Collision Course

Chapter Seven: The Preparations

- Leo -

The first rays of sunlight were just beginning to break over the English countryside as I laced up my running shoes. The air was cool and crisp, a typical morning here in Woking. The stillness of dawn was one of the few times the world seemed to slow down, offering a moment of calm before the day's demands took over. And in this line of work, those moments were rare and valuable.

I stepped out of my flat, feeling the chill of the early morning air against my skin. The quiet streets of the small town were a stark contrast to the glamorous chaos of Monte Carlo, but I relished the change of pace. Here, it was just me and the road, nothing but the rhythm of my footsteps and the thoughts of the upcoming race.

I started down a familiar route, the path winding through tree-lined streets and eventually opening up to a trail that cut through a patch of woods. The ground was damp from a recent rain, the scent of earth and wet leaves filling the air. Running had always been my way of getting into the right headspace—an opportunity to clear my mind and focus on the challenge ahead. And Barcelona was a challenge I was eager to take on.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was a track that required finesse and strategy. It wasn't just about speed; it was about precision, about finding the perfect balance between aggression and control. As I ran, I visualized the track in my mind—the sharp turns, the long straights, the subtle undulations in the asphalt that could make or break a lap time.

After a solid hour of running, I returned to my flat, breathing deeply as I let the adrenaline slowly taper off. The sun was fully up now, casting a soft light over the town. I headed inside, feeling a hunger building as the physical exertion of the run settled in.

In the kitchen, I opened the fridge and grabbed a pre-prepped meal—a bowl of overnight oats, mixed with fresh berries, almonds, and a drizzle of honey. Simple, but packed with the energy I needed to kickstart the day. I sat down at the kitchen table, the quiet of the flat enveloping me as I ate. The oats were cool and refreshing, the perfect counterbalance to the workout that was to come.

Every bite was deliberate, part of a routine honed over years of training. Nutrition was as much a part of my regimen as any physical workout—fueling my body with exactly what it needed to perform at its peak. As I finished my breakfast, I felt the familiar surge of energy that came from knowing I was treating my body right.

With my hunger satisfied, I quickly changed into my workout gear and headed straight to my home gym, where Marco, my trainer, was already waiting.

"Morning, champ," Marco greeted with a nod. His expression was serious, focused. There was no small talk with Marco—just the work that needed to be done.

"Morning," I replied, already stretching out my muscles in preparation for the session.

Today's workout was grueling—a mix of strength training and endurance exercises designed to push my limits. We focused on core stability, upper body strength, and the endurance I would need to handle the G-forces and physical strain of a two-hour race. Marco was relentless, pushing me through every set, every rep, until my muscles burned and sweat dripped from my brow.

"Come on, Leo, give me two more," Marco urged as I finished a set of heavy deadlifts, his voice steady, encouraging.

I gritted my teeth and powered through, feeling the strain in my legs and back but refusing to stop. This was where races were won—here in the grind, in the hours of preparation that no one saw. Every moment of effort now would pay off when I was behind the wheel.

Once we wrapped up the session, I downed a protein shake and headed for the shower, letting the hot water soothe my aching muscles. But even as I stood under the spray, my mind was already shifting gears, preparing for the day ahead. I had work to do at the McLaren Technology Centre, where every detail of the car and the upcoming race would be scrutinized.