THE ROOKIE driver ✔

Chapter 9: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

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"Matteo, there's been a lot of buzz about the incident with Antonio at the Spanish Grand Prix," the reporter began, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. The Canadian Grand Prix was just days away, but it seemed like everyone was still fixated on the events in Spain. "Can you walk us through what happened from your side?"

Matteo shifted in his seat, his expression a mix of frustration and fatigue. "It was a really tough race, especially with the rain making the track incredibly slippery. I was trying to overtake Antonio, and in a split second, I lost grip on my tires. We made contact, and he ended up hitting the barriers. It was an unfortunate situation, and I feel terrible about it."

Another reporter jumped in, clearly eager to dig deeper. "We saw the footage of you running over to Antonio after the crash and it looked like he pushed you. What was going through your mind during that encounter?"

Matteo's face darkened slightly as he recalled the confrontation. "When I got out of my car, my first concern was to check on Antonio. I was genuinely worried about his condition. When I got there, he was understandably upset—emotions were running high. Things got heated, and he pushed me. It was a tough moment for both of us."

A third reporter chimed in, probing further. "Do you think this incident has created a permanent rift between you and Antonio? How do you view your relationship with him now?"

Matteo took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "I really hope not. Antonio and I have been teammates for a relatively short time, but I've always had a lot of respect for him. Racing can be extremely intense, and when something like this happens, it's easy for feelings to get out of hand. I'm more focused on moving forward and hoping that we can put this behind us."

The questions continued, each one peeling back another layer of the emotional aftermath. "You've mentioned the challenging conditions at Spain, but how much did the weather contribute to the incident? Could the crash have been avoided under different conditions?"

Matteo rubbed his temples, trying to remain composed. "The weather definitely played a big role. The track was extremely slippery, and visibility was poor. It's hard to say if it could have been avoided entirely, but it certainly made everything more difficult. It was a combination of factors—the rain, the slick surface, and the tight racing."

Another reporter, shifting gears slightly, asked, "How has the crash affected your mindset leading into the Canadian Grand Prix? Are you feeling extra pressure to perform?"

Matteo nodded "Absolutely. The crash has been weighing on me, and it's definitely added some pressure. I feel like I have a lot to prove, not just to myself but to the team. I'm trying to use that pressure positively, channeling it into my performance and focusing on doing my best here in Canada."

A different reporter added, "There have been some concerns about your physical condition. You've lost a bit of weight recently. Is there any specific reason for that? Are you feeling okay physically?"

Matteo's jaw tightened, and he forced a small smile. "It's part of the nature of the sport. Weight can fluctuate, especially during a busy season. It's nothing to be overly concerned about. I'm feeling fine physically, and I'm focused on getting back to my best."

As the reporters scribbled away, another question came up. "How are you managing the pressure and expectations from the team and fans? Has this incident changed how you handle stress and media scrutiny?"

Matteo sighed deeply "It's been a lot to handle, and yes, this incident has definitely changed how I approach things. I'm trying to stay grounded and focus on what I can control. The pressure from the team and fans is always there, but I'm learning to manage it better and use it as motivation rather than letting it overwhelm me."