New driver in the paddock

Styrian Grand Prix: The Weight of Second Place

The Styrian GP weekend started off brilliantly. In FP1 and FP2, she was flying, setting competitive lap times and pushing herself and the car to the limit. The team was pleased with her performance, and she felt confident going into Saturday, ready to carry the momentum into FP3 and Qualifying. But things quickly took a turn.

Max's car developed a significant problem, and the team needed a solution fast. They decided that Y/n would give her car to Max for FP3 so he could continue to prepare for the race. As much as she wanted to help, it was frustrating to sit out of such a crucial session. She knew she had the potential to challenge Max this weekend, to go head-to-head and prove she could win. Watching from the sidelines, she could only grit her teeth and wait for Qualifying.

When the time came, her car was finally fixed and she was back in it for Quali. She performed well—better than expected, considering the missed practice session. But Max, due to the major changes to his car, was penalized and had to start from P10 on the grid. Despite the setback, she knew Max was formidable and would quickly climb his way back up. But this time, she was determined to keep her position.

Race day came, and Y/n found herself leading the pack after some clean laps. Max and Lewis, as expected, were in hot pursuit. Max's pace was incredible, and he soon made it up to P3. She saw in her mirrors as he and Lewis battled fiercely behind her, but she kept her focus on the road ahead. It felt surreal—leading the race, in control, feeling like this win was within reach. But her radio crackled to life with the call that would shatter her focus: "Let Max through."

Her grip tightened on the steering wheel. "What?" she instinctively responded, confused. They repeated it, reminding her of her role: "Remember, number two." The words cut deeper than they should have. She wasn't just a second driver, she knew she could fight for this, but the team had made their decision. Her jaw clenched, her blood boiling, but she did what was asked of her. She gave Max the position.

It was a painful moment, not just because she lost the lead, but because the team didn't seem to believe in her. The decision was heavily criticized afterward, with journalists and fans questioning the team's choice. But no official comments were made. In the post-race interviews, the same topic dominated the conversation—why had she been told to give up her position?

She tried to remain composed, deflecting as much as she could, but the frustration was clear. After all the interviews and the race debrief with the team, she felt drained. The day had started with so much promise and ended in disappointment. Back in her hotel, she still couldn't shake the anger and frustration, so she decided to go for a swim.

The pool was quiet, and the water cool against her skin. She dove under, letting herself stay submerged longer than usual. The pressure of the water felt like a welcome escape from the pressure she felt on the track. She stayed under for a minute or two, pushing her limits before finally resurfacing.

When she came up, she found Carlos standing by the edge of the pool, watching her. "You've got some lungs," he said with a small, impressed smile. He wasn't just talking about her swimming, and they both knew it. He sat down, his expression soft with understanding.

Carlos, having been in similar situations in his career, knew how difficult it was to give up something you've fought so hard for, just because the team didn't see you as a contender. He didn't need to say much; his presence alone was comforting. They talked for a while, about racing, about the sacrifices that come with being the "second driver," and she appreciated his words. He understood her frustrations better than most.

As the evening wore on, she felt a little lighter. She knew she wasn't alone in this, that other drivers had faced the same struggle. Still, it didn't make the sting of the day any less sharp. But talking to Carlos helped her see things more clearly, and though the pain of losing out in that race wouldn't disappear overnight, she knew she'd be back. Stronger, more determined.