Yesterday was a whirlwind. I had flown from London to Bahrain with Zak Brown and Lando. The private jet was luxurious, but the real highlight was spending that time with Lando. His easygoing nature made the hours fly by, and Zak was just as engaging, sharing stories about the team and the upcoming season. By the time we landed, I felt like I'd already been immersed in the F1 world for days.
The Bahrain sun was blazing as I arrived at the track for my first F1 media day. The heat was relentless, and the paddock buzzed with the sound of cameras clicking and journalists shouting. I was a bundle of nerves, trying to stay calm amidst the excitement. I tried to weave my way through the photographers, following Lando so as not to get lost. Everyone was eager for a photo opportunity. Lando was easy to spot in his papaya orange top, while I had donned my best outfit, which was clearly turning heads.
My first interview was with a major motorsport journalist.
"Blair, welcome to Formula 1! How are you finding your first media day?" he asked.
"It's been intense, but it's been amazing," I replied. "The McLaren team has been incredibly supportive, and I'm really excited to start this new chapter."
The journalist continued, "What's been the biggest challenge so far?"
"Getting used to the F1 car has been the toughest part," I admitted. "But it's also the most exciting. Every day is a learning experience."
As the day progressed, I moved on to the fan zone. The platform was set up for us to interact with fans, throw out McLaren caps, and answer their questions. The crowd was buzzing with energy, especially for Lando, who was clearly the crowd favorite.
While tossing McLaren caps into the crowd, I spotted a little girl holding a sign that read "Go Blair!" My heart warmed at the sight. I made my way over to her.
"Hi there!" I said, kneeling down. "I saw your sign. Thanks for supporting me!"
Her eyes lit up. "Can I get a picture with you?"
"Of course!" I said. We snapped a photo together, and I handed her my McLaren cap. Her joy made my day.
Later, Lando took me to meet and chat with other drivers. Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Alex Albon, and George Russell were all very friendly and offered valuable advice.
Charles Leclerc: "How's your first media day going?"
Blair: "It's intense but great. I'm soaking it all in."
Charles Leclerc: "You'll get used to it. If you need anything, just ask."
Max Verstappen: "You're going to do well. Just stay focused."
After the fan interactions, Lando showed me around the McLaren facilities. His relaxed and easygoing attitude helped ease my nerves.
Lando Norris: "Come on, let me show you around. This is the driver's lounge. It's where we chill between sessions."
The lounge was sleek, filled with comfortable seating and racing memorabilia.
Blair: "It's awesome! I didn't expect it to be this cool."
He led me down some stairs next to the lounge and we arrived in front of two doors, one with his name and the other with mine.
Lando Norris: "Yeah, it's a great spot. And here's your room for the weekend. It's all set up. Feel free to make yourself at home."
He opened the door to my room. It was a small but cozy space with a closet full of shirts bearing my name and number. The decor was simple but inviting, with a bench to rest on and a fridge stocked with snacks.
Blair: "Thanks, Lando. This is amazing!"
We spent some time hanging out, playing video games, and talking. His easygoing nature helped me relax and feel more at ease.
As I was winding down, I checked my phone and saw a message from Kimi:
Kimi: "Hey Blair! Just wanted to say congrats on your first media day. I'm in the Mercedes garage and excited to see how you do this season."
Blair: "Thanks, Kimi! I appreciate the support. It means a lot, and I'm excited for the season to kick off!"
I noticed a notification from Kyra. She had followed me and liked one of my Instagram stories. I felt a warm rush of support and decided to follow her back.
The rest of the evening was spent familiarizing myself with the McLaren garage. The car was impressive, and the engineers were enthusiastic, explaining every detail.
Engineer: "Blair, this is the latest version of the McLaren MCL60. We've made several improvements for this season. We're excited to see how you handle it."
Blair: "It looks incredible. I'm eager to get behind the wheel and see how it performs."
The engineers explained the car's features and upgrades with enthusiasm, which made me feel even more eager to get on track.
I noticed a notification from Kyra. She had followed me and liked one of my Instagram stories. I felt a warm rush of support and decided to follow her back.
Kyra: "Loved your stories! Hope media day is going well. Can't wait to see you in action!"
Feeling encouraged, I tapped out a quick reply:
Blair: "Thanks, Kyra! It's been a crazy day, but it's been amazing. Looking forward to catching up soon!"
The rest of the evening was spent familiarizing myself with the McLaren garage. The car was impressive, and the engineers were enthusiastic, explaining every detail.
The final event of the day was a brief press conference where Zak and I fielded questions about the upcoming season. Zak's easy demeanor helped calm my nerves as I fielded questions about my expectations and goals for the year.
Zak Brown: "Blair's been settling in great. We're excited to see what she brings to the team this season."
By the end of the day, despite the heat and the flurry of activities, I felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. With the support from my team, the fans, and friends like Kyra and Kimi, I was ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
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Breaking the Grid
Fanfiction"I don't get it," she says softly. "Why would you choose someone like me? There are so many out there who could give you what you truly deserve."
