The Last Grand Prix | Toto Wolff

Chapter two

Where the windows are breathing in the light

Where the rooms are a collection of our lives

This is a place where I don't feel alone

This is a place that I call my home

That Home - The Cinematic Orchestra

364 Days Earlier.

First Day.

In the past two months, the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team had made what many called a true "sweep" of the competition, a strategy that not only challenged Red Bull on the track but also behind the scenes. Determined to strengthen its team with the best available talent, Mercedes took advantage of every contractual loophole to recruit top engineers and specialists, reshaping the balance of power in the paddock.

For Katrin, if all went well, this would be the golden opportunity she had longed for since returning to England. After years dedicated to Red Bull, she had decided to leave the team to experience her pregnancy in a healthier and more peaceful way—a difficult choice that took her back to her hometown, Heidelberg. There, she sought refuge, slowly rebuilding what she could while preparing her heart for the arrival of her child.

Now, returning to England meant much more than a professional restart; it was the chance to give Lenny the treatment he needed, regardless of the cost or sacrifice required. London offered access to cutting-edge medical resources that would be crucial for her son's recovery. Moreover, being in England meant being closer to her support network, something she had missed while living alone in Germany, dealing with isolation and uncertainty.

Because, back then, she believed she could bear the weight of everything. But perhaps—just perhaps—she had not yet realized how silently crushing that weight could be.

— James, I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity — Katrin said, settling into the chair across from Vowles, trying to keep her voice steady.

James leaned forward slightly with a polite smile, but his eyes betrayed a mix of curiosity and evaluation.

— Katrin, I must admit your choice intrigued me — he began, maintaining a carefully formal tone. — With your experience, accepting a junior position is, to say the least, unexpected. And, I should add, your only request is quite unusual. Normally, we receive a long list of conditions to negotiate.

Katrin took a deep breath, considering her words before responding.

— I understand your surprise, James... — she said, choosing each word carefully. — I've been out of the market for two years, which certainly leaves me a bit out of date compared to some of the top names you've already hired—or are planning to hire.

She paused briefly, gauging his reaction before continuing.

— And, to be frank, the only requirement I made—to always be available for any need of my godson—is not exactly well-regarded in many places. My last company... let's just say the culture was not welcoming to mothers, much less to someone in my situation. — Katrin paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. — And as much as I love my profession, my sport, nothing is more important than my godson.

James observed her in silence for a few moments, sensing the strength hidden behind her apparent vulnerability. For him—as well as for the senior team members involved in the recruitment process, including Toto—it was intriguing to see someone of her caliber accept those conditions. But, at the same time, it made sense... at least to those capable of seeing beyond the bubble of well-established men in their roles, who ignored how unequal the opportunities were for someone in her position.