Overdrive [C. LECLERC]

CHAPTER ONE

She needed someone to pinch her.

As in physically, because there was no way that the scenarios she would tirelessly play out in her head before bed were actually shaping into reality.

She didn't have the words, so instead, Nora sat there absolutely dumbfounded.

"I don't understand..."

Her manager, Manon, didn't know whether to laugh or roll her eyes at her client. "Nora, F1 has been tailing you and your account for ages... come on, you know this. I guess they like what they see, so they want you on board for the season."

Silence. No words could escape Nora's mouth even if she tried.

"This is a good thing! Scream! Jump?! Do something!" Manon concernedly half-yelled, not expecting a blank stare from the girl who sat opposite her. Not when she knew the girl had been dreaming of this exact offer for as long as she'd known her.

"I... Are you serious? Like, this isn't some sick joke?" Nora's voice was barely above a whisper, a stark contrast to her usual confident tone.

"I'm all for jokes any other day darling, but this is serious." Her agent replied to her with a firmness that brooked no argument. Manon's expression was earnest, her eyes locking onto Nora's with an intensity that underscored her words.

"Formula 1. The whole season." Manon continued in an attempt to bring Nora out of a never-ending blank stare.

Around approximately five minutes ago, Nora had assumed she was merely stepping into her agency's office for what she thought was their routine bi-weekly catch-up. These meetings had become a regular part of her schedule, a chance to review her progress, discuss new opportunities, and strategize for the future. After all, her relationship with the agency was one of practical necessity, a partnership she had sought out not out of ambition to become a full-time online influencer, but as a means to navigate the complexities of a burgeoning social media presence while juggling her work experience in broadcasting and media at Sky Sports F1.

When it came to her content creation, the sport had always been the driving force. Born out of pure boredom and the constant need to discuss whatever thought came to her mind, Nora started to share insights, updates and her own bits of analysis with the growing community of fans across various platforms. It was all so innocent – never did she think it would be a launching pad for her career and future.

As a girl in a predominantly male-dominated sport, Nora often felt her opinions were overlooked or undermined in traditional spaces. When she was much younger, every time she'd brought up the happenings of a Grand Prix weekend to her friends, the girls would scoff at the fact that she'd actually sat through 78 laps of the Monaco GP, whilst the boys questioned her knowledge of the sport to no end. This reality she'd lived only fueled her determination to create a platform that was not just about sharing her love for the sport, but challenging the status quo.

Turns out, her online presence became a beacon for other girls and women who shared her enthusiasm. She'd noticed this about a year ago, when her following had increased significantly and rather quickly. It was then that she thought for the need for professional guidance to manage the opportunities and challenges that came with her online visibility. Joining the agency was a strategic move, aimed at securing assistance for event coverage, sponsorships, and the myriad details she couldn't manage alone amidst her busy schedule.

Yet, never in her wildest dreams did Nora anticipate that this decision, born out of a need to streamline her career and passion projects, would catapult her into the epicentre of the Formula 1 world in such a dramatic fashion. This idea that her work from both at Sky Sports F1 and online, with the agency's support could open the door to an opportunity as monumental as covering the F1 season in its entirety was beyond her imagination.