Here and Beyond

Free Practices in Saudi Arabia

CHAPTER 19
Free Practices in Saudi Arabia

"I just talked to Toto about the McLaren Unboxed thing," Nikkola declared when she entered my driver's room. She's sporting a somewhat peaceful expression, indicating that she has her way of controlling the situation, "He's willing to delay it. Toto told me to inform you that he will talk to them about it and you don't need to worry." 

"And what did you say the reason was?" I inquisitively remarked, because there was no way Toto would just let it be without a valid reason. 

"I told him you wanted to focus first, plus, your press conference with him helped. He thinks that whatever it was that puts the two of you on the line vanished..." 

I laughed, "You know it's not true. I've been telling people we're civil and yet on track he couldn't do anything but push my buttons," I always find myself watching the interviews after practices or in my free time, and believing that people must think I am a liar for being all denial but when the second he's breathing down my neck I immediately snap. 

The media day yesterday was, fortunately, a success for all of us. I managed to keep all the eye-rolling to myself and barely hold my tongue in my mouth unless it was a necessary question. Some reporters asked me about the car and I told them the truth, nevertheless, I also informed them that there might be changes coming. When I went to Twitter last night, I saw speculations about upgrades, which I don't know if it will happen soon. Although it was a successful media day for me, for my second race, there were instances when I wanted to tell them off and say bad things to mess up the harmony between the six of us. Especially when I asked about avoiding looking at him, which I almost rolled my eyes on. 

"That's on you and him, for sure," Nyla Nikkola nodded at the race suit and balaclava on the table, "You should find a way to balance it out, or else Drive to Survive would villainize you this season," I chuckled. 

"As if I care," standing up from my seat and proceeding to suit up and prepare just like she gestured moments ago. 

My cousin exited the room while I changed into the preferred outfit of Formula One and FIA. Hurrying up, I left my hair down and put only a lip gloss for my make-up. Fortunately, when I looked in the mirror I saw my prepared and polished reflection. Colors are brought back to my face, either by the little tap I made on my cheeks and biting my lips down or the tinted gloss I swiped on it. 

Exiting my driver's room, I made certain it was locked and could only be accessed by chosen people in our team, specifically Nyla, Grace, Saeri, and my relatives; also known as, Toto and Susie Wolff. When I moved to the open space where most people gathered, I saw my race engineer and she was talking to my uncle and aunt. 

"What's up?" I asked. 

"Great, you're here," she greeted me. I walked up to Auntie Susie's side and gave her a warm embrace. She whispered a little good luck in my ears along with the lines of crushing it, not crashing. I smiled heartily at her remark and gave her a brief nod. Next thing I know my arms are around my Uncle Toto's shoulders, "Nervous?" 

"Not at all," I denied after withdrawing from our hug. 

Saeri interjected in our small conversation, "As much as I would like to let you three talk about the weather, we need Maxime on the pit," she reminded us while pointing at the wall clock near us. It says four in the afternoon and exactly thirty minutes from now the Free Practice 1 of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be held.