Breaking the Grid

Rain

I head back to the paddock, where the hum of engines and chatter of the teams fills the air. It's race day, and everyone's in their zone, preparing for what's ahead. As I walk through, I exchange nods with a few engineers and wave at a couple of familiar faces. The paddock has a life of its own on race days, a mixture of tension, excitement, and anticipation.

I see Charles and Pierre waiting by the entrance to the drivers' area, deep in conversation. They spot me and wave me over, grins already forming on their faces.

"Blair! You're slipping up, you know," Charles teases with a smirk. "That French of yours—starting to sound more British these days."

Pierre laughs, nudging me playfully. "Yeah, you're losing your French roots. Next thing we know, you'll be saying 'mate' instead of 'mon pote.'"

I roll my eyes, but I'm laughing too. "Blame it on all the time I spend around the Brits. They're rubbing off on me," I say, laying on a thick English accent for effect. They laugh, shaking their heads, and we fall into a comfortable banter.

We talk strategy, trade jokes, and debate which sections of the track might be trickiest today. There's an unspoken bond between us—a camaraderie born from shared experiences on the track and off. I don't often get to speak French these days, and there's something nice about being able to relax into it with these two.

Then, over the loudspeaker, I hear my name. It's time for my last round of prep before the race. I give the guys a quick fist bump.

"Bonne chance," Charles says, a competitive gleam in his eye.

"Same to you both. Just don't expect me to go easy on you," I reply with a grin.

..

The sun beats down on the track as I walk past the lined-up cars, engines still quiet but ready to roar to life soon. Around me, the drivers are gathering for the pre-race formalities—the national anthem, the photos, the familiar routine before the adrenaline spikes. The atmosphere is heavy with anticipation, everyone focused on the challenge ahead.

Just as I'm about to join the others, a Canal+ crew approaches me, cameras rolling. I see the familiar logo of the French TV channel as a reporter steps up, mic in hand, signaling they want a quick word before the ceremony starts. I hesitate for a moment, glancing over at the other drivers, but then nod and turn to face the camera, already switching into media mode.

"Blair, just a quick interview before the anthem! How are you feeling about today's race? You've been having quite a season so far." the reporter asks, her French accent sharp and professional.

I nod, smiling back. "I'm feeling good, thanks. We've put a lot of work into the car, and the team has been incredible. I'm ready to push and give it everything today."

He follows up quickly, "There's been a lot of talk about your recent performances—win 2 Grand Prix in a row must have felt amazing. Do you feel like you're finding your stride this season?"

I think for a moment before replying, "Absolutely. It's been a journey, but I feel more comfortable with each race. I'm getting better at understanding the car, the strategy, and how to manage different situations. Every race is a chance to learn, and I'm just focused on building momentum."

"Speaking of strategy, you've shown some impressive moves on the track, especially during your battle with Leclerc. Can we expect some similar moments today?"

I chuckle. "Well, that's the plan. Racing against drivers like Charles and Max, you have to be on your toes. They're fierce competitors, but that's what makes it exciting. I'm here to race hard, so hopefully, we can make it an interesting show for the fans."