the guys are doing. Frankly, I'm surprised to see them handling the cars so well. It's a reminder that I'm lucky: Jaguar could have tried to poach any of them in my place. They could have decided not to sign me or Cassandra.

Overall, the session ends nice and quietly. In the following hours, I'm in various meetings and conference calls as the geniuses back at the factory give us here at the track their suggestions and setup plans that they think will see improved results. I went a bit too hard in some of the right turns, but it doesn't matter too badly, because I was first out on the test tyres that Pirelli have given us two sets of for today.

I slip away before we have to go back to the garages to make a few calls. My plan for Mick's present needs to be done quickly, and be FIA compliant. Thankfully, I've got my dad in on this. He's quick to tell me that he's sure it'll be ready soon, and definitely in time for the Vegas GP. It just needs a visor installation and come quick checks. Then he'll get it to me himself after mum's packed it and wrapped it.

Because like hell am I letting my dad wrap Christmas presents. He's terrible at it.

After the call, I dash off to the garage, because there will be a long old queue to get out for the next session. And there is. It takes a while to get moving, but after a few minutes, ever single car is out. The track is packed as some are warming up their tyres and others are just taking is careful

And then the clouds come over us. Shit. Rain at high altitude doesn't—

It's raining. It's light, but it's here.

"Got some rain over here."

"Copy."

I look up again, very briefly, down the straight, and holy hell that cloud looks bad. My tyres should be fine, they're nice and hot, but if that dark cloud does decide to dump all that water on our heads, it's going to be a mad dash to the pits to wait it out and stay dry. Or dry off, if you're midway through the track when it happens.

And if it does become a downpour, at least this is only ten minutes into the session.

Ignoring the ominous cloud, I try to set some faster times. Using the second set of testing tyres is worth it: it means I'm not using my allotment of the others. The only risk is that we don't get enough data for others.. And that's why I'm called in to have some fresh mediums chucked on, for data gathering.

I'm glad for the call in, because Carlos goes around the car, and pulls something off that he comes back around to show me: someone's tear-off got stuck to my car. That could skew data. Or get stuck inside the car and cause hell.

The medium tyres get up to temperature nice and quickly; the rain seems to be nothing more than a few drops here and there. Understeer once again strikes at turn 6, and I have an easier time getting it to fucking stop. With half an hour left, I'm called back in for softs.

There's an air of confidence in the garage as I pull in. We might finally have a good weekend.