Formula 1 | One Shots

War of the Worlds | Zhou Guanyu

Author's Note: This storyline was requested by reader: ghettuanle

Done in 3rd person POV.
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"Thank you all for coming team! We have an exciting announcement ahead of the start of this season!"

Zhou restlessly leaned back, waiting for his Team Principal to reveal what the big announcement was. He hoped he would finally know which driver would be the Audi second seat along with himself since Valterri left. Whispers and rumors were flying everywhere, but he just wanted to know the guy who would be his teammate. 

Zhou heard the name Leon across his teams headquarters multiple times. He heard that he was an F2 champion and outranked all his competition. Zhou was excited to work with someone so talented, now that Audi was performing well and had a car comparable to its competition. He heard Leon was twenty-four and was from the UK. 

"With that, I'd like to introduce Leon Clarke our newest Audi driver. I'd love to welcome her in to say a few words."

Everyone clapped with excitement now that the second driver was finally relieved. Everyone but Zhou, he was about to when he realized what was just said. Did he just say 'her?' Surely he must have heard wrong. 

The double doors to the auditorium dramatically opened, revealing a small raven haired figure. She exuded confidence as she strutted up to the podium. Her skin tan lightly tanned, eyes fierce as she cleared her throat. The entire room was silent, all assuming the same as Zhou, expecting her to be a man.

Nope he wasn't wrong. His Team Principal said her. 

"Hello everyone, my name's Leonie, Leon for short. It's a pleasure to be here and live my dream of racing in Formula One. I know each and everyone of you makes a difference to this team, and I'm proud to be a part of the Audi family. I plan on giving it my absolute best on the track and bringing this team the glory it deserve. I'm looking forward to working with my teammate, and learning so much from him. As the first woman in F1, I'm honored to be making history under the German and British flag. Thank you all!"

Zhou scoffed under his breath. This is the direction Audi wanted to go into? Brining a female onto the grid? He couldn't believe it. He went from excited to have a new teammate, to threatened that the first female on the grid, who was still the second seat, would outshine him. He wouldn't let her, he was determined to be the best and nothing would get in his way.

 As everyone clapped for Leon, the announcement had come to an end and everyone was heading out. 

"Zhou! Hi! I'm so honored to be working with yo-"

"Listen. I am here to finally get podiums and wins, with this newly improved team. I've been at the back of the grid for too many seasons and now's our chance. Got it? I'm not here to be friends or 'show you the ropes.' We're rivals and that's all. I can't believe Audi even hired a girl. Stay out of my way."

"But what abo-"

Zhou didn't give Leon the chance to finish as he stormed off and to the parking lot. He'd had a long day and this news drained the life out of him. Maybe he was too harsh on her, but he had no choice. He'd seen her records, she was talented and he refused to let her work her charm on him to steal the first seat title. 

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Testing came and went and the season was finally starting up in Bahrain. Tensions were high for the Audi duo, ever since Leon had been introduced to the team. She tried her best to have Zhou warm up to her, only to be ignored and humiliated in the process. She went from being kind to eventually hardening towards him, resenting him for not even giving her a chance.