Roads of Redemption | F1 | Toto Wolff

03 | Walking in my shoes.

Valentina was in the motorhome, focused on preparing a memo while listening to some voice messages Sebastian had sent about their project. There were many details, and she wanted to jot down the best ideas to eventually create a detailed plan. She would need to define the stages, identify the most challenging tasks, and decide who to talk to, how to talk to them, and when.

She had the ability to handle multiple tasks at once. Her mind, as she often joked, was very noisy. She could be working on something, get interrupted by an urgent request, and then seamlessly return to her initial focus without missing a beat.

As she finished the memo and listened to the voice messages, she overheard Max and Checo's PR teams discussing their plans for the summer break. Checo planned to spend the period in Mexico with his family, while Max would split his time between Brazil and Monaco, engaging in activities with his girlfriend in her home country.

Valentina chuckled softly as she stood up and walked to the window of the motorhome and got lost at her thoughts began to wander. The distant sound of conversations and laughter around her made her recall the special moments she had experienced.

Alejandro bought a house for his family in the province of Lavalleja, in their family's home country. His intention was to give his mother a chance to reconnect with her roots and find the peace she had long sought. However, their father, with his traditional and inflexible point of view, interpreted this gesture as a direct challenge. To him, efforts should be focused solely on establishing roots in Spain, where they lived. But Alejandro and his sibling, with a more open and conciliatory perspective, believed it was possible to divide their hearts between both places, giving each equal meaning and importance.

During the first summer break after purchasing the house, the siblings decided to retreat there to escape the bustling European atmosphere before Nano had to return to training. Alejandro extended invitations to his race engineer and his wife, as well as two friends and their families. He also invited Toto, who had to decline due to pressing matters at headquarters in Brackley.

One afternoon, Valentina and Alejandro were sitting in the garden as she observed her baby brother, who seemed restless, gazing into the distance.

"It's a different pace here," Valentina remarked softly, breaking the silence.

Alejandro nodded, a slight smile on his lips. "Yes, it really is. Very different from what we're used to."

Valentina looked at him, sensing his unease. "It's been a while since you had a chance to slow down, hasn't it?"

Alejandro sighed, "Feels like a lifetime. Sometimes it seems like I'm living someone else's life."

Valentina offered a knowing look. "The constant demands, the pressure... it must be exhausting."

Alejandro glanced at her, his eyes reflecting a mix of fatigue and gratitude. "More than anyone can see from the outside. Sometimes, it feels like I'm carrying the weight of the world, and no one understands how heavy it really is."

"Exactly. No one sees what goes on behind the races, the public appearances. Everything looks so glamorous from the outside, but there's so much more happening behind the scenes.", she nodded.

Alejandro looked at Valentina with a faint smile, "Yes, that's it. Sometimes I wish people could see that."

"Here, you can be yourself. You can disconnect and remember the simple things that make you happy.", as she tried to comfort him.

Taking a deep breath and looking around, Alejandro said, "Maybe you're right. Maybe this place can help me find some of the peace I'm looking for."